RV Expert Bill Widmer shares how to live in an RV on a budget. With tips for the cost of living in an RV, what to expect when traveling in an RV, and an overview of their expenses.
The Idea of Living in an RV
Back in 2016, as my final college semester was coming to an end, we faced a significant challenge. We had no idea what we wanted to do or where we wanted to live.
My then-girlfriend-now-wife Kayla and I realized that Pennsylvania was not suitable for us. We absolutely disliked the cold, icy winters and frequent cloudy days. We desired something more fulfilling. However, we weren’t sure what “more” looked like, and we found ourselves questioning where our forever home would be. Consequently, we decided that traveling could provide us with the answers we were seeking.
Nonetheless, we had a cat who was practically our child, and the thought of traveling the country in a car and staying in hotels with a cat seemed quite unappealing.
How to Live in an RV
That’s when I came up with the idea of living in an RV!
This lifestyle would address all our concerns; Luna (our cat) wouldn’t be stuck in a car or cramped in hotel rooms. We could travel while still feeling at home, and we could save money compared to the costs of constantly moving between hotels.
Today, I’m excited to share our journey of how we sold nearly all our possessions to live in an RV and travel the country on a budget of less than $2,000 per month.
Let’s dive in!
The Prep Work for Living in an RV: Selling (Nearly) Everything We Owned
The first major challenge of living in an RV is the very limited space.
If you’re like me, you probably possess far more belongings than you actually need. However, while on the road, you will find yourself living in a compact area.
- No more seven extra coffee mugs!
- Only one or two hoodies allowed!
- Eight pairs of shoes? Try two!
And that’s just the beginning.
It took us several weeks to go through every room and closet in our two-bedroom apartment.
Considering our financial constraints, we couldn’t afford a storage unit, so we needed to meticulously examine each possession we owned.
After our first round of decluttering, we combed through our items again… and again.
Surprisingly, we still had too much stuff for our 32’ Class C RV.
In the end, we had to store a few bags of clothes at my grandparents’ house that we simply couldn’t part with. (Interestingly, once we wrapped up our RVing adventure, we ended up donating most of that “must-keep” stuff anyway.)
Lesson Learned: You’ll need to embrace a minimalist lifestyle to succeed in RV living, especially if you opt for a smaller rig than ours, as we had a relatively spacious Class C.
Choosing an RV
Given our limited budget, we couldn’t afford to be picky about the RV we purchased. Ultimately, after weeks of searching, we acquired our 32’ Four Winds Chateau from my aunt, as they provided us with a favorable deal.
In any case, there are various types of RVs available, including:
- Class C (traditional mid-sized motorhome with a bunk over the driver’s cabin)
- Class B or Campervan (the smallest motorhome size)
- Class A (the large bus RVs)
- Travel Trailer (teardrop campers, micro campers, and regular-sized towable RVs)
- Fifth Wheel (trailers attached to a truck bed instead of a ball hitch)
While there are other vehicles suitable for road living, like toterhomes and truck campers, these options are less common and often impractical.
Nonetheless, we could discuss RV selection endlessly, but I’ll simplify my advice into the following questions:
- Do you want a vehicle for short trips that isn’t your RV? While you can tow a car behind a motorhome, it’s generally easier to obtain a tow vehicle that can detach from your rig.
- How much space do you actually need? If you, like us, feel cramped even in a 32’ RV, a fifth wheel or Class A may be better suited for you. Otherwise, opt for the smallest size possible! A larger rig can complicate travel and limit your options, as many RV parks impose restrictions on the size of vehicles they can accommodate.
Total Monthly Expenses of Living in an RV
Living in an RV entails a variety of expenses that many people may not anticipate, such as repair and maintenance costs.
Here’s a breakdown of our expenses while living in our RV:
- RV Payment: We secured a loan for our RV, paying approximately $325 per month.
- Campground Rent: This cost varies widely, depending on location, season, and duration of stay. We targeted campgrounds that cost more than $40 per night, ideally around $15-$20. Budgeting around $500 per month often allowed us to take advantage of significant discounts by staying a month at a time.
- Gas: Gas expenses fluctuate significantly during RV travel. Depending on how much you drive, this can range from a few dollars to a substantial amount monthly. We averaged about $150 per month throughout our year of travel.
- Insurance: RV insurance is generally affordable, costing around $560 annually (~$48 per month) for a motorhome or approximately $250 per year (~$20/month) for a non-motorized trailer. However, full-time RV insurance can be much costlier, reaching ~$2,000 per year ($200 per month). For comprehensive guidance, refer to our guide to RV insurance.
- Utilities: We filled our propane tank about once a month. Filling a 20-pound tank roughly costs $19, amounting to $19 per month. Electricity, internet, trash, and water are usually included, although some campgrounds charge separately. Our phone bill averaged around $180 per month. In total, let’s estimate $200 per month for all utilities.
- Food/Groceries: This expense can greatly differ. You might love eating out frequently, or you could be more budget-conscious. We allocated about $600 per month for food.
- Repairs/Maintenance: Be prepared: Repairs will inevitably crop up if you RV for an extended period. We planned for about $100 per month for necessary maintenance.
- Activities: A significant part of traveling is engaging with the diverse experiences available. Our budget allocated $200 per month for activities like events, movies, hot air balloon rides, and more.
- Miscellaneous: Unexpected expenses may arise. We generally add an extra 5-10% to our budget for unforeseen costs.
Our Total Monthly Costs: Typically ranged from $2,000 to $2,500 per month.
Planning Your Route
Initially, our plan was to traverse the coast from Pennsylvania to California, then return through the middle/top of the country. However, life often takes unexpected turns!
We ended up staying for a month in Maine, as we fell in love with the area, before heading south to Florida.
The essence of our journey was to determine where we wanted to establish ourselves, and we discovered our perfect location before even visiting the west coast: we adored Greenville, South Carolina!
How to plan your RV route
- If possible, travel at a slower pace. This method is not only more economical (reducing gas expenses and allowing for better discounts on longer stays), but it also permits you to genuinely experience the destination and its attractions. Staying just a few days or even a week may feel rushed.
- Utilize a trip planning tool like RV trip planner. This tool enables you to schedule campgrounds, gas stops, and any activities or attractions along your journey.
- Stay flexible! You may discover a charming small town where you initially planned just an overnight stay. Be open to extending your visit and embracing whatever comes your way.
While planning ahead can save time, money, and frustration, be aware that not everything can be anticipated. Sometimes, simply showing up at a campground without prior reservations can be advantageous, as last-minute openings do occur.
Experiment with different planning strategies to find what suits your travel style best! Everyone’s preferences vary regarding spontaneous versus planned adventures.
Number 1 Tips for Living in an RV
Our Recommendation: Test The RV Lifestyle First
If you’ve never experienced RVing before, whether with friends or family, you may be unaware of what to expect. While the RV lifestyle can be exciting and rewarding, it may not be the best fit for everyone and can present its own frustrations and challenges.
I highly suggest renting a camper for a week or, ideally, a long weekend to gauge your feelings about the lifestyle. Better yet, consider committing to a month-long rental to truly understand what living in an RV entails. Long-term RV rental options are available through services like Outdoorsy.
While this might incur some costs, it is significantly more economical than purchasing an RV that exceeds $20,000 only to find out that RV life isn’t for you.
If you have inquiries regarding the RV lifestyle or would like to connect, feel free to reach out through our site or in the comments below!
With all this said, are you ready to embark on the journey of living the RV life?
Travel Planning Resources
Looking to plan your next adventure? Consider these trusted resources that have proven useful for our travels.
Book Your Flights: Start your trip planning by exploring the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We’ve utilized this service for years and have consistently found great deals.
Find the Best Hotels: For hotel booking, we recommend these providers. If you’re in Europe, use Booking.com, and for other locations, try TripAdvisor.
Apartment Rentals: Discover the most competitive prices on apartment rentals with VRBO.
Travel Insurance: Ensure you’re prepared before you travel. Consider the following recommendations:
- Safety Wing – Ideal for occasional travelers.
- Medjet – Provides global air medical transport and travel security.
Booking Activities: For walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, personal guides, and more, we recommend Get Your Guide.
For additional trip planning assistance, be sure to check our Resources Page, where we highlight trusted companies for our travels.
