{"id":813,"date":"2022-08-22T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeinrv.com\/?p=813"},"modified":"2022-08-22T16:21:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-22T16:21:43","slug":"info-about-the-cost-of-full-time-rv-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeinrv.com\/info-about-the-cost-of-full-time-rv-living\/","title":{"rendered":"Info About the Cost of Full-Time RV Living"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Full-time RV Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have been dreaming of living in an RV full-time, you are in the right place. The biggest question many RVers ask themselves at this point is -what is the cost of full-time RV living?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading this post to discover how much it costs to live in an RV full-time, factors determining RV park costs, and tips for downsizing life. Let\u2019s dig in!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Family<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Cost of Full-Time RV Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cost of living in an RV full-time varies for every family and person. First, some people opt to live in an RV to save money. On the flip side, some go for full-time RV living to enjoy the freedom to travel. Therefore, the cost of living in an RV full-time will vary depending on your lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you opt to move into your RV, saving up as much money as possible before you hit the road is advisable. One essential factor that might determine the overall cost is whether you have a monthly payment on your truck or RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have truck and RV payments, they can significantly affect your budget. So, it is an essential factor to consider. Also, where will you spend most of your time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are in the middle of the road most of the time, your gas expenditure will be higher. Also, the number of nights you spend in campgrounds and RV parks will affect your overall costs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it Cheaper to Live in an RV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As stated earlier, several factors determine the cost of RV living full-time. There are reports of RVers who spent $1600 per month while others spent as much as $5000 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experienced RVers suggest you can spend as low as $1000 per month by adopting certain approaches. For example, you can find a free spot to park your RV for longer periods or by becoming a camp host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you can make your RV living cheaper by embracing such measures. But, other expenses such as student loan payments and food might not change when you move to an RV. In this sense, ensure you track your expenses to know how much they cost.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Main Costs for Full-Time RV Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While some of your typical expenses might not change when you move to your RV, some costs will vary significantly. For example, you will still have significant expenses like insurance, gas, and campsite fees. But, their percentages of your budget are likely to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, because of the full-time RV living monthly costs, it would help to consider these main expense categories. They will guide you in estimating your monthly expenditure for your new way of life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cost of Gas and Propane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gas and propane are usually the highest expense for people who live in their RVs full time. Several factors will affect your gas and propane costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Rig\u2019s Fuel Economy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This cost ranges from approximately five mpg if you own a gas truck towing large rigs to 20 plus for those with diesel Sprinter vans. In this sense, larger motorhomes usually pull smaller vehicles around town to save on gas. It also makes it effortless for RVers to navigate crowded areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Distance You Travel Every Month<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s up to you to decide whether you will travel much or a little. During the summer, people tend to travel a lot as they view attractive places. On the other hand, during winter, there are fewer options for RVers, so they stay in areas longer, reducing towing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Season and Weather    <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The season does not only affect how much you travel; it also affects the amount of propane you use. For example, you will use up to three times more propane in the winter because you will use propane to heat your RV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, shorter days mean less solar power. Therefore, you will have to use propane for cooking more than electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gas and Propane Prices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Gas and propane prices will change, especially if you move from state to state. Additionally, global economic and political situations usually cause gas prices to fluctuate. You will need a mobile application to help you check gas prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Campsite Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Campsite fees for full-time RVers are in the form of costs to stay in a campground or RV park. You must also consider other expenses like water, dump, and electric fees, which you will incur along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can pay high or low campsite fees based on where you set up camp. If you want to live in fancy RV parks and have the comfort of home, you should be ready to spend more. On the other hand, you can reduce your RV park cost per month by braving the wilderness and boondocking for free.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the main camping options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RV Parks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is the most expensive option for full-time RVers. They usually charge around $50 to 70 nightly rates. However, you will get a discount for weekly stays and even bigger discounts for monthly stays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, an RV park can charge $65 per night or $700 if you stay for a month. Therefore, it is best to consider monthly RV park stays. You will enjoy full electric, sewer, and water hookups. However, you should be willing to stay in one place for at least a month. You can even find RV parks having hot tubs, pools, and golf courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National\/State Park Campgrounds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These established campgrounds provide an excellent balance between the comfort of RV parks and the nature found in boondocking. While the parks are different, the average nightly cost is $25 to 40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of state parks is you get more room between you and your neighbors compared to RV parks. Moreover, most have trees between sites which make them more private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage of camping in a state campground is that you can access beautiful trails, rivers, and lakes. You can also select an established campground to immerse yourself in a specific park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boondocking<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We also know Boondocking as \u201cdispersed\u201d or \u201cdry camping.\u201d It means free camping on public land. The popular boondocking sites are on land that the Bureau of Land Management <\/a>(BLM), Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the National Forest Service manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sites are usually primitive, so don\u2019t expect to access water or bathrooms. However, you can comfortably boondock if you have water-holding tanks and a solar setup that enable you to live off-grid. Note that the authorities allow RVers to camp on public land for 14 days at a time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Food Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Food is one of the costs that won\u2019t change significantly when you choose to live in an RV full time. For example, you\u2019re likely to feed the same number of mouths and wouldn\u2019t change your diet. Also, if you love eating out, you will still find multiple eating-out options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you live on a budget and prepare all your meals from scratch, you can continue the tradition in your RV. You can continue using your typical food budget, but several other factors can affect your RV life food budget:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your destinations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Food prices vary from place to place. Therefore, if you plan to visit popular tourist sites like Yellowstone, it would help to stock up on groceries before you go there. This is a smart move that will help you cut your food expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, you will not find big box grocery stores in small towns. In addition, the mom-and-pop convenience marks usually have higher prices. This trend is particularly true for famous tourist destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Cooking Skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you are a good cook, it will save you a lot of money! Therefore, if you want to reduce your full-time RV living monthly costs, it would help to work on your cooking skills. Traveling in your RV allows you to try various local cuisines. Remember that going to restaurants and breweries frequently increases your food budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Rig<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Each RV has a different cooking and food storage capacity. Therefore, ensure your RV has a big kitchen and fridge. This will help you when you go camping in remote areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, small rigs will make cooking and food storage more challenging. Therefore, you might need to modify some recipes to be able to cook from the RV kitchen. Also, smaller RVs will force you to visit the grocery store frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Rig Maintenance and Repairs  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a challenging RV living cost to predict. For instance, it is $0 in some months while it can shoot to $1000 severally in a year. Therefore, consider budgeting around $200 per month for your RV\u2019s repairs and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experienced RVers suggest you have $5000 in reserves for the unavoidable rig breakdown. Repair costs are part of full-time RV living, although you can\u2019t predict when and where it will happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would be best if you considered investing in a tire pressure monitoring system and an air compressor. These devices will save you a lot of headaches while you are on the road. Ensure you monitor the condition of your tire conditions and air pressure like a hawk to avoid inconveniences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, ensure you stay up to date with your RV\u2019s oil changes and brake replacements. This will help prevent expensive mechanic costs while on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Insurance Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Insurance needs differ; therefore, you can estimate the total insurance costs<\/a> at the individual level. For example, some people work on the road hence taking advantage of their employer paying health and\/or life insurance. On the other hand, some RVers finance their insurance costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The factors influencing your insurance costs include your insurance policy, rig, and state of residence. Remember, finding an insurer to insure your full-time RV living is not straightforward. For instance, some insurance companies won’t insure your RV if you live in it full time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, talk to your insurance agent to determine if they will insure you. Also, shop around to ensure you get the best rate for your preferred policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Phone and Internet Costs  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you choose to live in an RV full time, you need a stable internet connection. Go for an internet provider that can still offer service in remote locations and small towns. Seasoned RVers suggest that Verizon is the best option as its signal is available almost everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, while choosing your phone plan, consider hotspot allowance. This is important because you rarely find RV parks with reliable WiFi. In such instances, you will need your phone\u2019s hotspot to connect other devices to the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you will likely need extra hotspot data if you are working on the road. So, consider carrying another mobile hotspot device. Also, go for a device with a different service provider from your cell phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veteran RVers state in their reviews that they use Verizon on their phones and an AT&T mobile hotspot. This combination ensures you can access the internet everywhere to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Entertainment Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Living in an RV full-time doesn\u2019t have to be boring. This section of the budget covers your TV provider, tickets to a concert, or shopping for new shoes. Also, because your RV has limited space, you spend most of your entertainment on experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, even as you budget for your entertainment, please be flexible. If there is something you really want to do, just do it! This approach will see your monthly entertainment budget fluctuate. Also, learn how to take advantage of free entertainment in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Other Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The other costs you will incur while living in RV full-time include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n