6 Unfortunate Truths of RVing
There is so much to love about RVing, but there are those unspoken nuances that those glossy trailer brochures don’t tell you.
So I’m gonna instead!
RV Parks Can Be Pricey
What, you thought because you’re bringing your own bed and kitchen it was going to be cheap? Nope! Depending on the season, hook-ups, even location (especially location) nightly rates can range anywhere from twenty bucks to over $100!
Murphy’s Law: Things Are Gonna Break
New, old – something is going to break on you. If you’re lucky it’ll be something you can fix yourself (might be time to buy Plumbing for Dummies) because at the height of the RV season, repair shops are going to be backed-up the wazoo.
The most common systems to break on you are: the water heater, furnace, A/C, and generator; with the tires, battery, and roof following behind. I know! It’s not like any of those are important or anything, phew!
You’re Gonna Deal with Your Own Sh*t
You are your own sanitation tech, and you are going to have to get comfortable with dealing with your own waste. Doesn’t matter what year, model, or price your RV is a self-contained unit and guess what: everybody poops (there’s even a book about it). And you will be emptying that thing yourself.
And there are all manner of horror stories: overflowing black tanks bubbling up the toilet, improperly secured blank tank hoses flying down the highway, loose caps that burst on you as you go to open them. If you’re looking to bond with other RVers, opening with black tank mistakes are a great conversation starter.
Take a shot for every article of clothing lost to sewage mishaps – you’ll be down and out in minutes.
You’ll Have Rude Neighbors
Nine times outta ten you’re going to meet awesome people at RV parks (some becoming life-long friends), but there’s always a few rotten apples. (Don’t let them spoil the whole barrel)
Even if they’re not directly next to you – you’ll know they’re there. Like dirty feet on an airplane they permeate the campground. So, to prepare you, here’s what you can expect from those dirty feet:
- Frat house loud music
- Trash blowing into your site
- Stray pets and all their charming “presents”
- Randos walking through your site
- Lightning McQueen-ing through the park
Google Maps is a Vicious, Two-Faced Prick
And it’s not just Google, this is any standard GPS system that automatically assumes you’re driving a car or standard vehicle. So what exactly do I mean, because Google maps is fairly accurate right, it can give you up to date traffic info, why doesn’t it always work?
Your route doesn’t suit your rig: This means low bridges that’ll take off your roof, or twisty roads that your RV can’t handle well (or safely).
You’re behind schedule: You can’t drive any RV at the max speed limit safely – so any estimated arrival time will be incorrect on that GPS by about 30%.
You take a steep route without proper preparation: Going up can overwork our engine, going down can burn out your brakes.
You’re left with a few options to make your RV route:
- Flip the coin and use Google maps.
- Spend extra cash on a proper RV GPS
Get a subscription to RV Trip Wizard [LINK https://tripwizard.rvlife.com/#5d894131d0f39 ] which you can use on your phone, laptop, or tablet. (not sponsored!)
No Privacy
Whether two or a whole crew, there is very little personal privacy to be found in an RV. So get ready to know everyone’s most annoying quirks fast. Everything from if they snore to bathroom habits, I suggest throwing any hint of ‘quiet modesty’ out the window and getting comfy with bumping elbows.
It’s Worth It
The RV lifestyle includes a good number of learning curves, and never ending surprises (good and bad). But here’s the thing – it’s part of the charm. If you wanted the “sit back and do nothing” vacation, well, you wouldn’t be here now would ya?
Because the hard-earned lessons and achievements, understanding how your RV works and what its (and your) limits are, is all part of the fun. And I encourage you to dive in, ready to learn and get your hands dirty.
Unless it’s with the sewage system, then I strongly recommend gloves!