17. Seven Differences Between Full Time RVers and The Rest Of Us

Shopping With The Full Time RVers

Full time RVers are definitely looking for different things. I remember that first RV show Kris and I attended. It was in Portland, OR in 1984. I don’t even remember the name of the facility, but it was huge. Thousands of people and hundreds of motor homes, campers and trailers on site.

We walked through dozens of big trailers, 5th wheels and motor homes, dreaming of that day when we could retire and see the country. And we came home with a small popup tent trailer. Small enough to pull behind a Toyota Corolla, or my little 1983 Ford Ranger.

Those big expensive RVs are definitely cool. Who wouldn’t want one? A gourmet kitchen, gas fireplace and a big turbo-diesel to power you down the highway to that next luxury RV park. It’s an RVer’s dream. Then there’s this thing called life.

7 Differences Between Full Time RVers and The Rest Of Us

Camping, whether in a tent, a popup camper or a 40 foot toy hauler is a lifestyle. But it’s generally a lifestyle that starts with a few free weekends and a little extra cash. We may work our way into spending more time at it in our later years, even full timing. But starting out, the differences are huge.

The Budget

Younger couples with kids at home have many other priorities on their hard earned dollar. Everything from braces to band camp seem to take priority over that RV you’ve been drooling over. As the kids get older it’s cars, college, weddings and other big ticket items that take priority.

As we get older it seems to be healthcare and retirement savings that take priority over that dream RV. Cancer isn’t cheap. I bring this up mainly to stress the importance of taking your kids camping while everyone is young and healthy. The budget might be tight, but the memories are priceless.

Housing

We all need a home base, but the exact needs and priorities change. The bigger house may be a requirement when the family is young. Now that it’s just the two of us, Kris and I are fine with a smaller home and lower housing expenses. Some full timers may go as far as renting out their homes, or selling it entirely. Less spent on housing frees up funds for recreation.

How Connected Are You?

If you’re closing up the house and heading south for the winter, staying connected is important. Keeping up with children and grandchildren, being available for friends and taking care of business is important. You may want a smartphone with a big data plan for your internet needs. Everything from email to NetFlix can be accessed via smartphone when WiFi isn’t available.

When we’re heading out for the weekend, we rather enjoy being disconnected. We’d rather trade Facebook for a real book, a card game, fishing or a good walk. We don’t even have a TV in our camper. It breaks our hearts to see a mom, dad and 2 or 3 kids sitting around a fire, looking down at their phones. Talk about a wasted opportunity.

Packing The RV

It’s a matter of how much vs how little on this one. When you’re off for the weekend, you can leave so much more at home. Less food, clothing, tools, even fishing gear. You just don’t need as much stuff in that camper. You know you’ll be home in two or three days, so why pack what you aren’t going to use? Keep it light and easy.

The full timer will most likely pack more of everything. Things like the waffle iron and the blender will probably find their way into the cupboards. I would  certainly be packing more tools for that longer trip.

The Menu

Heading off for the weekend usually involves simple meal plans, or even a restaurant or two. It’s a getaway. The kitchen chores are part of what you may be getting away from. You also might be less concerned about healthy eating when it’s back to the grind on Monday.

Full time RVers will be more apt to plan healthier menus, larger stock-up style shopping trips and eat in the RV more often. They will most likely be a little more budget conscious when it comes to dining out.

The RV

My parents started out with a slide-in pickup camper. After all of us kids were gone, they went to a 24 foot travel trailer and parked it in an RV park in an Oregon beach town. They wanted the fixed bedroom and the bigger kitchen.

When they finally retired, a 28 foot 5th wheel came into the picture. It made a few snowbird winters in Arizona, as well as a few cross-country trips. As my father put it, “we don’t go to Arizona for the weather. We go to play with children our own age.”

As a funny side note, they sold that pickup camper to my uncle. Both retired, my father and uncle George took a 2500 mile road trip in that camper and had a blast. My uncle was legally blind by that point, but they were able to see some great historical sights nonetheless. We lost dad back in 1996, but that trip was one of his greatest retirement memories.

Shopping

The shopping experience is different in every case. Not just the RV you chose, but shopping for your trip and while on the road. Quality may trump convenience and price for a full time RVer.

A full time RVer will usually find something like a Walmart store, and buy groceries for a week or two. They’re probably less likely to grab a few things at a campground convenience store.

Call to Action

A website’s call to action usually involves something on the site. Sign up for my mailing list. Or, buy my e-book. That’s not my point with this article. My point is this. CAMP! Load up the family, leave the laptop and smartphones and go camping. Do what you can afford, but do something. Camping is one of the greatest family activities you could choose. Get out there and enjoy it.

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