How to Live in Pop-Up Campers
For some people, the ability to pack up and move without a second thought is the ideal living arrangement. Since not everyone can afford an RV or to simply travel at will, you may want to consider living out of a pop-up camper if you have a desire to travel around and not be tied down to a property. Though not for everyone, people with a carefree attitude and a willingness to live sparsely can make a pop-up camper a place to call home, regardless of where you are staying for the night.
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Instructions
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Make the decision to live in a camper. Know that the space inside of a pop-up camper is small and you will only be able to travel and keep the items you need on a daily and routine basis. Make sure to have a cell phone, laptop and portable cooking devices to help provide the bare necessities. Invest in a portable toilet, such as those found at camping or boating stores. Be honest with yourself as to the reasons why you want to live a transient and portable lifestyle.
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Know the average temperatures for all areas you will be staying in. Understand that by living in a pop-up camper you will be subject to the weather conditions outside. Because of this, plan accordingly. For example, choose to stay in the southwest during winter months and head north during summertime. You will find it easier to stay warm during chilly summer evenings while in the camper compared to trying to brave the cold of winter during both day and evening.
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Keep a list of all available RV and camping parks throughout the entire country. Keep the list handy at all times as you may wind up in a different area than initially intended. Know that you will be able to come and go as you please when you are living out of a camper.
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Get in to the habit of having your primary vehicle, the one that hauls your pop-up camper, inspected and serviced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for safety purposes. Make sure to have the oil and all filters changed during service, along with having tires rotated and checked. Know that towing a camper on a continual basis will be hard on your vehicle.
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Keep a large cooler in the primary vehicle for food storage. Replace and replenish ice in the cooler every time you stop to fill up your gas tank. Keep an ample supply of shelf stable foods in the camper such as pasta, rice, beans and canned goods. Make sure to have outdoor cooking utensils in the camper for use every time you stop at a campsite and can cook outdoors. Consider making it a habit to eat one meal out in a restaurant every day or every other day to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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Keep in touch with friends and family. Let others know where you are and what your travel plans are, even if they are tentative. Constantly traveling around will cost money. Make sure you have enough funds available to support a traveling lifestyle because gas, vehicle insurance, medical insurance, daily expenses, food and camping fees will add up and eventually eat away at savings over time. You may need to supplement your income by working during longer stays to keep paying for the lifestyle associated with living in a pop-up camper.
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Learn to read by candlelight, shower while staying at camping sites with water service, wash laundry at public laundromats or by hand, eat uncooked, raw or pre-made food while not near a source of fire and understand that living out of a camper will mean that you will no longer have luxuries such as running water, electricity, heat or air conditioning in the place where you live and sleep.
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Tips & Warnings
Before getting rid of your house or apartment, make a test run of living out of your pop-up camper by heading out for four to six weeks to see if the lifestyle suits you.
Make sure to check your budget. You will still have expenses, even if you are living out of a camper that you own.
References
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