Category Archives: RV living

Replacing An RV Toilet? Read This First!

Posted by Sep 24, 2025 RV living, Tips, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment
Replacing An RV Toilet? Read This First!
New RV toilet in RV
Replacing my RV toilet didn’t go as planned.

Upgrading My RV Toilet

RVs aren’t built to last forever. With that said, everything in any RV will eventually break, even when they’ve been properly maintained. This isn’t unlike a house, but with so many plastic (and OSB strand board) components, things just don’t last as long in an RV. WIth that said, when my RV toilet broke last week, I did what many other RVers do: I consulted the experts on Youtube. I perused videos of how to replace an RV toilet.

Youtube Videos are deceptive

The videos looked easy. Unbolt and pop the old RV toilet out. Then pop the new one in and bolt it down. I’ve replaced a few household toilets before so I didn’t even consider hiring an RV technician for this “easy” job. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Measure Twice, Cut Once

I researched the part and found that I couldn’t get a direct replacement for the toilet, but the best fit would be a Dometic 321. I ordered the toilet from Hitchweb.com, and after being redirected a few times, it arrived 7 days later. I’ve always wanted to install a bidet, and now was a good time. So I ordered a Clean Camper RV Bidet. This RV specific bidet installs under the toilet seat. The connections are simple to do. However, in the limited space of an RV bathroom, doing the install on a new toilet would make everything easier. Then I’d just take the broken toilet out, an pop the new one in. Easy peasy. Or so I thought.

The World Of RV Repairs Is Not What It Seems

Before the install, I emptied and flushed the black tank. As an extra measure I added about a quarter cup of biodegradable dish soap down the old toilet and flushed the tank again. I turned the water supply off and put down a towel to catch any water drips before I disconnected the water intake hose. I Now it was time to put my Nalgene gloves on and unbolt the toilet from the floor.

Surprises In Store

I took took the outer housing off and found 4 bolts instead of the two bolt configuration on the Dometic toilet. Big deal, I thought. I can just move the mounting bolts to a different position on the toilet flange. Worst case, you just replace the flange. However, that’s not how it works in an RV at all. Especially in a 2008 Fleetwood Southwind.

There was no way to move the bolts around on the toilet flange, and the flange itself was about 2 feet long and curved around to be part of the plumbiing system. What to do? Now was a good time to call an RV technician.

For A Few Dollars More…

I called Courtenay RV Specialists and found out that they sold an adapter that would allow the 2 bolt toilet to be installed on the 4 bolt flange. After several trips back and forth, and about $200, I was able to get one that wound up working. Including the bidet, this RV toilet was now going to cost more than $1200. Yikes. But a toilet is necessary equipment, so I went ahead with the repair.

The toilet wound up installed. However, unlike the YouTube videos there were moments of sheer horror involved as things seemed to fly down the crapper. There’s no doubt that where there’s a will there’s a way when it comes to RV repairs, but if you’re replacing a toilet in an older RV, here are some key-takeaways from my experience.

youtube placeholder image

Key Takeaways For Replacing A RV Toilet

  1. Lower your expectations for this upgrade (haha)
  2. Measure your old toilet
  3. Find the correct replacement toilet
  4. Ceramic toilets are much heavier than plastic toilets. If you have a travel trailer, consider the additional weight before you upgrade your toilet.
  5. Don’t panic if the bolt pattern is different on your new toilet. You can get an adapter for your old toilet flange.
  6. Use tape to hold the toilet flange adapter in place while you drill pilot holes. Then remove the tape before installing it.

Well, it all worked out in the end, and I must say, I’m flushed with pride at the results.

Bluetti AC70: The Ultimate Portable Power Station for Boondocking

Posted by Jul 27, 2025 camping gear reviews, RV living, Tips , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment
Bluetti AC70: The Ultimate Portable Power Station for Boondocking
A smiling person gives a thumbs-up next to a Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station, showcasing its digital display.
The author showcases the Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station, highlighting its convenience for boondocking enthusiasts.

Finding a reliable source of power has always been a challenge when we’re boondocking. For the uninitiated, boondocking means camping off grid, with absolutely no hookups. This includes not being connected to shore power, water, or sewer. I love boondocking because it’s usually free (although boondocking at a provincial or state campground isn’t) . But before I digress too far: My boondocking life changed when I got a portable power station.

Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station with a digital display and multiple charging ports.
The Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station, a compact and powerful solution for RV boondocking.

Now, my RV is equipped with cigarette lighter style twelve volt connections throughout, so I never felt the need to look into getting a portable power station. My system of plugging chargers for electronics was, for the most part working, although I couldn’t do things like run small appliances without running Daisy Mae’s built in Onan generator. However, one day, Bluetti reached out and asked me to try out the Bluetti AC70. This little power station has been a game changer for boondocking in my RV.

Small But Mighty

This little power station is small and compact enough to store anywhere in most cabinets in the RV, and lightweight enough to be easily portable. But small size doesn’t mean it low power. AC70 offers 1000 Watts and 768Watt hours of power.

The AC70 charges via120V in under an hour, but I can also charge it through a 12 Volt plug while I’m driving. I could also use a solar panel to power it, but I haven’t done that yet (more on that later). It has 2 AC outlets, 2 USB and 2 USB-C charging ports, and a 12 Volt, cigarette lighter style charging port.

Versatile Power Solution

This gives it a lot of versatility to run almost small appliances and charge and electronic devices from laptops to phones. By the way, I’ve found most of my electronics charge a lot faster through the Bluetti power station than through an AC wall outlet. Here’s some of the things I’ve used the Bluetti to run or charge:

There are larger power stations out there, but the AC70 is the perfect size for RV life, overlanding, or car camping. It’s small size and big power make it a great addition for a grab-and-go emergency kit too.

Features:

  • 1000 Watts
  • 2000 Watts lifting power
  • 768 Watt hours
  • 45 minute charging time on AC
  • 2 hours charging time on 500 W solar
  • LiFePO4 (relatively environmentally friendly)
  • 3000 charging cycles
  • Bluetti App lets you control charging from a phone
  • High viz LED display that tells you everything you need to know
  • 5 year warranty
  • Accessories: AC Charging Cable, Car Charging Cable, Solar Charging Cable

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 2.36“ ｘ8.18“ ｘ10.07“ / 314mm ｘ208mm ｘ255.8mm
  • Weight: About 22.4 lbs / 10.2kg
  • Charging temperature: 32°F – 104°F / 0°C – 40°C
  • Storage temperature: -4°F~104°F / -20°C – 40°C
  • Safety certifications: UL Standard, CEC, DOE, FCC, CA Prop 65

This Versatile Portable Power Station Lets You Have It All When You’re Boondocking

The Bluetti AC70 Portable Power Station is the power solution I didn’t know I needed. It lets me run or charge every electrical appliance I need without ever plugging into shore power. That’s pretty neat and it’s revolutionizing the way I RV.

Find Out Everything You Need To Know About Choosing A Power Station

If you’re shopping for a portable power station, you’ll want to click here to check out my best tips getting the right one for your particular needs in RV Life.

Click here to check out essential camping gear reviews

The EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner For RV Travel

Posted by Jul 24, 2025 camping gear reviews, RV living, Tips , , , Leave a Comment
The EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner For RV Travel

EcoFlow Wave 3 in RV

EcoFlow Wave 3: So Much More Than An Air Conditioner!

When Ecoflow reached out to me to try out their latest creation, the Ecoflow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner, I already knew the company had built a brand around providing eco-friendly energy solutions such as portable power banks. All of it’s products are aimed at providing.  Driving thousands of miles throughout Canada and the US made me wish for just one thing.  And that was effective air conditioning in my large Class A gasser motorhome when we’re travelling.

Why I Needed An Effective Portable Air Conditioner In My RV

If you’ve travelled in a gas powered Class A motorhome, you’ll know what an issue this can be on hot days because you can’t run the overhead air conditioners while driving.  Yes, there’s a dash AC and two over dash fans that help circulate the air, but in high temperatures, it doesn’t really provide relief from the heat. When Ecoflow reached out to me to try out their latest creation, the Ecoflow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner, I decided to put it through the paces of my daily RV life. 

Would The EcoFlow Wave 3 Work On A Road Trip?

 However, I was eager to try it out in real RV life– on the road.   I already knew the company had built a brand around providing eco-friendly energy solutions such as portable power banks.  All Ecoflow products are aimed at providing energy efficient, environmentally conscious solutions to human problems.  Like traveling in an RV in summer temperatures.  I was eager to try out the Ecoflow Wave 3 portable air conditioner on my next road trip.  I’m glad I did, because this is a product I can highly recommend to fellow RVers and anyone else who needs to beat the heat whether  they’re camping or travelling. 

EcoFlow Wave 3 in Box outside an RV

What’s In The Box?

Ecoflow includes everything you need to set the Wave 3 up for mobile use. My Ecoflow Wave 3 came with a separate battery pack  Here’s what was included in the box:

Ecoflow Wave 3 Air Conditioner

  • Ecoflow Wave 3
  • 3 Ecoflow duct adapters
  • 2 insulated exhaust ducts
  • Silicone drain pipe
  • Cardboard duct template
  • Winder for storing drain pipe
  • Charging cable
  • Instruction manual

Ecoflow Wave 3 Add On Battery:

  • Ecoflow Wave 3 Add on Battery
  • 12 Volt Charging cable
  • Add-on battery cable
  • Instruction manual

Features

  • 4 modes:  Cooling, heating, dehumidifier and fan 
  • 6100 BTU cooling capacity 
  • 6800 BTU heating capacity 
  • 3 battery charging modes: 120V AC, 12 V DC, and solar  
  • Completely charges in an hour while driving or in 75 minutes via solar
  • 2-8 hours run time, depending on settings
  • 120-180sf cooling/heating area
  • External battery has 4000 recharging cycles at 80% capacity
  • Pet Care setting sends an alert to your smartphone when the temperature is above or below a present level.
  • Smart App allows control from any phone via the EcoFlow Bluetooth app.
  • Replaceable external battery extends the lifetime of the Ecoflow Wave 3 
  • Wireless and portable
  • IP4 waterproof rating means it can withstand splashes and low pressure water
  • External battery is rated  IP65, to withstand submersion in water
  • Powerful fan quickly heats or cools room temperature in less than 15 minutes
  • Insulated intake and exhaust ducts maximize efficiency
  • Very easy set up
  • Can be operated with or without ducting
  • Dehumidifier quickly reduces humidity and  moisture in the RV
  • 2 year warranty

Specifications:

  • Weight (without battery): 33.7 lbs
  • Weight including battery: 55.1 lbs
  • DImensions: 20.4×11.7×13.2 in (519×297×336 mm)
  • Cooling Capacity: 6100BTU (1800W)
  • Heating Capacity: 6800BTU (2000W)
  • Add On Battery Input: 700W Max
  • Noise level: 44-58 Db
  • Run Time with add-on battery: 2-8 hrs
  • Operating temperature: 41º-122ºF (5º-55ºC)
  • Price At Ecoflow.com: $1,049.00CAD

Hits and Misses

Hits

  • Completely wireless and portable: Can be used anywhere, including in an RV during travel or in a tent
  • Works well for cooling and heating
  • Battery has a USB port that’s handy for charging electronic devices
  • Well made and rugged from quality components
  • Insulated intake and exhaust ducts help to increase efficiency
  • Provides much needed relief from hot temperatures in the RV during travel even without using ducting
  • Can be charged 3 ways: 120 V AC, 12 V plug in, or via a solar panel

Misses

  • 51 lbs will be heavy for some people to move around
  • Bulky- it definitely takes up space in the RV,  

My Review Of The EcoFlow Wave 3

I tried the Ecoflow Wave 3 out in several scenarios, but I was especially interested in using it while I travelled in my 33’ Fleetwood Southwind motorhome. I didn’t have the right adapter to charge via my Go Power solar panel, but I loved that this is a charging option for the Wave 3. As it was, being able to charge the Wave 3 through any 120 V AC outlet or DC outlet was very convenient.

Thanks For The Ducting Template

Ecoflow includes a template to make a foamboard insert for a window, so I made one and used it for ducting Wave 3 both to the outside when it was in the stationary RV as well as into the tent, when I set it up outside the tent.  Here’s how I tested it and what my thoughts were:  

Stationary RV As A Heater   8.25/10 

  •            Noise level: 10/10
  •            Temperature change/hour:: 7/10
  •            Convenience:  8/10
  •            Efficiency:  8/10

This year, Spring featured cool temperatures that lasted well into June. It made a perfect opportunity to try the Ecoflow Wave 3 out as a heater. I was kind of excited to have a way to use the phone app to   warm up the RV bedroom before getting out of bed.  Because the windows in my RV are different sizes, I decided to  cut my foamboard window insert to fit the largest window I’d be ducting out of, instead of having an individual insert for each window.  

 This worked, but of course, I couldn’t fit it tight in the window, so cold air came in. I placed the ACin the set up the ducting.  My bedroom isn’t huge, so the Ecoflow Wave 3 took up about 1/6 of the limited floor space. It definitely wouldn’t live there, because there just wasn’t enough space in the bedroom. It would be in the way when the bedroom slide-out came in. However,  it was good enough for testing how well the Wave 3 would heat the bedroom.  I was able to test it out for warming up the bedroom in my RV. Here’s how it went:

Why I loved the phone App

I woke up at 5:30 and used the app on my phone to turn on the Wave 3, and set my alarm for 6:30.  The Wave 3 was barely audible as it worked to warm up the bedroom on battery power.  After an hour, the temperature in the bedroom was raised from 13ºC to 20ºC , and the battery was about 60 percent depleted. The medium sized saucepan I improvised to catch water from the drain pipe had about 2 inches of water in it. 

It’s much easier to be ready to take on the world when it’s 20 degrees than when it’s a chilly 13 degrees, So, I considered this a win. I felt that the Ecoflow Wave 3 would be especially useful for heating a smaller space like a van, truck camper, or travel trailer for up to 2 hours without an additional power source.  

Tent: Stationary Air Conditioner   7.75/10

  1. Tent: Stationary Air Conditioner   7.75/10
  •   Noise level: 10/10
  •            Temperature change/hour:: 6/10
  •            Convenience:  7/10
  •            Efficiency:  8/10

I have an 8 x 8 pop up shelter that serves as both an outdoor office space and a camping shelter.   On hot days, this big space heats up like an oven. That said, when the temperatures finally started to climb to typical summer levels at the end of June, I was excited to try the Ecoflow Wave 3 out as my office air conditioner.  Each of the 6 sides of my little outdoor office tent has a flap that I normally keep rolled up to help circulate air flow.  However, I wanted to retain as much cooled air in the tent as possible, so I closed all of the window flaps. Next, I set up the Ecoflow Wave 3 outside the tent and set up the two insulated ducts to blow cold air into the tent.  Would it work? Here’s what happened:

Timed It For An Hour

I set a timer for an hour.  At the beginning of the hour, the temperature inside the tent was a way too balmy 31º C.  It was great being able to have the Air conditioner outside the tent so it wasn’t taking up valuable floorspace inside.  However, the temperature change after an hour of testing was very minimal.  The temperature only dropped to 28ºC.  It was somehow far  more tolerable than 31ºC, but, 28º C is still too hot for me.  After an hour, the battery charge dropped by 60 percent.  

I felt that this could be useful for a 3 person or smaller tent set up in an area where the sun wasn’t directly hitting it.  

Wave 3 AC Without Ducting in An RV While Traveling  9.2/10

  • Noise level: 10/10
  • Temperature change/hour:: 9/10    
  • Convenience:  9/10
  •   Efficiency:  9/10

I had a trip to Alberta planned for July, so I was excited to try the Ecoflow Wave 3 as an AC in the RV. Daisy Mae has a huge windshield that’s very efficient at allowing heat into the RV.   Admittedly I was puzzled over how to set up the ducting and drainage tube on the Ecoflow Wave 3 while travelling. In the end, I decided to opt for trying it out on its fan setting which would allow me to run it with minimal power consumption. Given the results from my previous testing, I wasn’t expecting much relief from the 30º outside temperatures. 

 I nestled the Wave 3 into a convenient spot  behind the front passenger seat of the RV.  I set it to it’s fan setting and set off.  Ordinarily, on a day like this, we’d be roasting in the RV and would be forced to pull over to cool off.  So I was very pleasantly surprised at how well the Ecoflow cooled the air inside the front of the RV.  The temperature was so comfortable that I made it almost to Alberta before I knew it. When I arrived at my overnight stop at Craiglatchie, just before Revelstoke, BC, I’d been driving for 10 hours, and the Wave 3 still had plenty of juice left. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a DC power outlet close enough to where I had to put the Wave 3, or I could have kept it powered as I was driving.   

Overall Impressions Of The EcoFlow Wave 3 Air Conditioner

For me, the Wave 3 earned its keep by keeping the RV tolerably cool while I traversed BC.  It can also raise cold temperatures to a comfortable level too, although both the air conditioner and the heater are designed for smaller spaces.  That said, it’s well worth noting that this unit is definitely too heavy and bulky to be considered effortlessly portable. This could make it impractical for seniors or those with those with limited mobility or whose fitness is lacking. 

Good Morning! from Coastal Black Winery In Black Creek, BC

Posted by Jul 7, 2025 Destinations, News, RV living, Uncategorized , Leave a Comment
Good Morning! from Coastal Black Winery In Black Creek, BC
Coastal Black Winery, Black Creek, BC

I’m not normally what a farmer would call an early riser. However, travel days that involve ferry travel frequently involve being woken from a perfectly sound slumber in the first

I’m not normally what a farmer would call an early riser. However, my travel days that involve ferry travel frequently involve being woken from a perfectly good sleep before the light of dawn. 

Coastal Black Winery

That’s because Daisy Mae is a long, overheight vehicle, so ferry fares at most times of the day are well over $350. That said, I shop for super saver fares to get fares as low as $145.  The only pain point here is that these fares are only for salings before 7:45.  Today this meant waking up at 3:30 am.  At that hour, I was surrounded by the ethereal morning beauty of the Coastal Black Winery farm.  

The Sun Blinking Away Darkness

The sun was just beginning to blink away the last of the darkness. This is when all the colours of the world are muted, diluted in varying tones of bluish grey with the black silhouettes of trees stretching toward the skyline.  Vague hints of colour stretched out beyond evergreens that marked perfect rows of a huge market garden.  These rows would soon produce a wealth of beans, onions, carrots and fresh corn. There is no doubt that this is a truly magical time of day.  Every time I get up that early, I resolve to do it more often. Sometimes I actually do.

Some people are early risers

3:30 AM is a normal waking hour for a dairy farmer.  That said, Coastal Black Winery was once the site of one of a handful of Black Creek dairy farms.  As I waited for coffee to percolate on the stove, I heard the putting of a farm vehicle coming through the opalescence of the coming day.  I looked outside to see my bearded host on a side-by-side. Alongside this ran a stunning black and tan german shepherd who seemed happy to run alongside.  I greeted the dog and the farmer equally. He’d come by on his way to morning chores to wish me a good morning and give me directions to get out of the gated property.  

This level of friendliness is typical for any of the Harvest Hosts locations I’ve stayed at. I  highly recommend getting a membership to the Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome if you travel a lot in an RV. A $200 annual membership gets you unlimited free stays at thousands of host locations wherever you happen to be. 

Dental Destination Tourism

Posted by Jul 1, 2025 Destinations, RV living , , , , Leave a Comment
Image: Pexels

So,the day had come, I realized, as I sat in the examination room of the Campbell River dental clinic. I’d outlived my teeth. The dentist carefully explained they were worn beyond making simple repairs. I needed crowns. I needed root canals. I needed an extraction. And to get these I needed a bigger income( or a sugar daddy). And the second option is only there for comic relief.

So I asked him how much would it be to get them all fixed. Dr. Rivers sighed, and then sheepishly said “actually what you could really use is a smile makeover but that’s tens of thousands. But for now we can plug away at the essentials. Four crowns and root canals, one extraction. “So how much is gonna be?”I asked although I didn’t know why. It was going to be more than I had anyway. “

Oh, we’re going into pretty close to 12000 for the crowns and root canal we can do right now. To do the rest of your teeth isn isn’t going to be cheap.” Now my curiosity was piqued. “So whats “not cheap”? Doctor Rivers frowned. And he started to scuttle out of the examination room. Staying over his shoulder oh we’re talking more than $50,000”.

Well, that was kind of out of the question for me. But I had to find some way of fixing my teeth. And after talking to three other dentists in Campbell River, it was an apparent that I could not get this work done in Canada. The Canada Dental plan wouldn’t cover the root canals or crowns, but would cover extracting the five teeth that were urgent. But since I bought my own dental insurance, I wouldn’t qualify anyway.

I started looking around for dentist in Mexico after hearing great reviews about dentists there. I got a quote from one has fantastic reviews and decided to get my teeth fixed there. For 20 crowns and three root canals they would charge me $350 for each of the crowns, plus $300 for each root canal and $100 for the extraction. In US dollars it would be about $10,000. That I could swallow.

The dentist was in a little town called Los Algodones, across the border from Yuma in the middle of the desert. The only reason for the town’s existence seemed to be for dental tourism. More than 250 dental clinics have set up shop in Los Algodones. They cater mainly to dental tourists from the US and Canada. It’s earned the town the nickname “Molar City”.

Friends offered to care for Annabelle and Jolene so I could make the trip. and it was set.

Empowered RVing: Safety Tips for Solo Women On The Road

Posted by Mar 28, 2025 RV living, Tips 2 Comments
Empowered RVing: Safety Tips for Solo Women On The Road
Lynne Fedorick and RV in Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Solo Women: Stay Safe On The Road With These Tips

As a solo woman traveller, I think I’ve traveled more than 30,000 km in my RV.  Along the way, I learned how  to back a travel trailer through trial and error, and I learned to drive a behemoth of an RV by watching YouTube videos.  I’ll admit when I started out, I felt more than a little intimidated.  But I threw myself wholeheartedly into it.  It was either sink, swim, or quit. And to me, quitting isn’t an option until you’ve tried and failed so many times you can’t count.  Especially when the reward is a life of beautiful views and freedom.  That being said, many women I talk to at stops along the way have mentioned they’d be too scared to RV alone. However, it’s honestly not that scary to be a solo woman traveller in an RV.  

Staying Mobile

I’m not going to lie- there have been times when I’ve moved my RV to a new location because I wasn’t comfortable where I was.  But I can’t say I felt unsafe. After all, one of the advantages of a motorhome is that it’s pretty hard to tell who’s in it.  My rig is self contained, so on any given overnight stop, for all anyone knows, there could be an ogre in it.  As far as my safety as a solo woman RVer goes, I feel as safe or safer than I did living in a stationary home.   

Sobering Statistics For Solo WOmen

Here’s the thing:  Statistically,  I’d be more likely to be a victim of a violent altercation from an intimate partner than from a stranger at a campground or rest area.  According to Statistics Canada, only about 39% of violent crimes to women are perpetrated by strangers.  So women who RV on their own might be a little safer than solo women campers.   Regardless of all that, here’s a few ways women can stay safe on the road in their RVs.  

  1. Keep your RV well maintained
    • RV maintenance is essential to safety on the road. Perhaps especially when it comes to wheels, tires and brakes. Unlike other tires, RV tires can wear out without even showing any wear. Then when you’re driving down the road, they can suddenly explode. No one wants a surprise when it comes tires. Keep them inflated to manufacturer recommend recommended tire pressure, and replace around every 4-8 years, depending on the tire.
  2. Let someone know where you’re headed.
    • Designate one or two people as your contact, and keep them informed about your planned route and destination, and check in with them regularly.
  3. Camp in safe areas
    • If the place you planned to camp has signs of being a local bush party spot, homeless encampment, or if it just creeps you out, keep driving. Guaranteed there will be a safer spot down the road.
  4. Never rely on GPS or navigation apps alone
    • Navigation apps can offer a false sense of of security when it comes to getting to your destination safely. However, every so often, they lead travellers astray, sending them on bizarre detours down back roads and beyond. Seriously: RVers have died following GPS instructed routes to their doom. Read my own terrifying experience on RPod Adventure Blog. Always use a road atlas or map to plan your route, and GPS apps as a backup.
  5. Have a contingency plan
    • It’s always a good idea to have a plan for how you’ll deal with an unexpected event like a mechanical breakdown. Having membership with an organization like Coach-net or an Automobile Association can give you peace of mind when you travel.
  6. Don’t open your door to strangers
    • You wouldn’t open your door to someone you don’t know in your stationary home. It doesn’t make sense to do it in your RV either.
  7. Have a gender-neutral Wifi name
    • If you have a Wifi or cell phone name like “Shirley Imagurl” you’re giving everyone in the neighbourhood information they don’t need to know. Instead, name your wifi network or cell phone something like “FBI Surveillance” to avoid strangers who would target a female.
  8. Don’t make your RV look “girly”.
  9. Don’t leave valuables out in plain sight.
  10. Make it look like more than one person is camping in your RV
    • Have more than one camping chair
  11. If someone gives you the creeps, hop in the driver’s seat and leave.
  12. Be aware of local wildlife and know how to stay safe
  13. Have a smoke alarm, CO detector and multiple fire extinguishers in your RV, just in case
  14. Keep a good first aid kit handy
  15. Be self contained

Staying Safe On The Road

Unfortunately, we live in a world where many women live in unsubstantiated fear that keeps them from hitting the road on their own. The truth is, many women would be safer out exploring the world on their own in an RV than they are in a stationary home. It’s always wise to common sense when travelling. However, it’s a waste of a perfectly good life to deny oneself knowledge, opportunities and freedom while waiting for a partner to travel with.

10 Compelling Reasons To Travel Full Time In An RV

Posted by Mar 11, 2025 RV living , , , Leave a Comment
10 Compelling Reasons To Travel Full Time In An RV
Full time RV life offers the opportunity to live by a lake or wherever you want
IMAGE: Shutterstock

10 Reasons Full Time RV Life Is Better

It’s been more than 7 years since I downsized my life to fit into the small footprint of an RV.  And since that time, the allure of travelling full time has become an obsession for me.  But I’m not the only one.  RV life has become more popular than ever, especially after the Covid epidemic popularized remote work.  Not only that, but one of the biggest demographic groups diving into the lifestyle are solo women over the age of 50. 

It’s a practical and environmentally sustainable lifestyle. And it’s one that that offers the ability to travel wherever you decide to go, whenever you want.  That’s a freedom that’s all too rare when you’re tied to a traditional home. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to make the leap into this amazing lifestyle, here are 9 compelling reasons to go full-time in an RV. 

1.  Living Full Time In An RV  Reduces Your Environmental Impact

One of my major reasons for moving into my RV was this:  Living full time in an RV can have a much lower impact on the environment than living in a traditional home.  To start with, unlike most homes, my RV didn’t require wild lands to be cleared or logged. Maintenance of my RV requires a lot fewer natural resources as well. For example, when it’s time to change out the roof, I’ll be changing out about 320 square feet of rubber roofing, instead of 1600′ on a typical house. 

Even cleaning my RV contributes less chemicals to the environment than cleaning a typical traditional home.  You know exactly how much water you have and how much you use when you live in an RV.  It means you just don’t waste freshwater like you do in a house. Plus, with its smaller footprint, an RV doesn’t require as much electricity or fuel for heating and cooling.  Not only that, but a solar power system incredibly easy to hook up in an RV.

2. RV Life Can Be Very Affordable

Many full time RVers seek out free camping, often at beautiful recreation sites or unserviced campgrounds.  Of course this means your rig needs to be completely self contained, with a generator, solar power system and holding tank capacities to get you through at least a week.  It also means being comfortable and self sufficient in remote places. 

Many other full time RV travellers choose to pay for an RV site or parking spot where they can plug in and have access to services.  RV sites usually cost between $700 and $1200 per month, depending on the time of year and region.  Many of us do this for part of the year, and spent the rest of the year traveling and boondocking along the way.

3. RV maintenance is easier than maintaining a house

You don’t get out of doing home maintenance when you live full time in an RV.  However, the jobs tend to be simpler, and anyone with a minimal level of handiness can easily do them.  Even though there are always going to be times when you need to call a certified RV technician to fix things, the good news is RV techs are usually easy to find. 

4. You’ll enjoy minimalist simplicity

You don’t need much to live in a small space.  You might think that whittling down the unending and superfluous stuff that most of us fill a traditional home with to the bare necessities would leave you wanting.  For me it was incredibly freeing.  Not only that, but with each thing I sold, gave away or took to the dump, I felt just a little more free to do what I wanted.  An RV comes with all the furniture and most of the appliances you need, and the more stuff you put in it, the more weight you have and the more complicated life becomes.  That makes it easy to keep minimalism in mind.  

5. Increased flexibility and spontaneity

Are your new neighbours obnoxious? Do you have a psycho ex who won’t give up stalking you?  Do you just feel a sudden urge to hike in alpine wildflower meadows or enjoy cool ocean breezes in a heatwave?  Being a fulltime RV nomad makes it super easy to roll up the patio rug and get out of Dodge (or wherever you happen to be).

6. Work from anywhere

Thanks to advances in remote work and high-speed internet options, more people are turning their RVs into mobile offices. If you’re a creative freelancer, digital nomad, or remote worker, the RV lifestyle can provide the perfect environment for productivity, all while exploring the country. Working from an RV gives you the flexibility to travel without interrupting your career.

7. Explore new places

Full-time RV living offers a chance to live a life of unique experiences that you just can’t get when you’re stationary. From exploring remote destinations to experiencing local cultures and festivals, RV life opens up a world of exciting opportunities.  Each day is a brand new adventure waiting to unfold.

8. You might find yourself enjoying a healthier lifestyle

Full-time RV living often encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. It beckons you to explore new places. You find more time for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and exploring, keeping you  physically active and mentally engaged.  DIscovering farmer’s markets, and new regional cuisines often means eating a healthier diet too.  Sure you might find yourself diving into a plateful of gravy and cheese curd laden poutine in Quebec, but you’ll walk it off exploring the sights of Quebec City anyway!  

9.  The opportunity to spend more time with loved ones

These days, family and friends are often further apart than ever.  RV travel offers the opportunity to visit family and friends without worrying about who’s looking after the house or the pets while you’re away.   

10. Wake up to a new beautiful view every day

I love waking up surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.  One of the best parts about a full time RV lifestyle is that it offers the opportunity to wake up to a beautiful view every day.

 

Conclusion: Why Go Full-Time in an RV?

Making the decision to go full-time in an RV is a big step, but it’s not for everyone. Before you make the leap, it’s a good idea to explore exactly how you define the word “home”.  For example, if you love spending weekends mowing the grass, cleaning gutters, or cleaning the house, living full time in an RV is probably not for you. 

However, for those who enjoy minimalism, the freedom to travel, lower housing costs, and opportunity for adventure, RV living can be an appealing lifestyle choice. Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, embrace a minimalist mindset, or enjoy a deeper connection with nature and your loved ones, full-time RV living offers an exciting and rewarding journey. 

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