I want to camp full time. Am I crazy?
I want to be a FULLTIMER! I live, dream, eat and sleep the idea of becoming a Fulltimer. A Fulltimer is someone who lives and travels in their RV full time. They travel to a location and stay a few days, a few weeks or a few months, then pack-up and move on to the next location. I want that lifestyle! I want to see more of this great country on my time. Are you ready to join me?
So what do we need to do to be ready to live the life of a Fulltimer? First, be sure you really want to become a Fulltimer. Before you sell everything and leave town in your motorhome, do a test run. Go travel in your motorhome or camper for a month or two and see how you like it. If after a test run, you and your spouse dread coming home, then you got the bug to be a Fulltimer
So what else is required to become a Fulltimer? You need to love people. If you don’t enjoy the camaraderie of being with people, becoming a Fulltimer is pointless. Visiting with fellow campers is what it’s all about. I want to know where you’ve been, where you’re going, and I want to know everything about your RV. Tell me your story and ask me what mine is.
How about financially? You don’t have to be retired with a nest egg to Fulltime. Seems like when we have the health and energy we don’t have the money, and by the time we do have the money we aren’t guaranteed the health to take advantage of traveling. In other words, if you have your health and the kids are grown and you have the desire to Fulltime but still need an income, then why not do it? That’s what I keep asking myself.
Obviously the less debt you have, the less you will need to earn. Fulltiming costs can vary depending on your lifestyle. Obtaining health insurance can be tricky because you’ll want to be sure your carrier has a presence where you intend to travel.
Sources of income while Fulltiming can vary greatly. Obviously the less expenses you have, the less money you need to earn. Becoming a campsite host (camphost.org) is one way to park your RV for free. Otherwise there are several magazines and websites (rv-dreams.com, trekwithus.com) devoted just to listing jobs and opportunities that Fulltimers can do while on the road.
Obviously, what works for you depends upon your work experience. Maybe you can work right from your RV doing freelance work or selling things online. Or maybe you can do odd-jobs for other people or work short-term stints for area employers. Some Fulltimers have businesses back home and are able to continue managing or overseeing them while on the road. Many Amazon warehouses build RV parks next to their facilities for the sole purpose of enticing Fulltimers to come work for them. Whatever you decide, have a plan and a budget before venturing out.
Some people travel with their camper as their job sends them from one worksite to another. Technically that too is camping full time. But are they Fulltiming in the way they want to be?
I personally worry that by the time my wife and I have enough money to fully retire, we’ll be too old to enjoy Fulltiming to its fullest extent. I turn 50 next year and although I’m told it’s just a number, I feel like all I’ve done is work, and that there’s more to life while I have my health. Unfortunately, we’ll still need to earn an income for the foreseeable future, but we don’t want to turn 80 and still find ourselves asking why haven’t we started Fulltiming. We have our health, our son is grown, so despite the fact we still need to earn an income, my wife and I have made a commitment to begin Fulltiming within the next 24 months. Can’t wait!! Maybe we’ll also see you along the way. // – By Mark Bower
Back- Share
