Three months.
That’s all it took for us to realize that full-time RV living wasn’t quite what we expected.
Some things turned out to be even better than we’d hoped.
Other things…well…let’s just say we’ve learned a few lessons the hard way.
If you’re thinking about traveling full-time or you’ve recently hit the road yourself, here are some of the biggest things we’ve learned during our first three months of RV life.
Hopefully a few of these tips will save you some time, money, and frustration.
Comfortable Seating Matters More Than You Think
One of the first things we discovered was that our dinette cushions weren’t going to survive full-time use.
The original factory cushions were already beginning to flatten, and when we tried inexpensive replacement cushions, they compressed within just a few days.
Our solution was much better.
We purchased high-density five-inch upholstery foam and reused the fabric covers we’d already bought.
The difference was incredible.
Just as important, we decided to keep the original RV dinette instead of replacing it with chairs.
Originally we thought a table and rolling office chairs would make a better workspace.
But after living in the trailer for several months, we realized the storage underneath the dinette seats was simply too valuable to give up.
Sometimes the factory design really is the better choice.
GPS Isn’t Always Right
This may have been our biggest surprise.
Both Google Maps and our Garmin GPS occasionally tried sending us down roads that simply weren’t appropriate for a travel trailer.
Even after selecting options to avoid dirt roads, we still found ourselves facing questionable routes more than once.
The lesson?
Never trust GPS blindly.
Before moving day, spend a few minutes reviewing your route on satellite imagery or a paper map.
A few minutes of planning can save hours of stress.
Mail on the Road Isn’t as Simple as You Think
Receiving mail while traveling sounds easy.
In reality, it took us several attempts to find a system we liked.
We tried:
- General Delivery at the Post Office
- Having packages sent directly to campgrounds
- Using campground post office boxes
Each method had advantages and disadvantages.
Overall, we’ve found that General Delivery at a full-service post office tends to be the most reliable option.
Our biggest recommendation is simple:
Call the post office first and verify that they actually accept General Delivery before sending your mail.
Develop Good Hitching Habits
One small mistake nearly became an expensive one.
While unhitching one day, Ed accidentally left our hitch pin sitting on the truck bumper.
Somewhere between the campsite and our next stop, it disappeared.
Replacing it wasn’t terribly expensive, but it reminded us how important routines are when moving an RV.
Now everything gets stored in exactly the same place every single time.
Good habits prevent costly mistakes.
Bathroom Rugs Make Great RV Carpeting
Our trailer has vinyl flooring throughout.
While that’s great for cleaning, it wasn’t great for General.
Our Labrador constantly slid across the floor whenever he tried to walk or sit down.
Rather than installing permanent carpet, we purchased several inexpensive bathroom rugs.
The results were better than we expected.
The rugs stay in place, they’re easy to wash, and when they eventually wear out, replacing them costs very little.
General immediately became much more comfortable.
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best.
Always Keep Cash Available
One thing that surprised us was how many campgrounds preferred—or even required—cash payments.
Instead of paying ATM fees every time we needed cash, we started getting cash back whenever we shopped at Walmart.
It became an easy way to avoid unnecessary bank fees while making sure we always had cash available if needed.
McDonald’s Became Our Office
Reliable internet has been one of the biggest challenges of traveling full-time.
After trying several public Wi-Fi locations, we found that McDonald’s often offered the fastest and most reliable connections.
It wasn’t perfect everywhere, but it became one of our favorite places to upload YouTube videos and catch up on work when campground Wi-Fi couldn’t keep up.
Buy the Adapter Before You Need It
One inexpensive purchase has already paid for itself several times.
A 50-amp to 30-amp adapter gives you much more flexibility when campground electrical hookups don’t work exactly as expected.
We originally assumed we’d only ever need one type of connection.
Reality proved otherwise.
For the small cost of an adapter, it’s nice knowing you have another option available.
LED Puck Lights Were One of Our Favorite Upgrades
The factory lighting in our trailer left a lot to be desired.
Some lights weren’t bright enough.
Others were simply located in awkward places.
Our solution was inexpensive battery-powered LED puck lights.
We added them:
- Above the couch for reading
- Under the range hood while cooking
- Inside cabinets
- Anywhere we needed extra light
For very little money, they made everyday life inside the trailer much more enjoyable.
Moving Day Gets Easier
When we first started traveling, packing everything up took us forever.
Three months later, we’ve developed a routine.
One of us focuses on the inside.
The other handles the outside.
Then we check each other’s work before leaving.
Even though our setup still takes longer than some experienced RVers, we’d rather spend a few extra minutes making sure everything is done correctly than rush and forget something important.
Every trip helps improve the routine.
Laundry: Campgrounds vs. Laundromats
At first, we assumed we’d simply use campground laundry rooms.
After several experiences, we’ve changed our minds.
Most campground laundries only have a few machines, and they’re often busy.
Local laundromats usually offer:
- More machines
- Larger washers
- Faster dryers
- Less waiting
They’re also perfect for washing our area rugs.
For us, laundromats have become the easier option.
We Love Our Small Travel Trailer
People often ask if we wish we’d bought a larger RV.
Honestly?
Not really.
Sure, a fifth wheel would have provided more space.
But our smaller travel trailer lets us stay in beautiful state parks, fit into more campsites, spend less on fuel, and keep our travel budget under control.
We’ve actually been removing things rather than adding more.
Living with less has turned out to be surprisingly freeing.
Life Is Busier Than We Expected
Before we hit the road, we imagined ourselves sitting outside every evening watching sunsets.
Reality looks a little different.
Between filming videos, editing, driving, planning routes, doing laundry, grocery shopping, caring for General, maintaining the trailer, and actually exploring the places we visit, life stays remarkably busy.
We wouldn’t trade it for anything.
But it certainly isn’t an endless vacation.
Our Biggest Takeaway
After three months on the road, one thing has become perfectly clear.
We’re absolutely loving this lifestyle.
We’ve made mistakes.
We’ve learned a tremendous amount.
Every campground teaches us something new.
Every destination brings another adventure.
And every challenge makes us a little more confident for the next leg of the journey.
If you’re dreaming about full-time RV living, don’t wait until everything is perfect.
You’ll learn far more during your first three months than you ever could by staying home and planning.
Continue the Journey
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