For many, recreational vehicles are more than just a means of transport, they are a way of life. The Academy Award winning movie, Nomadland, showed how some people live on the road full-time. Although this movie was mainly about the effects of the Great Recession on many Americans, it also showed that for some, their vehicle is also their home.
Around 1 million Americans are living full time in recreational vehicles, and far from being a negative statistic, many people love this way of life. RVs may not always be the coolest-looking vehicles on the roads but they have serious hidden depths.
One thing to consider with an RV is the cost. A new recreational vehicle can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Perhaps this isn’t so shocking given that they are basically a home and a vehicle combined. However, the cost doesn’t end there, so any serious enthusiast will be keen on finding ways to save money.
Two ways that RV users can cut down on expenditure are to use boondocking and alternative energy sources.
What are the benefits of an RV?
For someone who is unused to recreational vehicles, they may appear to be no more than glorified caravans. However, there is much more to a good RV than meets the eye. If you are new to them then it is important to know how to rent an RV and which one to pick. Looking inside and considering the benefits here will help.
The benefits of an RV include the following:
- Comfort
- Freedom
- Weatherproof
- Flexibility
- Education
- Convenience
- Money-saving
- Space and storage
- Togetherness
- Sociable
A recreational vehicle can provide much more than a car or a tent can. They have an amazing amount of advantages and below you can see these in a little more detail.
The main positives of using an RV for travel and camping
There are even more reasons for using an RV than those listed above but here are some expanded upon.
Comfort
A modern RV has all the trappings of a home and can provide a temporary, or even permanent, home. They will have a bathroom, kitchen area, beds, dining section, and there is no need to set up camp. Anything you need is there, ready and waiting to be used.
Freedom and flexibility
Although you would need to check the US Department of Agriculture – Forest Service – for guidelines on dispersed camping, or boondocking, you are free to stop anywhere. You can locate a campsite and stop for the night when you choose. There are no timetables to stick to, and unlike tents, your vehicle is safe from the cold and the wind.
Education and togetherness
You will spend more time with your family and loved ones when traveling in an RV. Not only do you get more quality time but the world you pass by is your classroom. The children will see different types of geography and wildlife. You will stop in different areas and they can learn more about their country by traveling than from some books.
Money-saving
An RV owner need never worry about finding or paying for a hotel. And, if they use RV solar kits they can save cash and reduce their carbon footprint too. Combining solar power with boondocking means expenditure is reduced while living life on the road.
What is boondocking?
Boondocking is a type of camping that is gathering traction and popularity with many people. It refers to a form of camping that is free and for some, off the grid.
Normally, an RV driver or a camper would find a designated campsite and pay for a plot where they will be camping. Dispersed camping is where an individual chooses to stay on public land that is not officially designated for campers. If you use a recreational vehicle to perform this type of camping then it is referred to as boondocking.
There are some benefits to this form of camping, and although the cost savings are the most obvious, there are others too. Many use this form of camping as it is more quiet and relaxed than being on a shared campsite. Others live like this because they want to have a more private way of life and stay off the grid, as it were.
Boondockers share information via word of mouth or sometimes on the internet for good sites, but many keep the best places to themselves. Fortunately, the states are vast and have more places than could ever be visited in an RV.
What are the negatives of boondocking?
There are two main negatives to boondocking. One is that it isn’t very sociable. RV users tend to be very sociable people who enjoy meeting new folk whenever they park their vehicles.
This isn’t to say that no RV drives ever boondock, it’s just more common to hear about campers doing it with tents.
The other disadvantage is the lack of power and water. There won’t be a clubhouse serving beer, and there won’t be anywhere to plug in a laptop to charge it. This is why solar-powered devices can be so handy for campers.
The market now has many gadgets designed specifically for campers that use solar power. Campers can now buy solar coolers, solar cookers, solar-powered showers, and solar-powered speakers.
Many boondockers are of the ’leave no trace’ mentality, and protecting the environment is high on their agenda. Solar power means no fossil fuels are being burnt, and it can seriously help an RV driver to keep their emissions down.
Why get an RV solar kit?
If you are a serious RV owner and want to cover many miles in your vehicle then you will be very aware of the cost of fuel. You may use up to 30 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers that you cover and the cost of that will add up quickly.
Installing RV solar kits means that you can reduce your carbon footprint and supply all electrical needs via the power of the sun. This is also important when boondocking.
The point of boondocking is to get away from organized camping areas and that also means losing the associated amenities too. By installing RV solar kits you can power up your battery system during the day to have a plentiful supply of electricity at night time.
Summary
Although recreational vehicle drivers and their families are amongst the friendliest people on the roads, there may also be times when they want to take themselves into ‘the wild’ so to speak. Boondocking and RVs would seem like a match made in heaven.
An RV can cover distance easily and comfortably, and when it comes time to camp, they can be maneuvered into a suitable camping area. The limits of boondocking are undone by the RV having its own kitchen, electricity, and running water. The only downside is the consumption of fuel.
However, solar kits can help solve this problem. The best modern RV homes on the market today may already have some form of solar kit installed. If not then they are readily available and once installed require no maintenance and will last for years.
RVs, boondocking, and solar kits, could lead to a very comfortable time on the road for the short term or for longer.