The Brutal Truth About Full-Time RV Life: Costs, Debt, and Reality
- Tim Eagle
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As far as RV life is concerned there is so much garbage, including the AI slop that is hanging out on the internet. Especially YouTube, which I used to watch before Maria and I became full time, and even then, those turds romanticized the life. I hope to bring you down to earth today and give advice and some tips on what to do if you decide to become a full time RV'er.
Go in Debt Free! (this is an option of course, but if you don't want to be dragged down by debt, do this first)
Go in as debt free as possible and enjoy the trip. Here's the Expense Breakdown of my expenses and what I spend in a year. Maria and I live on as little as possible, and we don't have much overhead. RV Expenses and Finance
This Life is Romantic, but so many overly-Romanticize it...
A lot of RV information is romanticized, which I found watching/reading before I became full time four years ago. By romanticizing, I mean travel every day, see different things 24/7, eat at restaurants, drink at bars, socialize with all the other "tribes" of youTube, etc., etc., you get my point. This is a way of life. Travelling the US and posting only an easy, care free time while living in the RV with kids, dogs, or in-laws is not the way it REALLY is, and mostly just lies. Budgeting, finding places to dry camp when you've been on the road too long, and getting the rig fixed is more reality. Watching these clowns is not real and real events are not as entertaining. There are two type of people, those who want the truth, and those who want the untruths. The untruth seekers usually get scared of blogs like this and go back to just watching the few minute videos that attracted them to the lifestyle in the first place. Those who want the truth, well, they rip the bandage off and come here or places like this to take a look and critically think their next move.
Breaking down is Hard to DO!
When you break down there's no one info dumping the resources or coming to your rescue, you have your own due diligence, skills and self to rely on. Some of the tools I use is that smart-device used too often to take selfies, and videos with, yes, my smart phone. You don't get corporate sponsorship to pay for your gas and expenses, these expenses have to be paid by you.
The cheapest easiest way to live this life, especially if you're my age, not quite able to fully retire, and need to make some cash to do what you love, in my case write books, do it my way. I've broke it down on the blog, and explained EVERYTHING here, you just need to peruse my Full Time RV section.
This is a section for some quick tips & back links !
Donate Plasma to make extra money (I do this for gas money, it saves on my budget, every dollar earned is only used for gas and sometimes propane)
If you have a job that includes tips, stash it away for those rainy days, or tolls.
Always have a $5000 - $8000 dollars as a reserve fund for breakdowns.
Get a membership like Good Sam's or something similar to help with breakdowns and tow service (always a handy service to have, even if it's not used, it's piece of mind). And last but not least, know what you are taking with you, know how to minimize your possessions, develop routines, and have fun!
If you're ready to take the leap, and buy an RV don't forget my personalized RV Check List!
I hope I've taught you something, maybe brought you into the fold, or just gave you too much information. Regardless, you're on the right path if you're looking for real advice, and I thank you for coming to the right place. I am not sponsored, I'm not AI and this is all me, so if you have any questions, comment below and I'll respond! Thanks for reading.
Tim Eagle
Tim Eagle is an author of the novellas Stolen Seed, Life Ship, and the Vasectomus Collection. He lives full time, on the road, with his wife, Maria and cat Walter White. He grew up in Michigan and is inspired by the dysfunction of America. His books are available on Amazon, godless and this site timeaglefiction.comÂ
