When we first decided to embrace the RV lifestyle, I had grand visions of epic road trips, serene campsites, and the joy of living a bit closer to nature. And while all that is true, there are also a few quirks of RV life that no one really talks about—probably because they’re too busy laughing at us first-timers. So, in the spirit of keeping things real (and entertaining), here are five unexpected truths I’ve discovered while RVing.
1. Your RV Becomes a Mobile Thrift Store
It didn’t take long for me to realize that living in an RV means having a collection of all the things—many of which I don’t even remember packing. Need duct tape? Got it. A dozen plastic forks? Check. The broken knob from a drawer that’s been missing for six months? Oh yeah, that’s under the seat somewhere. I swear, our RV is one emergency away from becoming a full-on thrift shop. I even found a random sock that doesn’t belong to anyone in the family. Mysterious RV magic.
2. The Real RV Horror Stories Are About Dumping the Tanks
Let’s be honest—there’s no way to make the phrase “dumping the tanks” sound glamorous. But let me just say, when you’re elbow-deep in hoses and hoping gravity is your friend, it’s one of those moments that really makes you question your life decisions. The first time I used my trusty Camco RhinoFLEX sewer hose, I thought, “I’ve got this!” Fast forward to me frantically reading the instructions while trying to avoid an unexpected ‘spray’ incident. You can never have too many gloves. Or prayers.
3. Setting Up Camp is a Family Circus
When you’re setting up camp with kids, it’s a bit like watching a circus performance—except instead of trapeze artists, you’ve got children running around in every direction, a spouse trying to unfold the GCI rocker chairs, and me, juggling between finding the levelers and figuring out why the awning isn’t cooperating. My personal favorite is when a “quick setup” turns into a full-on production with me arguing with inanimate objects while Katelyn calmly says, “Maybe we should check the manual?” Meanwhile, Leo is halfway up the ladder to the roof, determined to ‘help’ from a higher vantage point. Nothing keeps you humble like having to yell, “Get off the roof!” before the neighbors start taking bets on your sanity.
4. “RV Cuisine” Can Be an Adventure in Itself
If you ever want to make a five-star meal with three mismatched pots, a broken spatula, and a campfire that won’t stay lit, then RV life is for you! On our trips, cooking becomes a mix of creativity and chaos. One night, I accidentally combined two half-empty bags of pasta because why not? The result? The weirdest spaghetti ever—but hey, no one starved, so that’s a win! Kjersti said it tasted “interesting,” which, from a 5-year-old, is basically a compliment.
5. There’s Always That One Neighbor
There’s always one RV neighbor who’s got everything figured out—the spotless, perfectly leveled rig with an ambiance that screams “Instagram-ready.” Meanwhile, we’re over here with our awning crooked, a bike rack that looks like it’s hanging on for dear life, and me pretending I meant for the string lights to be tangled like that. But you know what? It’s fine. It’s all part of the charm. After all, no one’s going to remember the perfect setup—they’ll remember the laughs, the memories, and the epic campfire stories.
Closing thoughts:
At the end of the day, RV life isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about the journey, the unpredictable moments, and the joy of spending time with those you love. If you can laugh at yourself, then you’re already halfway there. So, next time you see us on the road, just know we’re probably arguing with the awning… while also making sure Leo doesn’t find his way back up the ladder to the roof. But we’re having the time of our lives.
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