5 Full-Time RV Living Myths and Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing
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Hit the road in style with an RV – your ultimate Recreational Vehicle! There are some myths and misconceptions attached to the RV lifestyle. You might be shocked to learn that it takes far less effort than you think. If you are a beginner in RVing, check these tips before you start.
Today’s contemporary RVs come equipped with so many luxurious features that living in one is comparable to living in a reduced version of a residential unit.
Don’t let false rumors prevent you from RV living! We’re here to set the record straight with our guide that debunks 5 common misconceptions.
Table of Contents
Misconception #1:
The Majority Of Rvers Are Elderly
Millennials are travelling and living full-time in RVs. RVing was once thought to be a game for the elderly. Most RVers, on the other hand, are certainly following at least one young couple or family that lives in an RV full-time on social media platforms.
On average, millennials travel more than preceding generations. Because we have so much terrain to explore in the United States, much of these travelling are domestic.
Furthermore, new property prices have been progressively rising in recent years. Some younger people have been priced out of the market as a result of this.
As younger folks save for their dream houses, purchasing an RV appears to be a far more cost-effective option. All of this points to the notion that RVing is no longer just for retirees and the elderly.
I didn’t even emphasize that individuals can now work remotely more readily than ever before. As a result, you’ll discover plenty of RVers enjoying the “semi-retired” lifestyle since they have the option to work from anywhere their RV is stationed.
Misconception #2:
Staying In an RV With “Residential-Style” Amenities Is The Same As Living In A Conventional House
The only major distinction between a standard RV and one with residential-style appliances is their size.
Sure, you’ll get a bigger fridge, a bigger stove, a bigger sink, and more storage space. If you haven’t lived in a tiny house before, you’ll need to make some adaptations when residing in an RV.
Considering you won’t get enough sink and counter surface to prepare meals while also scattering dirty dishes for later, you’ll probably have to do dishes while preparing and cooking supper.
Since your freshwater, as well as grey water containers, have a restricted volume, you simply wouldn’t be able to use water as easily and casually as you would in a residential property. You can check this guide on water saving hacks on the road.
Residential-style appliances also overlook the fact that dining in an RV may rapidly overheat the whole structure. In the end, if you burn those morning potatoes by mistake, the smoke will quickly fill your RV.
Misconception #3
RVing is all about Flexibility!
Upon this flipside, when you live in an RV, planning your trips is perhaps far more crucial than when you travel by vehicle or truck.
That’s not to suggest there isn’t room for spontaneity in RV life, but it’s always beneficial to have a basic understanding of the areas you’ll be visiting.
One of the main reasons for this is that not all areas let RVers park in their lots for free overnight.
While this is still true in most places, certain big urban areas have outlawed overnight parking at Wal-Mart lots (see Southern California).
Nobody loves it when someone comes knocking on their door at 2 a.m. and asks them to move. Thankfully, there are several RV resources available to assist you in planning your trip. Route planning and camping options may be found on websites like RV Trip Wizard and Overnight RV Parking, for example.
Misconception #4
Living In An Rv Makes It Easy To Save Money
When people buy their first RV that is one of the biggest frustrations for them. Although boondocking is a terrific method to save money on overnight camping costs, some RV parks have shockingly hefty overnight charges for a full hookup.
The typical cost of a nightly RV site reservation, as per Roads less traveled, is somewhere between $30 to $50. If you chose to stay at the same RV park regularly, you may expect to spend anything between $500 to $1500 each month.
All of this is going to be location-specific. It will be simpler to save money if you are ready to spend some time in more rural spots that are less popular with other RVers.
Misconception #5
It’s Bad to Dump RV Storage Tanks
Yeah, dealing with human crap isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (I suppose!). But you’re not just one of the RV park hosts that have to clean the community restrooms in the park circuit regularly.
Furthermore, some RV toilets are built such that your waste flows directly from your tanks, via a fully contained sewage pipe, and down the drain without ever coming into touch with you.
[ Also Read: Our guide for Best RV Toilets To Make Your Trip More Comfortable]
However, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about what happens when new RVers dump their tanks for the first time. Here is a guide on How To Get Rid And Prevent Holding Tank Odor In Your RV.
So, here are a few pointers to assist you to discharge your storage tanks as neatly as possible:
Tip 1:
Dump frequently and early. When you clean out your tanks regularly, they will be less stinky.
Tip 2:
Disposable gloves should be worn (and maybe even a face mask). It doesn’t matter if you’re the sole one doing it at the RV dumping site. You’ll be the only one who doesn’t get dirt on their clothes for certain.
Tip 3:
Double-check your sewage hose’s connectors on both ends. Before opening the valves, double-check that both ends are securely attached to your tank and into the drain. [ Also Read: Our Guide For the Best RV Sewer Hose ]
Tip 4
Your hose’s drain end should be weighed. The end of your sewer line isn’t always straightforward to screw into the drain at dump stations. As a result, it’s a good idea to load the end of the hose with a huge rock to keep it from shifting once the sewerage starts flowing.
Tip 5
Slowly open the valves. When you initially open your drain valves, there may be a lot of back-pressure. Before releasing the valves all the way, open them half or even a quarter of the way to relieve the initial pressure for 1-2 minutes.
Tip 6
Dispose of black water first, and then grey water. The dark water is the most noxious. Grey water mostly consists of soapy water from your shower and sinks. So, naturally, flush the nastier items out of your sewer pipe with that “cleaner” water.
Tip 7
Clean water should be flushed via the hose. Close the valve to your grey water tank and replace it with 1-2 litres of fresh water once your tanks are empty. Then, run that water via your hose to get rid of any leftovers.
Tip 8
First, disconnect the end of the line that is connected to your tanks. Leave the end of the hose in the drain and raise and shake it from the RV to the drain to clear it out a bit further before reinstalling it under your trailer.
While we can’t promise you’ll have a wonderful RV dumping experience each time, following these guidelines can help you limit the “horribleness.” Alternatively, you can also drain the sewage into a portable waste tank and then bring it to the dump site. We have a detailed guide on the Best Portable Waste Tank for gray and black water if you do not own one yet.
Closing Thoughts
RV living will seem simple and natural once you pop the initial bubble and get into it.
It needs a little more order and tidiness than a bigger house allows. When you live in a tiny place, you can’t have too much junk lying around.
Having stated that, everybody has their style and preferences when it comes to living. So if you flourish in a constrained environment, join in with us.
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
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