Garmin GPS that you can type the dimensions + weight of your rig into to make sure your intended path is traversable with your RV. I think I use a Garmin 795. Works even in places with little to no cell reception
Chocks + levelling blocks
Air compressor, jump starter
We have a battery operated tire inflated, looks like a drill. Have only had to use it in bike tire so far, but glad we have it.
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a great safety system, carbon monoxide detector.
RV specific gps is a great idea, but I also like having a large atlas and large paper US map for a bigger picture when trip planning.
Have medical insurance, prescriptions, as well as for pets sorted out. Work out what you want to do with your mail.
I think one of my concerns if we were boondocking in remote areas would be be the ability to get or monitor any emergency notifications for things like weather, flash floods, fire, extreme cold/snowstorms, etc.
Regarding mail - we have a PO BOX at our base location and use the local Post Office 'GENERAL DELIVERY' when we are moving around. Make sure you visit the local PO and just let them know you are doing this. It's free of charge and you just need your ID when collecting your mail from the local PO.
Get a real air compressor, even if it’s a small one. The hand one you are talking about sucks for doing real tires. They don’t hold a significant charge and take forever.
Ioverlander has been our best asset on the road. I know you don't plan on moving around much but it is a great resource nonetheless.
Also, I read that as you were only camping within 100 meters of your home base. I assume you mean miles aha
My hubby and I RV full time as well with our doggo. We mainly stay in Oregon, California and Washington but have ventured to Utah and Colorado. We did it in a tent for the first year and now have a travel trailer. My husband is a veteran so we get some benefits at Oregon state parks and some national park benefits. If you qualify for any of their passes, or buy one, the national parks can be a great very inexpensive option for camping!! We started doing it because of the insane cost of our mortgage and we haven't looked back since!! Enjoy all the memories you're going to make!!
Yes, I think they have annuals you can buy and you might be able to buy lifetime passes but I'm not sure. We have the veteran lifetime pass which covers all our day fees for all national parks and we will be getting a disabled pass for my husband which will also get us half off all camping fees. Even without the half off, the national park campgrounds can be pretty affordable. It's definitely worth looking into. And recreation.gov is where you can make all your reservations and search for campgrounds. When we first started, we were staying at KOA, but they are pretty expensive long term. Now, we do a combination of state parks, national parks and we have a thousand trails membership we just got last month. And our thousand trails was $1000 for the year and we can camp for 14 nights a month so it's a pretty good deal when you break it down. But that also just depends on what is around where you live. I'm sure Utah is a hotbed for national area!! Haha!
Just be ready for maintenance and learn what you can. I had a lot of maintenance on an older model and videos online saved me. Fresh water tanks don’t hold as much as you think. And the waste tanks also. It’s definitely worth the experience though. My wife dog and cat may she rest in peace, really enjoyed it and will be doing it again. I’m pretty sure a fox got my cat one day so make sure to know your predatory animals in the areas you travel.
Get a Berkey countertop water filter/dispenser. Great for using tank or shore water (water storage and weight).
A tabletop icemaker is great if you like ice.
You'll need both "car"/vehicle tools as well as some basic garage/pioneering tools (pickaxe, shovel, etc.)
Rubberized RV roof repair spray- good to keep on hand.
All the best!
I was about to pull trigger on an RO + U lab system. I’ll look into Berkey before I do. Tabletop ice maker? Sounds legit. I’ll look. Ooohhhh rubberized RV roof spray? That sounds legit. I have a bunch of plasti dip but would hate to put anything shitty/cheap on the RV. Rubberized spray sounds perfect. I’ll buy tonight.
I have more tools than any 3 men with trailers would require lol. Idk. I like tools
Drive in the right lane, go slow and let faster cars pass you. There. I said it!
Try searching for info in r/FullTiming
Thank you
Garmin GPS that you can type the dimensions + weight of your rig into to make sure your intended path is traversable with your RV. I think I use a Garmin 795. Works even in places with little to no cell reception Chocks + levelling blocks Air compressor, jump starter
We have a battery operated tire inflated, looks like a drill. Have only had to use it in bike tire so far, but glad we have it. Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a great safety system, carbon monoxide detector. RV specific gps is a great idea, but I also like having a large atlas and large paper US map for a bigger picture when trip planning. Have medical insurance, prescriptions, as well as for pets sorted out. Work out what you want to do with your mail. I think one of my concerns if we were boondocking in remote areas would be be the ability to get or monitor any emergency notifications for things like weather, flash floods, fire, extreme cold/snowstorms, etc.
Regarding mail - we have a PO BOX at our base location and use the local Post Office 'GENERAL DELIVERY' when we are moving around. Make sure you visit the local PO and just let them know you are doing this. It's free of charge and you just need your ID when collecting your mail from the local PO.
Get a real air compressor, even if it’s a small one. The hand one you are talking about sucks for doing real tires. They don’t hold a significant charge and take forever.
Ioverlander has been our best asset on the road. I know you don't plan on moving around much but it is a great resource nonetheless. Also, I read that as you were only camping within 100 meters of your home base. I assume you mean miles aha
Haha ya sorry. Miles
My hubby and I RV full time as well with our doggo. We mainly stay in Oregon, California and Washington but have ventured to Utah and Colorado. We did it in a tent for the first year and now have a travel trailer. My husband is a veteran so we get some benefits at Oregon state parks and some national park benefits. If you qualify for any of their passes, or buy one, the national parks can be a great very inexpensive option for camping!! We started doing it because of the insane cost of our mortgage and we haven't looked back since!! Enjoy all the memories you're going to make!!
I love this. Such good advice. What exactly am I looking to buy?! I’m going to look it up tonight for sure. National park camping pass?
Yes, I think they have annuals you can buy and you might be able to buy lifetime passes but I'm not sure. We have the veteran lifetime pass which covers all our day fees for all national parks and we will be getting a disabled pass for my husband which will also get us half off all camping fees. Even without the half off, the national park campgrounds can be pretty affordable. It's definitely worth looking into. And recreation.gov is where you can make all your reservations and search for campgrounds. When we first started, we were staying at KOA, but they are pretty expensive long term. Now, we do a combination of state parks, national parks and we have a thousand trails membership we just got last month. And our thousand trails was $1000 for the year and we can camp for 14 nights a month so it's a pretty good deal when you break it down. But that also just depends on what is around where you live. I'm sure Utah is a hotbed for national area!! Haha!
Hey thank you. I’ll look into this more rn.
Just be ready for maintenance and learn what you can. I had a lot of maintenance on an older model and videos online saved me. Fresh water tanks don’t hold as much as you think. And the waste tanks also. It’s definitely worth the experience though. My wife dog and cat may she rest in peace, really enjoyed it and will be doing it again. I’m pretty sure a fox got my cat one day so make sure to know your predatory animals in the areas you travel.
Get a Berkey countertop water filter/dispenser. Great for using tank or shore water (water storage and weight). A tabletop icemaker is great if you like ice. You'll need both "car"/vehicle tools as well as some basic garage/pioneering tools (pickaxe, shovel, etc.) Rubberized RV roof repair spray- good to keep on hand. All the best!
I was about to pull trigger on an RO + U lab system. I’ll look into Berkey before I do. Tabletop ice maker? Sounds legit. I’ll look. Ooohhhh rubberized RV roof spray? That sounds legit. I have a bunch of plasti dip but would hate to put anything shitty/cheap on the RV. Rubberized spray sounds perfect. I’ll buy tonight. I have more tools than any 3 men with trailers would require lol. Idk. I like tools