At Home on the Road: The Benefits of Owning an RV

Photo by Frankie Valentine

Originally Posted On: https://www.gypsyroadrvs.com/blog/at-home-on-the-road-the-benefits-of-owning-an-rv/

Buying an RV can change your life.

Not only will it affect how you vacation, but it can awaken in you a sense of adventure. When you can take your home on the open road, there is no limit to where you can explore.

Let’s take a look at some of the most attractive benefits of owning a recreational vehicle.

Owning an RV makes traveling a breeze. If you’ve wanted to explore your state or even the entire country, RV’ing makes it easy.

Imagine spending an entire summer touring the country with your children. They’ll be able to learn about other states and see the great monuments across our country.

You can still enjoy a road trip if you don’t have kids or if they are grown. You’ll meet new people from across the world while expanding your horizons.

An RV lets you be flexible with your travel plans. Take your travels across the border and road trip through Canada. There is almost no limit to where you can go in the comfort of your RV.

If you’ve ever gone on a road trip in a car before, you know how claustrophobic it can get. Everyone’s things are everywhere, and the mess can get overwhelming fast.

With an RV, all your creature comforts from home can come along without worrying about how you’ll fit it all in. Every member of the family can have their own sleeping space (or bedroom, in some larger RVs). If your children are fighting, send them to their sleeping quarters to reclaim some quiet time.

An RV provides the conveniences of home in an on-the-go package.

You won’t need to find the nearest McDonald’s if a case of the munchies hits while you’re on a long stretch of highway. Pull over and whip up a quick meal in the kitchen.

RV’ing is excellent if you love the idea of camping, but aren’t on board with bugs and cold showers. Pull into your campsite knowing you’ll sleep comfortably in your warm and bug-free bed at night.

Aside from being your home away from home, your RV can be a full-time home, too. If you’re renovating your permanent house, your RV can act as a temporary dwelling. You won’t have to waste money on hotels or eating out if you’re staying in your motorhome.

If you’ve been considering the pros and cons of RV living for some time, it may be time to take the leap. One million Americans live full-time in their RVs. Of course, this set-up won’t work for every family, but it just might work for yours.

Most RVs already have the essentials you’d find in a permanent home. Fridges, stoves, and bathroom facilities are all you’ll need to make it work full-time.

You’ll want central heating or air conditioning if you’ll be living in areas with distinct seasons.

You can, of course, live a simpler life by opting for an RV with fewer amenities.

When was the last time you became friends with your next-door neighbor in a hotel? If you like to meet new people when you travel, an RV resort is a perfect place to do it.

There is a real sense of community among RV’ers. You may be parked next to each other for several weeks at a time. This provides a chance to get to know your neighbors and even create lifelong bonds.

You’ll find that most people in the RV community are easygoing and friendly, too. If you need help setting up your site or an extra voice for campfire songs, your neighbors can fill that void.

No need to leave Fido at home during your family vacations anymore. Your RV can house everyone in the family.

Standard size RVs can sleep up to five people. If you have a larger Class A style, you’ll be able to fit up to eight family members.

If you plan to bring Fido on your adventures, make sure you’re choosing campgrounds and parks where pets are allowed.

Owning an RV will make you more likely to want to use it. You’ve spent the money the own an expensive recreational vehicle, so why wouldn’t you use it?

Whether you’re staying at an RV park or a campsite, there are many benefits to reap. Just spending any amount of time outside is great for your health.

Being outdoors can improve your memory by 20%. People with depression also benefit from spending time interacting with nature. The forest can even strengthen your immune function.

An RV can provide many years of entertainment and fellowship with your family. If you find you’re using yours less lately, you can sell it or turn it into a source of revenue.

Over 260 million travelers have used Airbnb to book accommodations for their vacations. Renting your RV through home rental websites is an easy way to make some extra cash. Don’t forget to carve out some time during the summer months to use your RV yourself, though.

When you think of an RV, one type might immediately come to mind. Maybe your mind goes straight to the humongous Class A motorhomes that celebrities often use. Perhaps you’re reminded of the tent trailers you camped in as a child.

The truth is that there are several different types of recreational vehicles to choose from. It may take some time for your family to decide which is the best option for your needs.

If you plan on using your RV a few weekends in the summer, you might want a smaller option. If you’re going to go on weeks-long road trips or plan on retiring in your RV, you may want something with more room.

Let’s take a look at some of the current options on the market.

Class A’s are the biggest RVs on the market. Higher-end options often feature top-notch appliances and several slide outs.

Some Class A’s reach lengths as long as 45 feet. Of course, there are smaller and more modest options available if you don’t need that much space.

One important thing to know about Class A’s is that they’re gas guzzlers. If you plan on hitting the road for long distances, it’s worth considering if you can afford the cost of gas.

The average RV cost of these models can range between $50,000 and $200,000. Class A RVs are basically a second home on wheels, hence the higher price tag.

You can find great deals by choosing to buy used instead of new. The best time to buy a used RV is after summer when people are more apt to sell.

Class B’s are much more flexible, but they’re smaller and provide a lot less in terms of amenities. Don’t expect slide-outs or luxury appliances with these models.

There are several benefits to investing in a Class B motorhome, though. They’re great for people who aren’t comfortable driving something the size of a bus down the road. They’re easy to maneuver and park on busy city streets.

If you have a garage or driveway, you won’t need to pay extra money for storage when it’s not in use. Class B motorhomes chassis and engine can be serviced at most automotive dealerships instead of specialty RV mechanics.

Don’t be fooled by their size, either. These RVs can still have efficient kitchens and bathroom facilities.

The average RV cost of Class B motorhomes is around $40,000 to $80,000. Again, choosing a used option is your best bet if you’re looking to save money.

Class C models look similar to Class A options. They can offer the same types of amenities but are often more affordable. They’re built into a standard truck chassis, making them easy and less intimidating to operate.

You can tell Class C models apart from their Class A options by their over-cockpit space. Many owners get creative with this extra space, using it for storage or as an extra sleeping space.

Since they’re smaller than Class A RVs, you’ll get better gas mileage, too. The trade-off in gas savings and easy maneuverability for amenities may be worthwhile for some families.

These motorhomes are priced around the same as their Class B cousins.

Towable RV options like fifth wheels and travel trailers are unique. Since you’ll need to tow them, you’ll always have a vehicle to take on daily excursions. Class A, B, and C motorhomes will need to have a car towed behind them for everyday outings.

The drawback to fifth wheels and travel trailers is that you need a full-sized vehicle for towing them. A car or crossover won’t have enough towing power to handle the weight of these RVs.

A great thing about these options is that they’re a lot more affordable than the above motorhomes. If you already have a vehicle with high towing capacity, your family can save a lot of money.

Fifth wheels and trailers often have the most well-laid out floor plans. Many offer multiple slide-outs, providing as much as 500 square feet of living space.

An important thing to remember about these RVs is they’re not as simple to set up. You’ll need to devote some time to set up camp, but this trade-off may be worth it for some families.

We’ve answered the “how much does an RV cost?” question above. It’s good to know the average price of fifth wheels and trailers, too.

Fifth wheels average around $20,000 to $50,000 for higher-end models. Travel trailers are typically more affordable in the $11,000 to $35,000 range.

Similar to fifth wheels and travel trailers, a toy hauler is a towable RV. What separates them from the above options is the garage found in the rear of the unit.

This garage is handy for people who have a lot of additional adventure toys. Store your dirt bikes, quads, or even a motorcycle.

Toy haulers come in either fifth wheel or travel trailer styles. The price tag will depend entirely on the type of style you’re choosing. You can expect to pay up to $250,000 for a new higher-end option.

Yes, buying an RV can be a considerable investment. Once you’ve made your payments, though, you’ll find that traveling is cheaper.

You won’t need to pay expensive airfare to get where you’re going. Hotels will be a thing of the past. With a kitchen in your portable home, you won’t need to spend hundreds of dollars a day eating out, either.

The only thing you’ll need to worry about paying for is gas. As we mentioned above, some RVs can be gas guzzlers. So if money is tight, you’ll want to consider that when choosing the right RV for your family.

It might be overwhelming at first to think about everything you need to pack in your home on wheels. Between food, clothing, kitchen goods, and bedding, there’s a lot to remember.

If you have the means, invest in second sets of everything. Have RV-specific bedding, kitchen appliances, and toiletries. That way, you’ll only need to pack your clothing and food before heading out.

If you’re worried about cluttering your home with more goods, leave everything in the RV. There’s no reason to bring your camping pots and pans or RV bedding into your home.

A recreational vehicle will forever change how your family vacations.

No more crowded airports teaming with germs. No more expensive hotel room charges.

Buying an RV might just be the best thing you do for your family.

If you’re wondering when the best time to buy an RV is, it’s now. Don’t waste precious years of your children’s childhood by not reaping the benefits of going RV’ing.

If you’re seriously considering making this worthwhile investment, you’ve come to the right place. Our friendly team at Gypsy Road RVs is dedicated to helping you find the right fit for your family. Contact us today to talk about financing your new RV and to see what we have in stock.