If you want to start RV Living Full-Time, you need to do a little research. You can find the answers you need in Facebook groups, YouTube videos, chatting with other RVers, attending RV Rallies, and books. We have searched and found some great books that can help you get started -whether you are single, a couple, or a family with kids, these books will give you practical tips and the inspiration you need to hit the road.
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I’m recommending these books based on my trust for the individuals that wrote them or the fact that I have read them myself. This is why the list is so short! There are plenty of other books out there, but not knowing the authors or read them, I could not add them to the list.
Ready to find out which books made the list?
Here we go!
Rather Watch?
A Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV
Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America
This book is by Alyssa Padgett. She has been RVing with her husband Heath for more than 3 years. When they started they really didn’t know what they were getting themselves into and learned along the way while making plenty of mistakes. In this book, she shares RV living tips that will help you avoid these mistakes.
Alyssa specifically covers the following topics:
- Internet on the road
- Costs of full-time RVing
- Towing a car behind your RV
- Health insurance while traveling
- RVing clubs and memberships
- Apps for RVers
Why I’m recommending the book
Alyssa has successfully, and happily, made a life on the road with her husband. Together they visited all 50 states as newlyweds while creating the documentary Hourly America. They have an annual summit for RV Entrepreneurs where they gather hundreds of RVers for 4 days of intense workshops, presentations, and networking to help RVers and future RVers figure out how to make money on the road. Let’s not forget their podcast, The RV Entrepreneur Podcast, that is all about RVing as an entrepreneur and how to be a successful digital nomad. If you want to know how to avoid RV newbie pitfalls, this is the book to read.
Buy the book: https://amzn.to/2n8z8zJ
Take Risks: One Couple’s Journey to Quit Their Jobs and Hit the Open Road
Written by Joe Russo, this book takes you through how Joe and Kait quit their stressful and high paying jobs and started their full-time RV life. Since leaving their corporate jobs, Joe and Kait have been traveling and working throughout the United States and Canada while making a living since 2015.
Why I’m recommending the book:
Everyone needs some inspiration and to see others succeeding in the life and here is one couple doing just that. Joe details their experience of purchasing their motorhome. They didn’t take the decision lightly and detail their experience. It’s so important to know what to look out for and what to expect when purchasing an RV, especially if you have never done it yourself.
Buy the book: https://amzn.to/2nAHPDg
Joe has published a follow-up book!! It starts right when the first book left off. You can check it out here.
Full-Time RV Finance
Sean and Julie Chickery of Chickery’s Travels share their experience with RV finance in this book. They have been on the road for more than 3 years.
They include information on how to:
- Save money to purchase your RV
- Create a full-time travel budget
- Make money while on the road
- Save money and minimize costs while traveling full-time
Why I’m recommending the book:
The Chickery’s have been able to successfully pay off $91,000 of debt in 12 months while RVing full-time. They know what they are doing and share practical tips and information to help you also manage your money while on the road.
Buy the book: https://amzn.to/2vLZzjB
How to Hit the Road
Making Your Family’s Full-Time RV Dreams a Reality
Kimberly Travaglino, the author of the book and founder of Fulltime Families, shares her own experience and knowledge of planning RV life with a family (and four kids in her case).
She covers topics such as:
- What to bring
- Best RVs for families
- Supporting a family on the road
The enhanced edition also includes:
- downloadable budget worksheets
- packing lists
- free lifetime e-updates
Why I am recommending the book:
Kimberly was able to successfully RV with her entire family…hubby and four kids. You don’t do that for years and not learn a thing or two. In this book, she shares what she learned. She also takes into consideration that there are children involved, and offers information on how to make decisions that are based on more than two people consciously deciding to leave their old life behind.
Buy the book: https://amzn.to/2vgrFDg
Must Have Been Another Earthquake, Kids
This book was written by Jason Robillard. He and his wife had this crazy idea to RV full-time…with their kids. He shares the good, the bad, and the shocking in this book.
Why I recommend this book:
This book actually helped Robert and I make the decision to RV with the kids. It was one of two books that we read before we hit the road. It is entertaining and very real. When I finished reading the book, I was actually a little nervous to hand it to Robert because it was not all about the amazing campfires they had, but it was about the day they ran out propane, about having sex in a tiny space with kids nearby, it was about some of the hard and rough times that sometimes accompany the life. No book can ever cover everything, but let me just tell you that this book really prepared us for what living on the road was really like.
Buy the book: https://amzn.to/2ncxtsV
Bonus Book
Ok, I know I said five books, but maybe after reading a bunch of inspirational, yet practical books, maybe you just need a good laugh about RVing and about the life.
So lastly, I am recommending Tales From the Black Tank
This is a compilation of humorous short stories about the realities of RVing written by full-time RVers (including us!!). This hilarious book is the brainchild of funny and quirky Liz Wilcox.
Buy the book: https://gumroad.com/a/557233267
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think of this list to help you start RV Living Full-Time?
Are there any that you would add?
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Thanks for the mention guys! :)
Of course!! :)
Woohoo! I (barely) made the list! haha
I will have to check out that earthquake book. I’ve never heard of it!!!
Ha ha Liz!! I always want to include your book!! It made the list because it is so good!!!
Super informative. Thanks for the info.
I absolutely love Alyssa’s book. Have read it many times in preparation to full time and her husbands blog helped inspire me to start my business. Its the perfect book for millennials wanting to hit the open road!
Hey Danielle! Thanks for sharing about the book! I’m excited about your future RV life!!