Why We Quit the RV Lifestyle: The Hidden Costs of Life on the Road

John — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:46:14 +0000

The RV lifestyle has long been romanticized as the ultimate ticket to freedom. Rolling wherever the wind takes you, waking up to serene lake views or stunning mountain vistas, and living life on your terms… what could be better?

For a while, we were all-in.

But eventually, the cracks in the glossy veneer started to show. After much deliberation (and many frustrating experiences), we decided to wave goodbye to the RV lifestyle. Here’s why.

1. The Cost of Gas Was Burning More Than Our Wallets

When we first started RVing, we pictured epic road trips, leisurely drives, and spontaneous detours. What we didn’t picture was the eye-watering gas bills. RVs are notorious gas guzzlers, and as fuel prices rose, every mile felt like an expensive choice.

Compared to traveling with a regular car, RV travel is significantly more costly. We’re not talking about a slight difference, either. A cross-country trip in our RV cost almost four times what it would have in a car. And while some may argue that the RV doubles as both transport and accommodation, we’ll get to why that didn’t save us much money either.

2. RV Spots: The New Hotel Rooms (In Price, Not Luxury)

When we started this journey, RV parks were affordable and abundant. But as demand for RVing has surged, so have the prices. What used to cost $30-$40 per night at a decent RV park has crept up to $70, $80, or even $100… prices that rival or exceed budget hotel rooms.

And let’s talk about value. For $100, you’d expect fresh towels and a continental breakfast. Instead, we were paying for a cramped parking spot with neighbors so close that their barbecue smoke became our personal cologne. The romance of parking under the stars was frequently replaced by the reality of cramped spaces, noisy neighbors, and a view of someone else’s septic hookup.

3. RV Maintenance: Where Dreams Go to Die

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “RV stands for ruined vacation,” you’ll know what we mean. RVs are like toddlers: they constantly need attention, and something is always broken. Leaks, faulty electrics, finicky hydraulic leveling system, failing cabinetry, poor workmanship by the manufacturer… you name it, and we dealt with it.

And the repairs that required a mechanic weren’t cheap. Specialized RV mechanics can charge a premium, and waiting for parts often meant delaying trips or cutting adventures short. After a while, we started spending more time fixing the RV than actually enjoying it. When you’re using your toolbox more than your hiking boots, it’s time to reassess your priorities.

4. The RV Sale Saga: A Lesson in Patience (and Crooks)

Selling the RV was supposed to be our closure, a clean break from the lifestyle. Instead, it turned into a year-long nightmare. We entrusted the sale to a “professional” who spoke like he was the best in the business, only to find ourselves entangled with an unscrupulous crook.

What should have been a straightforward process dragged on for 13 months. Messages went unanswered, lies were told, and our stress levels went through the roof. When we finally got the money owed to us, it felt less like a victory and more like the end of a grueling stress test. If we’d known how much trouble this would be, we might have skipped the RV altogether.

The Takeaway: Why We’re Moving On From The RV Lifestyle

The RV lifestyle isn’t all bad. We’ve made memories we’ll cherish forever… camping under starry skies, meeting fellow travelers, and seeing corners of the world we might have missed otherwise. But for us, the cons started to outweigh the pros. The freedom we sought began to feel more like a financial and logistical burden.

We’re not here to discourage anyone from living their RV dream. For many, it’s a deeply rewarding way of life. But if you’re considering it, go in with your eyes wide open. Understand the costs, the maintenance, and the risks. And maybe—just maybe—have an exit strategy that doesn’t involve a 13-month ordeal.

For now, we’re happy to leave the RV lifestyle in the rearview mirror. The road may still call to us, but next time, we’ll be answering in a trusty car and sleeping in a comfortable cabin or hotel room.

Our Stirring Visit To The Oklahoma City Memorial

John — Fri, 20 Jul 2001 21:04:00 +0000

On Friday, July 20, 2001 we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial. This memorial is located on the site of the Alfred P. Murrah building, which was destroyed by a bomb blast on April 19, 1995, and was built to honor the lives of the 168 people who died that day.

The designers of the memorial did an excellent job. The section of 5^th Street between Harvey & Robinson Streets, the section that passed the Murrah building and where the truck-bomb was parked, has been closed off.

On the ends of the closed-off section are the Gates of Time, two walls with a time inscription. The eastern gate reads “9:01” and the western gate reads “9:03”. The explosion took place at 9:02 a.m., so the Gates surround the moment of the explosion.

Between the two gates, in what used to be 5^th Street, is the Reflecting Pool, a black marble pool about ½ inch deep, with water continually flowing over the edges.

On the south side of the pool, in the place of what used to be the Murrah building, is the Field of Empty Chairs, a grass slope with 168 empty chairs, each chair representing one person who died. The chairs are arranged in 9 rows according the floor where each person was at the time of the explosion. Nineteen of the chairs are smaller, representing the 19 children who died.

On the north side of the pool is the Survivor Tree, an American Elm tree that survived the explosion, and now represents the survivors. The Rescuer’s Orchard, a group of fruit and flower bearing trees surrounding the Survivor Tree, represents all the people who helped with the rescue efforts.

Also on the north side, in a building that survived the explosion, is the Memorial Center, which shows a time-line from about 6 a.m. on that day until the present. No photography was allowed in the Center.

Photos of the Oklahoma City Memorial

The plaque at the entry to the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

The first of the Gates of Time. The inscription on it is “9:01”, and represents the moment preceding the blast.

In the distance is the second Gate of Time, with the inscription “9:03”, representing the moment after the blast. In the foreground is the Reflecting Pool.

A wider view of the memorial showing the Reflecting Pool, one of the Gates of Time, and the Field of Empty Chairs in the background.

A closer view of the Field of Empty Chairs. The larger chairs represent adults who died, and the smaller chairs represent the children who died.

This American Elm tree survived the blast and now represents all the survivors.

“And Jesus Wept”

This is the inscription at the feet of Jesus in a smaller memorial built on the grounds of a church, across the road, that was also damaged in the blast. I took this picture at exactly 9:02 a.m. on the morning of our visit.

It was a moving experience to be there. Visitng the memorial gave us a sense of the destruction (physical & psychological) that took place that day. So many lives were cut short, and many more are still in pieces because of one cowardly act. If you ever get the opportunity to see the memorial, do so. You can also visit the Memorial online.

Travel – ElsWeb