For those of us who love travel, a lot of our lives can be devoted to finding ways of traveling more. When we work, much of what we do is aimed at making and saving money so that we can go to new places. What we read, watch, listen to and even eat can often be decided by our interest in places we want to go to, or where we have already been and want to return. So it isn’t a huge surprise that many of us reach the point where life becomes so much about travel that we consider a life-changing move: buying an RV, or another type of camping vehicle, and setting off in it to see more of the world.
Clearly, this is a huge step to take – and one you won’t make on a whim. It takes a lot of planning and a great deal of advance groundwork. The good news is that it is absolutely possible, as you can see if you visit here, but you’re going to need to think about a few key requirements before you start. If you arrange your planning around the following tips, you’ll find it a lot easier to get on the move and start really seeing the world.
Pick the right vehicle
RVs and camper vans aren’t cheap, and caravans aren’t simple to transport. When you’re hoping to live your life out of a mode of transport, you’re going to need to make sure you pick the best one, because you’re not going to get a lot of chances at getting it right. It needs to be something that allows you space to spread out in, and probably to work in. That raises the question of whether you’re going it alone, or if not, how many of you there are. Is it something you can comfortably drive? What kind of power supply does it offer?
These and other questions need to be answered because this is effectively your home for the foreseeable future. Making the wrong choice can be ruinous for your plans.
Budget
A camping vehicle costs a decent amount of money, but it should end up paying for itself in what you don’t have to spend elsewhere. It’s an end to expensive hotel stays, for example, and if you drive a model with a kitchen, it will dramatically reduce eating-out costs. You will nonetheless need to set a budget, though, because you’ll need to pay for things like fuel. You’ll still need to eat, so you’ll have to figure out what you’re spending on groceries.
If your trip is multi-country, you’ll have to know what you’re looking at in terms of costs; the same basket of groceries can cost twice as much in Vienna as it does in Bratislava, just an hour’s drive away. Factor in differences like this when you’re on the road – it can help you stick to and even go under your budget.
Wild camping vs On-site camping
When you decide to see the world from a camping vehicle, you have the choice between stopping at campsites or simply parking where you feel comfortable. The latter, naturally, is cheaper and can make all the difference to your budget. The former will mean you’re always going to be able to find a toilet and showering facilities, fill up the water supply in your vehicle, and potentially find WiFi so you can work from your laptop. It also adds a modicum of security as the site is supervised.
If you’re going to give wild camping a go, then it is of fundamental importance that you inform yourself in advance about where the best places are to park up and get a night’s sleep. Search online for tips from fellow wild campers who have been where you’re going, so you don’t find yourself stranded somewhere without access to all the amenities a campsite would offer.