RV's anyone???

Specialties Travel

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Haven't traveled for almost 7 years. Am contemplating a return. Don't want to do the extensive move every thirteen weeks thing I did in 1990's and am thinking I want to purchase a "Toy Hauler" to bring my garage and toy's with me. I know the price of fuel will almost equal the cost of the vehicle per year but I just remember how much I hated to pack and unpack with every new assignment. I know some who travel with a suitcase, a plate, fork, spoon and some bed linens but I just can't. I even shipped my Kitchen stuff to Hawaii when I did that assignment. What's it like out there now?

Specializes in NICU.

Hello all,

I started traveling in July and so far I am loving it....just renewed my first contract so I've only made it to one location. My dream is to get an RV and continue traveling. I'm worried my dreams are a bit candy coated, though. What are the negatives about RV living? Have you had trouble finding an RV park? The tiny bathroom and waste management worries me a little. Any problems with break ins? Any knowledge you can share is appreciated. Thanks.

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

If you don't know about RV living, take a short vacation using one of the rentals. If you can survive a week or two in one of those you would most likely be OK in a "full time" style. So far I have found RV parks where and when I have wanted them. In South Florida I started out using the County Park, but they have a 180 day limit. Got lucky last year and found an excellent space where I can stay as long as I want and everything fit's on my spot. Don't have to park the truck or car off site and it's still close enough to work that I can bicycle. Only issue was Wifi but I was able to get ATT to bring me a dsl line last year. Some of the bath areas could be better but mine is if fine. I'm sort of spoiled with having a lot of waste water storage so I only have to empty maybe once a month. There was a break in last winter at the park I stay. It was an empty Class A that had been sitting empty for a couple weeks while the owners were on a cruise. Don't think anything was taken but their door window was broken for awhile. I am by no means an expert in RV life but am doing OK. Heading out to my first Escapees "Escapade" tomorrow morning for a short educational experience.

Rod

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Specializes in NICU.

Thank you for your reply and for sharing your experience. Renting one for a week sounds like a good idea. I always enjoys your posts.

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I am starting to travel myself and have a toyhauler and take my Harley with me. I am planning on trading up to a class A with a lift on the back for the bike and a tow dolly for the car. I have noticed that a class A would be more liveable and Damon makes a toyhauler class A called "Outlaw" that has a garage in the rear for your toys! Only drawback is, it has a loft bed you have to climb up a little set of stairs to get to Which if you're like me, and not getting any younger, it may not be a good investment for later years. Campgrounds and RV parks are usually $300-$800 mo for full hook up if you shop around and you can really save a lot and have the comfort of having your own home with you all the time and piece of mind that you know whose been sleeping in your bed, using your bathroom, shower, etc.

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Specializes in Psych.

Just bought a Class A....trying to get the conversation started again. Will be starting travel nursing soon....Uber excited to be doing it in the RV.

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Specializes in ER, HH, CTICU, corrections, cardiology, hospice.

I'm thinking about hitting the road again and trying to convince my wife this would be a swell idea. My concern is security? If we hop in the truck on a long weekend, will our stuff be safe, even in the campground?

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I have a good friend who has traveled by RV the last 5 years or so. My sense on visiting him at parks is two-fold. One is that there is a strong sense of community at parks and neighbors look out for each other. I haven't heard of RVs being broken into despite the locks being a joke, but my friend has had four bicycles stolen off the back of the RV in parks. Admittedly, his security for the bikes was not great (cable locks - I demonstrated for him that with a cheap wire cutter I could break it in 20 seconds - it would take one second with a cable cutter, and perhaps 3 minutes with a fingernail clipper), but I think some people target RV parks for quick snatches of things laying around. He does have a security system for the RV itself but I don't think it has ever been triggered by crime.

I suspect people don't break into RVs in parks for two reasons, it will bring attention to them as neighbors are only feet away with large windows and thin walls, and no one knows if someone is inside or not (and a lot of RVers carry guns). For the same reason, single women find it feels safe to RV on the road, no one knows who else is inside.

RVs are definitely not a way to save money, they are about a lifestyle. Not having to unpack and settle in and reverse every three months is pretty cool. Having a pet can make finding housing difficult and expensive, but not so with an RV! RV parks are universally pet friendly.

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Specializes in Psych.

We have a couple of large dogs. That's why we're doing the RV thing. So much easier than trying to find a place that will take 2 big dogs.

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I often see on this forum the benefits of tax homes while travel nursing.

Does an RV qualify as a permanent tax home? I doubt it but want to check.

Also does the monthly housing stipend offset the gas and upkeep of RV's while traveling, enough to come out on top financially?

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You will not come out ahead using an RV instead of normal sort of rentals. Period.

Boondocking could be an exception to that flat statement if you did not use parks. But boondocking it is not legal in many cities, perhaps most, and makes people mad if done in neighborhoods. Using an RV is strictly for the desired lifestyle, not to save money.

If your home is always where you are working, that is the very definition of itinerant (no tax home). If you do maintain a tax home, I believe there are some tax breaks for a second home, which an RV does qualify for.

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

I haven't started traveling yet, but this is something I've considered. Sounds ideal for me! For now, I'm in the process of selling the majority of my belongings and then leaving a few (keepsakes and a bed) at my sister's house for when I'm back home. Otherwise, seems like I'm ready!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I often see on this forum the benefits of tax homes while travel nursing.

Does an RV qualify as a permanent tax home? I doubt it but want to check.

Also does the monthly housing stipend offset the gas and upkeep of RV's while traveling, enough to come out on top financially?

I doubt the RV would qualify as a tax home if it was moving from state to state with you.

And doubt if you'd come out on top financially, although the lifestyle benefits of having your house with you when you go from assignment to assignment would be wonderful!

DH is retiring soon, and we're considering using the boat as our home while we (I) do the travel nurse thing. We're limited to hospitals near navigable water, but then I have no burning desire to live anywhere I can't get to in our 37 foot sailboat anyway! We have yet to pick a "tax home", but in our case, our income will be cut in half so it's more about a "home" for buying health insurance for DH rather than worrying about tax benefits. We'd considered using St. Brendon's Isle in Florida as our "home", but it costs nearly twice as much to buy health insurance in Florida as it does in our current state!

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