If Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” is your theme song, and the very idea of spending a winter in one place makes you fidget, then full-time RVing might be for you. More than a million North Americans have exchanged the green, green grass of home for the open road and never looked back. While the notion of traveling the country fancy-free is romantic, it’s not without its stresses. So how do you know if full-timing is right for you?
Before selling the home and giving away all your possessions, including baby’s first booties, ask yourself:
• Am I actually dissatisfied with my life as it is? Unless the travel bug has you firmly in its teeth, a trip or two a year might be all you need.
• Is my partner committed to full-timing? If they’re ambivalent or have hesitations, you might find yourself full-timing solo.
• Are we both good at compromise? With limited resources, cramped quarters and no nine-to-five break from each other, there’s no room in the cargo space for big egos.
• Do we have the funds? While some full-timers live on as little as $10,000 a year, can you afford the lifestyle if you need to replace your vehicle or get ill?
• Are we handy? Remote areas won’t have mechanics, plumbers and repair men on call. Some RV maintenance issues, like leaky propane connections, need to be fixed immediately.
If you’re independent, adventuresome and able to make your home wherever you hang your hat, then you might have the making of a full-timer. And in no time flat you’ll need a whole new theme song – “I’ve Been Everywhere”.
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Charmian Christie,
Outdoor Adventure Expert