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When recreational vehicles go from
recreational to home, we call them RVs. I have been living in an RV for
almost two years now, and wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for lugging things
around from apartment to apartment for the world.
Since I travel full time in an RV, many
nurses have inquired about how I knew that the RV lifestyle was best for me,
and how did I choose my RV. The first and most obvious change from a
“regular” house to an RV is the size of living space. Being that my
“office” space was in the living room, I hardly ever sat on the couch or the
“easy” chair. The dining room and kitchen are much smaller now, but it is
all functional. My kitchen really doesn’t seem much smaller than my kitchen
at my apartment, except that my dishwasher has two legs instead of one
motor.
The changes are endless when you live in
an RV. If you like where you are at, you stay for a longer time. For
instance, this week I am attending a conference in New Orleans. The
cheapest rate for a motel is $135.00 per night at one of the motels listed
on the preferred list that I received from the organizers of the
convention. I am paying only $180 for a full week by staying in my RV. It
is also more economical to cook your own food rather than to eat out all the
time. I’m right at home in my own kitchen!
On of the great myths to the RVing
lifestyle is that it is a lonely world. Since I started RVing, I have met
plenty of other people from Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and New York.
Although, we are all from different states, RVers in general have great
personalities and are honest people. Rowdy RV parks can be fun on your
adventures between assignments, but you don’t want to be in one while you
are trying to sleep.
Yes you can take your family! Fulltime
RVing has a tendency to strengthen strong families and tear apart weak
ones. A balance between family and self is soon obtained. Don’t hesitate
to tell that family that you just need some space for a while. This gets me
out of the RV, by myself for a little bit of piece and quite, and gives my
family a break from me also.
The next obstacle is finding the right RV
for you and/or your family. Get out a piece of paper and list your
priorities. Do you need an office? Do you need a garage for the
motorcycle? Do you need extra bunks for the kids? Take a trip down to the
local RV store and tell the dealer that you are just browsing. Pick up all
kinds of brochures, and soon you will start to pick out the features that
you need.
What type of RV do you want? There are
plenty of different choices out there between a Travel Trailer (bumper
pull), 5th Wheel, or Motorhome? Travel trailers and 5th wheels are somewhat
cumbersome going down the freeway, and you have to drive somewhat slower.
With a motorhome, you still have to make the wide turns, but some prefer to
drive them better than pulling a trailer. Some people will trailer their
car behind their motorhome, and some will just attach it to the motorhome,
in which the car becomes a “toad.” If you are unsure, then find a place
that rents RVs and try out each for a trip.
Price and warrantees also play a big part
in RVs. Do you want to spend $10,000 for a travel trailer or do you want to
spend $150,000 for a motorhome? You can find RVs at any price. Your travel
trailers are going to be the least expensive with 5th wheels, and motorhomes
next. Motorhomes also come in many shapes, sizes, and classes. I have seen
some travelers in everything from Minnie Winnie’s to Fleetwood Discovery
diesel pushers. When buying a motorhome the major thing to remember is that
even though the gasoline engines are less expensive, your trade in value
will be much greater with a diesel engine or “diesel pusher.”
This short article just gives you a
glimpse into fulltime RVing. Do your research on the internet and learn
more if this sparks your interests. |
Highway Hypodermicstm
