Living in an RV has many ardent fans, especially after the pandemic has motivated a whole new stream of people to try out recreational vehicles for the first time. After all, social distancing is a bit easier when you're traveling in a vehicle that usually has its own kitchen and (hopefully) restroom. But committing to RV life for the long term instead of hopping aboard one for a short vacation comes with its challenges (dangerous roads are just one of them) — and some people find at least one thing beyond tolerable.
Besides the annoyances of living on the road, such as an uncertain internet connection, forwarding mail, and a lack of storage space, some of the problems of living with an RV can be seriously daunting. Just doing laundry (which is a more frequent commitment when you only have room to store a few items) can take up an entire day (and more quarters than you might expect). Given that the emergency method of washing items in the sink is almost as difficult, wearing clean clothes on the regular isn't so easy. Even having a washer and dryer in your RV can shake the RV and take hours to simply wash a load.
Maintenance of an RV (or, if you choose a camper, your towing vehicle) is also a mighty commitment – and when you break down, you could easily be on the road, far from a mechanic you trust. Parts for RVs are not always in stock and can take days to order, which may mean your schedule being ruined or, worse, having to shell out for accommodations along with repairs while your ride (and home) is in the shop.
Related: 22 Important Things to Consider Before Buying an RV
Depending on where you go, a major problem RVers face can be the weather. While staying mobile in an RV can mean it's possible to stay one step ahead of storms, rain, and snow, we all know how bad weather can sneak up on us. Driving an RV through a storm is no fun, but there are other problems you might not consider until it's too late. A sudden cold snap can mean frozen hoses (and yes, that can include your sewer hose), which might mean having to boil water to open them, and having to face the elements to get your RV back on the road after camping isn't fun, either.
But the one problem many full-time RVers talk about is how difficult it can be on their relationships. Not only do they face loneliness on the road, but the RV life also places a strain on the relationship of the people living in the RV when they find themselves crammed into a small space for days or even weeks at a time without escape. If you're living in an RV, not only may it be hard to contact friends (see sketchy internet access above) to blow off some steam, you may find it hard to ignore how annoying your significant other can be. Before you hit the road, make sure you're doing it with someone who deals with stress and conflict in a similar way — and know that theirs may be the only familiar face you see for a long time. While trying a month or two in an RV may be a great test of a relationship, you may not want to realize you and your loved one aren't compatible trying to change a tire on the side of the freeway in the middle of a rainstorm, either.
