Why I Prefer RV Living.

I see a lot of videos/articles online talking about why RV living is terrible and not to do it. But in my experience that’s just not the case, I couldn’t be happier with the decision to buy an RV instead of a house. I went from a 1,500 square foot house with a two car garage down to a roughly 125 square foot camper and there really isn’t much I miss about the house. I thought I lived a simple life before, and to many people I did, but when it came time to move I couldn’t believe how much crap I had accumulated. I’m still in the process of pairing down and replacing poor quality items with better and more functional things. It’s been an eye-opening experience seeing what I really need in life.

Luckily for me and some of the useless junk I can’t seem to part with, this camper has an impressive amount of storage for the miniscule 7’x22’ footprint. Above the bed is a full width cabinet that holds all the clothes I own(excluding bulky winter gear) and all my extra bedding. Looking up from the sink is a decent cabinet plenty big for all my spices, coffee supplies, and snacks I want quick access to. Below the sink is another cabinet that stores some extra sauces and such so I’m never without a bottle of sriracha or soy sauce, more tupperware than I should probably own, and cleaning supplies. Beneath the stove top there’s a huge drawer that fits pretty much all the plates, pans, and cups I could want. Underneath the dinette benches provides a ton of storage, stuff I don’t use more than once every month or two like a dehydrator or crock pot are tucked away here along with some long shelf life food items. On the other side all my fly tying supplies, dog treats, extra charging cables, etc. live here as well with room to spare. I decided to buy the model with bunk beds mostly for the ease of reselling but also the space is great for bigger gear to be stored, like puffy winter jackets and a rock climbing crash pad that I haven't used in years but also can’t let go of.  I also have a few totes to keep stuff organized and they reside in the bunk bed area as well. One for things like extra hats, “office supplies”, etc. and one for camping items such as; sleeping bags, camp cook set, fly fishing gear, various trail maps, some extra clothes in case I forget to pack that stuff, etc. I try to be as simple and intentional with everything I own and take with me on trips, but I also want to be prepared for everything. On most trips I end up with more stuff than needed but I’ve been on countless adventures having forgotten some critical gear, so now I tend to double up on the important stuff. I always carry multiple dehydrated meals both in my truck and in the camping tote, I’m never without a couple headlamps, more fishing gear than I need, and I probably carry 9 different items for fire starting. Although I was never in the boy scouts I certainly embrace their motto, Be Prepared. 

Growing up we spent most of the family trips going camping and I’ve never grown out of it. We started with a tent and ended with a fifth wheel camper, and I’m on a similar track but with a much smaller setup. Being full time, in one spot, it certainly feels much less like camping but enough to keep me happy overall and it’s so nice having the freedom to hook up and take off for a weekend, can’t really do that with a house! I am really enjoying having one spot though, it has enabled me to start my first garden, I set up my own fire pit, and I don’t have to bother with dumping and filling tanks all the time. Having full time shore power has also helped in making the transition much smoother, though I did spend the first three weeks in it without hookups at all, just my single 100 watt solar panel. That panel worked great for the first week and a half, but then I drained the battery too far on a cloudy day and now it stays fine all day, but after dark it drains to nothing very quickly so that’s something to upgrade in the future. Sadly this solar setup isn’t nearly enough to run a microwave or the AC but it’s more than capable to run the campers heater, water heater, water pump, and all the lights so I can’t complain too much. 

The single biggest reason to go for the RV life in my opinion is hands down the financial freedom it provides. Even with the camper being brand new, my truck being almost new, and paying insurance on everything I’m still WELL under my house costs, in fact, every single bill I now have is less than just the house and its utility costs, these days housing is getting absurd in the areas I prefer to live. And the added bonus, my pupper gets even better food and treats now, she eats better than me some nights! My long term intentions include pulling this camper full time or at least going out often but for now I’m happy with my dedicated spot. I felt the need to spoil River as much as possible during the somewhat hectic transition from a house in the Arizona desert to a camper in a PCT mountain town, and as such this sweet pupper has become a bit of a treat and food snob enjoying everything from chunks of raw steak and chicken to multi color carrots and broccolini, she prefers the finer things in life! As with anything in life there are always negatives but I think River really enjoys this lifestyle as do I.