It’s not for everyone. RVing, that is. Sure, most people fully enjoy an occasional RV weekend or even a two-week vacation camping trip. But several months of living in what’s basically the size of a walk-in closet can put a strain on even the strongest of partnerships.
So, how do we do it? How do we live in harmony for an extended time in our RV?
RV life is different
Unlike a house or apartment with multiple rooms, RVs squeeze work, play, and sleep into one compact footprint. When you’re RVing, you lose your private spaces. You no longer have a “get-away” area when tensions rise.
Chances are, you don’t drive off to meet a friend for coffee, make a library run, or check on the garden while RVing. These are things you do regularly when living in your stix-n-brix home. When RVing? Not so much.
In an RV, the walls are thinner, storage is tighter, and chores like cooking or cleaning can feel awkward or downright difficult.
Regular routines may have unexpected consequences, too. And your RV’s size and layout plays a huge part. For instance, has the coffee grinder ever jolted you from sleep? It’s not the best way to greet the day! Especially when the early riser is the same guy who watched TV last night until 2 a.m.
Weather impacts
RV relationships are also affected by the weather. When the thermometer climbs, RV interiors can become ovens on wheels. Thin insulation and limited ventilation mean your A/C works overtime and sometimes beyond its capacity. When sweat replaces serenity, tempers can flare over small slights.
On the flip side, winter brings its own stressors. Frozen water lines, burst pipes, and cold floors require constant maintenance. High propane usage to keep warm can strain budgets. Being confined inside for days straight (while wrapped in bulky layers) magnifies cabin fever and close-contact conflicts.
What to do
Even in a small RV, personal space is possible. You just need a bit of creativity.
• Scheduled solo activities: Use Google Calendar or a paper planner to block “solo time.” One partner might take mornings for a walk outside, while the other enjoys a quiet cup of coffee back inside.
• Micro-getaways: Leave the rig for errands, a hike, or a coffee run. A simple solo walk around the campground can reset cramped nerves.
• Privacy projects: Invest in a folding screen or install a shower curtain track to create a “room” if possible. If your rig has a dedicated bedroom with a door, take advantage of its separation.
• Hobby corners: Carve out tiny nooks to give each person a “home base.” This can be as simple as a TV tray that holds your jewelry-making supplies.
Psychological tactics
Here are some psychological tactics recommended by professionals:
• Set rituals: Shared rituals, like enjoying a Sunday night movie together, can build stability and connection within the constant change of travel.
• Set boundaries around chores: Divide and conquer daily tasks (e.g., dishes, sweeping, checking water/propane tanks) to avoid “Whose turn is it?” disputes. Rotating responsibilities keeps things fair and prevents built-up resentment.
• Mindful self-care: Encourage individual practices (like journaling or exercise) that reduce personal stress before it spills over into the relationship.
• Plan for weather-induced boredom: Stock a “bad-weather box” with books, games, art supplies, and streaming movie and TV options. Structured activities keep boredom and irritation at bay when stuck inside.
Remember that in an RV, sometimes the best gift you can give your partner is a little elbow room.
Does RVing for extended periods of time affect your relationship (negatively or positively) with your travel buddy? Tell us about it using the comments section below.
RELATED
- Making RVing friends: Stay connected and build long-term relationships
- Hubby is a night owl, wife is an early riser. Different sleep schedules hard to manage in RV
- 10 tips about how to live together full-time in an RV
- Fooling around on the road: A guide to RV lovemaking
RVT1222b
What helps me is having married my best friend…and that we only go for one week at a time.
That hasn’t been a problem for us. We travelled all over the country on two wheels until my health prevented it. Since then, we use six wheels. Both ways were always terrific. I guess that’s how it works when you marry your best friend. Bonus, our dog always comes with us now. She’ll knock you over to be the first one in the RV.
Well, we don’t sound as sweet as the other comments. We go out 6 to 7 months at a time, and we do indeed clash. I’m so germ conscious that I should have been a nurse; he’s bum material. I can do it myself; two are better than one. He sleeps late, I’m up early. It can wait until tomorrow; let’s get it over now. So how do we do it? Amazingly it works, but not without some grumbling, and even a huge argument now and then. AND we have 2 chihuahuas that I did NOT want and he couldn’t live without. We compromise because we love this lifestyle. I would have full-timed; he needed a brick/mortar. We do have a bedroom with a door that closes. We can sit outside alone. I go for a walk and journal.
So I am not alone! lol.
“We compromise because we love this lifestyle.” Are you two married or roommates? How did you ever get together in the first place with those differences? I did know a couple who loved to needle each other and every aspect of everything was negative – and then he passed away – at 40! Love requires compromise as does living our daily lives – but “love” is the baseline of being and sharing life together – positively! My wife is gone now and I cherish the wonderful times we had together – which far out weighed the other few compromises we each made.
We’ve spent the last 4 yrs together 24/7 in a Tear Drop Yes It’s definitely love, but as we travel on the beautiful back roads of America, which gives us a lot to talk about, we also listen to audio books, which gives us hrs of entertainment and alot of discussions. CBD gummies adds to the calmness as well
We got a Roku with a headphone jack on the remote so DW can watch her “reality” tv shows and I don’t have to listen to them.
Marrying your best friend for sure! Plus we are always meeting new people which we both enjoy. He does the shopping and cooking, I do the planning and laundry. Two cute beagles add to the mix, helping us meet people and giving us exercise and some alone time on walks.
I also married my best friend which works out great. But, we try to always travel and camp in nice weather areas in season. That way, a lot of our time is spent outside and not so much inside. We don’t always like the same tv channels, so one of us will watch tv in the bedroom and the other in the living room if need be. Having two tv’s gives each other some space. A large rv helps too as we like to spread out and not feel cramped.
Thank you for the discussion and suggestions, Gail! Over the past 3 months and 7400 miles DW and I have had a few unpleasant exchanges. To a large extent we leave the past there and focus more on the present. We certainly have routines. She walks dog #3 after we awaken. Meanwhile, I make the bed (my arms are much longer and more easily can make it), vacuum the floor, and usually vacuum the couch cover to remove dog #3’s hair. We both wipe dog #3’s feet when she and he return. One of us feeds him his breakfast. … DW goes to bed first. I take dog #3 out for the last time before I go to bed, give him his vitamins, and put him in his crate. And so it goes. Have a great week and safe travels!
We travel about half the year now. We were fulltimers. We now travel with two vehicles. My husband’s truck is a dually and hard to tour in. I have a compact truck so I can haul the e-bikes in the back. I love to drive and do most of the driving when touring. It’s more nimble and keeps the miles off the bigger truck. On drive days we get our own space with walkies to communicate when necessary. I get to listen to my podcasts and he gets to listen to his hard rock music at whatever volume he chooses. It works for us.
Anybody suffering for depression and anxiety? Especially the anxiety. I had to start Xanax to combat it. Any suggestions to help get through this. The anxiety is really forcing me to consider giving up this life strle
Just me and the dog. No problem with him, we do short trips.
As my BFF, Brenda, says, ” You have to love each other, but you better LIKE each other too.” We have been together for 8 years. Brenda is almost 75, I am 81. We have a grand time on the road together. We know we are so blessed and lucky to live the rv lifestyle.
Safe Travels.
Have A Pleasant Day