What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in a Camper Full Time?
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in a Camper Full Time?
Living in a camper full time sounds like the dream for many people, and honestly, it can be! According to a recent RV Inspiration poll, nearly 70% of readers said they would consider full-time RV life if the setup was right. And with more than 500,000 Americans currently living in RVs, the lifestyle is becoming more common than most people think. (Statistics source: Audacy)
Here’s how our readers voted:
Would you ever live full time in an RV?
- Yes, absolutely – 38.2%
- Maybe, if the setup was right – 30.3%
- No, just for travel – 14.5%
- I do currently – 15.8%
- I have in the past – 1.3%
76 participants
But as appealing as it sounds, there are real pros and cons of living in a camper, including cost, space, upkeep, and seasonal challenges. As someone who’s lived this lifestyle myself, I know how magical it can be—and how overwhelming it can feel if you aren’t prepared. Below is a balanced breakdown to help you decide whether this lifestyle really fits your goals.
The Appeal of Full-Time RV Living
Freedom, Adventure, & Travel Flexibility
One of the biggest benefits of living in a camper full time is the freedom to pick up and go. This is what initially sold me on the RV lifestyle. I wanted to chase good weather, visit family and friends across the country, and hop between national parks, all without using up my PTO or getting on a plane. RVing full time allows you to seek adventure without committing to a single location long term, a huge draw for many folks!
Minimalist Lifestyle Benefits
It’s no surprise that Full-time RVing naturally pushes you toward simplicity. By default, you must become a minimalist because your home is on wheels. But this is a blessing in disguise—with less space comes fewer belongings, less clutter, and less stress!
More Time With Family (Great for Kids)
If you’re living in a camper with kids, the lifestyle can be full of educational moments—national parks, museums, and real-world problem-solving. It won’t always be easy, but the memories can be priceless for many RVing families! For my partner and me, we got to spend a lot of quality time together that our hectic jobs didn’t allow when we lived in a stationed house.
Potentially More Affordable
For some, living in a camper trailer full time is much cheaper than renting or owning a home—especially in high-cost states. Factors like campground fees, boondocking, and fuel all play a role. This lifestyle can either be done on a dime or it can get quite pricey, but the luxury here is that you can control a lot of that.
Common Hesitations (and How to Handle Them)
Cost of Upkeep, Campground Fees, & Insurance
Many people worry about the long-term costs of full-time RVing. Ongoing expenses include campground fees, repairs, maintenance, insurance, propane, and fuel. All of these are very real issues you have to deal with; however, having savings for repairs or a hotel stay (if the rig is in the shop) can alleviate a lot of that stress. Pro tip: I liked to book far out in advance for campgrounds or parks and would book 4-6 week long stays, which typically gave me a monthly rate, making it a lot cheaper.
Resource: https://rvinspiration.com/full-time-rv/cost-of-full-time-rving/
Space Limitations & Organization Challenges
Space was one of the biggest hesitations in the poll. It can feel small fast if you’re not strategic with storage and daily routines. Of course, we cover a lot of organization tips and tricks at RV Inspiration (like this one!) I went from a 2,500 sq ft home to 180 sq ft, and while at first I had to get used to it, after just a week, I absolutely loved not having a huge house to clean, a ton of clothes to food, or a kitchen that needed restocking. Less space=more freedom.
Being Away From Friends & Family
Distance can become a challenge, especially if you travel far from your support system. Staying connected takes intentional planning, but it can make for an exciting time. Mapping out road trips to see loved ones across the country, or making sure you’re circling back to your hometown for the holidays, can be challenging but very rewarding and very doable. Don’t forget that folks can also visit you in whatever exciting location you are!
Challenges for Kids
Living in a camper with kids comes with trade-offs: homeschool logistics, missing friends, limited space for toys and routines, but it also gives them a lot. There are many ways to make sure your kids still have their own space (check out these kids’ RV bedrooms!) They will also make new friends—because RV parks and campgrounds are full of kids looking to have adventures!
Weather & Seasonal Challenges
If you’re living in a camper year round, especially living in a camper during winter, weather becomes a major factor. However, this is nothing a little planning can’t prepare you for. See our breakdown of how to prepare for cold-weather living here! Winterizing your camper isn’t as scary as it sounds, and if the idea is too overwhelming, here is the good news… You can just plan your travels around the weather. We never dealt with cold weather because we spent our winters in the southwest!
Maintenance Demands
Maintenance was the top concern in the poll, and we understand why. It’s not like a car, it’s a whole home! Even brand new RVs need constant attention—seals, roof checks, tanks, tires, water heaters. Small issues become big issues fast; however, you can stay on top of this with monthly checklists and thorough inspections. Brush up on your handy skills, and have a good toolkit on hand, and you’ll be just fine!
Finding Work Flexible Enough for Travel
This is the biggest question I used to get asked on the road—what do you do for work? Fortunately, remote work has become quite common, and since your work has to support mobility—remote jobs, contract work, seasonal positions, or online businesses, this is essential. Here’s a whole blog on how to find this type of work!
Pro tip: Don’t worry about the internet either. I traveled to the most remote locations and needed high-speed internet for my job, and with the booster on my roof, I never found myself anywhere where I didn’t have a signal strong enough to work.
Poll Results: What’s Your Biggest Hesitation About Full-Time RVing?
- Cost – 23.3%
- Space – 26.7%
- Maintenance – 30%
- Internet – 3.3%
- Other – 16.7%
How to Decide if Full-Time RVing Is for You
Questions to Ask Before Committing
A few helpful questions:
- What is your “why”?
- How much can you realistically downsize?
- How do you feel about constant maintenance?
- What’s your travel style?
- Is your income stable and flexible?
Try Renting an RV First
Before buying, try renting for a week or two. A short trip won’t tell you much, but a longer stay will give you a real sense of the lifestyle and whether you like it. However, don’t forget that once you have your own rig, you’ll be able to customize it and bring your own personal touches, making it truly feel like home.
Remember: It Doesn’t Have to Be Forever
This is important to remember! Some people full-time RV for six months, others have been doing it for a decade. Some do it on and off, while keeping a home base so they can transition back easily. The best thing about living in an RV is that it’s flexible, and you get to make the rules.
Conclusion
Full-time RVing is a flexible lifestyle with both benefits and challenges. If the freedom, adventure, and simplicity appeal to you, it might be the perfect fit. If you’re concerned about cost, space, or maintenance, you’re not alone—these were the biggest hesitations reported in the poll. However, by studying up on free resources, like this blog, forums, and YouTube, you can learn just about everything you need to know before committing. The RV community is a very robust one, and full of people with wisdom and eagerness to help. As always, we recommend making a budget, remembering to ask the important and hard questions, and trying out the RV lifestyle before committing to it.
Here are some more helpful reads you might like on the pros and cons of full time RVing:
Katherine Bitner spent a year full-time RVing with her husband and dog around the US. As a former interior designer, her favorite thing was budget-friendly ways to make her home on wheels feel luxurious and Pinterest-worthy! She is now a full-time writer and author.
