Thinking about living in an RV full-time? Great! Making the decision to move from living in a house or apartment to an RV can be a fun, exciting, and rewarding lifestyle. Which is why so many Americans are embracing RV living and van life these days.
Having a house on wheels, whether it's a full-size RV, a newly renovated Winnebago, or a fully-converted van, bus, or truck, truly provides more freedom than traditional home living.
However, all that excitement and freedom comes with a few trade-offs, like having less space, embracing a minimalist mindset, and knowing how to safely operate, maintain, and repair your mobile home.
In the following guide, we explore everything their is to know about full-time RV living.
We explore the benefits and drawbacks of living a nomadic lifestyle, the essential RV accessories and necessities you'll need, and how to embrace the road life, no matter where it takes you!
If you're planning on making the switch to full-time RV living, you may be interested in a few other related guides we've written, including our comprehensive RV maintenance guide and our guide on everything there is to know as a new RV owner.
Why It's Important to Take Full-Time RV Living Seriously
If you're thinking about living in a recreational vehicle, it's important to take the decision seriously. Nomadic life truly can be rewarding. But it also requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Whether you're a dad taking the family for a multi-month RV road trip, a retired couple hitting the road for a the year, or a younger digital nomad that wants the ability to travel, wake up in new locations every day, and work remotely wherever the road brings you, you'll need to think about the essential items you'll need for your lifestyle.
For example, if you're a remote worker but want to live off-grid, you'll need to think about electricity and internet access. Meanwhile, retired couples or families should put a bit more thought into things like entertainment, cooking and eating, RV childproofing and safety.
That's why researching and packing the right RV essentials, as well as understanding the basics of RV or van life, can make or break your new life.
Full-time planning involves stocking your mobile home with everything you'll need, including safety items and kitchen supplies, personal items like underwear, seasonal clothing, outdoor gear, recreation equipment, RV-safe toilet paper, as well as entertainment and leisure activities.
Taking RV life seriously makes it easier to save space and reduce clutter, making each day more comfortable and enjoyable. But planning your travel days and itinerary also helps you make the most of every day, while avoiding last-minute stress.
Click here to download our comprehensive full-time RV living checklist, which includes everything you'll need for daily RV living and full-time highway adventures.
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The Ultimate Checklist of Essential Items & RV Accessories
When making the switch to full-time RV living, you'll need to constantly think about the items and accessories you need on-hand.
Food, water, clothing, toiletries, and personal electronics or devices are important. But it's just as important to think about safety items, like fire extinguishers and first aid kit, which are crucial for safety and security.
Depending on where you're headed, where you'll be parking, and what type of adventures you plan to take, you may also need to pack outdoor gear, like hiking boots or camping equipment.
Most RVers won't forget things like clothing, food, water, or a cooler full of beer. But it's those smaller essential items like can openers, cookware and toiletries that often get forgotten, leading to major headaches and inconveniences.
Which is why we've put together the following RV living guide. So let's jump in!
RV Kitchen Supplies and Dining Checklist
Cookware and utensils, such as forks, spoons, knives, a spatula and tongs are all essential supplies for preparing meals during your RV trips. But don't forget other essential kitchen and dining supplies, like plates and bowls, cutting boards, cups, coffee mugs, paper towels and even trash bags, which help you keep your kitchen clean and functional.
Depending on how you'll be cooking you may also need to bring propane for powering your RV's stove, oven, or fridge, or other portable cooking devices, like a BBQ, portable stove, or cast irons pans for cooking over a fire.
Pro Tip - Cooking in your RV is great. But there's nothing quite like making dinner on a fire just like they used to do in the good ol' days. To cook on a fire, you'll need cast irons cookware, or a grill that can be placed over your fire pit.
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Outdoor Gear and RV Recreation
If you'll be staying at an RV park or resort, there may be all sorts of fun activities and recreation options nearby. So you may not need to bring all that much in terms of recreation with you.
However, if you're heading into the back country, it's important to plan and pack relevant outdoor gear, which may include fold-able camping chairs, tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, backpacks, re-usable water bottles, a campfire ring, or even firewood.
Basically, you'll want to pack anything that helps you and your family stay active and have fun outdoors during your RV adventure.
You may also want to consider bringing outdoor games or recreation items and activities like hula hoops or lawn darts for kids, or badminton sets, frisbees, bikes or other type of transportation for the adults to enjoy.
It's always great to hang out and chill at your camp setup. But you should plan to get out and explore new areas as much as possible to enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest.
RV Safety Items and Security
As fun as RV cooking and outdoor activities can be, it's also important to think about safety and security while living the full-time RV lifestyle. Fire extinguishers, first-aid kit, smoke alarms, and locks are crucial for protecting you and your RV during your trip.
But that's not where the RV safety and security line ends! You should also bring things like flashlights and extra batteries, a spare tire, a portable compressor, a jump starter, jumper cables, two-way radios, a satellite phone, or other emergency supplies.
We also recommend using a fireproof document holder or a fireproof container to protect things like your ID, jewelry, cash and other valuables while living on the road. It also never hurts to have a well-stocked tool kit with you, especially on those longer RV road trips when flats and RV tire blowouts are particularly common.
Pro Tip - You can't plan for when things break. So make sure your toolbox is stocked with all the basics, like screwdrivers, a ratchet set, wrenches, a hammer, RV sealant tape, as well as any other tools you think might need to work on your RV. When living on the road, tools aren't just an option... they're a necessity!
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RV Toilet Paper, Personal Items & Hygiene
Bathroom business is another important aspect of RV living. Most motor homes and campers have toilets, sinks, and showers. But unlike your bathroom at home, RV bathrooms rely on a mobile sewage system, which includes your freshwater, grey and black water tanks.
It's important to understand how these systems works. But it's just as important to make sure to bring septic safe items, like RV toilet paper or eco-friendly soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.
Even if you're headed into the back country, you still need to think about personal hygiene. So don't forget your toothbrush and other toiletries.
If you're in an RV park or resort, and have access to a washer or dryer, you might want to pack laundry supplies, including a laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.
Even for those going off-grid, we strongly recommend thinking about how you'll keep yourself and your clothing clean during the adventure.
RV Bedroom and Storage
When it comes to your sleeping arrangements, sheets, blankets, pillows, mattresses, and quilts are all essential items to pack.
Keeping yourself and your family comfortable is crucial when living in an RV. So make sure to bring everything you'll need to stay warm and relaxed.
On top of that, we also encourage you to consider DIY RV storage ideas, like using containers or bins to stay organized and clutter-free during your adventure.
DIY storage solutions, such as custom shelves or hooks are great for helping you save space. But they also help make your small space more comfortable and practical.
RV Entertainment and Leisure
Whether you're taking a solo van trip or traveling with the whole family, it's important to pack some entertainment and leisure items.
We always recommend that RVers get outside and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. But when the clouds roll in and the skies open up, you'll be glad you packed a few books or board games to keep everyone busy.
For those with a shore power connection, solar panels or a generator, you may even want to bring a small TV, DVD player, or a video game console for those long, boring, rainy days.
Pro Tip - Some towns and cities have "little free libraries" that allow you to find books and magazines to read. These are typically handmade book shelves or "libraries" that people maintain in their yards, where people are allowed to take a book or leave a book as needed.
Pet-Friendly RV Living
Exploring the world in an RV is fun. But it can be even more fun and rewarding when you bring your furry little family members with you. But when you have a dog or cat (or any other critters) tagging along, pet essentials, like food and water bowls, are crucial.
so don't forget whatever pet-friendly items your pet might need, which includes pet beds and toys, a pet carrier or crate, leashes, treats, and even a pet-friendly first-aid kit.
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How To Prepare For Full-Time RV Living
Realistically, the only way to prepare yourself for full-time RV living is to plan ahead, and to consider what your needs will be along the way.
But it's only once you've finalized your RV trip plans and itinerary, and once you know where you're headed, that you can start thinking about what to pack in your RV.
You also won't likely be fulled prepared the first time you take a trip in an RV. Even if you follow our comprehensive full-time RV living checklist, you're still likely to forget a thing or two.
Do your best to assess your needs and plans ahead. But don't beat yourself up too much if you forget certain items.
The more you travel, and the more time you spend living in your RV, the better you'll get at planning and packing!
Frequently Asked Questions - The Ultimate Full-Time RV Living Checklist
We've covered many of the essential items you'll need to live in a van or RV full-time. But just to make sure we haven't forgotten anything, take a few minutes to review the following frequently asked questions we hear from our readers.
What do you need to live in an RV full-time?
Full-time RV living requires you to maintain a legal residence and address, as well as having full-time RV insurance, and access to a range of amenities like the internet, power, clean water, waste disposal, and other essential utilities.
What to pack in RV checklists?
What to pack in your RV depends on where you're headed and where you'll be staying. For example, if you plan on living in an RV or trailer park, you won't need as much. But if you're heading off-grid, you'll need food, water, electricity, and other RV essentials.
What are the must have accessories for RV?
Some of the most important RV accessories include a septic hose kit, water hose and pressure regulator, a shore power cable with surge protector, as well as a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, fireproof storage containers, and cooking supplies.
What is a realistic budget for full-time RV living?
Realistic budgets for full-time RV living range between $1,500 to $5,000 per month. It really depends on the amount and type of traveling you intend to do. Minimalist van lifers can often live off $1,000 or $2,000 per month. But couples or families in larger recreational vehicles may need between $3,000 to $5,000 or more to live on the road full-time.
What is the most forgotten item when traveling in an RV?
The most forgotten items when traveling in an RV or van are small, essentials items like cookware, can openers, charging cables or power cords, as well as personal items and toiletries. That's why careful planning, packing and organization are essential when living in an RV.
How much does it cost to live in an RV full time?
It really depends on your lifestyle and how much you'll be driving or traveling. It costs a lot more to live in an RV when you're constantly on the move, burning fuel, and living on the road. On the other hand, if you intent to live in an RV park or stay put for longer periods of time, you can easily reduce the expenses needed to live in an RV full-time.
What are some tips on how I can live in an RV cheaply?
Embracing a minimalist lifestyle is a great way to reduce costs while living in an RV. But meal planning, cooking instead of eating at restaurants, and staying in one place longer and driving less (AKA paying for less fuel) are also great ways to reduce expenses.