Browsed by
Tag: Living

Fulltime RV Living: Choosing The Best Mobile Accommodation

Fulltime RV Living: Choosing The Best Mobile Accommodation

Be it suburbia or the outdoors, lifestyle is very much influenced by our personality, our needs, and — perhaps most of all — our budget. Fortunately, in affluent countries like Australia, the diverse range of mobile accommodation options allows us to travel virtually anywhere we choose both comfortably and economically.

What suits me, though, is not necessarily going to be your first choice, nor are your preferences likely to match those of your close friends or relatives. Result is, all segments of the camping and RV markets are doing quite nicely.

Of course, at the budget end of the accommodation spectrum, tents are always high on the short-list of options, particularly for lovers of true outdoor freedom. On the other hand there are those who simply must have a few creature comforts, while still maintaining some degree of independence. This latter group is likely to opt for either a fully appointed caravan/travel trailer, or motorhome.

For the rest of us, somewhere along that cost/comfort scale our ideal niche is there to be found. Keep in mind, however, “ideal” is really a sneaky way of saying “acceptable compromise”. After all, no matter what your choice — tent, tent trailer, camper trailer, caravan, campervan, or motorhome — compromise will be necessary between the key deciding factors of cost, comfort, self-sufficiency and mobility. The trap is, only you can balance that mix!

Nevertheless, to help you identify your personal niche, here are a few of the essential differences between the popular options among nomadic travellers today:

Tent

Camping under canvas has always attracted a strong (and growing) band of devotees. Tents are relatively inexpensive, available in a vast range of sizes and complexities, and allow the outdoor lover to retain complete freedom, flexibility and mobility.

With tenting, though, the biggest drawbacks are the time it takes to get your camp set up, and the relative vulnerability to weather extremes. Together with sleeping, cooking and other equipment, a lot of vehicle space is required, and frequent changes of location become quite a chore with daily set-ups and pack-ups.

Tent Trailer

Moving up the budgetary scale, tent trailers might be your next consideration. These are essentially a small trailer with a built-on, collapsible frame-tent. Generally, they are more robust than regular tents, far easier to erect, and your bed (and some floor area) is raised above the ground. With a raft of optional awnings and add-ons, a tent trailer can become a canvas castle!

Keep in mind, though, towing a trailer of any kind does impact, to some degree, on campsite accessability, although heavy-duty and “off-road” models minimise this effect (especially if towed by a 4×4).

Another advantage is the freeing up of most of your vehicle load space, although you should also anticipate a quantum jump up the financial scale. (But if you already own a sturdy box-trailer, it may be adaptable.)

Camper Trailer

Even a low-spec camper trailer represents a further — significant! — hike in potential outlay over tent trailers (though the huge second-hand market is worth exploring). Even so, you stand to gain a considerable boost in comfort levels, particularly for long-term camps or extended touring.

Certainly, camper trailers still require setting up in camp, but this is a fairly quick and painless operation. Towing, too, remains reasonably stress-free considering their low profile and lighter weight compared with full-size caravans. Even so, bush mobility and manoeuvrability does suffer over tent or tent trailer outfits. And don’t forget those extra costs, such as insurance, registration, and increased fuel consumption.

Motorhome

For long-term or fulltime nomadic lifestyles, a full-size motorhome provides optimum comfort, convenience and all-round security. No towing is involved, while driving and parking is a breeze (except in very narrow streets and parking lots). Making camp, and moving off in the morning, is the easiest of all possible options.

Their main disadvantage is the high cost (in motorhome rather than campervan configuration), and the fact that every time you move — even to the store for milk or bread — you have to pack-up your “home”. And if repairs become necessary out on the road, you may be faced with motel costs.

Little brother of the motorhome, the campervan, has a similar set of pros and cons but is far less expensive to buy and operate, and considerably easier to get about in. For two people they represent an excellent all-round compromose for long-term touring, but get very “tight around the shoulders” for a fulltime lifestyle.

Caravan

For the best balance of all between space, comfort and security, it’s hard to beat a reasonable size caravan/travel trailer. For lengthy stays at a “base camp”, while getting out and about in your car or 4×4, they are ideal. There are sizes, makes and models to suit most family needs and all budgets. And the pre-loved market is endless.

Here again, though, mobility on backtracks can be greatly curtailed (even with some of the 4×4-rated rigs), and generally speaking, driving is more tiring, costly and slower. Visits to major towns, with tricky parking or tight turn-arounds, often become a real pain in the tailpipe.

So what do I recommend? Well, unfortunately there’s no simple answer! For example, depending on our plans, our camping and travelling alternates between lightweight touring (sleeping in our 4×4), and towing our home — a 16 foot caravan. Every so often, we use a canvas tent for lengthier bush camps while visiting the high country.

To my mind, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. But if you’re planning to embark on a fulltime traveling lifestyle, my advice would be to identify — and carefully examine — your personal needs and aspirations, then set yourself up to suit the destinations and activities of most interest.

Best part is, you have plenty of options.

Bill Revill is an Australian freelance writer, fulltime RV traveler, and remote lifestyle expert. For further information go to: http://www.livingontheroad.com http://www.authorsden.com/billrevill Copyright 2007 by W.V. Revill
Is Living Full Time In A Motorhome Right For You?

Is Living Full Time In A Motorhome Right For You?

It is estimated that there are millions of people living in their motorhomes full-time. Many of these people are either retired, self-employed so they can work anywhere or people who work a few months out of the year – just long enough to have a savings that will sub-sustain them for the rest of the year.

It may surprise you that many project managers, construction workers and engineers live in their motorhomes full time, moving from job to job. It can be easier economically to have the comforts of home without the cost of a hotel. This is especially effective if the jobs are brief to avoid the high cost of lodging.

Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself is living full time in a motorhome is right for you.

If you have a partner, are both of you really interested in doing this?

When you are living full time in a motorhome you are living in close quarters. If both or either of you are concerned about this it might be wise to consider a motorhome rental in Nelson. This way you can take the motorhome on a holiday for a few weeks and get a taste of what it would be like to live in one full time.

Have you really thought about all the things you will be giving up living in a motorhome full-time?

Many people will consider the space they give up or all the material possessions they will need to go without, but what about modern day conveniences?

Phones have become a large part of our daily lives and some people are not able to live without them. You can still have your cell phone when living in a motorhome but remember that many rural places do not have the best, if they even have it, service. Long baths or hot showers will be a thing of the past for you, that is unless you want to be visiting the dump or getting water pretty often. Think about everything before you commit to full time motorhome living. If you are not sure about giving up these everyday things a motorhome rental in Picton for a few weeks will help you decide if you can or can’t go without them.

Money – do you have enough of it?

If you have a job where you are already traveling then there will not be as drastic of a change for you and you could also consider a motorhome for hire in Picton for your next job to see if it is a fit for you. But, if you are used to working full-time in one location you may find that money will be an issue. Many people who choose to live in a motorhome full-time work for themselves or have the freedom of working anywhere for their employer. If you do not have a source of income set up before you head out for your life on the road, do you have a sufficient savings account in order to be able to afford your needs? Don’t forget you will need to have some money stashed away for emergencies like vehicle repairs.

If any of these questions are concerns for you then for your next holiday consider a motorhome hire in Nelson or a motorhome rental in Christchurch.

Campervan hire nelson is estimated that there are millions of people living in their motorhomes full-time at camperco.co.nz
Class C Motorhome And Living Fulltime

Class C Motorhome And Living Fulltime

Are you a weekend vacationer with your Class C motorhome or travel trailer? Has living a life full time on the road in your Class C motorhome always been lurking in the back of your mind? Do you and your motor home family question the possibility? What is keeping you back from trying out the Class C motorhome fulltimer experience?

There are three tips listed below to help guide you into living life on the road in your Class C motorhome on a full time basis. You may think this transformation is overwhelming, but it should not be. Your Class C motorhome has the potential to be as luxurious as your regular home, and it could be even more top of the line. Take these tips to heart as you think about moving into your Class C motorhome full time.

These hints are here to help you. Think about these three tips so that you can live in your RV fulltime.

1. First of all, do not think of your Class C motorhome as any sort of inhibition or as a deficient home. If you do not already know, there are many ways that you can make your Class C motorhome as luxurious as your regular home via upgrades. Upgrades can consist of satellite TV, gourmet kitchens and fancy bathing areas. And, more importantly, you can save money by not spending a lot on utilities.

2. Some people who live in their motor home or travel trailer full time recommend selling your traditional home. This means that you do not keep it if you plan on living on the road fulltime. You could also think about renting your regular home, just in case. Do not think about paying a mortgage and RV note, think wisely and rent it out or sell it.

3. It will take time for you and your fellow RV traveler(s) to get used to living on the road fulltime, but it will happen. There is a definite change in lifestyle, but you can get used to the differences over time. Give yourself six months, if you are hesitant. Do not sell your home yet, try renting it for a small amount of time so that you can make sure you are comfortable with living fulltime on the road in your motor home or travel trailer.

A great piece of advice is for you to ask around. Get in touch with other motor home owners who have made the conversion to being fulltime. Check out RV blogs, ask questions, and get answers that help you in your decision making.

It is important that you remain confident and do not get scared. Ask others and see what their advice is. Your home on wheels can provide a great life on the road. You will have freedom and all the luxurious of a traditional home.

Julie Jacobs travels and writes articles on RV info, such as the Class C Motorhome. You can learn more about motor homes and recreational vehicles at www.PedataRVCenter.com.
Recreational Vehicle Living – Where To Take Your Home On Wheels

Recreational Vehicle Living – Where To Take Your Home On Wheels

There’s nothing greater than cruising down the road on your own home on wheels. People love RVing because it gives them freedom. A recreational vehicle allows you to travel and live in style.

Our beautiful country has so many great places to take your RV. Every little nook and cranny of the country, from all the way up at the tip of Alaska to way down by the heat of Miami, has something to offer the recreational enthusiast. It all depends on how you want to live.

Explore The National Parks

Few countries in the world have a huge national park system like the United States. From the Mojave Desert to Niagara, the Everglades in Florida to the Cascades in Washington.

The national park system has both federal and state parks. Federal parks are usually more convenient and closer to civilization. The only problem is that sometimes they can get crowded. They’re popular spots. You also might find that you don’t have enough space to park a full-sized RV at some federal parks.

State parks are usually more rugged. Often they don’t have the little creature comforts like electrical hook-ups and showers. Depending on the style of your RV, that might be just fine! State parks are often in more remote locations where you can get further away from everything.

All the national parks are beautiful and are well worth the drive.

Hit A Private Campground

Probably the most popular private campground is KOA. These places are not as scenic as the national parks, but they are sometimes located nearby. Private campgrounds are great for convenience. When we’re on the road for several weeks, we often stop off at a KOA or other private campground to do laundry, make phone calls and other things like that.

At a private campground you’ll find lots of conveniences. They’re also good places to stop if you have kids. They often have pools, video game arcades, and other things to keep the kids occupied.

Why Not Stay At A Resort?

Ask a bunch of seasoned RVers, and I promise you that 9 out of 10 will tell you that RV resorts are the places to go. These are special campgrounds set up exclusively for RVs. They require a membership, but with that you can enjoy any one of their many campgrounds across the country.

RV resorts are comfortable and usually quite cheap. You can stay at one for as little as $ 4 a night. Most have rules about how long you can stay at their parks, because they know that you’d end up moving in permanently if you could!

Probably the most popular RV club out there is Coast To Coast. Their campgrounds are always in pretty locations, and they are run by RVers. Coast To Coast has 150,000 members and around 400 campsites all over North America. One great thing about these resorts is that you have a chance to meet other RV owners and compare notes. They also have RV clubs that sponsor events.

Recently, Coast To Coast created a system where you can reserve your site ahead of time online. They are always improving their services, and they have a reputation for having the friendliest staff around.

Another similar RV club you can check out is Escapee. There are more out there, but Escapee and Coast To Coast are the biggest and best known.

Really Get Away From It All

Ever heard the term “boondocking?” This is what you do if you really want to get away from it all. Boondocking means to just head out into the wilderness, park your RV, and really get away from it all.

Some RV clubs hold boondocking events where a group of RVers all head out to the Arizona Desert or some distant landscape and hang out. Of course, hiking and other outdoor activities in remote locations have their dangers, but it can be a great experience. You’ll see more stars than you ever thought existed!

Buying that RV is just the first step. After that the adventure begins! With a recreational vehicle, you can head out on the highway and really see America.

Nothing is greater than cruising down the highway in your own home on wheels, and a recreational vehicle allows you to travel in style. Visit Bankston Motor Homes, http://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/, to search for your next motor home or come by and visit with us at any of our five locations.