By Gail Marsh
Our discussion around the campground firepit last night centered mostly on RV misconceptions. Here are a few things I took away from our conversation.
Misconception #1
Large RVs have all the bells and whistles
Judy began by letting off a little steam. “I got a dirty look from my RV neighbor today. I was transferring our washed laundry into the dryer when I heard her say, ‘I think people who own an onboard RV washer and dryer have no business using the campground laundry facility.’”
Judy explained that the gal erroneously figured that since Judy’s RV was a large diesel pusher, she had onboard laundry. She doesn’t.
“And even if I did,” Judy went on, “we both paid the same site fee, which includes access to the wash house. I have just as much right to use the campground laundry as anyone else.”
Misconception #2
Most RVers are old and retired
Sean spoke up next. “The RV misconception that gets to me is the one that claims most RVers are old and retired. I’m 27! When I tell my non-RVing friends that I work remotely and live in my RV, they feel sorry for me… like I’m slumming or something… or can’t afford to live in a regular house. But they’re wrong. This is the choice I’ve made. I love the ability to travel as I work.”
Sean is right. More and more young people and families have joined the RV movement. Demographics are changing, especially since the COVID pandemic. During those highly stressful months, folks were eager to escape the four walls of their stix-n-brix homes to safely distance themselves from others. RVing in the great outdoors provided that escape.
Young parents learned that they enjoyed helping their children learn and began home-schooling. With remote work as the new normal, families chose to leave their stationary life behind and travel in their RVs.
Misconception #3
RVs are a huge investment
Connie chimed in: “I bought my previously loved [used] RV for $5,000. I’m really happy with it. I’m not sure I would have felt comfortable redecorating it if it had been brand-new. Now it’s just the way I like it and I have no RV/house payment!”
RVs certainly can be a huge investment. Connie made the choice that was right for her. My husband and I have had two previously loved [used] RVs and two new ones. If we had to replace our current RV, we’d go the used route again. Just do your homework, have it inspected by a professional, and stay within your budget.
Misconception #4
RV systems are complicated
“My parents were aghast when I told them I’d bought an RV,” Jill admitted. “My friends and family warned that I’d never learn the complicated electrical, plumbing, leveling, and other systems. There was a lot to learn, but with the help of other RVers, online blogs, and YouTube, I’ve learned a lot. I feel confident traveling solo almost anywhere.”
Many RVers around the campground firepit agreed with Jill. Yes, RVs have many different systems, but if you’re willing to learn about RVs, they will no longer seem so complicated. In fact, subscribing to RV Travel’s many online newsletters is a great way to get reliable information, learn maintenance skills, and avoid costly repairs.
Other misconceptions
Do you have other misconceptions to add to this list? Please contribute to the “campfire” conversation and tell me in the comments below.
More “Around the Campfire”
- The worst advice RVers have ever received
- RVers share new “beefs”—complaints I haven’t heard before
- Surprising campground rules you must follow
RVT2707
When I tell my friends, who may be uninitiated in the ins and outs of RV’ing, some of them think I’m milling around with a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthal hill-billys. I’ve got 2 college degrees; I’ve met CEO’s and former generals in the armed services. I’ve also met some common folks like myself. When I tell them my Class C Tiffin has the same amenities as their house, some don’t believe me.
Biggest misconception by non-RVers in my opinion is that all the residential-like amenities in an RV work the same as true residential systems. And when they are told differently, they think RVs are too complicated. Different yes, complicated no. But nonetheless, you see eyes glaze over and ears close.
Great point, Jim! 🙂 Safe travels! 🙂
The term “investment” and “RV” should never be in the same sentence. When RV salespeople make that statement I just laugh and say: “Investment? Yeah…like a crashing stock market!” 🙂
An RV can be an investment into ones quality of life. But financial investment? Yes, a laughable and ridiculous idea.
We got a big laugh from a young lad when we camped in Myrtle Beach who told our young son “My mom says we stay in condos because the campground hobos will eat you!”
🤔😯😆😅😂🤣
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 These regular (?) campfire discussions sound fantastic. 🙂 Sadly, we have never even seen one, let alone participated in one. 🙁 Are you camp hosts when you host them, or just enjoy inviting people to.join your campfire? Seems a great way to make campers enjoy the campground more. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
My TT was an investment! I took a small, short-term loan from my bank for about half of the purchase price and then paid the rest in cash. Normally, I wouldn’t advise a loan for something that depreciates as quickly as an RV, but I needed mine for work. I’m a traveling medical contractor and get paid tax-free travel related stipends if I’m “duplicating living expenses.” So if I own a home (or pay rent) somewhere, I have to also pay rent in the area I’m working in order to get those tax-free stipends. Those stipends actually DOUBLE my income. In my case, the short term small loan I took from my bank on my depreciating travel trailer has actually made me over $130k in free $$ in just 3yrs!
Regarding #1 about the laundry facility, it’s worth noting that some RV campgrounds prohibit the use of onboard washer/dryer. Forum discussions claim the reasons for this range from septic/water management issues to greed (campground wants to you to feed those quarters into their machines).
The biggest misconception is that RVing is an inexpensive way to travel.
RVs don’t need a battery except when boondocking. Not true. Almost all the 12v circuits (and even if you have a 120vac & propane frig, it has a 12v control board) run off the battery. Plugging in only activates the AC to DC converter/battery charger. If the battery is dead or missing, and the only source of 12v is the converter/battery charger, more often than not your 12v systems will be ‘flaky’ in operation.
If your ceiling lights flicker, check the battery. If your slide rooms or awnings are not working properly, check the battery.
Some folks think RVers don’t really like being outdoors or are too lazy to tent camp. We loved tent camping until it became too hard to get up off the ground and walk to the restroom 3 times a night.
And as for younger RVers – last week we were next to a TT with 5 young kids. Those kids had plenty of outdoor fun and fun indoors when it rained. The parents, who were busy every second of the day looking after those kids, were able to spend real quality time with the kids rather than airing out wet bedding and tents etc. I bet they were able to camp a lot more often than if they had to manage the effort it takes to tent camp with children.
“RV’s are complicated” applies to new ones and is not a mis conception. Blue tooth this and that, multiplex wiring, tablet-controlled everything, automatic gen. start and awnings. On and on. The other day I tried to help someone raise their jacks so they could leave. Lippert really has nerve making terrible systems that are difficult to troubleshoot.
Been full time for over 19 years and every Christmas when camping near my sister’s family she asks the same 2 questions…do you want to come over and take a “real” shower…my bath is bigger than hers…and when would you like to come over for a “real” home cooked meal. I guess I haven’t eaten anything other than fast food since I saw her last year ..lol 😂 💔