We've lived in our 5th wheel since July 2022 and learned a lot from day one. The RV actually sat in the driveway of our rental house for three months before we moved into it. This gave us a ton of time to keep sorting through our things, downsizing, and trying things out in the RV to see if they would work well with the space we had. Here are some of the things I've learned from stationary RV living:
- RVs are not well insulated, even if they have a “4 Seasons” or “Polar Package” label 🥶
- Skirting around the RV, a tarp on the ground, and a heater underneath all help keep your lines and tanks from freezing and keep the RV just a bit warmer
- No matter how well we put down and adjust our jacks/stabilizers, our RV moves and shakes when people walk (not now that we are on blocks!!)
- When someone drops the storage door down outside, it will bang very loudly inside and scare my pets 🐶
- Spot cleaning the inside of the RV every day 🧼 keeps my stress levels down
- Daily cleaning doesn't take as long as it did in a house
- Paring down my possessions to the bare minimum was worth it
- An organized space is a happy space
- Get a really, really good mattress and add a topper if needed
- Have soft and cozy bedding
- Put an air-circulating mat under the mattress to prevent mold formation (we got Hypervent) or change to a bedframe or platform with air circulation such as a slatted base or a metal platform frame
- Don't be afraid to change the layout – even if it means projects
- It's a fine balance between letting in light and keeping the heat in (in the winter)
- I'm learning all sorts of new skills to maintain this RV
- Don't flush toilet paper or if you do, use way more water per flush than you think anyone needs – don't ask how I learned this one 💩
- My tiny kitchen has made me creative with my cooking
- Embrace imperfection and change (this one is so hard for me)
- I'm learning to be way more resourceful and creative
- Be sure to sift through all of the advice online before adopting someone's idea – there's so much bad or even dangerous advice out there
- It's ok to update the “built-in” decor to better suit your taste
- I've gotten creative at finding ways to use every inch of space
- Have a backup plan for cold weather – alternate sources of heat, a tent you can put over your bed, etc. Hypothermia in your RV is a real possibility in cold weather with a power outage
- Dumping our tanks causes us to become aware of how much waste and waste water we produce which leads to awareness of our footprint on the earth
- Living in a very small space isn't hard if it is with the right person or people
- Don't underestimate the power of a good book, light, and cozy chair
- Organization and minimalism are good for mental health
- Being able to walk on your own acreage or out in nature is such a huge stress reliever
- Don't be afraid to learn new skills
- I've learned to appreciate the small luxuries in life – like taking a long, hot, shower in someone's house or a hotel after being used to your RV's shower 🚿
- There's no such thing as too many storage containers
- Clutter is not visually appealing
- RV repairs are not cheap! Especially if you need to hire a RV tech, although they can really be worth it
- Some things in the way our RV was designed makes me scratch my head – like wasted “dead” space under a cabinet. Why not add another drawer or door there for more storage?
- Resilience is the key to overcoming challenges
- I can live comfortably with less
- Having a backup generator would be awesome! It's on our to-buy list
- My RV would feel bigger if I make some nice outdoor space with seating, an outdoor rug, a little table, etc.
- While I do miss my big & heavy treadmill, I have figured out ways to workout in my small space with videos online and have some small equipment that stores away easily
- Buying an older RV was a great idea – it was well-built
- The process of decluttering and downsizing was cathartic and helped me to be less connected to stuff and more connected to people and experiences