Spending your golden years in a recreational vehicle is not all roses, as you might think. There are serious downsides to RV living as a retiree you should carefully consider before making the big decision. Here’s what no one is telling you about RV retirement.
RV Life is NOT Cheap
Unlike most people believe, living in a motorhome or travel trailer is not cheap. The retail price of a recreational vehicle can vary from $10,000 (used) to $350,000 (luxury), depending on the available amenities. This price tag does not include the sales tax, fuel, repairs, license and registration fees, utilities, or RV insurance.
If you opt for a pricier RV – because who in their right mind would want to live in an RV 24/7 without basic comfort during old age? — a motor home can cost you as much as a sticks-and-bricks one would. What is more, just like cars, RVs depreciate fast, so it is very hard to recover your money if you decide to sell it after some time.
Plus, RVs cannot be randomly parked overnight without breaking the law. While traveling in a motorhome seems enticing because you’ll be able to slash accommodation costs, some motor vehicle camping sites may charge you up to $150 per night and not offer all accommodations like a hot shower, sewage dump, food court, or Wi-Fi.
Food can also be a bit expensive when RVing because there is much temptation in trying all the popular food venues when visiting a new city or town. Also, an RV consumes a lot of fuel – a full tank costs between $120 – $150 depending on the state you’re in, and you’ll only get around 6 to 10 miles per gallon. By contrast, a motor vehicle gets around 8 to 35 miles per gallon.
You’ll Need Separate Insurance Coverage
If you have an expensive RV or want to travel a lot, the insurance policy can get quite hefty. Plus, your regular auto insurance policy will not cover your RV. You’ll need to buy extra insurance separately.
The price of RV insurance varies depending on the motorhome model and year, your driving record, how many miles you plan to drive in it, and your home state. As an RV owner, you might want to consider buying extra coverage for campsite liability, total loss while on the road, and lodging and transportation costs if your RV gets totaled in an accident.
A basic insurance policy for RVing will not cover car crashes if you plan to travel a lot or to live in the RV full-time, so it is best to ask the insurance agent if your RV policy covers accidents as well. Otherwise, you will have to hire a specialized attorney like this car accident attorney in Atlanta to recover the repairs, medical bills, and other out-of-pocket expenses when disaster strikes.
When all is said and done, a complete RV insurance can climb up to $2,000 per year, which is an expense you and your travel partner should carefully consider.
Seniors Might Have Trouble Driving an RV
Older adults might find it difficult to drive an RV unless they worked all their lives as truck or bus drivers. Just like trucks and buses, RVs have huge blind spots and are very hard to park in tight spaces. You might need to take RV driving classes or ask for training from seasoned RV owners. Also, tell your partner to take RV driving classes, too, as you will certainly need a backup driver on long or boring routes.
Full-Time RV Living Means Ditching Your Roots
If you opt for an RV retirement, you will be traveling from place to place and never have the time to develop roots in a community. Also, keeping in touch with family and friends can prove very difficult when eternally on the go. Yes, you will make new friends while traveling, but most of those relationships will be shallow as you cannot reasonably pour all the necessary time and effort to make them last. Many veteran RVers can confirm that living the RV life can become monotonous and lonely.