A Quick Guide To Rv Living
For many people, the first thing “RV” reminds them of is the Robin Williams movie. However, RV living has become an extremely viable option for people struck with wanderlust, or stuck with jobs that need them to travel a lot.
While living in an RV, you will run into a lot of obstacles that you simply hadn’t anticipated. First and biggest of all… the septic tank. The US has a large number of designated dump stations, where you can empty the black-water and gray-water tanks. Using protective gloves, rubber boots and a sewer hose will minimize spillage and protect you from infection.
Secondly, what should you eat? Using a refrigerator in an RV can really eat up electricity bills, so try to cook only as much as you need. Also, minimize furniture and clothes – those extra pairs of shoes will clutter up the RV like anything.
Common things like ironing and line-drying are nearly impossible on an RV, so make sure your clothing is wash-and-wear friendly.
Kitchens should be kept simple. A gas burner or heating plate, a food processor, 2-3 cooking utensils and tableware should be enough. Sophisticated cooking gadgets for specialized functions are not necessary.
Toiletries also tend to accumulate like anything, especially when you develop temporary skin conditions, or pick up a shampoo only to realize that it doesn’t suit your hair very well. Keep tabs on surplus bathroom goods, and get rid of anything you haven’t used for two months.
The best way to clear out your home before moving into an RV is to have a yard sale. Get rid of antiques, curios, books you don’t read, keepsakes, old clothes… in short, discard everything that isn’t essential. What doesn’t get sold in the yard sale can get donated to Salvation Army. While you’re at it, pick up items you will need from Salvation Army, such as a mini-washing machine or a mini-dryer.
For receiving mail and/or parcels, you can book a post office box. If you’re lucky, you can even get someone who lives nearby to collect your mail, contact you and post it to where you are at the moment.
Phone calls across nations can be costly, so rely on wireless Internet as your primary method of communication. Many public places will have free WiFi, while 3G connections are also available at rather affordable rates. A good data plan can also let you dispense with a phone connection, saving even more money.
Banking is easily done through the Internet, with ATMs for cash needs.
For emergencies, pay up for Emergency Road Service. This is much cheaper than accident insurance for your home, and can really bail you out at times when you need it.
Shifting from home to motorhome is a complete change in lifestyle. Treat it as such, and you will be able to get the most out of it!
The RV lifestyle has always been tempting for people with wanderlust. If you feel your feet itching, find RV rentals that suit your budget, and ride away into freedom!