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Pros

Cost Effectiveness
A popular reason people choose to live in RVs full-time is in effort to live more simply. The millennial generation is particularly interested in minimalism for financial reasons. RV life allows for a less cluttered, more intentional lifestyle. Retirees also fancy RV living because it’s an alternative downsizing option. Instead of moving into a retirement community, some opt to buy an RV and travel, all while conserving funds.

Depending on how you go about it, living in an RV can save you quite a bit of money. Some have been able to save $1400 or more on a monthly basis. That’s over $16,000 per year that would normally go to things like rent or mortgage and utilities. Of course, how much you can personally save is contingent on your expenses and spending habits.

Arguably the biggest expenses of RV living are purchasing the RV itself and potentially renovating it. However, those expenditures can be covered in a wide variety of ways. If you are a homeowner transitioning to RV life, you’re in luck. Not only can you use the money you earn from selling your home, but you can also tap into home equity long before you put your house on the market. If you don’t mind being temporarily homeless, you can simply sell your house and then use the money to purchase your RV and renovate it, if necessary. However, if you want your RV to be ready to move in by the time you sell your home, it might be a good idea to consider how a home equity loan might help you. Even if you are not planning to put your house on the market, home equity can still come in handy for making renovations before renting out your home. If you’re a renter, you can fund your RV and/or RV renovations by subletting your apartment at slightly higher rate and using the leftover money. 

Endless Travel
Living in an RV means that the whole world is your backyard. The opportunities for exploration and travel are endless. In addition to cutting costs, travel is another common reason that people join the full-time RV community. Sure, reaching your destination may take more time than hopping on a plane, but the journey along the way is well worth it. Many RVers appreciate the ability to explore the natural world more extensively. If nature isn’t your vibe, that’s okay. You can treat this lifestyle as a long-term road trip and simply visit all the cities on your bucket list. 

Of course, in order to make the most of travel opportunities you need to choose the right kind of RV. Some RVs are more conducive to travel than others. There are drivable RVs, like class A, B and C motorhomes, and towables RVs, such as fifth wheels, toy haulers and travel trailers. Do you research on the different types of RVs and which one is best for your lifestyle and travel plans.

Quality Time
Unless you are a solo traveller, you will experience a lot of quality time with whoever you are traveling with. For couples, this additional time spent together can be great! Quality time can be valuable and satisfying, but only with the right person. Married or not, it’s important to consider who you will be travelling with. Amongst other things, you might ask yourself: How do things go when I travel with this person? How do each of us plan to accommodate for me-time? If you want to know for sure if you can handle RV life with your mate, relative or friend, try renting an RV to live in temporarily. Doing so should give you a good idea of how much quality you can handle with that person and if you enjoy it. 

Empty nesters may especially benefit from being able to spend more time with one another. In fact, many parents find that after their children leave the home, they realize they no longer have anything in common with each other. Moms and dads are used to devoting most of their time to caring for the children, working and taking care of the house will appreciate the new found time and freedom to focus on themselves and enjoy life as a couple again. With the kids out of the house, not only does the to-do list shrink, the silence can be deafening and the realization that you and your spouse no longer know each other becomes very evident. Living in an RV practically forces you to reconnect with your mate in a unique and fun way. Everyday is an adventure and an opportunity to get to know your significant other better. You and your travel partner can enjoy the highlights and navigate the obstacles of mobile living. Depending on your attitude, overcoming the challenges associated with RV life will help to strengthen the relationship. 

No Yard Work
A smaller advantage of RV living is that you no longer have to worry about mowing the lawn, weeding, or raking leaves in the fall. For those who are not fans of outdoor upkeep associated with homeownership, this is a major plus. According to a 2016 study, Americans spend 39,243,750 hours on yard work. Our greenthumb friends may jump with joy at the idea of spending so much time on yard upkeep. However, when you think about all of the things you could be doing instead, like traveling the country in your awesome RV, living in a motorhome sounds like a walk in the park. 

Say goodbye to long days spent raking and bagging fallen leaves in September and October. Instead you can enjoy radiant foliage on beautiful fall days spent exploring, hiking or anything else you can think of. And who likes pulling weeds at the start of spring and throughout summer? While you won’t be able to have a garden living in an RV, you can enjoy natural gardens more often. This is your time to actually frolic through fields of flowers.  

Flexibility
Another reason why motorhome living is so desirable is for the flexibility. Don’t like your “neighbors”? Park your home somewhere else. Not a fan of the current weather? Move to a sunnier climate without the hassle associated with traditional moving. You don’t have to pack. You don’t need movers. You can literally wake up and decide to move to Florida without any real obstacles. 

Beyond annoying neighbors and gloomy weather, your needs may change over time in other ways. RV-ing will allow you to accommodate for those needs fairly easily. When you’re just starting out, you may enjoy constantly being on the go. However, after some time on the road, you and your travel companion(s) may need a break and want to stay put for a while. Fortunately, there are a number of places to park your RV, whether you need to settle for a few days or a few months. 

Let’s say you need a break from RV life, you can do that, too. If you still own a home, you can park your RV on your property and move back into your house until you are ready to hit the road again. Even if you’re a renter, you can move back into your apartment if there’s still time left on your lease. If you decide that you need a permanent break from life on the road, you can sell your RV much easier than a house. You don’t have to deal with finding a realtor, open houses, and closing. It’s as simple as listing your motorhome online using RV Listings, Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace. 

Cons

Space
Though there are many advantages to living in an RV full-time, there are also some disadvantages that you should consider. The most obvious one is the limited amount of space. After all, it’s a motorhome, not a mansion. Customizing your RV can help with this issue, but realistically space will still be limited. Unless you completely gut and remodel your house on wheels, you can say goodbye to ample counter space, multiple floors and spacious closets. If you don’t think you could live in a small ranch, it’s probably best to avoid RV living.

The lack of space does not have to be a deterrent, though. You can make your motorhome feel like a real home by renovating the inside. Do your research on compact living floor plans and space saving tricks. Seek out household items that have multiple functions. If you are inventive and/or handy, you can build multipurpose objects, too. 

Another way to overcome the space issue is by carefully selecting the kind of RV you want to buy. Will you be a solo traveller? If so, you may opt for a small camper since you only need to account for yourself. However, if you’re big on space, have the ability to haul a large vehicle around by yourself, and don’t mind the extra gas expense, you can seek out a larger motorhome. Families and couples should take space into consideration even more than a solo traveller since more people are involved. Do your research on the best RVs for families or the best campers for couples. There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a cramped space…even with people you love. 

Wifi Reliability
Any full-time RVer will tell you that wifi can be spotty, especially on the road. Unless you plan to settle in one spot, you won’t be able to automatically connect to a home network like you do in a traditional home. In this era, wifi connection is everything. Few can go without it and so many of our daily tasks require its use. Think about how often you travel to a new location without using your GPS or how frequently you perform Google searches. In fact, wifi may become even more important if you work remotely like many in the full-time RV community. 

Again, wifi reliability does not have to keep you from experiencing the full-time RV life. There are connectivity options out there for any budget.  For instance, you can simply use your phone as a hotspot. If you do this, you may want to invest in an unlimited data plan through your wireless carrier. The downside of this wifi resource is that it is dependent on how strong your wireless connection is. If you’re traveling off the grid, likely there are little to no towers around, which will impact your hotspot efficiency. 

Mobile hotspot routers are another option. Think of this as a modem without wires. You can purchase one through your wireless phone carrier. Similarly to a cell phone hotspot, “your [mobile] hotspot is only as good as the coverage of your carrier, according to The Dyrt. 

Some RVers opt to connect to whatever networks are available at the time, including those belonging to coffee shops, campgrounds, and other public places. Unfortunately, these networks are not secure and require that you stay put. So, it’s important to research the wifi options available to you when you are on the move. 

Laundry Days
Although RV life comes with minimum upkeep and responsibilities, there are still chores that have to de done. One of those tasks is doing laundry. It may be difficult or costly to find an RV with a washer and dryer. They do exist, but the machines can be quite small, impacting how much laundry you can actually get done. Of course, you can build a laundry area into your RV, but that may take up space that you can use for something else. 

The most obvious alternative to in-home laundry is a laundromat. However, most of us have experienced a laundromat trip; packing up all of your dirty clothes, loading them in the car, making sure you have enough quarters, and monitoring several machines to ensure that no one takes your things. The whole ordeal can take up an entire day. 

While laundry days are definitely an inconvenience when living in an RV, don’t let it be a drawback to trying out this lifestyle. There are ways to overcome this obstacle. If you can’t find or afford an RV that comes equipped with a washer and dryer and you want to avoid the laundromat, look into portable washers and dryers. You’ll need to do some measuring and planning to see what works best for your space, but renters have found these compact laundry tools very useful. One of the benefits of portable washer and dryers is that you can hook them up outside of the RV and store them when you are done washing to save space. 

Water Supply
Once you begin living in an RV you will realize some of the simple things we take for granted when living in traditional homes. One of the little luxuries is running water. In a home or apartment, you really don’t have to worry about water beyond making sure you pay the bill. There is more involved when it comes to living in a motorhome. Most RVs include a water system. You can use that system or a city water connection. The latter method is more similar to the water system of a traditional home, except that you are responsible for setting it up by using a nearby spigot and RV water hose, which isn’t always possible if you want to live off the grid or travel often. 

Making use of the RV’s included water system (or one that you have installed) takes a bit more effort than using city water. The system has to be regularly maintained. This involves empting gray and black water, sanitizing the pumps to combat algae and fungus, and monitoring and replenishing your fresh water supply, among other duties. It may sound like a lot but with a guide on how to take care of these tasks, you can live your nomadic dreams to the fullest.

Unlike city water usage, there’s not an unlimited supply of water when using the RV’s water pump system. As mentioned, you will need to monitor and replenish freshwater to ensure that you don’t run out. Doing so requires locating freshwater sources. Thankfully, there are a number of locations to refill your water supply, such as rest stops, national parks and fuel stations. Although these are freshwater resources, you will still need to choose a water filtration system to ensure purity.

Accessibility
Another downside to full-time RV living is that most motorhomes are not accessible living spaces. For those who are not able bodied, life in an RV can be challenging. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but the lack of space alone can present issues. For those who utilize a walker or wheelchair simply navigating  a motorhome can be daunting. 

If you are adamant about living the nomadic life, transitioning to this lifestyle may require some practice. Consider a trial run in the most accessible rental you can find. Make note of your challenges along the way. Think about what adjustments would make it easier for you to live in an RV full-time. After trying it for a few months, if you want to make the transition to full-time RV life, use the list of accommodations you would need to help you renovate an RV that is just right for you. 

Even after a trial period, there may be some modifications that you didn’t think of. If you have friends that experience disabilities different from yours, you may even consider incorporating some renovations that would benefit them when you visit them or they visit you. 

As with any major life decision, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of RV life. Beyond this list, continue to carefully consider aspects of RV living that could be advantageous or challenging for you and your travel companion(s). With honest self reflection and efficient planning, you may be on your way to RV living in no time.

Being in an RV can be fun and exciting, especially when traveling in one. Not only can you take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle of your work and personal life, but you can also enjoy being in a vacation home on wheels, which typically has a fully-functional kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom (depending on the model and make). With these necessities packed into such a vehicle, RVs have paved the way for people to either vacation, or simply go on an adventure to find something new in life at any destination that you set your mind to. And, it’s because of these freedoms that you might see more and more RVs popping up on the road.

Maybe you’ll take your family along with you? Maybe you’ll have your friends join you? Or maybe your dog?

You heard right! Dogs can have the same fun in an RV as everyone can!

Now, while you might already be considering taking your dog with you – which there’s nothing wrong with doing so – there are still some things that you must do to ensure that Fido enjoys the trip from start to finish. It’s important to make preparations for your dog when you’re RVing, just like you prep for yourself to take the trip.

While prepping can be stressful at times, we’re here to show you 7 tips on how to successfully plan an RV trip for you and your dog to enjoy. So, let’s jump right in!

1. Pack Well For Your Pup

“Treat your dog like another traveler in your party, when you go RVing,” says Ernest Walters, a travel writer at State of writing and Bestbritishessays. “That means that you must make sure that your dog has enough things to sustain them throughout the trip. Like humans, your dog may not be able to live without certain things for a long while.”

With that said, here are some of the things that you need to bring for your dog, whenever you travel by RV:

• Food (including their favorite treats) and a non-spill food bowl
• Water (Make sure that the water is filtered, so that your dog doesn’t get sick during the trip.)
• Collar and leash
• Proof of vaccinations (in case of any emergencies during the trip)
• Toys (so that your pup doesn’t get bored
• Bedding
• Cleaning supplies for any accidents, AND
• Medication(s)

“While packing for your dog is simple enough, it’s also important to do,” adds Walters. “Plus, you may want to bring along extra food and water for your dog, in case your trip takes longer than anticipated, or your RV breaks down. Keep your water fresh at all time – filter it, so that your dog doesn’t get sick. And, make sure you can keep your dog entertained to their favorite toys.”

• Have A Place In The RV For Fido

When you choose to have your pup ride with you in the RV, make sure that they have a place inside especially for them. Yes, even when you’re traveling from place to place in an RV, Fido needs a place to stay inside and ride. However, taking account of the type of RV you’re travelling with matters, when it comes to your dog.

Consider the following types of RVs:

• If you have a truck towing a fifth-wheeler, or a travel trailer, your dog must ride with you in your truck. Just like people, you can’t let your dog ride unattended in the trailer while it’s being towed, or else they’ll get hurt during the ride. So, it’s better that Fido rides with you instead, even if they choose to stretch out on the back seat. You can also crate your dog, if you know them to get anxious during a car ride.
• If you have a motorhome, make sure your dog is comfortable riding inside it. Chances are, they might be nervous on the first ride, because being inside a moving motorhome differs from being inside a moving car. Therefore, allow your dog to adjust to this change, before starting a long trip to them. Or, keep their bedding somewhere where you can reach and calm them down. Making sure that they’re alright can make them more relaxed than anxious while you both travel.

Now, when caring for your dog during RV travel, make sure to keep up with regular routines like bathroom breaks, feedings, and entertaining. It’s recommended that you check on your dog every so often, even when you’re driving for extended hours, and that you make a stop every few hours to give your pup water and a bathroom break.

Finally, make sure that your dog gets plenty of sleep whenever you two travel. That means finding a great place for your dog to sleep in. While they might not be used to sleeping outdoors, that doesn’t have to be their sleeping area. Instead, you can do the following:

• If your dog is used to sleeping in your bed, then allow them to sleep in your bed in the RV.
• If your dog has their own bedding, then bring it with you on your trip. Dogs can recognize their bedding just by sniffing it.

By recreating the scenario that your dog is used to sleeping in, this allows you to rest easy as well.

• Make Sure That Pup Is Buckled Up

Seatbelts are essential for people to stay safe as they drive. Though, seatbelts shouldn’t just be for humans – they should also be used on dogs, too! While it might be tempting to let Fido roam around in the cabin or sit on your lap as you drive, the truth is, letting them roam free in a moving vehicle can be dangerous to them. Plus, that’s even dangerous for you.

First, make sure that you and your dog are buckled up, whenever you both ride in the vehicle. You can invest in a seat belt harness or a dog crate to keep your dog on the spot as you drive. And again, don’t let Fido roam around inside the car; and, don’t leave them unattended inside a camper that you’re pulling. It’s best for you and Fido to be safe than sorry while on the road in an RV.

• Stay At Dog-Friendly Campgrounds

While there are many campgrounds for RVs to choose from, there are certain ones that allow dogs on the premises. However, you’ll still need to figure out what said campgrounds’ pet policies are, and how to conduct yourself with your dog once you get there. Otherwise, you will face a fine, depending on the offense and the campgrounds that you choose to stay in.

For example, if a camping place tells you to keep your dog on a leash whenever you two are out and about, don’t ignore this rule. And, if a park doesn’t allow dogs at all, respect the rule and find another location.

Though, it’s safe to do your research first on which campgrounds you wish to stay at during your RV trip. This is especially important, because policies may vary in some areas, and some rules can be updated at any day. Also, contact prospective campgrounds ahead of your scheduled trip, so that you can better understand from a representative or staff member on how you should conduct yourself with your pup.

Doing your research ahead of time and preparing yourself to stay at dog-friendly places can make things stress-free for both you and Fido.

• Keep In Mind The Activities You Do

Now, besides staying at dog-friendly campgrounds, you must also keep in mind the activities that you can and can’t do with your dog. Yes, it can be challenging trying to figure out when and when not to bring your dog on an RV trip with you.

However, if you choose not to leave your dog at home, then consider the following tips:

• Try to find places that encourage dog-friendly activities (i.e. dog parks).
• Look for restaurants or other places that have dog-friendly patios.
• Consider leaving your dog inside the RV for activities that are not dog-friendly.

Now, the last point may have merit, because dogs have enough space to wander. Plus, most dogs are okay with being left alone for a short while, since that reminds them of being at home whenever their owners are out and about. And, if your dog tends to get overwhelmed whenever they’re being left alone in the RV, be sure to close the blinds and put on some music, so that they can experience the homey feel that they’re used to.

However, if you’re not sure whether or not to leave  your dog behind in your RV, or you’re not comfortable doing so at all, then consider doing only dog-friendly activities during the trip. Otherwise, if you don’t see yourself taking your dog with you at all on your RV trip, then don’t hesitate to contact a local pet-sitter, and have them look after your dog while you’re gone.

• Keep An Eye On The Weather

“It would be nice to go RVing in good weather, especially when you take your dog with you,” says David Charlotte, a lifestyle blogger at Academized and UKservicesreviews. “Unfortunately, no one has control of the weather – whether it’s sunny, rainy, or so on. So, if you choose to go RVing with your dog, be sure to plan your trip with the weather in mind. Chances are, your dog may not like certain weather conditions, even when they’re away from home.”

Here are some weather conditions to consider, and what to do with your dog during each instance:

• Summertime is usually the best times to go RVing. However, if the weather gets too hot for Fido, be sure to leave your air conditioner on. Having the AC on allows you and your dog to stay cool during the trip. Plus, be sure to give your dog plenty of water, so that they don’t get dehydrated.
• You may not want to go RVing when there’s a thunderstorm. However, when you’re on the road or at a camping ground, and you can’t avoid the rain, be sure to have your dog stay in a safe spot inside the RV. Loud sounds and thunder can make your pup terrified. Try and give them their favorite blankets and toys to help them calm down.

“Also, no matter the weather, it’s never okay to leave your dog unattended outside,” adds Charlotte. “Leaving your dog alone while on a leash may cause them to be anxious and or bored. Plus, if it gets too hot, rainy, or anything else happens outside that can either scare or get them sick, then they won’t have a good time.”

Therefore, keep tabs on the weather as you plan and go on your RV trip. And, if you MUST leave your dog at camp, be sure that the weather can permit you to do so.

• Don’t Rush Things

RVing can be fun for you and your pup. However, it’s important to note that your dog has feelings too. In fact, going from being at home all the time to travelling in an RV can seem different to your dog.

Chances are, Fido might get homesick throughout the trip. Or, they might enjoy the ride at first, but then struggle to get comfortable with traveling after a while. So, you see, you might need to give your dog some time to adjust to this change.

So, if you plan on bringing your dog on your RV trip, try these tactics with your dog before your trip begins:

• Try spending a few hours in the RV, while it’s parked next to your house or driveway. This allows your dog to familiarize themselves with being in an RV.
• Spend one or two nights in the RV, while still having parked next to the house or driveway. This allows your dog to get used to sleeping in the RV at nighttime.
• Practice putting your dog in the car seat with the seatbelt on. Sometimes, this takes practice, since it’s important to have them secured in the car. And, your dog will grow accustomed to wearing a seatbelt harness when riding.
• After practicing being in the RV for a while, try to take a few shorter trips to get your dog used to the RV moving.

When using these tips above, keep in mind that every dog is different, meaning that some breeds will adjust to changes faster than others. But ultimately, you know your pup really well, and can determine whether or not RVing is right for them.

BONUS: Have A Plan For Emergencies

Hopefully, nothing bad happens during your RV trip, especially when it comes to your dog. While emergencies are unlikely when RVing, you should still be prepared for anything that happens during your travel.

With that said, keep the following objectives in mind:

• Keep the number of a local vet, so that whenever your dog gets sick or hurt, you’ll have their number handy. You can also search for reputable vets online even before going on your trip. Or, you can ask your regular vet on recommendations for the best vets where you’re heading.
• Be sure that you keep an eye on your dog’s whereabouts inside the RV and outside. That means not letting your dog out when going in and out of the RV. The last thing you want is to accidentally leave your furry friend behind at a camping site.
• Your dog’s collar should have an ID tag at all times. The ID tag is beneficial, because if your dog happens to get lost, the person(s) who find them can easily contact and find you. Even if your dog is chipped, you should still have a tag on their collar.
• Be sure to monitor your dog’s health during the trip. While your dog may be up-to-date with their shots, it’s still important to make sure that they aren’t sick. If they DO appear to be sick, then seek medical help immediately.

Conclusion

Ultimately, if you’re a dog owner, RVing with your dog can be fun, once you two get going. And, this brings in more opportunities to spend quality time with your furry friend, and build fond memories with them. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your dog is safe and happy while RVing with you. While RVing with your pup may be stressful at times, there will also be times when you two can have fun.

So, in review, keep in mind these 7 tips that have been discussed in this article:

• Be sure to pack well for your dog, as if you were packing for another person.
• Have a designated place in the RV for your dog to eat, play, and sleep.
• You and pup – buckle up!
• Stay at campgrounds that are okay with dogs being on the premises.
• Plan activities that are suitable for both you and your dog.
• Plan ahead with the weather in mind. AND,
• Be patient, when training your dog to go RVing with you.

And, as always, don’t be afraid to seek help whether something happens to your dog. It’s better to be safe than sorry, as described in this article.

Other than that, we hope that these tips will help you and your dog have a good time, while staying safe, when RVing. Happy travels!

Kristin Herman is a writer and editor at Lia Help and Boomessays. She is also a contributing writer for online magazine and blogs, such as Top Canadian Writers. As a blogger, she specializes in vet care, animal rights activism, and pet travel.

In a time when the world offers numerous opportunities to anyone seeking them, transitioning to an RV life could be a great option for those who want to change their lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, living in an RV is not as expensive as it seems which is why having a remote job can support you well enough. Hence, here’s everything you should know about transitioning to an RV life and remote work.

#1 Do Your Research

First and foremost, you need to do your research. As cliché as it sounds, doing the necessary research before you dive into your new RV life is one of the most important things you will need to do for this transition. This research is meant to help you plan everything and prepare you for the new lifestyle you will be adopting. There are many things you will have to learn, but once you do, they won’t seem as difficult as they may have at first.

Moreover, the research you do about what it’s like to live the RV life will help you decide whether you actually want to make the transition. You need to be prepared for the fact that it isn’t going to be easy. There are many downsides to living the RV life and working remotely, so you need to be prepared to deal with them. If you are absolutely positive that you want to make this change, you probably won’t be surprised by what you discover during the research.

#2 Plan Ahead

Once you do the research, the planning stage begins. To some, it may seem even more tedious than the research, but it’s a necessary step before you actually start “doing” things. One thing you need to do is set the date for the start of your transition. And then, once the date is in place, you will need to make a checklist that you will follow. Here are some things to include on your checklist:

• Find Campers: Your new RV life will help you meet many new people, but it’s your responsibility to be the first one to reach out and find new campers to connect with.
• Start Decluttering: Decluttering your home and then decluttering your RV regularly will help you get rid of all the unnecessary things that take up valuable space.
• Organize A Garage Sale: Once you start decluttering your home, you can organize a garage sale to sell the things you will no longer be using.
• Research Health Options: After transitioning to an RV life, you will be dealing with health care differently, so you need to know what your options are.
• Set Up Your New Job: Getting a remote job is an essential part of transitioning to an RV life which is why you will need to plan ahead for it.
• Select A Camping Location: Though many people get an RV to travel, some decide to settle down in one place, so you will need to select a camping location for the RV.
• Choose A Mail Service: As with health care, mail will need to be handled differently, so you will need to choose a mail service wisely.
• Cancel Utilities: Once you leave your home, you will need to cancel utilities, so you don’t have to keep paying for them.

#3 Schedule the Transition

Though now you have a starting date for your transition and a checklist you will be sticking to, you still need to create a schedule for your transition. This schedule will need to be more detailed and will help you take everything one step at a time and organize the process a bit more. You don’t want to have too much chaos during your transition.

At the same time, having a schedule will also help you define your goals better. Your main aim is still to successfully transition, but there will be milestones you will want to achieve along the way. All of them will need to be put on your schedule (e.g. fix the sink, buy paint, sell the maternity clothes).

#4 Manage Your Budget Wisely

One thing that many new RV enthusiasts forget about is budgeting. Though transitioning to and living the RV life is not as expensive as it may seem at first, it still requires proper financial management if you want it to be a success. In other words, you can’t just start transitioning without calculating how much you will need to spend on the many aspects of an RV life.

For instance, you need to calculate your regular expenses such as on-the-road utilities, gasoline, food, etc. At the same time, you need to calculate your initial expenses for the transition itself such as repair supplies costs. Of course, there will definitely be some unexpected additional expenses that you can’t predict but planning your budget as much as possible can help you get ready for such situations.

#5 Buy Your Supplies

To really start your transition to an RV life and remote work, you will need to buy the necessary supplies to use for the transition and beyond it. Such supplies can range from RV equipment to materials you need for renovating your RV. They could also include new clothes or houseware you purchase specifically for your new RV life, especially if you are getting rid of your old stuff and selling it or giving it away.

The best way to keep your supplies and check and remember to buy all the necessary items is by making a list. You can alter it as you go about with the transition but keeping it as the foundation of your supplies purchase is your best bet. Make sure to include certain items on it such as RV equipment, renovation supplies and equipment, new houseware and clothes, services you plan to use for renovation, and so on.

#6 Set Your Work Goals

Even as you start your transition to an RV life, you should also remember about your transition to remote work. The two need to be organized and carried out at the same time to make the process smoother. After all, your RV transition will impact your current job while your new job will have to sustain your RV transition, so the two are interdependent. Consider checking some helpful articles like 5 Secrets of Leading Remote Team Meetings in The Most Productive Way to give you an idea about what to expect from remote work.

To start your work transition properly, you need to set goals for your job and change your mindset. If you want to be earning the same amount as you did before, set that as one of your goals for when you start looking for a new job. Likewise, if you want to have more freedom, make that your goal. At the same time, you need to change the way you think about your job as you will now be working remotely instead of in-office.

#7 Give Your RV A Makeover

If you just bought an RV, especially a used one, it’s good to give your RV a makeover. This will pretty much be your new home from now on, so you need to make sure that you like the way it looks. If you bought a new RV, you probably chose the one you liked most (but you might still want to add some décor here and there). If you bought a used RV, you will probably want to fix some things and give it a new look.

The most basic things you need to take care of are the areas inside your RV like the kitchen, the toilet, and the shower. You should also repair the furniture if it’s broken or replace it completely. Once all of that is done, you will only need to give it a nice aesthetic makeover to make it look good – not just feel comfortable.

#8 Move Your Things to the RV

After your RV is all nice and beautiful and everything is working well inside it, you can move your things to the RV. These include anything from the photographs you want to hang around to the clothes you will be wearing. Here are some tips on how to do this more effectively (even if it seems simple):

• Transfer the essentials first. You don’t want to be stuffing your RV with things you will end up not using later.
• If you find that you have too many things to fit, consider leaving some at your permanent home or selling them altogether.
• Place your things around smartly. Fill up all the space and move around different items if you see that they will fit better in a different place.

#9 Join RV Clubs and Meet People

As mentioned above, you will need to be the one to find and reach out to other RV enthusiasts. Of course, as you get on your journey and start living the RV life, you will come across other RVers all the time, but at the beginning, it’s your responsibility to initiate the first contact and grow long-term relationships that will be beneficial both to you and to your new friends and acquaintances.

The best way to do this is by joining relevant RV clubs. These can be local (if you are parking your RV in a particular space) or online communities. Online forums, groups, discussion boards, and communities can be particularly useful because they let you connect with RV enthusiasts located anywhere in the world. Then, as you travel, you will be able to meet these people face-to-face, share experiences, and get advice.

#10 Transition to Your New Job

When it comes to working remotely and transitioning to this new kind of job, there are several options you have:

• Stay at The Same Job: Sometimes, you will be able to stay at your current job and just do it remotely. If you are a writer or a photographer, ask your employer whether you can work remotely.
• Find A New Job: Another option is to quit your old job and find a new one. Browse job boards or try to find job opportunities through the people you know. The process is as usual.
• Create Your Own Business: The last option is to quit your current job and create your own business. This is by far the most difficult one if you have never had a business of your own, but it can be a great endeavor for someone living in an RV.

In all three cases, you will need to make sure that you have a space for working. In other words, you need your own office in the RV. Decide where your workspace will be and make sure that it is comfortable and organized.

#11 Start Using Social Media

This might be a weird tip, but you should actually consider using social media if you aren’t doing so already. As an RVer, you will be experiencing things most people aren’t which is why you can expect many users to take interest in your content. At the same time, having at least a single social media account can help your business if you decide to start one as you transition to an RV life.

As Travis Brown from the custom writing reviews site Online Writers Rating puts it, “Nowadays, there are social media influencers of all kinds, so pretty much anyone can gain a social media following. You just need to post high-quality content consistently in whichever niche you choose. As an RV enthusiast, you will probably want to run a personal blog which you can also use to promote your products or services – or work with sponsors instead.”

#12 Celebrate Your RV Transition

Transitioning to an RV life is no different than buying a new house. Naturally, you need to celebrate this accomplishment once your RV transition is complete. It doesn’t have to be something big, but you need to acknowledge the fact that you did so much to make this big change in your life. You bought and renovated the RV, got rid of the unnecessary things in your life, transitioned to remote work, and did all of that successfully!

#13 Keep Your RV in Order

But even as you have transitioned to an RV life, the journey isn’t over. You need to keep your RV in order if you want to enjoy this new lifestyle. Cleaning it regularly is a must – just like you would clean your house. Make sure to have enough supplies at all times and always keep the emergency items with you.

You can also consider transitioning to a more mindful lifestyle if you aren’t leading one already. This includes recycling the things you use and repurposing them in different ways. You can also thrift clothes and buy various used items instead of purchasing new ones every time. In addition to that, buying only the essentials will prevent you from overstuffing your RV.

#14 Choose Your RV Living Location

As mentioned earlier, you might want to live in your RV in a single place instead of traveling. In this case, you will need to choose your RV living location such as a campground that you can live on year-round. You can also choose to camp randomly from one place to another without actually traveling far. Yet another option is to buy a piece of land for your RV or rent it out. This option can make receiving mail easier.

Whichever option you choose will need to work best for your particular circumstances. For example, if you have children living with you, you will probably want to stay in a single local community instead of traveling to ensure that your kids can go to school. On the other hand, they could be homeschooled in which case traveling is a great option.

#15 Stay Connected with Family and Friends

Last but not least, as you start traveling in your RV (if you decide to travel rather than settling down), you need to stay connected with your family and friends. This is especially important for those who don’t live in the RV with family members or a group of friends, but even if you don’t live in the RV alone, you still need to keep in touch with those you care about.

When you transition to an RV life and start working remotely, it’s easy to stay in your bubble because you won’t have to leave your home as much as you used to. In addition to that, you might start traveling the country or from country to country which will make it even easier for you to care only about your solitary life. This is exactly why staying in touch by using different means is so important for your mental and emotional well-being.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, transitioning to an RV life could be one of the best decisions in your life as it can provide you with the opportunities you don’t have now. Follow the tips in this article to make the transition smooth and find a good remote job to sustain your new lifestyle.

About the Author

Reposting from CalMatters

With RV Water Filter Store filtration systems and carbon filters, these harmful “Forever” Chemicals are removed from the water.

Friday, November 20, 2020 | Sacramento, CA

Rachel Becker | CalMatters

In the weeks before the coronavirus began tearing through California, the city of Commerce made an expensive decision: It shut down part of its water supply.

Like nearly 150 other public water systems in California, the small city on the outskirts of Los Angeles had detected “forever chemicals” in its well water. 

Used for decades to make non-stick and waterproof coatings, firefighting foams and food packaging, these industrial chemicals — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS — have been linked to kidney cancer and other serious health conditions. 

The chemicals turned up in both of the city’s wells serving about 3,000 residents. One well already had treatment capable of reducing the chemicals, but the other did not, according to the California Water Service, which operates the wells. 

The discovery forced Commerce to choose between two bad options: keep serving the contaminated water, or shut the well down and import water at more than double the cost.

Flush with funds from taxing the city’s casino and outlet mall, officials decided to err on the side of caution and shut the well down. 

“We don’t take risks when it comes to drinking water,” said Gina Nila, the city’s deputy director of public works operations. 

Then the pandemic struck. The casino closed for months, and the local economy took a hit. City staff were furloughed and laid off. And the tab for replacing its inexpensive underground water with costly imported water continues to climb, reaching about $460,000 in just nine months.

Now the city faces the prospect of needing to spend $1.8 million on a new treatment system, on top of its growing bill for replacement water.

“We’ll find a way to pay it,” said Commerce’s acting director of finance Josh Brooks. “It’s going to be painful.”

Rural and urban: Ubiquitous chemicals

Across California, water providers are discovering the same thing: These chemicals are everywhere. They last forever because they don’t break down. They’re dangerous. They’re expensive to get rid of. And many Californians don’t even know they’re drinking them.

California is now cracking down by implementing new thresholds for the chemicals that will force cities and utilities to shut down their wells, treat the water, or notify their customers about the contamination. 

A CalMatters analysis of state data reveals that nearly 200 drinking water wells, or 15% of those tested, have exceeded the new thresholds in at least one round of testing over the past year. Although they are concentrated largely in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, contaminated wells are found statewide, in rural as well as urban areas. 

At least 26 wells in hotspots, including Fresno, the East Bay and parts of Riverside and San Luis Obispo counties, contain extreme amounts of the chemicals — two to 10 times higher than the state’s recommended levels in at least one test, according to the CalMatters analysis.

“I actually think it’s scary as all get out, so we need to clean it up,” said Felicia Marcus, a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West program and former chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. “The real question is, what is it going to take?”

Underground water is one of California’s most precious resources, providing nearly half of its drinking water, and even more in drought years. In a state where water is already scarce, the contamination of wells adds another unwelcome stressor.

The big blow to local agencies comes as the coronavirus pandemic guts cities’ budgets and their capacity to deal with yet another crisis. Groundwater is cheap, costing ratepayers much less than water imported hundreds of miles through aqueducts. Replacing the tainted water can double the cost, while removing the chemicals can cost each supplier millions of dollars in sophisticated, new treatment facilities such as reverse osmosis.

At least 146 public water systems serving nearly 16 million Californians have already detected traces of the two most pervasive chemicals — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) — in their well water, according to the CalMatters analysis.

The sources are ubiquitous across California: They leak into groundwater from firefighting foam used by airports and military bases, trickle off landfills and seep from industrial facilities.

“The PFAS that are in the environment today are likely to be in the environment 20 years from now or 40 years from now or 100 years from now,”  said Jamie DeWitt, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at East Carolina University. “And eventually you’re going to have enough in your body so that your body starts to develop diseases.”

Federal advisories for drinking water, which are not enforceable, recommend limiting PFOA and PFOS to 70 parts per trillion, combined. But California officials, concerned about the health effects, set more stringent thresholds: 10 parts per trillion for PFOA and 40 parts per trillion for PFOS. 

“Forever chemicals” in public water systems

Under new drinking water guidelines, water systems must shut down wells, treat them, or notify customers if they exceed levels of two chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, over the next year. CalMatters contacted 67 water providers to determine the status of their contaminated wells. PFOA and PFOS concentrations are four-quarter averages in untreated water.

Now, under a new state law, the water board will require providers to clean up their water or notify customers if the average concentrations exceed those thresholds, called “response levels,” over the next year. 

Detecting “forever chemicals” in groundwater doesn’t necessarily mean that people are drinking high levels of them.

CalMatters’ analysis shows that some providers — including in Pico Rivera, Downey and migrant farmworker housing near Watsonville — are serving drinking water from contaminated wells that exceeded the state’s threshold in at least one test over the past year.

But 19 suppliers, including in Oroville, Atascadero, Jurupa Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley, have shut down more than 50 contaminated wells. A few, like Pleasanton, have relegated their tainted wells to emergency-use only. 

And 21 suppliers, including ones in Corona, East Los Angeles, Fresno and Riverside, already have treatment systems that can filter out some of the chemicals or blend with cleaner water to dilute them. However, under the state’s new threshold, more action may now be required for some providers’ water to be clean enough to comply.

One of the hardest-hit areas is the northern half of Orange County, which gets more than 75% of its water from wells. In July, the Orange County Water District estimated that roughly 20% of 200 wells had been shut down because of the chemicals — eliminating enough water to serve hundreds of thousands of people per year. Replacing that water could add $20 a month to residents’ bills, and the costs could ultimately top $1 billion over the next 30 years, according to the district.

Finding out whether water systems are actually serving the contaminated water to people is remarkably difficult. 

CalMatters contacted 67 water providers that have exceeded the new guidelines in at least one round of testing. Many repeatedly failed to respond; a few, like the cities of Lathrop and Monterey Park, refused to say whether their tainted wells were currently providing drinking water to residents. 

The state water board has urged providers to notify their customers of elevated levels, but has not required it. That will change over the next year as the new law’s requirements kick in. 

Californians are largely left in the dark about the safety of their drinking water: Less than 9% of roughly 14,350 public drinking water wells in the state have been tested for PFOA and PFOS. State requirements have focused on areas considered vulnerable to contamination, such as near airports and landfills.

This fall, California expanded its testing orders from roughly 600 to 900 wells, including those within a one-mile radius of previous detections. Some providers also voluntarily test their wells. (The hundreds of thousands of private wells are excluded from testing requirements.)

People can test their own water for the chemicals, but the process is costly and difficult, and only some household filters work. Residents wondering if their water supply has been tested should contact their supplier.

The low rate of testing in California means that the true extent of the contamination — and the cost of cleanup — remains unknown. 

“We have an emerging problem with a lot of our water providers — contamination that is not their fault,” said Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, a Bell Gardens Democrat who wrote the law authorizing state officials to crack down on the chemicals. “So how do we fix that?” 

Higher rates of serious diseases

These “forever chemicals” have been accumulating in water, soil and human bodies since the late 1940s, when 3M Co. developed a revolutionary process to make them, leading to Scotchgard and other products. Soon after, DuPont began using PFOA to make Teflon. 

Prized by industry for their ability to repel water and oil, the chemicals exploded in use worldwide. After the Environmental Protection Agency learned that they were building up in people’s bodies and the environment, 3M agreed in 2000 to begin phasing out PFOS, and DuPont agreed in 2006 to phase out PFOA. 

Nearly everyone in the United States carries PFOA and PFOS in their bodies — even babies, who absorb them during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In California, more than 780 people tested had an average of seven “forever chemicals” in their blood; nearly all had at least one, according to Matt Conens with the state Department of Public Health. 

In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency charged DuPont with illegally hiding evidence about the health risks of PFOA for 20 years. Then the extent of the danger to the public was revealed several years later, after residents of the Ohio Valley sued DuPont. Funded by a $70 million settlement, researchers found higher rates of diseases among people drinking water highly contaminated with PFOA from a DuPont factory in West Virginia.

The research team reported a “probable link” between PFOA and six health conditions: thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol and dangerously high blood pressure in pregnancy. 

The chemicals also can impair the immune system, according to the National Toxicology Program. Children with high levels of PFOA and PFOS in their blood produce lower levels of antibodies after vaccination, which could reduce their ability to fight off infections. 

“Now we’re discovering all these bad things, and in the meantime, the (chemicals) have multiplied and biomagnified in the environment and in human bodies,” said Philippe Grandjean, a Harvard University adjunct professor of environmental health who has studied immune effects of the chemicals. 

Even as water systems struggle to clean up PFOA and PFOS, use of other substances in the massive family of perfluorinated chemicals continues.  Newer chemicals were detected twice as often as the old ones at airports and landfills, according to a water board analysis. 

“The train has already left the station,” Grandjean said. “And we’re just running on the platform, trying to get hold of the handle on the last car.” 

‘Would they take the risk?’

Many Californians are unaware that they’re drinking traces of the chemicals. 

Aracel Fernández, 51, who worked as a farm laborer until she hurt her back, has been living at the Buena Vista Migrant Center near Watsonville for the past 23 seasons.  Her water tastes so unpleasant — like chlorine — that she pays $30 a month for bottled water. 

But she didn’t know that the well providing her drinking water contained levels of PFOA up to 13 parts per trillion, above the state’s new recommended limit of 10 parts per trillion.  

That well remains active, according to Jenny Panetta, executive director at the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County, which operates the center and the well. “We believe the water at Buena Vista is healthy and safe, in compliance with all requirements, and we’re committed to keeping it that way,” Panetta said in an email. 

Now that Fernández knows that the carcinogenic chemical is in her water, she has a question for officials who say the water is safe: Would they drink it, or let their kids and pets drink it?

“¿Se arriesgarían?” Fernández asked — “Would they take the risk?” 

In Pico Rivera, a city east of Los Angeles that is 91% Latino, well water has high concentrations of PFOA. But Frances Esparza, superintendent of the El Rancho Unified School District, didn’t know about the contaminated water at her schools until she read about it in the Whittier Daily News about a year ago. 

“Knowing that was in our water really concerned me,” Esparza said. “All of us are in this situation, and we’re finding out in a local newspaper? That’s not ok.” 

Esparza shut down the schools’ taps and drinking fountains, purchased bottled water and spent nearly $80,000 to install filters on sinks and fountains. 

Scott Bartell, a professor of public health at the University of California Irvine, also didn’t know about the contamination in his home turf of Orange County until he went looking for it. And Bartell knows these chemicals better than most: He helped investigate the health threats in the Ohio Valley and served on a World Health Organization panel reviewing the links between PFOA and cancer.

Bartell is now spearheading the California arm of a nationwide investigation into exposures to the chemicals and associated health risks, including children’s brain development. 

“They build up in the body and they have the potential to be toxic,” Bartell said. And there are a lot of opportunities for people to be exposed to them. “You put all that together, and it is a concern.” 

Treatment costs millions

Some water providers are trying to find millions of dollars to treat or replace their contaminated water.

In Pico Rivera, residents rely 100% on groundwater. All city-operated wells and half of the Pico Water District’s supply exceeded the state’s new recommended levels in at least one round of testing over the past year. 

Some of the wells have up to twice as much PFOA as the state recommends. 

“We were kind of shocked at how high they were,” said Adrian Rodriguez, water supervisor for the city of Pico Rivera.

“We didn’t cause the contamination … someone else did. We don’t know where it came from, or how it got there,” Rodriguez said. “Right now we’re barely getting a handle on it.”

Pico Rivera’s contaminated wells are still providing water. It could take at least a year and nearly $4 million to build just one treatment facility for two wells, and Pico Rivera doesn’t have the money.

“This is a big, big, big impact to our agency to be able to treat the water or install facilities in a very short time,” said Monica Heredia, director of public works.

Anaheim faces a similar plight. Its 19 wells provided about 70% of the water used by 64,000 customers. But after detecting the chemicals, the city shut down 12 of the wells, replaced them with imported water and increased residents’ rates by about $7 per month. 

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, which serves more than a quarter-million people, shut down 17 of its 42 wells. Installing a new $6 million treatment facility that costs $600,000 per year to operate brought three wells serving about 5,000 households back online. But treating all of its contaminated wells will cost about $80 million upfront plus $3 million to $5 million per year, according to spokesperson Kathie Martin. 

It’s the same story across the state. California Water Service has shut down PFAS-tainted wells in Chico, Marysville, Oroville and East Los Angeles, and returned a critical well to service in Visalia with a $1.6 million treatment plant.

Making matters worse, there are still thousands of other perfluorinated chemicals in use today, and treatment installed for some may not be effective for all. 

Funding is scarce

Some providers pay a centralized water district to manage the groundwater — and now those agencies are putting a portion of that money toward cleanup. 

“From an economic standpoint, it makes sense for us to help out our pumpers,” said Rob Beste, assistant general manager of the Water Replenishment District, which has set aside up to $34 million to help its customers pay for treatment. And with groundwater about half the cost of imported water, “it makes sense for the pumpers to treat it and still use groundwater,” he said.

But state funding to help water agencies is scarce in California. “There are many systems applying for funding, and there’s not enough money to go around,” said Daniel Newton, assistant deputy director of the state water board’s Division of Drinking Water.

To cover the costs, water providers across the state have started what legal experts suspect could become a flood of lawsuits. 

The Orange County Water District has lined up seven law firms as it considers suing to recover clean-up costs projected to exceed $1 billion. Already, it has paid $1.4 million to investigate treatment techniques. The district’s legal counsel wouldn’t say which parties a lawsuit would target, but likely defendants include chemical companies. 

Some water agencies already have sued 3M and DuPont, and its various spin-offs. Others are also suing the military, which has used firefighting foam containing the chemicals for decades. 

“It doesn’t matter to us who pays for these as long as our customers don’t have to,” said Kathryn Horning, corporate counsel for California American Water, which is suing chemical manufacturers and the Department of Defense to help pay for a $1.3 million system to clean up a well near the former Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento.

3M spokesperson Sean Lynch said the company “acted responsibly in connection with products containing PFAS and will vigorously defend our record of environmental stewardship.” DuPont, which has undergone corporate reshuffling since making and using PFOA, would only say it was wrongly named in the suit.

Finding a way to pay for treatment will be critical, particularly as more chemicals make their way into Californians’ water. 

“Certainly, in the long run, this (contamination) is going to take a lot more money,” Stanford’s Marcus said. “And a lot more thought.” 

Data analysis and graphics by Youyou Zhou. Rebecca Sohn and Jackie Botts contributed to this report. 

This article was supported by a grant from The Water Desk, an independent journalism initiative based at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism.

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How to Choose the Best RV Water Filtration System

Owning an RV means you get to enjoy one of the best lifestyle options available in our world today. You can manage a travel schedule, enjoy time in nature, or explore at your leisure wherever your wanderlust calls.

Although an RV provides comfortable living quarters and facilities, you must have access to clean water to enjoy the experience. That means an RV water filter is necessary.

The amount of water you must filter typically depends on your current location. Installing a carbon-based filtration system removes the smell and taste of disinfectants used for treatment from municipal sources. You must also sanitize and clean your freshwater tanks periodically to eliminate the risk of stagnation.

If you travel full-time, the second issue may not be as necessary since you empty and fill the tanks repetitively.

In-line RV water filters that work from your kitchen fixture can also provide benefits if you travel part-time with your vehicle. You can also use reverse osmosis, ceramic filters, or ultraviolet light with your filtration system.

Knowing how to choose the best RV water filtration system ensures that you are purchasing products that work with your equipment. This guide takes you through the essential information, comparative processes, and overall options to ensure you can enjoy the RV life.

Do I Even Need to Have an RV Water Filtration System?

Some RV’ers wonder if it is necessary to purchase a water filtration system for their vehicle. If you only travel occasionally and rarely use water, it might seem like a needless expense.

Imagine that you are on an extended camping trip. You come across a lake that is useful as a water source. How can you tell if it is safe to use it for drinking?

If you have no way of testing the water for contaminants, the only purification method available is boiling. That process can eliminate the things that could make you sick in the water, but it wouldn’t improve the flavor.

You would also have all of the sediment remaining in the water to manage that you wouldn’t want to ingest.

It is not uncommon for drinking water supplies to have microbes, pesticides, and other contaminants. Some of it may include potential carcinogens.

Drinking untreated water from your RV is not a safe choice. Even if you load the vehicle with treated water, stagnation issues can still trigger health concerns because of algae and bacteria development.

If you boil water with fluoride, it may increase its concentration levels to create other adverse issues to manage. That’s why your best solution is an RV water filtration system that handles every potential contaminant.

What RV Water Filtration System Do I Need?

Most RVs use a canister system for water filtration. It is a widely-used approach because it is a versatile design. Understanding what unit works for your vehicle depends on your specific needs.

That means it is necessary to know the terminology found on this equipment. Here are the terms you’ll want to know when comparing RV water filtration units.

• Flow Rate. A filtration system impedes the flow of water to clean it. This information indicates how much your preferred filter handles.
• NSF Class. These ratings come from the National Sanitation Foundation, which means they are not available on all products. Class I filter ratings from the NSF are the best at removing chlorine.
• Microns. This measurement is an indication of the size of particle contaminants the filter can remove.
• Materials. Carbon-based filters are quite common. You can also find some manufacturers using a variety of items to create the clean water needed for your RV.

Water filters for RVs are finite products. That means you must consider its per-use and overall lifespan ratings to ensure that you’re getting an excellent deal.

The RV Water Filter Store has a best-selling system that manages sediment at just 0.5 microns, screening out cryptosporidium and giardia while keeping contaminants out of your plumbing system. You connect it with a garden hose or mount it to your vehicle with its included bracket. It offers a flow rate of up to four gallons per minute at 60 PSI, requiring replacement about twice per year.

You can find the refill kit here if you already use this RV water filter for your vehicle.

When you choose a water filter cartridge with an NSF rating, you need to know that nothing comes with a complete 100% guarantee of absolute chlorine removal.

If a product receives a Class I designation, it has the capacity to remove between 75% to 100% of the chlorine found in the water. Class II products eliminate 50% to 75% of what it contains, while Class III items get rid of less than 50%.

What Types of RV Filters Are Available Today?

You can find several RV water filter options for your vehicle. Each of them has specific advantages worth considering.

All of them process the water that goes into your RV.

In-line filters tend to be the most popular option for part-time travel. It is an entry-level product that attaches to a hose by screwing it on.

Standard canisters are another popular choice because the filters are customizable to your specific water issues. If you travel full-time, a jumbo model is a better choice since it requires fewer cartridge changes.

Each system comes with one, two, or three canisters.

If you chose a one-canister RV water filtration system, the product can improve taste, remove odor, and catch some of the sediment in your plumbing systems.

A two-canister RV water filter does a better job of removing sediment without compromising the odor or taste of the fluid. This design does an excellent job of reducing cysts, pesticides, lead, and some heavy metals that might be present. It also works well as a pre-filter for UV or reverse osmosis systems.

When you frequently travel to hard-water locations, a three-filter system for your RV may be worth considering. Although it is overkill for anything but full-time travel, it can protect your plumbing systems from costly maintenance.

My RV Came with a Filtration Unit – Why Do I Need a New One?

Many RVs come with a built-in unit that works to remove sediment and improve quality through carbon filtration. These products are compact and practical, but they do not last forever. If you spend a couple of weeks traveling and use your water a lot, the standard product may require a replacement.

You will notice a significant decrease in the quality of the water available while in your RV once the built-in unit wears out.

Comparing these units to ones from the RV Water Filter Store shows the differences you can experience immediately. Entry-level and built-in products often use carbon powder paper to filter the water instead of using a dedicated filtration design. This option makes the product easy to service and inexpensive to use, but the results are also less than favorable after the first few uses.

If you pour a glass of water that looks cloudy or smells bad, you have an RV water filter problem to solve. Most issues get resolved by swapping out a used model for a new one.

What Water Purification System Do I Need?

Drinking clean water may not be satisfactory for some that follow the RV lifestyle. Having access to pure water is a priority for some individuals and families.

It may not be a personal preference. Several health issues require access to water free from impurities, chemical traces, and specific minerals that might be in the fluid.

Small contaminants under 0.5 or 0.2 microns, depending on the filter specifications, can also get through the filtration process.

You still have options at this point to protect your health and purify your water. Two systems get installed on RVs each year to meet this need: ultraviolet light and reverse osmosis.

Ultraviolet Light RV Water Treatment

An ultraviolet light RV water treatment system targets water-borne diseases that could make you sick while traveling. Exposing water to this light renders the organic contaminants sterile, preventing them from replicating if they enter your body. It often kills them because of the exposure.

You would use a UV water filtration system for RVs after the initial canister carbon filtration as a way to sterilize the water. These systems are affordable and simple to use without impacting the flow rate you receive.

Most systems place the water in a tube with a UV light. Longer exposures provide a better sterilization process. Most products in this category have a rating that allows for a full year of continuous use – up to 9,000 service hours.

Reverse Osmosis RV Water Treatment

Reverse osmosis filtration takes almost all contaminants from your water supply. It also removes the minerals and salts to create the closest thing to purity possible using RV-based technology.

It incorporates a semi-permeable membrane that transfers the water from one side of it to the other. The good news is that it takes no energy to work because the process is natural.

The bad news is that it can create a significant amount of water waste to manage. About 30% of what goes through the system is usable.

Highly-rated systems in this category can remove 98% of the contaminants in the water. When you include a pre-filtration step for your RV, that figure can get boosted significantly. If you have issues with sediment, this system can help you to remove it.

You get delicious drinking water, and ice cubes that are clear as crystal. Since it follows natural processes, it is affordable to operate. All you need to manage is the initial expense of the product and its installation.

Reverse osmosis systems typically require 40 PSI to operate at a minimum. Higher pressure levels can help you to purify more water faster, and it helps the membrane last longer at higher speeds. The brine you have as a leftover can typically go down the drain, water plants, or similar activities.

Cost of a High-Quality Water Filter

It doesn’t take much effort to see how much an RV water filter system costs. A simple online search produces several sponsored options to consider. You can see a range of pricing from $275 to almost $2,000.

When you choose the ESSENTIAL Whole RV Water Filter System, you pay $149.95 instead.

The size of your water tank on your RV can help you to determine if the value proposition is worthwhile. Most Class C RVs hold between 35 to 60 gallons, while Class Bs hold about 20 to 40 gallons.

If you have a Class A RV, it might hold up to 100 gallons. Fifth-wheel options typically have 80 gallons or less of capacity.

When the RV filtration unit operates at 4 GPM, you could fill an 80-gallon tank in just 20 minutes.

How Often Do You Clean Your RV Water Tank?

A 2013 study looking at the possibility of RV water tanks spreading Legionella infections found some disturbing information about owners. 20% of the tested water samples came back as positive for several different subgroups.

No specific RV models were connected to the likelihood of a culture coming back with a positive result. It was the behavior of the owners while maintaining their equipment that was the most significant precursor of an issue.

You should winterize your RV each year by draining your water tank. Researchers found in ownership surveys that only 45% of those following this lifestyle went through with this chore – with only one person in the entire project saying that they used chlorine to disinfect it.

Just 60% of RVs have their water tank cleaned within the last year. Most owners flush or drain them to complete this service instead.

If you put filtered water into an unclean tank, your RV will not provide you with a healthy resource to use. It is up to you to sanitize it so that when you use a product like the ESSENTIAL Whole RV Water Filter System, the end result meets or exceeds your expectations.

Natural Ways to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank

The most advanced water filtration systems can improve the flavor and odor of what you receive, but they cannot solve stagnation issues. If you don’t use your RV often, it may be necessary to sanitize your water tank before traveling.

One of the most popular ways to sanitize the water tank is to use white vinegar. What some owners don’t realize is that you must heat the vinegar so that it can kill the bacteria trying to form there. Applying this treatment method at room temperature will not produce results.

If you use baking soda, it will not create a safer water supply. Even ten minutes of exposure at any temperature does not provide an effective sanitizing effect.

Some people do not like to use white distilled vinegar because of the odor that lingers. Using water after treatment can produce a slight flavor issue that can also be bothersome. Consider using a 3% hydrogen peroxide mixture to create the desired effect instead. It only requires one minute of exposure when heated to kill listeria monocytogenes, e.coli, and salmonella. It can also kill the latter two with ten minutes of exposure at room temperature.

The fastest way to sanitize your RV water tank is to use chlorine bleach.

A full overview of this process and its requirements is available through the research extension of Colorado State University.

How to Boost the Freshwater Tank Capacity of Your RV

Does it seem like your freshwater tank capacity is too small to meet your traveling needs? If conservation tips aren’t doing enough to keep your RV from running dry, one easy way to get more fresh water into your tank is to modify your system to fill the tank from collapsible jugs or a portable container.

Remember to keep a hose that is only for your freshwater systems. You don’t want to switch using your septic one or what you use to wash your RV as this action increases the risk of contamination.

Then attach the fresh water hose to the appropriate intake valve. Some RV models have it labeled as City Water. The other end goes to the water spigot. Then you may have a lever that you can pull to fill the tank or bypass it if you have a full-service connection.

Here is where the ESSENTIAL Whole RV Water Filter System becomes useful. When you connect the hose from the source to it, you can also connect a second one from the filter to the tank. This process ensures that you have clean water to use while traveling.

It is essential to remember that tank indicators can be inaccurate. Instead of overfilling your reserves, do a visual check to see how much water is available when possible.

You may not want to do a complete fill of your tank. A gallon of water weighs over eight pounds, which means 100 gallons of storage contribute 800 pounds that you must haul while traveling. Your rig can consume a lot of fuel, managing that much weight!

Planning ahead can let you have enough fresh water available for cooking, drinking, and using the bathroom.

Carbon Block vs. Granular Carbon RV Water Filters

Water purification efforts involving carbon granules have taken place for centuries. This process is one of the first ways that we began to create fresh water to consume, use for bathing, and other everyday needs.

As the fluid trickles over the granules, the contaminants in the water get “caught” without disrupting the overall flow. Once filtration technologies developed, we used this process to create safer water supplies for RVs, homes, and more.

A new approach to RV water filtration is changing how we can access freshwater supplies when traveling. Instead of using granules, a solid-block filter using a modified carbon product built from fibers works to purify the liquid.

The water creates flow channels within the activated carbon to remove microbes and cysts. It also handles VOCs, pesticides, and chlorine effectively.

Although this option is more expensive than granular designs, most RV enthusiasts who use this system believe it is worth the investment.

The Hidden Danger of Brass in RV Water Filters

Did you know that several sources of lead that could be lurking in your RV? Anything that contains brass and was manufactured before 2014 could have up to 8% lead content.

Because lead and brass create a softer alloy that makes it more machinable, even high-quality products would often contain at least 2% content. It is only in the past few years where the highest content permitted is 0.25%, or 32 times less than what was considered acceptable in the past.

When you shop for an essential RV water filter system, look for products that contain lead-free brass. Even a small exposure incident can create health issues. The best units can reduce lead instead while providing all of the other filtration benefits you’d expect from a top product.

When to Change the Filters in Your RV System

If you haven’t changed the filter in your RV in some time, you might wonder if it is necessary to go through the replacement process today.

You might also wonder how long you can go between filter changes.

Once you purchase an RV filtration system, the ongoing freshwater benefits stay available when you buy replacement filters after the original units wear out.

If your water tastes fresh, that does not mean it actually is safe to drink. Several contaminants that you can find in your RV’s water supply are odorless and tasteless.

As a general rule, most products require a replacement after six months – no matter how often you used the filter. Larger families may experience a window that falls in a 3- to 6-month time frame. Frequent users may want to swap them out even sooner.

If it has been more than a year since the last filter change for your RV, you likely need to change it out with a new one. When it has been even longer than 12 months since the last replacement, it is not filter watered you are drinking – it is something else entirely.

Benefits of Choosing the Essential Whole RV Water Filter System

When choosing the ESSENTIAL Whole RV Water Filter System from the RV Water Filter Store, you receive a product that removes sediment, chlorine, and odor issues as its primary function. It can also reduce the amount of lead through 2,000 gallons, provide a 99.95% reduction of giardia and cryptosporidium cysts, and eliminate chlorine flavors and odors.

The entire cartridge goes through an FDA-compliant manufacturing process, making it an exceptional product for a wide range of RVs.

When the dual system with fittings gets installed, it only contributes ten pounds to the RV. That means you don’t need to worry about long-term fuel expenses because you want to drink clean water. If you use the product while filling up the RV, you can avoid this issue without compromising on the fresh water received.

This recipe leads to an outcome where you get to drink clean, healthy water that doesn’t have a weak aftertaste. If your RV’s water is cloudy, smells terrible, or has particles floating in it, now is the perfect time to consider a filtration system.

You can choose to mount one, use it as a portable system, or install one at the faucet based on your usage patterns. That way, you’ll always have confidence in the quality of the water you drink.

Check out some of our reviews at Best RV Water Filter or Tiny House Water Filters

RVExpertise.com rates us #1 Overall as the Best RV Water Filtration System