Category: RV Living

RV Refrigerator Replacement – Time For A Residential Fridge?

What happens when it’s RV refrigerator replacement time? Should you just replace the old fridge with the same or similar RV refrigerator?

Well, these days you have more options to choose from, including residential refrigerators.

So let’s talk about RV refrigerators vs residential refrigerators for your RV.

And first of all, it has to be said that RVs present unique challenges for keeping your food cold!

There’s no question about that. Or at least a lot more challenges than you would experience in a regular home.

So at some point a lot of RVers start thinking about replacing that RV refrigerator, or gas absorption refrigerator, with a residential fridge instead.

Watch my video on RV refrigerators vs residential refrigerators

And let’s see what are the pros and cons of going either way. Because there’s no one right choice for all RVers.

Listen to my podcast on RV refrigerators vs residential refrigerators here

Table of Contents

RV Refrigerator Replacement – Gas Absorption Pros

So let’s start with the pros of going with a normal RV, or gas absorption refrigerator.

Gas absorption refrigerator
An example of an RV gas absorption refrigerator

And the first pro is that they are versatile. In fact, they can run on multiple power sources, and that’s great!

Because if one power source is not available for any reason, you can run it on a different one instead.

Then the second pro is that they are a low power draw on the electric side of your RV. And that’s always a good thing for power management.

Pro number three, and this is a big one, is that they are very good for boondocking. And that’s great for all of you folks that like to dry camp.

You know, maybe you like to go out and camp in places where nobody’s around.

Well then, a gas absorption RV refrigerator is made for that scenario. Because they can be run on propane , and not just electrical power.

And you’re going to really love that! Because you can run your refrigerator as long as you’ve got enough propane on hand.

More RV Refrigerator Pros

Now the next pro is that RV refrigerators are lighter than residential refrigerators. So they save weight in the RV.

And remember everything comes back to weight in an RV eventually. So it’s important to save as much as you can.

And RV refrigerators do that well. Especially if they happen to be installed in an RV slide.

That’s because you’ve got to make sure you don’t overload the slide mechanism. And too much weight can easily do that.

Now the other point is that RV refrigerators already fit right in to your RV if it was installed at the factory.

In fact, in many cases, it sort of seems like they put the refrigerator in and built the rest of the RV all around it.

But the point is that once it’s installed in an RV from the factory, RV refrigerator replacement is fairly straightforward.

It’s located in a place that’s made for it. So all you’ve got to do is just replace it when it becomes unusable at some point. And that’s a pro to consider!

The last pro is that there are no moving parts in an RV refrigerator.

In other words, let’s say that you have a gas absorption RV refrigerator. And you go down the road in your RV jostling along as you go.

Most likely it will usually handle RV travel on the road very well without anything breaking. Because that’s what they’re made to do!

So all of those are pros for RV gas absorption RV refrigerators.

RV Refrigerator Cons

But there are also cons with them when it comes to RV refrigerator replacement too.

And let’s start with the number one con. In fact, it’s the biggest one for a lot of people.

And that is that they are usually fairly small. In other words, you have less cubic feet of of actually storage space for food in an RV refrigerator.

So suppose you have an RV refrigerator. And you put one right next door to it that’s a residential refrigerator the same size.

Well then, you’re going to usually have many more cubic feet of food storage in the residential fridge. And that’s huge!

I mean we all would like to have maybe a little more area than what we have in our RV refrigerator, right?

The second con to consider is that it costs more to replace when it’s RV refrigerator replacement time.

And that’s especially true when we’re getting into the larger gas absorption RV refrigerators.

In fact, they can cost three thousand dollars or more just for the refrigerator itself. And then the installation has to be figured in as well.

Now for con number three. RV fridges are just more sensitive to hot temperatures and to temperature changes.

A lot of people notice this in the summer time. That’s when all of a sudden that ice cream just isn’t really hard anymore.

And in really hot weather, the refrigerator compartment doesn’t always stay in the most desirable range either.

That’s because they are sensitive to extreme temperatures changes. And that’s a con that must be considered!

More RV Fridge Cons

Another con is that RV refrigerators take a long time to initially cool down.

So when you want to go camping, you had better take about a day to get that RV refrigerator up and going.

Because it takes many hours to do that, especially in hot weather.

Moving along, the next con is that almost all RV refrigerators will require some kind of defrosting.

Yes, there really isn’t any kind of automatic defrosting mechanism with these kind of fridges.

So if you’re in a humid area, you could be defrosting your RV gas absorption refrigerator almost every month.

And that means taking everything out of the fridge first. Then actually defrosting it manually before putting everything back in again.

And it can take a bit of time and effort to do that. Time that could be spent doing other things.

Watch my video on how to defrost an RV refrigerator

The final con is that RV gas absorption fridges need to be pretty much level to work properly.

Of course, there is some give and take on that. But you don’t want to get too far off of level.

And that’s because a gas absorption refrigerator works on chemical reactions. So to facilitate that, it has to be in a more or less level state.

And that is certainly not as versatile as most a residential refrigerators can be.

All right, those are the pros and cons of gas absorption rv refrigerators. So now let’s start on residential fridges.

RV Refrigerator Replacement – Residential Refrigerator Pros

RV residential refrigerator
Example of an RV residential refrigerator

And the number one pro for them is having more food storage. That’s really the big one, isn’t it?

Number two is that they’re much cheaper to buy. Remember, we talked about how gas absorption fridges can cost three thousand dollars or more.

Well, if you get a residential fridge about the same size, you may be only spending a few hundred dollars. Or at the most maybe a thousand or so.

And that’s definitely a big difference in cost.

Pro number three is that residential refrigerators cool down quick. Usually just a few hours after you plug it in, you’re going to notice the difference.

It should be nice and cool in your fridge, and really cold in your freezer.

Now the fourth pro for residential fridges is they work much better in hot weather. And they’re more consistent with temperature changes in general.

In fact, a lot of people even put them out in a shed or garage at home. And they can then use them for storage of extra things they want to keep cold.

That’s because they can be out in temperature extremes and still function rather normally in most cases.

More RV Residential Refrigerator Pros

Now the next pro is that they often have a longer life span.

In fact, most residential refrigerators will probably last between 18 to 20 years.

Whereas RV gas absorption refrigerators are usually known to only last somewhere between 10 to 15 years instead.

And now the last pro for the residential refrigerator is it’s frost free capability.

That means that there’s so little maintenance that is needed for a residential fridge.

Especially as opposed to having to manually defrost gas absorption refrigerators on a regular basis.

Well now, let’s talk about the cons too. Because there are cons for residential fridges as well.

RV Residential Fridge Cons

And number one is that you probably will need to make changes to your RV to get a residential refrigerator to fit in it properly.

That’s because RVs were made to have an RV fridge. So to put a residential fridge in, very often you’ve got to make some extensive modifications.

And that means you may lose storage in your RV when you do. Because the extra room for the residential refrigerator often comes from an available storage area.

The next con to consider is that residential refrigerators are often heavier. And sometimes by quite a bit.

So that means it’s going to contribute more toward the overall weight of your RV.

And if you’re already at the limit of your gross vehicle weight rating, that’s going to be an issue.

Also, if you have your refrigerator in an RV slide-out, you’ve got to be extra careful about adding weight.

And that’s because you have to make sure that the slide-out mechanism is able to handle it.

And that is a real consideration to make before an RV refrigerator replacement takes place.

More RV Residential Fridge Cons

The number three con is that you most likely are going to need a bigger battery bank to run a residential refrigerator too.

Especially for times when you are boondocking or dry camping.

That’s because they only run on electric. And most battery banks in RVs are not really going to be up to the job.

So when you buy that residential fridge, very often you’re going to need a bigger and better battery bank too.

And maybe even a bigger and better inverter as well. Because that’s what converts 12 volt power to 120 volts to run that residential refrigerator when you’re not plugged into shore power.

Now for the fourth con. And that is that just to get a residential refrigerator into your RV may be a real challenge.

In fact, in many cases they won’t go through the door at all. They’re just too big.

So a lot of times, RV techs will take out a window to get it inside the RV.

Or if it’s a motorhome, they may have to even take out the windshield to get that refrigerator in or out of the RV.

And that’s quite a process to watch. But it’s something that’s a lot more work to do for an RV refrigerator replacement.

Now the last con is that a residential fridge is not designed to be jostled around going down the road in an RV.

It was designed to sit on a flat stationary floor in a residential home.

Of course, to be fair most people don’t have a lot of problems with that.

But some people do. And they have issues with things coming loose regularly. Things that just have to be repaired from time to time.

Which Kind Of Refrigerator Should You Choose For Your RV?

All right, those are the pros and cons of both RV gas absorption refrigerators and residential fridges.

Now what kind of RVer would be best for each type of fridge? Well, here’s my take on the subject:

I feel that an RV gas absorption refrigerator is really best for part-time RVers. Or maybe vacation travelers or weekend warriors.

Also they can be a good choice for boondockers. People who like to be out and away from everything and are going to be unplugged while camping.

In those situations, an RV fridge works very well for that due to its versatility.

Also, for those who like to stay in more moderate temperatures.

That means that you’re not seeing a lot of extremes that could affect the way your refrigerator cools.

Now for a residential refrigerator, it would be a good choice for fulltime RVers. For people who are actually living in their RV for a long while.

In this case, having a residential refrigerator just makes everything more easy, simple and comfortable.

And it works especially well for those who like to spend almost all their time in campgrounds or RV parks.

Since they’re going to be hooked up to the grid anyway, that extra power draw for the residential fridge will not mean anything to them because they’re hooked up to shore power.

Also, residential fridges work well for those who could be camping in hot weather for a while.

In that scenario they’re going to really see the benefit of having a residential fridge.

That’s because as I mentioned earlier, residential fridges just handle temperature extremes better.

Conclusion

Now let me say that either kind of refrigerator can work very well. And there’s no one choice here that’s a good solution for everybody.

So consider the pros and the cons that I’ve covered in this article.

Then compare them with your personal RV travel and camping habits.

And if you do, I’m sure that you will make the decision that is best for you.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

The Best Travel Trailer Brands – My Top 3 Recommendations

This article is about my recommendations for the best travel trailer brands. The ones that you should be be considering now in 2025.

Of course, travel trailers are by far the most popular RV. And that’s because in many cases they’re the most affordable RV too.

But they also fit into people’s lifestyle a lot easier as well.

Suppose you have a larger SUV or a passenger truck that you use for your daily driver.

Well then, a travel trailer is going to fit in really well with what you already have.

Also, if you’re thinking about getting into RVing on a more permanent basis, travel trailers are a great place to start to get used to RVing itself.

Now when you start looking at travel trailers, you’re going to see that there are an incredible number of brands and models to choose from.

It’s really a crowded field. So the question is, how do you know which brands produce the best travel trailer quality? The ones that you want to buy?

Watch my video on the top 3 travel trailer brands

Table of Contents

Travel Trailer Brand Quality

Well, it’s interesting to note that quality doesn’t stay level in this segment of the RV industry.

So very often, you’ll see brands have some years where they make really good quality RVs. And then other years where their output isn’t so great anymore.

And that means that it’s important to stay up with what brands are making the best travel trailer quality now.

In other words, the best travel trailers for the money.

So that’s what this article is all about. It’s about the top three travel trailer brands that I can personally recommend for you in 2025.

A good question though is what am I basing my decisions on? Well, there’s three big things that I use as the basis for my list.

And number one is overall build quality. That’s something that as an RV inspector I pay a lot of attention to.

But the second is customer service too. Yes, you want build quality before the sale. But you also want to know that you’re going to get support after the sale too.

And finally, the third point is resale value. Because you want to be able to sell the travel trailer later on and get a reasonable amount back out of it.

So let’s go ahead and cover the top three best travel trailer brands that I can recommend for you now.

Please note that I chose a top pick from the higher end, the middle-range, and entry-level price ranges.

The Best Travel Trailer Brands – Pick #1

And number one on the list is Airstream. Because they are definitely in the higher cost part of the travel trailer category.

And of course, when the buying public thinks about travel trailers, many think of Airstream. Because they have been so iconic over the years.

They have been building travel trailers since 1929. So they have a long history in the RV industry.

And interestingly, Airstream says that roughly 70% of all the RVs they have ever made are still in use today.

Now that is an incredible claim to be able to make. And I don’t know any other RV manufacturer that can come close to making that claim.

But it speaks to the quality building methods and materials that Airstream uses in their process. Including the use of a lot of aluminum.

Which makes their RVs last longer and also makes them very light for towing.

And Airstream has an active and vocal community of owners too. Which makes for a very good support system if you buy an Airstream.

As mentioned above, they are not for the average travel trailer buyer though.

In fact, their most popular models will start somewhere around $100K and go up from there.

And those models are the Flying Cloud, the Globetrotter, and the International. Just click on the images below for more information..

Airstream Flying Cloud
Airstream Globetrotter
Airstream International

So if you have the money to spend, Airstream can be a very good choice in the higher cost range.

The #2 Pick For Quality Travel Trailers

Now let’s move on to number two on the list. And that is Northwood RVs.

Northwood is well known for making true four season RVs. And that means they build their products with quality materials and methods.

Now they are not a large quantity builder though. So you might have a little more challenge even finding Northwood travel trailers.

But when you do, the quality is apparent right away. And they also have a lot of very loyal customers and fans who are also really vocal about their support for the company.

Now let’s take a look at their models to buy. And there’s two main travel trailer models that Northwood is known for at this point.

The first one we’ll cover is the Arctic Fox. And that’s the travel trailer model that they’re probably most well known for.

The best travel trailer brands includes Northwood. And the Arctic Fox North Fork.
Northwood Arctic Fox North Fork

But there’s also the Nash, and it is well worth your consideration as well.

The Northwood Nash travel trailer.
Northwood Nash

Of course, there are other travel trailers in their lineup that you can view on their website. Just click on the images above to go there.

And if you look on RV trader, the costs are going to start somewhere around $50K and go up from there for new Northwood travel trailers.

But there is a wide range of prices to choose from with Northwood RVs too. And you can save by buying a few years older as well.

And whether you’re buying on the lower end, in the mid range, or the higher end, there’s something good that Northwood has to offer you.

The Best Travel Trailer Brands – Pick #3

Now let’s move on to the third brand on my list of the top three travel trailer brands. And that is Lance Campers.

Lance is one of the fastest growing RV builders in the current market.

And I have to say that they make exceptionally higher quality travel trailers than the majority of the competition in their price range.

In fact, they make some of the best travel trailers for the money that you can find.

So really consider Lance if you’re looking in the travel trailer segment.

Now as far as the models are concerned, they go about things a little bit differently.

They don’t give their models names. Instead they give them model numbers.

Best travel trailer brands - Lance Campers
Lance Campers

So the numbers range anywhere from 1475 up to 2465. And there’s a lot of models in between too.

Now as far as the cost is concerned, on RV trader you’re going to find that most new Lance travel trailers are going to start around $35K and go up from there.

And the range of prices is still large enough that most people could find something they can afford.

But once again, choose a Lance product that is just a few years old to save lots of money.

Reminders About Buying Travel Trailer RVs

Alright, that’s the three brands and models that I wanted to recommend to you in this article.

They are some of the brands known for making the best travel trailer quality products.

Number one, Airstream. Number two Northwood. And number three Lance.

I specifically chose these three brands to represent higher end, mid-range, and lower cost travel trailers.

Now are these RV brands perfect? Am I saying that there will never be problems with these brands and models?

Absolutely not! There is no brand or model of RV out there that is perfect. And these days, that is especially so.

Remember that RVs are still being made generally by hand. So there can be a great variation in the sustainability of the quality level in a brand.

And that means that you can get a lemon in almost any RV brand out there.

But these brands of travel trailers are going to put the buying odds firmly on your side. That most likely you’re going to get a very good RV.

Also, I have only covered the top three travel trailer brands here in this article.

More Of The Best Travel Trailer Brands

But I have created two guidebooks that can help further with identifying the best travel trailer brands.

And there are a lot more brands that you will find on my recommended guidebook’s lists.

Also, these guides are for buying either new or used travel trailers, depending on what you want to buy.

And they provide all of the brands and the models that I recommend for your consideration. Not just the top three, but all of them.

And I list them in order as far as quality, customer service, and resale value are concerned.

My Buying Guide For The Best Used Travel Trailer Brands

The first guidebook I’ll mention here covers travel trailer brands up until 2019.

And it’s an excellent guide to the better brands of travel trailers on the used market.

So just click on the image below to download my used travel trailer guidebook.

My used guide for the best travel trailer brands

My Buying Guide For The Best New Travel Trailer Brands

The next guidebook that can be very helpful is for new and newer travel trailer brands instead.

And it’s a great resource for the latest 2025 travel trailer brands that are worthy of your first attention.

But the recommendations in that guidebook can also be very helpful for travel trailers made during the past 5 years as well.

So just click on the image below to download my new travel trailer guide.

My new guidebook for the best travel trailer brands

Now what if you have a favorite travel trailer brand, that you’re convinced builds a quality RV? But I didn’t mention it on my list in this article.

Well, don’t get shook about that. It just means that it may be on the recommended list of either of my travel trailer buying guidebooks.

OK, here’s a couple of very important points that need to be made here.

RV Inspections On Newer RVs Too?

First, before you buy a new RV or a slightly used RV, make sure that you get it inspected by a certified NRVIA inspector.

Why? Because RVs are still mostly made by hand these days. And that means that consistency can be an issue at times.

And whether or not the RV you buy has been put together and assembled with quality at the factory will depend on several factors.

For instance, it can depend to a large degree on the knowledge, experience, and even attitude of the workers that put it together as it went down the assembly line.

So many RV manufacturers have struggled to consistently produce quality new RV products. Especially in the travel trailer RV category.

And RV dealers are often not fixing those problems before you buy it. So be sure to get an RV inspection before the whole buying process is ended.

And then once the inspector gives you the punch list of all the RV’s problems, do not take delivery of that RV until all those issues are fully resolved.

Now if you’ll do that, the odds are very good that you’ll get a good RV.

And you’re going to eliminate a lot of the frustration and irritation that so many new RV buyers are experiencing these days.

My 5 Step RV Buying Success Process

Finally, let me also recommend that you consider getting my buying and inspection guides for new and used RVs.

Now these guides are not about the best RV models and brands like the ones I mentioned above.

Instead, these two buying guides specifically focus on the RV buying process itself.

Get my new or used RV buying guides for the best buying experience
Get my new or used RV buying guides for the best buying experience

One is for buying new RVs. And the other is for used RV buying. They will show you how to find the right RV for your specific needs.

Then they will provide you with a proven system for buying RVs that really works.

And here is an overall illustration of my 5 step process for successful RV buying:

My 5 step success process for buying the best travel trailer brands

My guidebooks go into lots of detail about how to pre-inspect an RV you are considering.

And that way you can determine whether it’s worth going to the next step or not.

I even provide a handy checklist with instructions on what and how to pre-inspect components and systems on each RV.

After that, the next step is to call in a professional RV inspector. But only on the RV that is your best candidate overall among the ones you have found.

So if you use my new or used RV buying guide along with my best travel trailer brands guidebook, the odds are really on your side to get a great RV.

Conclusion

Armed with the information in this article and my guidebooks, buying the right travel trailer is much easier. Whether it’s either new or used.

And you can avoid all the frustration and regret that many RV buyers are experiencing now.

Oh and one more thing. When you buy any of my guides, I make myself personally available for help.

Yes, I will be happy to help answer any question you have about RVs or RV buying. Either by email or phone call.

So let’s work together and make sure that you get the travel trailer you deserve.

One that will bring you on many happy adventures for years to come!

Full Time RV Life – Is It Heaven Or Is It Hype?

Full time RV life – is it heaven or is it hype? It’s a question that a lot of people would like to have answered.

You know, there are YouTube channels out there that portray fulltime RVing as a permanent vacation. Nothing but non-stop fun and adventure.

And then there are lots of other channels that are all about drama. In fact, it seems like these folks have a major life catastrophe happen to them almost every week of their life.

Watch my video on this subject on YouTube

Table of Contents

Full Time RV Life Extremes On YouTube

Well, what’s the reason for all of these kinds of extremes on YouTube?

It’s only one thing. And that is to get you to tune in as a subscriber.

First, there’s the channels that are telling you that it’s just non-stop fun out there on the road.

And they want you to daydream along with them, even though it’s not real. It’s just a daydream.

Then other channels are all about drama. And well, they’re kind of like a car accident.

So when you’re going by, you don’t want to look, but it seems like you just have to. Because you’re curious.

Well that’s what they know. And so they want you tuning in every single week for their benefit.

The Truth About Full Time RV Living

So what’s the truth about RV life then? Well, in my opinion, a whole lot of what you see online is not necessarily the way things really are.

It’s not the real life when you’re living and traveling in an RV.

And that’s because for most people life is neither non-stop fun and adventure or constant catastrophe.

In fact, most people’s daily life is very much repetitive. And life on the road is often actually sort of similar to that.

It’s often filled with very normal stuff. Things like cleaning, and doing laundry. And running errands and cooking meals. All those sorts of things.

Now none of that is glamorous is it? And people are not going to tune in to see those things being done.

But honestly, that is what is often being done in full-time RV life. More so than maybe anything else.

Now if you’ve been on my YouTube channel or subscribed to it for a while, you know that I try to give you my honest opinions about pretty much every subject.

So that’s what I’m going to do here. I’m going to give you the pros and the cons of full time RV living.

And we’re starting our fourth year of full-time travel now. And that means that I think we’ve got a pretty good handle on it at this point.

So we’re going to go ahead and start with the pros of RV life first.

Click here to listen to this discussion on my podcast

Full Time RV Life Pro #1 – Freedom

The number one pro is what attracts a lot of people to full time RV life. And that is freedom.

Freedom to go where you want, and not having somebody tell you where you have to be.

So if you don’t like where you are, you can just pick up and go somewhere else. And that’s really attractive to a lot of people!

Pro #2 – Unique Experiences

Pro number two of living in an RV full time is you can have very unique experiences as you travel.

You can go and see beautiful places you always wanted to go. See things you always wanted to see, but you couldn’t because of time or circumstances.

Full time RV life lets you see lots of beautiful places
RV life lets you see lots of beautiful places

Well now, you can not only go there, you can spend time there. You can get to know it and you can really absorb it well. And that is a big pro!

Pro #3 – Visiting Family

Pro number three is you can go and visit family wherever they may be across the country.

And these days, family can often be geographically fractured. So they can be almost anywhere across the country.

And it’s hard to maintain close relationships when you’re not nearby. So RV life allows you to go there and spend time without staying in their home.

Visiting family is a pro of RV living
Visiting family is a pro of RV life

They have their home and you have your home. They have their life they’re still living, and you have your life.

But when you get together, you can have a great time. And you can really enjoy each other’s company.

Well, that’s a wonderful provision of being able to travel by RV, and take your home with you!

Pro #4 – Weather

The next pro about full time RV life is that you can stay in good weather as much as you want.

Do you hate really hot weather? Or do you hate cold weather, snow and ice?

Well, there’s almost always a temperate spot or area in the country where you can take your RV. Just go and enjoy it!

You can follow good weather in an RV
Enjoy good weather more often

So there are more days of your life that are filled with good weather. And that can make your outlook on life better too.

Pro #5 – Less Daily Chores

The next Pro is that you have a lot less housework and chores that you have to do. And that’s due to having a smaller living area in your RV.

Now these days, a lot of people live in 3000 square feet or even more. So what if you condense that down to 300 square feet instead?

I think you can see that your chores would be a lot less. They can be done a lot quicker. And no yard work either. So you don’t have to do any of that.

Well, what does that mean? It gives you more time for doing things you want to do instead of things you have to do. And that’s a great thing!

Pro #6 – Expands Your Horizons

The next pro is that full time RV life keeps you active. It keeps you engaged with life.

You know, if you’re staying in one place, then you’re never expanding your horizons.

And sometimes that can get very discouraging and depressing. But if you’re on the move, you stay active.

You get engaged with life. And you learn new things because you’re involved in new activities.

Full time RV life expands your horizons
New places and activities help expand your horizons

And those are all very good things for your mental outlook.

All right, now those are the pros about full time RV life that I wanted to cover with you.

But that doesn’t mean that every day out here on the road is just a wonderful party.

No, there are cons too. So let’s talk about some of the cons now.

Full Time RV Life Con #1 – RV Maintenance And Repairs

And number one is that something somewhere is always going to need to be repaired or maintained on your RV.

You take it from me, because I have a real list of things that I go down to repair or maintain regularly.

And the truth is that I never get to a point where I’ve got everything done.

That’s because as soon as I’ve got something done, something else comes up. It’s just to be expected in full time RV living.

RVs need constant maintenance and repair
RV’s require constant maintenance and repair

Because you’ve got lightweight homes going down the highway being subjected to earthquake forces.

So things are going to break, and things are going to get loose. And so, you’re going to need to maintain them a lot more often than you do your stationary home.

Con #2 – Lack Of Continuity In Life

The second con is that there’s no continuity when you’re out on the road in full time RV life.

Now what do I mean by that? Well, everything changes every time you move your RV.

For instance, when you’re at home you know where your favorite places are. Places to go for groceries, or pharmacies, or fuel stations, and so on.

Yes, you know exactly where you like to go for those necessities of life. You even know the places you like to go to eat.

But every time you move your RV all of that changes. And you’ve got to find out where the best places are for you all over again.

And sometimes they’re not very convenient. Sometimes you have to travel 30 to 45 minutes to get what you want. And it is a challenge.

So continuity does not exist when you’re out on the road in full time RV life.

Con #3 – Relationships Can Suffer

Here’s the next con of living in an RV full time. And that is it’s harder to maintain relationships with other people when you’re on the road.

Of course, when you’re staying with family, it can be pretty easy. But what about when you leave and you’re traveling?

Well, you’re probably not going to know a lot of the people that you meet out there.

And that can be very difficult for some people. Especially those that really crave close relationships and that kind of thing.

It can be a real challenge for some. Especially for those that are shy and find it hard to meet new people.

In fact, one of the things that I’ve often learned from speaking to people who full time RV is that there is a certain sense of loneliness at times.

And that’s because of not having good relationships with people when you need it. Family, friends, things along that line.

So it’s definitely something to consider before heading out in full time RV living.

Con #4 – Close Quarters

The next RV living con is that you’re going to be in a small space with someone else for a long time if you’re a couple.

Close quarters in an RV can lead to trouble for couples
AN RV’s close quarters can cause friction for couples

And when I say small space, remember that we’re talking 300 square feet here.

So you better love them, and you better really like getting along with them.

Because there’s nowhere else to go, and it can be a real challenge for some.

In fact, some couples get along fine at home in a regular house. But when they’re forced into this really small area, sometimes they find it can get very difficult.

Oftentimes, they just seem to get on one another’s nerves. So try to determine whether this could be a con for you.

Con #5 – Health Matters

The next full time RV living con is health matters. What do you do when you’re at home and you have chronic health issues that need attention regularly?

Well, you have your support system of doctors, chiropractors and acupuncturists. Or other health professionals along that line.

But when you’re out on the road, finding a doctor that you can trust, or one that takes your insurance, can be a challenge.

And what about dentists? That can be a challenge out on the road too.

But then, what about your pet? Finding a vet for them when you move your RV so often is another challenge.

So finding a health care support system in full time RV life can be a con for many.

Con #6 – RV Breakdowns

The final con we want to talk about is RV breakdowns. They can happen anywhere and anytime.

RV breakdowns can be challenging
RV breakdowns can be very challenging

And that’s always in the back of the mind for many people. When it happens it’s very stressful too.

Because now you’re going to have to get it repaired. And sometimes the facilities are not close by.

Sometimes they’re also going to charge you an exorbitant price for the work they do.

Also, what are you going to do while they’re fixing the RV? In other words, how are you going to handle your living arrangements then?

You see, there’s all sorts of challenges that goes along with an RV breakdown out on the road.

And these are challenges that you would’t have when you’re in your sticks and bricks home.

That’s because if something breaks there, you probably know who to take it to that you can trust. And you can stay at home while repairs are made.

But on the highway it can a real challenge. And it can always be a worry that’s in the back of your mind too.

Full Time RV Life Pros & Cons Conclusion

All right now, that’s my list of RV living pros and cons that I wanted to cover with you in this article.

Now it’s not by any means the full list though. It’s just the ones that I think can get the conversation started more in a realistic direction.

At least, more realistic than what you see depicted in many YouTube videos these days.

And my advice is to be realistic about what to expect. Because if you’re realistic, then bad things that happen aren’t so terrible.

And disappointments are not going to really upset your apple cart nearly as much either.

So I recommend to do your homework first. Weigh the pros and the cons in your own mind in an honest way.

Also, it’s not a bad idea to actually rent an RV for a while. Just take off for a little bit and kind of sample RV life first before you actually go out on the road.

But whatever you do, think carefully about the points made in this article.

And if you do and you prepare well, you can make the decision that’s best for you. A decision that you will be happy with!

Have safe and happy travels my friends …. until next time