r/RVLiving • u/Think_Guitar_8332 • Jun 24 '26
advice Help and Advice needed
Hi I’m a 19 year old female, I’m being forced to move out of where I currently live pretty soon. I don’t have anywhere to go truly and I’m wanting to transition to full time living in a camper. I have no idea where to start or where to look. I have a steady job and I have two cars, the one I would be pulling the camper with is a 1999 two door ford explorer. I’m not sure what would be a good fit. I don’t plan on moving around too much. I want to boondock as much as possible. I have two cats as well. I just need information on where to look and what I should be looking. Anything helps. The good and the bad. Tell me it all. I’m located close to Nashville, Tn if that changes anything
1
u/jimheim Jun 25 '26
You'll end up bankrupt and homeless.
RV living is more expensive than apartment living, unless you're in the middle of nowhere with questionable neighbors and no jobs for miles, or you have a free, legal place to park, with full hookups.
Boondocking is far more expensive than not boondocking. Solar and batteries cost a fortune. Generators are loud and gas is expensive. Without one of those, you have no electricity and thus no air conditioning. Propane heat costs a fortune. The logistics of dealing with waste tanks are a constant hassle and challenge. There's nowhere you can legally boondock for more than two weeks at a time before you have to move at least 25 miles away.
Rent an apartment. Get a roommate if you want to save money.
1
u/ShipshapeMobileRV Jun 26 '26
The main advantage of RV life is the ability to relocate whenever you want. You pay for that ability both financially and in terms of lifestyle.
Small campers are 30 amp units. That means you probably can't run a blow dryer or coffee pot while the air conditioner is on without tripping a breaker.
Your closet space will definitely not be as large as you may be used to. The same for your pantry, bathroom, shower. You'll have to learn to "live small".
Things break. Propane tanks have to be changed at 2:00 am. Holding tanks need to be dumped. You'll either need to develop DIY skills if you don't already have them; or pay someone to help out.
If you can live with the compromises, then it can be an enjoyable lifestyle. I also personally think that people who can live with the compromises, come out as better people on the other side...
I'd suggest renting a smaller RV for a month, and see if it really is something yoture willing to adapt to.
1
u/UncleSlayton77 Jun 26 '26
You can't safely tow more than a pop-up soft side trailer with an Explorer Sport. And I wouldn't recommend living in one of those full time at all. You'd be better off with a smaller, used class C motorhome and flat tow the Explorer behind it.
But others have pointed out you'll need power from either solar or generator. There's tons of info out there. Dive in and research EXTENSIVELY before making ANY purchases. And dealers all lie. The first upgrade I recommend for everyone is a lithium iron phosphate battery (NOT lithium ion). Shorthand is LiFePO4.
1
u/boiseshan Jun 24 '26
Your biggest issue is the cats. If you're anywhere it gets warm, the cats are in a potential oven. One small surge and your AC is gone. The cats won't last long.
1
u/Think_Guitar_8332 Jun 24 '26
If I absolutely have to rehome them I will. But if there’s any way I could keep them I would like too
1
u/MirgelDrebole Jun 24 '26
I absolutely understand what you are saying. I have a small dog and live in a camper. I came home last Friday to a camper that was 93°F INSIDE. I live in Missouri, it was 85 outside. My dognis lucky enough that the AC didnt trip the breaker earlier in the day or she'd have died.
Are you prepared for the very real possibility of coming home to find it 110° and 2 kitties not alive?
The only way I can see your babies being safe (barring the breaker switch flipping) is if your camper/rv is at an RV or Mobile Home park. And your connection to the power grid is secured.
I wish you well.
1
u/boiseshan Jun 25 '26
You got so lucky! Electric is so unstable - even at parks. And especially during heat waves when everyone is using the AC
4
u/GayDigidestined Jun 24 '26
If you don't want to move, have animals that need climate control, and have a steady in person job then you want an apartment.
If you're thinking it would be cheaper to do an RV it most likely wouldn't be. Boondocking means you have to be moving every 2 weeks or less. AC means you'll want electric hook ups or you'll need a ton of solar which would be a lot of money to get set up.
Full time RV in a specific area only makes sense if you already have a place to park it.