Full-Time RV Living: A Complete Guide to Deciding if It’s Right for You

We’re thrilled to announce the release of our first book: Deciding to Launch — A practical guide for choosing and preparing for a full-time RV lifestyle.

Are you dreaming of life on the open road but wondering if full-time RV living is really for you? Is someone you care about contemplating an RV lifestyle? This is the book to help guide making that important decision.

Inside, you’ll discover:
✅ Honest insights into the freedoms and challenges of RV life
✅ Real-world budgeting tools and self-assessments
✅ Practical advice on healthcare, mail, insurance, and staying connected
✅ Tips for downsizing, choosing your rig, and building a supportive community

Whether you’re just curious or ready to hit the road, this compact guide will help you make an informed, confident decision.

Ready to see if life on wheels is your road to freedom?
👉 Grab your copy of Deciding to Launch today in Amazon Books!

Book titled 'Deciding to Launch' by Donelle and James Hintermeister with a rural road and landscape in the background with the orange and yellow colors of the sunrise in the top half of the book cover.

Team Hinty started as a way for us to share James’ love and Donelle’s apprehension of mountain biking with others. As our life took an intentional turn, we realized that Team Hinty was so much more. Sitting on the couch in our basement we asked each other if the life we had built is the direction we want to continue to grow. The answer was “not anymore”.

Please join us on this journey of simplifying, discovery, travel, and insights through our blog , and Facebook posts. There are sure to be lots of highlights and hopefully not too many lowlights in the weeks and months to come as we explore this next season of life, on the road, together.

James and Donelle smiling, taking a selfie in front of a Joshua Tree on a bright day with puffy white clouds.

Welcome to the Team!

Join us in a new group on Facebook called: Considering Full-Time RV Life?- Start Here.

This group is designed to bring together those exploring the idea of going full time in an RV with those who are already living the lifestyle. The hope is that the full-timers will constructively, honestly, and kindly answer questions of those that are exploring the idea of this lifestyle. There are plenty of groups on Facebook about fixing things, storage solutions, and where to stay. This group is more about helping others decide if the lifestyle is right for them.

FAQ- For Full-Time RV Life

  • This is a big question! So big that we actually wrote a guide- Deciding to Launch- Hintermeister (Amazon) to help people decide if full-time RV life is right for them. There are lots to consider when deciding on this lifestyle- your expectations, budget, how you want to travel, and if you enjoy living simply to name a few. To help you start your research, check out our Deciding to Launch page. Here you will find resources, a quiz, and a tool kit that will help.

  • Deciding to Launch into full-time RV life can be overwhelming. Starting with these three questions can help you narrow down the variables of your potential journey.

    1. Why do I want to live in an RV full-time?
      (Clarify whether it’s for travel and adventure, downsizing and simplifying, financial reasons, or flexibility in lifestyle.)

    2. What type of RV best fits my lifestyle and budget?
      (Fifth wheel, motorhome, travel trailer, van—each has trade-offs in space, mobility, cost, and comfort.)

    3. How will I support myself and manage day-to-day logistics on the road?
      (Income, mail forwarding, healthcare, internet, and where you’ll stay most often—campgrounds, boondocking, or RV parks.)

  • Depending how you travel, there are lots of options for getting your mail and packages.

    • Your campground may allow you to get your mail and/or packages there.

    • You can use services like a PO box if you stay near a town.

    • Family or friends can be a good option to have your mail delivered there.

    • Mail forwarding services that specialize in RVers or Expats are throughout the US- however mostly in Florida, Texas, and South Dakota as they are very RV friendly states.

    • Amazon lockers are increasingly popular.

    • Pack and Ship stores offer mail and package services too.

  • This is a tough one as it has so many variables such as how much you move around, what your current expenses are, what type and year of your RV etc. Consider keeping a detailed budget in your current living situation. That will make it easier for you to compare. In our book, Deciding to Launch-Hintermeister (Amazon), we share a detailed budget from a year on the road and expenses we ran into. For us, it is cheaper to live on the road (so far) than our sticks and bricks. That being said, we also are not building any equity because we sold our home.

  • We use a mix of RV apps (RV life, Campspot, Campendium, RV Overnight and Hipcamp), campground memberships (Thousand Trails and Harvest Hosts), and online reviews to plan our stays. Options range from national and state parks to RV resorts, boondocking sites, and overnight-friendly retailers. Safety, location, and amenities usually guide our choice.

  • We rely on mobile hotspots, cell boosters, and campground Wi-Fi (when available). You also get use to going into town or sitting on top of a hill to get reception. Many RVers also carry plans with multiple carriers to ensure coverage in more remote areas. It really depends on how and where you are going to camp as well as your need for internet. The most common internet helper we see in campgrounds is Starlink- especially for those who depend on the internet. This has a monthly fee and works great if you have an open path to the sky (no trees).