The Ultimate Guide to Full Time RV Living in 2024

Are you considering giving full time RV living a try? Many families, retirees, and even young couples (us included!) are finding themselves ready to make a change in their life. An exciting and accessible way to do that is by piling into an RV and hitting the road. Our guide will help you make your full time RV living dreams a reality. So what are you waiting for?

Finding the Right RV for Full Time Living

Aside from getting yourself in the mindset to jump in and embrace this lifestyle, finding the right RV or trailer is arguably the most difficult decision when getting going. The amount of choice on the market can be overwhelming, so it’s important to do your research (you’re already in the right place!). Get yourself into some actual trailers to get a feel for the space. There are six main types of RVs for you to consider. Each one offers something different; determining what works best for you will really depend on your lifestyle, family size, and how and where you plan to travel.

Towables vs Motorhomes

Travel trailers and fifth wheels, towed by a separate vehicle, offer the ability to unhitch and explore in your tow vehicle, which for many is a big factor in their decision (no moving your entire home just to get groceries!). Truck campers are by far your smallest option, but is a fantastic choice for overlanding and visiting Crown or BLM land as you can go anywhere your truck will fit. And yes, some people actually full time in a truck camper!

Class A motorhomes provide spacious interiors and luxurious amenities, suitable for those seeking a home-like experience on the road. Class B campervans offer compact versatility, ideal for solo travelers or couples looking for nimble maneuverability. Whereas Class C motorhomes strike a balance between the two, offering a comfortable living space with a cab-over design.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Layout is a very important factor. This is going to be your primary living space, so it needs to be comfortable and have the amenities for daily life. A couple may only need one bedroom, but a family with kids will need a bunk room. There are also plenty of trailers that only have a sofa fit for two, and that won’t work unless you want family movie night sitting on the floor. 

Think about if you’ll be the full time RVer who spends every night in a campground with full hookups or if you’d rather be dry camping (boondocking) a lot of the time and will require an off-grid setup.

Once you’ve narrowed down the kind of RV and the layout, get yourself into lots of them! Go on tours at your local dealer or visit an RV show that is rolling into town.

Budget

This goes without saying: work within your means. In the words of the great KYD: ‘Start small, start now!’ (No seriously, you really should go watch them.)

When we first got on the road, we did not go out and buy the fanciest, most expensive trailer. Our trusty fifth wheel is almost 15 years old now. But because we took the time to ensure it was in good condition and well maintained, we can trust that it will keep us on the road. To combat the dated interior, we fully renovated the inside so it has a modern look and feel. We love our little apartment on wheels!

Remember that an RV is a depreciating asset, no matter how many bells and whistles it may have.

Earning Money on the Road

Knowing how you are going to put food on the (picnic) table and gas in the tank is one of the biggest considerations when living RV life full time. Balancing the demands of work with the allure of the open road requires some planning and commitment. As the world increasingly embraces remote work, RVers have more opportunity to redefine the traditional work-life balance. There are more remote and nontraditional jobs than ever before, sometimes it takes a bit of an open mind to find something that works for you.

When we started on the road, we had already been working remotely due to, well, remember 2020? We already knew where our income was coming from when we decided to sell it all and hit the road. Things have changed since then, however, and some jobs are moving back into the office at least part time, including ours.

Be Creative When Finding Options

So what if you want to travel full time? There are tons of remote and travel-friendly job options out there for you to consider. These include being a travel health professional, virtual assisting, workamping, freelancing or consulting, blogging (*cough cough*). Opportunities are abound; you just need to know where to look and how to capitalize on your unique skills.

An important thing to consider when working remotely is having a solid internet connection. Some locations are more reliable than others – luckily, there are more options than ever!

Packing the Essentials

Embarking on the open road with your RV is an exciting prospect, but ensuring you have the right gear is crucial for your day to day comfort and safety. First time RVers will often go out and buy all the items that Youtube says you need. But, often there are just a few important things you require you get on the road.

We recommend you don’t overbuy, and instead learn what you truly need through experience on the road. There is always an Amazon locker in your location to order what you need later on. Start with the essentials and build from there as budget allows. 

Navigating Places to Stay When Full Time RV Living

So you’ve got your RV (and for some, a truck), you’ve loaded up on the essentials, you’ve funded your life and travels. You’re ready for full time RV living!

Wait…where are you going to park the darn thing!? There are many, many options for places to stay while on the road; from completely free boondocking spots to $120 a night RV resorts with all the amenities. Where you stay is largely dependent on the kind of RV lifestyle you want, can afford, and is available in the places you want to go.

RV Resorts and Private Campgrounds

RV resorts and campgrounds stand as the traditional backbone of RV accommodation. These sites range from full-service resorts with amenities like swimming pools and laundry facilities, and to more basic campgrounds that provide basic hookups. They offer a sense of community, often hosting social activities, and are an ideal choice for those who value a mix of comfort and sociability.

This accommodation option typically comes with a fee. Costs can range from $20/night up to $120+ per night, depending on where you are staying and the time of year.

National, Provincial, and State Parks

For nature enthusiasts seeking a more immersive experience, national, provincial, and state parks are a treasure trove. Nestled amidst scenic landscapes, these parks offer a chance to reconnect with the great outdoors. While facilities may vary, you can expect beautiful trails, wildlife sightings, and the tranquility that comes with camping in nature.

Many parks come with full hookups, are often cheaper than RV resorts, and help you to check bucket list locations off your list! National parks are a personal favourite of ours. We stay at them wherever possible.

Independently Hosted Sites: Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, HipCamp

These platforms open the door to unique and often private accommodations. Harvest Hosts connects RVers with wineries, farms, and museums willing to host overnight stays. Boondockers Welcome connects travelers with private hosts, offering driveway or property space. HipCamp extends the concept, allowing you to discover and book campsites on private land, from rustic retreats to scenic meadows. We love Harvest Hosts for full time RV living, as it offers a great option for stops part way to a destination. We also love supporting local and meeting folks from all over!

These options can often come with lower or no fees (and often in the form of an annual fee). Note that often no hookups or amenities are available, and in the case of Harvest Hosts, you can only stay one night per host visit.

Crown land (Canada) and BLM land (US)

Public lands like Crown Land in Canada and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the United States provide an opportunity for boondocking and dispersed camping. This allows RVers to immerse themselves in untouched landscapes, enjoying solitude and a connection with nature.

However, amenities are pretty much non-existent, and responsible camping practices are crucial to preserve these pristine areas. There can often be rules about length of stay as well.

Moochdocking

Moochdocking involves staying on the private property of friends, family, or acquaintances; essentially you are “mooching” off of their land and sometimes their shore power! It’s a more personal and often cost-free option for RVers, offering a chance to spend time with loved ones while enjoying the convenience of having a familiar setting as your temporary home.

We have done a lot of moochdocking, both when we were renovating our RV and when we needed to be close to home for family reasons.

Taking the Leap into Full Time RV Living

So now you’re ready! We hope this guide was helpful in deciding if and how to take the plunge into full time RV living.

We’ve been there, and we know it can be daunting to make such a drastic lifestyle change. However, we’ve also been on the other side of it and can say with confidence that it is one of the best decisions we ever made! Even deciding to live full time in your RV for just 6 months, or a year or two, means you will have made the leap and chosen to seek adventure in your life! The memories made on the road are ones that stay with you forever.

There is always more to learn; we’ve been RVing for several years and we learn something new everyday! Whether or not you decide to hit the road, we hope you’ll continue to join our adventures and we can’t wait to hear about yours!

Are you looking to start RV living full time? Or perhaps you’re already doing it!? Drop a comment below!