Say you’re chatting with new neighbors in a campground. They’re newbies, but you’ve been RVing for a while now. They’re considering becoming full-timers some day and wonder if you will too. What would you tell them?
Is your plan to become a full-time RVer? Do you think it’s something you’ll consider in the future? Is it something you’ll never consider?
Speaking of full-time RVers, did you know we have a newsletter for full-timers and aspiring full-timers? And, it’s not JUST for full-timers. All RVers will enjoy it! Check out last Wednesday’s issue here.
To me being a Full Timer means selling the S&B home and living in an RV year round. We live in our RV (full time) 8 months out of the year. Four late spring & summer in the NE and 4 late fall and winter in the SE. The remaining spring and fall months are spent at home in our S&B home. We have no plans to sell the S&B home (which has doubled in value over the last 6 years).
No selection for ” I was a Full-Timer in the past”” but now a Part-Timer. We full timed in our motorcoach for well over 8 years before buying a beach house in Florida which has more than doubled in 8 years. We are now part time RVer’s spending 6 months in Florida for the winter and 6 months in New Hampshire Workamping during the summer.
Living the dream.
Yes; that option was missing for me.
The last 17 years I worked for GM before I retired at 30 years I had planned on becoming a full timer like my parents did the last 19 years before their passing. When that time came DW announced she wasn’t going to live in a trailer the rest of her life, so I went back to work at various different jobs. Now that she’s passed away I am fortunate to be married to a wonderful wife who has similar ideas, maybe someday.
It pays to “marry right”, Bob. 😀
We went full time in 96 and drove to Alaska twice. Made many friends and saw magnificent views across America. In 2016 we slowed down having decided to buy a home where our son’s family live, but stayed moving most of the time. Our last trailer had 50,000 miles on it so we bought a smaller one to travel in but come home for holidays and rest up for the next trip.
Just a couple more years to retirement!
I know others feel different, but I have to have a home base, no matter how long I’m gone. Plus, what would I do with all my sh*t?
Get rid of 95% of it.
Not only NO but Hell NO!
There’s no place like HOME and HOME IS NOT a Motorhome, RV trailer, Slide In or any other form of mobile travel as a permanent residence on the road home.
I like hitting the road as much as anyone else seeing all the wonderful things our great country has to offer just not on a full time basis.
A week or 2 at most is enough at one time.
Hitting the road 5 or 6 times a year is a LOT OF FUN!
You beat me to it, bull. Not only NO, but HELL NO! After spending an entire year in our trailer in a nice RV park in Houston (for medical reasons), we were SO glad to get home we haven’t been out traveling in over 10 months! However, come spring we will be ready to get out and ‘camp’ again.
Had a similar experience over a 5 year period in California for medical. 6-8 months/year for those 5 years but I have to admit, taking care of the wife while she rested and healed up was sure a lot easier for me managing such a small place compared to being a caregiver in a rather large house. It was a blessing to have that option in our lives. Worked remotely, great staff.
If I found myself alone, heaven forbid, I might downsize the coach and take a couple of years on the road. That’s the only way FT would happen.
I tried the full time life but quit after a year and a half. I sold my house, bought a 5th wheel and a new 3/4 ton pickup. Traveled all over the country and even did two stints as a campground host in Washington State and Oregon. I missed having a mailbox, a garage with my workbench, and the space for me and my 90 pound Lab. Had to use my daughter’s address for receipt of my mail. Had to call her every week to see if I received anything of importance. It was an adventure for sure. I’m happily back in a nice home in a quiet 55+ neighborhood.
Covid taught me one thing there is no place like home. There is no warm place in Canada to really spend the winter.
Yeah; there is > called > Point Pelee!!!
Canada is “unique”. We play Hockey!!!
I know Point Pelee well, and no it is not a place to spend winter! I live in Ontario and I am in Phoenix now. No comparison.
I imagine driving to Victoria is not an option when AZ is about the same distance and half the price to spend the winter,
The house is mortgage free and located in a prime tourist area near Lake Superior – and my wife’s family owns a summer cottage on a sand bay. Since we would be there in the summer anyway, why RV full time? Besides I have FHU at the house and all the tools I can’t haul with me to easily do RV maintenance.
We are already FT.
Have been for 4 yrs
Has its ups and downs but still hanging in there.
Probably not, and for several reasons. The foremost is that we (DW and I) did not come close to passing Gaylord Maxwell’s test for full-timing (https://www.rv.com/archive/the-maxwell-full-timing-aptitude-test/). Then there is the additional impediment of living on and caring for a 120-acre former-farm (farmed by my maternal grandparents and my parents). We have taken extended trips as long as four months that confirmed the test results. 🙂
I used to be a full timer. But not anymore. For the most part enjoyed it. But multiple problems with the Rv, campground crowding, fuel prices etc. Also many places to see outside North America. Will continue to travel, just not in an RV.
Kudo’s to those who are fulltime, but not for me. We always feel most ‘at home’ in our brick and mortar home. Too many variables fulltime …. breakdowns, fuel and parking costs, traffic and more. RV’s decrease in value over time, while land homes rise in value or stay static. Don’t want to be priced out of a land home once age says it’s time to park.
I have been for 3 years now and I have loved every minute. The best decision I ever made.
Only if I out-live my wife while I’m still able to drive. This is unlikely.
I’d have to own a warehouse to store all the stuff my wife “won’t ever give up” or even my own stuff. Personally I like having my shop where I can work on things. I even enjoy working in the yard and garden.
I’m a vegetable gardener and can see how difficult it would be to carry a garden with you. We’re in a hot clime so I thought once malabar spinach a book I read said a family of 4 would meet their necessary needs with 2 malabar spinach vines. I think a single pigeon pea would be all right in a 10-12 gallon tub but with dirt etc would be far too heavy to move & out of the RV
Wealthy to homeless, some folks make their home an RV. We enjoy travel and camping by RV. It allows us to travel; and stay in places there are no other accommodation where if you do not bring it, you will not find it there. And the equity in our spacious Stix and Bricks home has increased $400,000 since we purchased it, RV values tend to go the other way. Living full-time in an RV is not for everyone.
We were for 8 years. Loved every moment, and still miss it from time to time. I love where we are and what we have, but I loved that life too! So glad we can still do it at least part time though, not ready to give it up completely, that’s for sure!!
There should have been option for those of us who used to be full time but are now back in the sticks n bricks.