So, you’ve decided to take the leap and become a full-time RVer. Congratulations! Living in your RV full-time can be exciting, but there’s a lot to consider if you want to do it safely. Here are some things you can do to protect everyone involved and travel without worries.
Remember These Essentials
There are certain must-haves that you’ll want on board to keep your stress levels down: an RV clean water hose, a sewing kit, a power management system or surge protector, a tire pressure gauge, fire extinguishers, extra fluids, jumper cables, and a battery jump pack, dry camping and boondocking gear, an emergency survival kit, bug spray, bear spray, medications, sunblock, and sunglasses.
Know Your Route Before You Go
The last thing you want is to reach an overpass and realize that your RV won’t fit beneath it. You can avoid scenarios like that by getting an RV-specific GPS unit. These allow you to enter your RV’s information and get a safe route that will work for your RV. It’s also advisable to research and map out RV-friendly gas stations to ensure ample space for refueling with access to essential amenities like diesel and dump stations.
Stay Aware Of The Weather
Don’t let severe weather sneak up on you in your RV. Purchase an emergency weather radio that tunes into the NOAA weather service for whatever county you’re currently in. This way, you’ll be prepared for all types of emergency threats, including tornados, floods, severe thunderstorms, civil danger warnings, and more.
Make Sure You’ve Got The Right Insurance Coverage
If you’re using your RV as a permanent residence—typically defined as residing in a motor home or travel trailer for more than six months out of the year—you’ll want a full-time RV insurance policy. Along with the typical coverages on an RV policy, you’ll receive broader RV coverages on a full-timer’s policy that will protect you if your travel trailer or motor home is your permanent home, such as:
- Full-timer’s Personal Liability Coverage: This can pay for property damage or injuries you’re liable for while your RV is parked.
- Medical Payments Coverage: If a visitor is injured while near or inside your RV, this may cover their medical costs.
- Replacement Cost Personal Effects Coverage: This can pay specified replacement cost limits for losses to the insured’s RV contents(electronics, furniture, clothing, etc.).
Know The Location Of The Closest Hospital
At some point, you may find yourself in an emergency somewhere without cell service. You don’t want to have to deal with the emergency while also figuring out where to go. Take a few seconds upon arriving somewhere new to learn where the closest hospital or urgent care is and how you can get there fastest.
Keep A Clean Campsite To Keep Unwanted Wildlife Away
Wild animals are a part of the great outdoors, but you don’t want them invading your campsite looking for food. Keeping your food in storage containers and properly disposing of your garbage will protect you and the local wildlife. It’s easy to do and well worth it.
Stay Connected
If you’re working while living in your RV full time, you likely need the internet. Some destinations for digital nomads have accessible Wi-Fi, while others don’t. And campground signals aren’t always the strongest, anyway. It’s smart to have cell signal boosters and hot spot antennas on hand. An extra battery pack to help keep your devices charged won’t hurt either.
Secure Your Data
Public Wi-Fi networks make easy targets for hackers, who are after your personal information. As a full-time RVer, it’s a good idea to protect your data with a virtual private network (VPN). This will allow you to securely connect to the VPN’s servers and have your data encrypted,acting as a gateway between you and the open internet.
Share Your Location With Trusted Friends Or Family
It's also a good idea to have someone you trust always know where you are. The easiest way to do this is to drop a pin on a map and share it with whomever you choose to be that person. It only takes a second, but it will give them your exact location, which could prove useful in an emergency.
While full-timer’s coverages aren’t required by law, safeguarding your assets can be critical if your RV is your permanent residence.
We love full-time RVing and believe it can be very rewarding if done safely. If you and your co-travelers take these tips to heart, you’ll avoid dangerous situations and minimize risks, allowing you to enjoy the best this lifestyle has to offer. Now, onto the next adventure!
