10 Tips for Anyone Preparing for Fulltime RV Life
After you’ve made the decision to live on the road fulltime and after you’ve explained to your family and friends that, no, you aren’t in fact crazy (expect some raised eyebrows), there’s a lot to do in preparation for fulltime RV life. The prep can be very exciting but it can also feel overwhelming at times, which is definitely to be expected. Below we have explained our top 10 tips that are crucial when getting ready for life on road. Check them out:
1. Start packing up your home as early as possible
We know this one sounds a bit obvious but take it from us when we say packing up your house is always a bigger task than you imagine. It really is never too early to start packing up and decluttering. In a lot of ways, packing up your house to live in an RV is more difficult than if you were simply moving to a different house because you aren’t just relocating your possessions. We recommend selling as much of your belonging as you can. You’d be surprised how much you don’t actually need most of the stuff around you.
2. Go Paperless
These days, most of the mail or documentation we receive can all be set up to be sent electronically. Let your bank know that you’ll want to receive statements electronically. If you’ll be receiving bills, invoices, receipts or any other kind of important communication while you’re on the road make sure you put systems in place that will allow you to send and receive these items from a phone or a laptop.
3. Find a Storage Solution
While we do encourage selling as many items as possible before hitting the road, there will inevitably be some belongings that you don’t want to permanently part with. Do some research on storage facilities nearby and make sure you shop around for different prices. Alternatively, you might be able to leave some of your belongings with some generous friends or family.
4. Join Online Communities
Online communities are one of the biggest advantages that RVers have in the 21st century. There are groups on social media (particularly Facebook) and on forums that allow you to benefit from the advice, tips, stories and insights of others in your position as well those who have been living on the road for a long time. Not only that, but there’s an invaluable sense of community and camaraderie that exists within some of these online communities. Click here to read our list of Facebook groups that are essential for Winnebago owners.
5. Have Trial Holidays
This is an important one. It wouldn’t make much sense to assume that you can live on the road fulltime if you’ve never even been on holiday in a motorhome, caravan or campervan. Doing trial runs and taking holidays will help you understand what you personally need to do in order to prepare and pack for life on the road. It will also give you great insight into what kind of RV suits your needs and travel style the most. Not sure if you should go for a motorhome, caravan or campervan? Check out this handy guide.
6. Set a Definitive Date
Making the move to fulltime life on the road is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do, but it’s also one of the most daunting. Set a date for hitting the road and try your best to stick to it. This will help you to set goals and stick to them without getting side tracked. However, that being said, it’s also important to remember that sometimes life can be unpredictable. Your end goal is gain freedom and reduce your daily stress levels so don’t stress too much if you have to reshuffle your deadlines.
7. Craft a Weekly Budget
Sit down with your partner or whoever you’re hitting the road fulltime with, and write out a weekly budget. Make sure you both have a thorough understanding of how much money you have, how much you anticipate spending and how much money (if any) you’ll have coming in while you’re on the road. Next, make a list of all the things you’ll be spending money on like petrol, campsites, food drinks and activities. Lastly, write down how much money you’re planning on spending on each of these things on a weekly basis. This will help you both to wrap your head around your finances before you embark on this adventure.
8. Consider the Weather & Seasons
You likely have some idea of the states, cities and towns you’d like to visit and spend time in while you’re living on the road. When planning your route make sure you keep the different climates at different times of year in mind. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to head North in Winter and South in Summer. This is because parts of Australia like North Queensland and the Northern Territory can be extremely hot and humid during summer while states like Victoria and South Australia can be noticeably cold during winter.
9. Learn Basic RV Maintenance
While getting ready to hit the road, we definitely recommend learning some basic RV maintenance like how to change a tyre, how to check any seals for leaks and how to spot dry rot and tears. This will likely end up saving you a lot of time, hassle and money in the long run. Click here to read our guide to basic RV maintenance.
10. Get Acquainted with Aftersales Services
First of all, when purchasing an RV, make sure you’re buying from a company who provide their customers with Aftersales services. Next, find out where the various service centres are around Australia and plan your service schedule so that you can integrate it into your travelling itinerary. Your campervan, motorhome or caravan will be your home so it’s crucial that you look after it.
At Winnebago, we’re on a mission to help people achieve their dreams of a fulltime life on the road. That’s why each of our campervans and motorhomes are designed to provide the ultimate comfort and convenience. If you have any questions about finding your dream motorhome or campervan for fulltime travelling, get in touch with one of our friendly team members today!