When you think about roadblocks you probably envision the highway division’s series of cones, giant barrels, or wooden barricades. These are, of course, physical roadblocks. But what I’m talking about are the “roadblocks” to RVing, the things that keep RV owners from using their rigs more often.
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An RVer’s dream
Prior to owning an RV, I dreamed of taking it out every weekend. We’d stay at local parks, maybe try boondocking, and take several longer excursions each year. In my dreams I envisioned an RV constantly on the move—exploring, sightseeing, and taking us to parts unknown.
The reality of owning an RV
We used our RV constantly during the first three years of ownership. Back then, we were involved with a faith-based group that worked to build churches and schools, as well as make improvements to youth camps. We practically lived full-time in our rig and absolutely loved it!
Then COVID hit and everything came to a whiplashing stop. Our RV went into storage, and we returned to life as it had been “pre-RV.” Since the pandemic ended, we’ve taken our rig out only occasionally. Yes, we still go to Florida for the winter months, but that leaves nine other months when we could be traveling, meeting new people, and seeing new places. So, what’s keeping us from RVing more? What are our roadblocks to RVing?
Rising costs
Right now, our number one reason for not taking more trips with our RV is higher prices. First, it takes more money to fill up our diesel fuel tanks. Secondly, many campgrounds have raised their rates due to inflation coupled with the high demand. (More on that here.)
What are we doing about this roadblock? We’ve decided that our Florida trip is a priority. To make that trip a reality we are cutting back on non-essentials and pocketing the results. For example, we no longer eat out. I’ve removed non-essential items from our grocery list. My husband is performing maintenance for our RV instead of hiring our dealership’s techs to do it. We’re determined to move past the “$$$ roadblock” and get to Florida.
Other roadblocks
Money is not the only reason folks give as a reason for not using their RV more. Here are a few more roadblocks to RVing:
- Health constraints: It takes strength and agility to safely RV.
- Work considerations: Getting time off work can be problematic for some folks.
- Family schedules. Balancing everyone’s schedules can be tricky (school, practices/games, social events, stix-n-brix responsibilities).
- RV issues: Rig is too big, too small, needs repairs, etc.
- Hassles involved: Packing/unpacking all the “stuff” needed, securing a campsite and more.
Finding a way
There are, of course, many other roadblocks to RVing. However, I’d like to think that for almost every roadblock, there is a solution. Maybe if we all put our heads together, we can problem-solve the issues that are keeping us from enjoying our RVs to the fullest extent.
To that end, what roadblocks keep you from RVing more often? Have you overcome some roadblocks to RVing? How did you do it? Share in the comments below. Then, please check back often and propose potential solutions to RVing roadblocks, too.
##RVT1068
We live between 2 mountains so during summer we won’t drive our RV in 120 degrees weather up a mountain.
We have two, three major travel roadblocks. You noted the first. My mother lives 0.5 miles from us, lives alone, and is 91 years of age. DW’s parents are 85 and 80 years of age respectively, and she is the nearest child by hours and hours at 90 minutes. We live on 120 acres, which requires hours and hours of attention each week. Our solution has been to improve my mother’s ability to reach us, for DW to visit her parents at least monthly, and to ignore the farm for one long weekend per month. All of which enable us to travel somewhere for a few hours at least monthly and enjoy a couple or three days in the RV.
I agree ,times are difficult for all of us, higher gas prices, higher food prices, rates increasing at campgrounds. It goes on and on, but realistically there are two choices each of us make, we can just give up and sit back and feel sorry for ourselves, or make nessasary little changes to allow us some sort of relaxation. I’ve known and worked for employers who never taken, day one of a vacation, and wonder why they get burnt out. As for us, we’re staying closer to home and that still allows us to enjoy what our Great Creator has provided and there’s nothing like the evening sound of. cricket, and fellowship around the campfire.
I have long Covid and a fractured ankle. We mostly camp to visit different areas of the states and that involves walking a lot. Since we need to use the showers in the bath houses instead of in the trailer, I would even need to walk to get a shower in the morning. So even if we just went and sat at the campground, I couldn’t use our RV this year. Hopefully, next year will be different.
So sorry for your health challenges. I pray you’ll be back on the road soon. Take care, Grace.
There can always be an excuse. If you want something, you can find a way around that excuse.
When did the pandemic end? Our son and his family just came down with the omicron 5 variant last week. They were all fully vaccinated, but still missed a week of work, school, kid’s hockey games, etc. Doesn’t look to me like it’s ended!
The Pandemic 😷 of COVID is not over yet, just people tired of all the prior health constraints. Vaccinations/Boosters, hand washing and masking when needed will help keep this still deadly virus at bay and hopefully we will be able to change from pandemic to endemic before too much longer. The variants are what need to be monitored for to protect the public.
Thank you. That was my point–a pandemic does not end just because people are tired of it. And health officials in our state are still predicting a surge this fall. So, as we have for 2.5 years, we will continue getting our groceries by curbside pickup, avoiding restaurants (where we would need to remove our masks), and wearing N-95 or activated carbon filter masks whenever we go inside any public building. And we will get the latest Pfizer booster the minute it is available!