You’re Moving. In an RV. You’re Crazy. Crazy? I have a plan. Maybe not a perfect one. But a real one. This page is the reaction to my plan. My older sister? Wanted to know how? How was I going to do this? It’s my real story, still unfolding and I told her I can do this. I know, not everything is figured out. I’m working on it.
What I Knew was Almost Nothing
I had lived in a trailer, but never owned or lived in an RV. When I started, didn’t even know Class A from Class C. Didn’t know that gas or diesel mattered. Didn’t even know tires had age codes. Didn’t know 1) RV toilet paper was different, 2) a drinking water hose was different and 3) there were many items that were needed for one week of travel in an RV.
How did I find out? Talked to my friend. She does research and is very good. Besides, she had done RVing living and traveling and was experienced. So, she is coaching me. The first time, we spent an hour checking out Facebook Marketplace from my hometown. We found gut jobs, broken seams and “leaning on a house” RVs.
To get a better selection, we put in $3,000 and still got the tow-behinds, Diesel and other “for parts” RVs. I had already found that the East and West coasts had RVs available, but they were in the dealer prices of $40,000 to $90,000 price range.
We narrowed our search to RVTrader.com and still had trouble finding what I wanted. We needed more research and I promised to go to a local dealer just to see what they had. “Boots on the ground” research. I had already decided what I was looking for.
What I Actually Want
The Class C fit my needs better than the Class B. It was just a bit bigger, and gave a bit more room. This was me down-sizing from a double-wide trailer to the Class C. It does range from 24 to about 31 feet in length, but I didn’t want to feel like I was driving a school bus, either. The 29 footer that we found was tempting, for it gave me a real bedroom.
At my age, I wasn’t too sure about driving with that extra footage behind me. So, I am still sticking with the 25 foot Class C choice. My friend told me to ignore diesel since the maintenance is different than a gas engine. “No problem,” I told her. My budget has to be able to handle either payments or a bulk payment. Not sure which I am going to do, at this point. It’s too soon, but I have to live with my choice of an RV. She told me I was going to be a nomad. Perhaps that may happen in the future.
The Money Reality
My next step is deciding just how much I am willing to plunk out. My friend and I decided that I need to look at RVs that are $3000-$5,000, used, on Facebook Marketplace. And, when doing the outfitting, I found a list of 12 categories that involved 130-150 different items that were necessary for only 1 week of RV living. Obviously, I may already have some of these items, but everything is specific to RV sizes, including the dish drainer that I found for $13.00!
The next decision was that I need to buy over time, not all at once. And the only way I can change my budget is to declutter what I have. I am now renting, meaning that I have 4 different storage units that I pay for monthly. That albatross must come off my neck, sooner than later.
Declutter With Purpose
Declutter with purpose is going to be my first major step in moving. My expenses are fixed until I unload all 4 storage units. Can’t think past emptying these 4 units. I plan on having a moving sale, maybe an online auction (I have the information on that already) and I have another connection with an auctioneer, but either way, one of us has to travel for him to see what is here and possible.
My biggest problem is I need to know what the value of each item is, before I even consider any of the above. More homework, as I say, is necessary. Besides, I will be doing my family a favor, since they won’t have to deal with any of these storage units and their contents.
Just one at a time is best, too. Oh, another consideration, too, is that I won’t have to worry about what is left in the 4th storage unit, since it will be full of the items I need in the RV. That’s the result of declutter. Now, to have a date for the first storage–probably not until the end of June. Have other things already scheduled. Life sure can get in the way.
My Sideways Thinking, So Far
Every “no” narrows the field and makes my choices better. That’s progress, even on Facebook Marketplace. You’re moving to New Mexico? In an RV? Yes, education before I even open the pocketbook, that’s non-negotiable. My friend also taught me that research has no shortcuts to my education. I was rather surprised that if I had to buy everything outright, I could possibly spend $2000+. That’s not the case, because I have probably 50 to 60 percent of what is needed. I just have more clarity of what I need.
The next thing I have to learn is all the terminology about RVing. Gray water, black water, deep cycle batteries, tire age codes, roof seals are all new lingo for me. And yes, a personal inspection of any vehicle is necessary. Whoever lived in that RV before me matters. In addition, I would do what I call “spring housecleaning” after I purchase the RV. Just common sense.
Where Am I Now?
Well, really, I am still in the “don’t know yet stage.” Maybe I have the RV waiting in New Mexico and I drive my pickup to New Mexico. Or, I could find one here in my state and do all the prep work here, before I leave. I’m not sure. That’s in the category of wait and see.
In addition, I have my own health issues to work with and that includes prescriptions. That is another level of “check things out” that I haven’t asked about yet. And when someone moves from one state to another, you have to think about your driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance and your health doctor.
I am going to give myself an 18-month timeline for all of this to happen. It’s going to happen, one thing at a time. And I may need to have shorter goals, just to keep myself organized. There is no way I can educate myself, declutter my life, make a major purchase and start over in another state without the passage of time. RV Living, here I come.
How do I do it?
I don’t have to have all of it figured out, at the start. I will do what it takes to get it done. Everything has a dollar sign hooked to it, too. Maybe crazy and sideways thinking are the same thing. As I work through all of these decisions, you can come along to see my success. I plan on keeping you posted. Just as I have, start with the terminology to learn the language. It’s a must.
Terminology Definitions (researched and compiled with the assistance of Claude.ai)
black water-An RV with a built-in flush toilet that empties into an onboard black water holding tank. Requires specific handling and RV-safe toilet paper to avoid clogs and tank damage. No outside sewer connection needed to use it. Referred to as self-contained.
Must be dumped only at approved RV dump stations, campgrounds, or sewer hookups. Illegal to dump on ground, in regular trash, or in non-approved drains. Fines can be significant for improper disposal. You are responsible for proper disposal and there are no exceptions (biohazardous).
Class B-A van-based RV, built on a standard van chassis. Smallest of the three classes. Easy to drive and park, gets better fuel mileage, but very limited living space. Best for 1-2 people who travel light.
Class C-Built on a truck or van chassis with an attached cab. Identified by the overhead cab section above the driver which is often used as sleeping space. Ranges 20-31 feet. Most popular choice for beginners. Better balance of drivability and living space than Class A.
deep cycle batteries-A battery designed to be discharged and recharged repeatedly and its unlike a car battery which delivers a short burst of power. RVs typically need one or more deep cycle batteries to power lights, water pump, and appliances when not connected to shore power. Class C RVs often run two.
gray water-Wastewater from the sink and shower. Held in a separate tank on the RV. Must be emptied at a dump station or approved site. Not considered hazardous.
roof seals-The sealant around vents, skylights, air conditioners and seams on the RV roof. Dries out and cracks over time. Cracked seals = water damage inside the RV. Always inspect the roof seals on any used RV before purchase. Resealing is inexpensive and water damage is not.
self-contained-An RV with a built-in flush toilet that empties into an onboard black water holding tank. No outside sewer connection needed to use it. (see black water)
tire age codes-Every tire has a DOT code stamped on the sidewall. The last four digits tell you the week and year of manufacture. Example: 2319 = 23rd week of 2019. Most RV experts recommend replacing tires at 5-7 years regardless of tread condition. Age matters as much as wear.
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