Many people love the idea of buying an RV (recreational vehicle) – whether it be a caravan trailer or motorhome. There’s no doubt that an RV can give you a lot of freedom when traveling. You can go on spontaneous road trips and not worry about having to find a hotel en route. Many RVs even have kitchen and bathroom facilities on board, so you can cook your own food and not have to venture outside to find a bathroom.
Of course, as many RV owners soon find out, living in an RV isn’t always glamorous. There are hidden costs and limitations to be wary of. Below are just a few of the things that no one tells you when buying an RV.
You can’t just park up anywhere
When you need to get some sleep, you can’t often just park up by the side of the road. This may be deemed illegal in some places around the world. You also won’t be able to charge up your battery and there may be security/safety concerns in some places. As a result, many RV owners end up paying for campsite pitches, so that they have access to electricity and a secure legal spot to sleep. This is a lot cheaper than a hotel, but still a cost worth budgeting for.
Some routes may not be accessible for RVs
Because a lot of RVs are so big, you may not be able to take them down certain roads or under low bridges. Many RV owners will get themselves into precarious situations by accidentally taking an unsuitable route. Save yourself this drama by always researching RV-friendly routes ahead.
You’ll spend a lot of money on maintenance
Just like a car, you can expect things to break, and you’ll need to be able to afford repairs when this happens. There’s more that can break in an RV than there is in a car (e.g. appliances, toilet, shower), so expect to pay more in maintenance than you would for a car – especially if you’re heavily using your RV.
Just because you have a toilet doesn’t mean you’ll want to use it
Having a toilet in your vehicle may seem handy, but you may not always want to use it. RVs don’t offer much privacy when it comes to sounds and it’s very easy to stink out an RV if you do your business in it. RV toilets are also not very spacious and you need to remember to empty the tank to avoid problems. All in all, they’re good for emergencies, but you may find yourself often using public toilets for greater privacy and comfort.
Cooking in an RV can be challenging
Appliances such as ovens in RVs are typically small and low voltage. Therefore, cooking can be challenging – you won’t be able to cook a lot in your oven and it could take longer than in a regular oven. RVs also often have very small fridges, so you won’t be able to store too many ingredients. Your best option is often sticking to simple meals that you can easily prepare on a hob without too many ingredients like omelets, stir-fries, pasta dishes, and rice dishes.
You’ll quickly run out of space
It may seem like there’s a lot of storage space in an RV, but this can quickly get used up by all the essentials you need like kitchenware, cleaning equipment, and spare bedding. You’ll soon understand why some RV owners pay more for an RV with a lot more storage space. Learn how to be space-efficient when buying an RV so that you’re not struggling for space.
The challenges are all part of the adventure
RVing is not always as luxurious as people expect, but these challenges often make for some of the best memories. If you’re looking for an easy and relaxing mode of travel, an RV may not always be the best option. If you’re eager for an adventure, however, it may be just what you’re looking for.