Choosing the right RV is very tricky because what works for some won’t work for others. We’ve also learned that your needs can change over time.
We actually created a video that talks about the different types of RVs and selecting the right RV for your needs. You can check it out our RV Newbie buying guide here:
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: What’s the best RV to buy?
We made some pretty ridiculous RV Buying mistakes. We were first time RV buyers that didn’t have a clue. A major mistake we made was not doing enough research on the RV dealer. But we also made poor financing choices. Please watch this before you buy an RV because- Unfortunately we have a lot of experience with making mistakes when buying an RV.
Check out our Buying Mistakes video here:
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: What mistakes should I avoid when buying an RV?
When shopping for an RV, we would highly recommend that you look into the RV dealership’s service department reviews. Look at current reviews and look to see if the dealership helps customers post sale! We’re noticing that sometimes the smaller dealerships have better service records.
Next, make sure you make the dealerships work for your business. Shop multiple dealerships and don’t just buy on price. Most importantly, always trust your gut.
Unfortunately, we have experience with choosing the wrong RV Dealer. In this video, we describe what to look for in an RV Dealership.
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: Where should I buy my RV?
There are a ton of ways to get a good deal on buying an RV!
Purchasing our first RV was a huge learning experience. There are some things we did right and some things we messed up on. Here are RV buying tips (the things we did right) when buying our first RV.
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: How do I save money when buying an RV?
There are tons of considerations that come to mind when choosing between a new or a used RV. You have to decide what’s best for you, your needs, and your budget.
We chose to buy new because RV’s, (unlike homes) come with furniture and we were concerned about fabric smells.
That being said, some say that used RV’s are better because the “bugs” have been fixed. Another reason why people tend to choose used RV’s over new ones is because the first owner of an RV takes on the brunt of the depreciation! Remember that RV’s are depreciating assets. Unlike homes, their values decline over time!
No matter whether you decide to buy a new RV or a used RV, make sure you take your time, do your research, and consider getting an RV inspection!
We actually created a video that talks about the downsides of the hot RV Market, and how it’s impacting new and used RV sales. We’ll link to that video here:
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: Should I buy a new or used RV?
Please don’t make the same mistakes that we did when selecting an Insurance provider for your RV! Our RV insurance would deny our claims! We made a video detailing the reasons here:
You see, the first mistake we made was that shopped for RV insurance on price. The next mistake we made is that we didn’t have full time RV insurance coverage! Even having a Youtube Channel was a problem when it comes to our RV Insurance. All of our RV Insurance Claims would have been denied because we had horrible insurance!
So if you’re shopping for RV insurance, the only provider we recommend with Integrity is: https://bit.ly/RVOCInsurance
You can also call their RV Hotline: (704) 887-5513
Or you can Email: rvins@charlotteinsurance.com
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: What RV Insurance do you use?
There are pros and cons to each type of RV. We chose a towable RV as our first RV but now we’re interested in a motorhome. Towables are RV’s that require another vehicle to be transported. Motorhomes include an engine and are essentially drivable RVs.
So we created a video that covers important questions when picking the right RV. If you’re debating between buying a towable RV or a Motorhome, check out our RV Newbie buying guide here
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: Should I choose a towable or a motorhome RV?
Choosing the right RV for a family is very tricky because what works for some won’t work for others. But RVing strengthens the family unity because everyone is together.
Ultimately, the best RV for families is the RV that you’ll actually use! But when it comes to kids, bunks are your friend! We’ve actually toured RV’s with bunks. We’ll link to our favorite here:
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: What’s the best RV for a family?
When we first purchased our RV we bought all the warranties that we were offered. (tire protection, roadside, paint protection, etc.)
Looking back this was a huge mistake because we financed 2 year, 5 year, and 7 year RV warranties into our 20 year loan. That means we’re paying interest on these warranties, for 20 years even if the RV warranty has expired!
When it came time to finally use our warranty, they nickeled and dime’d us on what they would and wouldn’t cover. We were horrified and quickly canceled!
So we made a video on the subject. We describe what we’ve learned about RV warranties years later. It’s fittingly entitled, “Rat Bastards” and it explains why we are not advocates of RV warranties.
Whatever you decide to do in terms of your RV warranty, please make sure that you read the fine print and do your research!
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: Did you get an extended warranty for your RV when you bought your RV?
Ultimately the sooner you cancel your RV warranties, the more money you will be refunded. And after a while, depending on the RV warranty’s fine print, you may no longer be eligible for a refund.
Now, just because we don’t believe in RV Warranties, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get one. It’s your job to do the research and read the fine print!
Here’s what happened:
We decided to cancel our RV warranties because when we finally needed them, they nickeled and dimed us.
We first called the “RV warranty companies” directly but they told us to call the finance department of the dealership. Then the finance department at the RV dealership emailed us paperwork to complete.
I took down the finance guy’s email to periodically check in. Our finance company (for the RV Loan) received random deposits and to this day, I still don’t know what was refunded because my multiple requests were never answered.
Here is our experience with RV Warranties:
Category: Buying the Right RV
Direct Link: How do I get a refund on my RV Warranty?
Picking the Best truck to tow an RV for full time RVers is no easy task. After test driving and researching Ford, Dodge, and GMC, One-Ton Heavy-Duty Trucks, we picked the GMC 3500 Denali because we have had a great experience with our vehicle and it’s been perfect for full-time RVing.
We explain the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Pin Weight, Hitch weight, Max Trailer Weight, Towing Capacity, Combined Cargo Weight, and Vehicle Trailer Cargo Carrying Capacity in an easy to understand way in this video here:
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: What’s the best truck to tow an RV?
While there are tons of ways to save money RVing, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to picking your 5th wheel hitch.
We trust the Companion hitch for our fifth wheel. We chose Companion because it’s lightweight and works great. It’s easily removed and in the last 2 years we’ve had no issues.
The Companion hitch system is not cheap! We got ours in 2018 and the parts alone cost us about $1000. This does not include installation.
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: What hitch do you use for your fifth wheel?
We monitor our Truck tires with a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system). One of our only complaints about our 2018 GMC Denali HD is that the truck doesn’t come with a TPMS standard. You would think that a dually worth over $70K would have a tpms standard!
The only TPMS that we trust is the TST 507 tire pressure monitoring system. We use our TST to monitor the tires of all our vehicles (Fifth wheel RV, Truck, Class C RV, and Jeep tires) We trust the TST TPMS system because it monitors multiple vehicles on the same system!
Get 15% Off the Best TST TPMS By using Code “RVOC15”
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: How do you monitor your truck tires?
We chose the GMC Sierra 3500 to tow our fifth wheel RV Full-time. The 3500 GMC Sierra has an Allison 1000 Transmission, 445 Horsepower, 910 Torque, 3.73 Axle Ratio, and a Duramax 6.6 Turbo Diesel V-8 Engine.
We created a video that explains technical terms such as the GVWR, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Pin Weight, Hitch weight, Max Trailer Weight, Fifth-Wheel Hitching, Towing Capacity, Vehicle Payload, Combined Cargo Weight, and Vehicle Trailer Cargo Carrying Capacity in an easy to understand way. You can check that out here:
In this video, we compare the pros and cons to the Ford Super Duty F-350, Dodge Ram 3500, and the GMC Sierra Denali HD 3500. Despite the pros and cons of each tow truck, the reviews on the GMC made it an easy decision.
We share about how they picked their tow vehicle and how their truck drives with the RV and unhitched. We describe the smoothness of the ride when they are not attached to the RV, and honestly share what they hope GMC improves upon.
Disclaimer: You are responsible for researching, understanding, and staying within your vehicle weight restrictions. We are not endorsing the GMC 3500 Denali. We are sharing our experience.
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: What kind of truck did you choose to pull an RV?
We had to get a quality cover for the bed of our truck. We chose the Tyger Auto T3 Soft Tri-Fold Truck Tonneau Cover for the bed of our 2018 GMC. We’ve been using the Tyger Soft Truck Tonneau cover for almost 3 years now and it’s worked well. We’ve had zero issues!
We chose a soft cover truck bed cover for two reasons. First, the soft truck bed cover weighs less. Remember, keeping weight down while RVing is very important for safety! The second reason we selected the soft cover for our truckbed is that the tri-fold design doesn’t take up too much space. The hard covers can take up a lot of space in the bed of the truck.
You can get the right sized truck cover for your truck bed by selecting the make and model of your truck on our Amazon link here: https://amzn.to/36wjrtF
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: What kind of truck bed cover do you use on your truck?
Monitoring your RV tires is non negotiable when RVing. Everything is literally resting on your tires!
We monitor our RV tires with a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system). When we first started RVing we used the Tireminder A1A.
But after our first year, we decided to use the TST 507 tire pressure monitoring system. We trust the TST TPMS system because it’s a trucking system, they offer multiple sensor options, installation, and the ease of programing.
Get 15% Off the Best TST TPMS By using Code “RVOC15”
Category: Best Truck to Tow an RV
Direct Link: How do you monitor your RV tires?
As a Full time RVer, campground memberships save you a lot of money! But some RV Membership clubs are expensive, while others aren’t worth the discount.
We reviewed 5 different RV park memberships and discussed their pros and cons. We created a video that discusses the RV campground membership options. Check out that video here:
Be sure to take advantage of our discounts and talk to our trusted sources about these campground memberships.
💵 Save 50% on Camping: Passport America https://bit.ly/PassportAmericaRVOC
👍 Escapees: https://bit.ly/EscapeesRVOC
If you’re interested in a Thousand Trails membership, these are the only people we trust. If you go through anyone else, you’re on your own. Check out our trusted Membership specialists below:
🌲 Resale Thousand Trails Membership: Kim 1-800-272-0401 or
kimberly@membershipoutlet.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
🌲 Thousand Trails: Jim & Brandy 770-622-4188 or
brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: How do you save money on camping?
Passport America is awesome because it’s 50% off camping and less than $50 per year. Passport America pays for itself in 2 days! But, you have to read the fine print…
Every park is different. Sometimes the park will only allow you to use the discount for a few nights. So you have to read the fine print. We use P.A. for stops between major destinations.
If you have any questions on P.A., we made a video and a detailed blog article on it here:
💵 If you buy a P.A. membership using our link we make a small commission but it doesn’t cost you any more. https://bit.ly/PassportAmericaRVOC
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Why do you recommend Passport America?
Depending on your situation Thousand Trails can save you a ton of money RVing. But it depends… You have to use it!
With Thousand Trails we were able to get our camping costs down to about $10 per month! If you’re a full time RVer, a Thousand Trails membership is a no brainer! The more you use it the more you save.
Now, Thousand Trails memberships are a little confusing. So we’ve created a blog article and a video that explain them in greater detail.
But it’s really important that you talk to the right people about a Thousand Trails membership. If you go through anyone else, you’re on your own! We’ll link to the only people we trust below:
🌲 Thousand Trails Resale Membership: Kim 1-800-272-0401 or
kimberly@membershipoutlet.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
🌲 Thousand Trails New Memberships: Jim & Brandy 770-622-4188 or
brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Why do you recommend Thousand Trails?
If you’re on the fence about investing in a Thousand Trails Campground membership, we recommend trying out a Zone Pass.
While Zone passes have more limits on the nights that you can stay, and you can only book reservations 60 days in advance, they offer you an opportunity to test out the Thousand Trails system without investing thousands of dollars!
The only people that we recommend are Jim and Brandy Reneau. They are RVers that work directly for TT. We recommend them because they are RVers themselves, they’ve actually stayed in the parks, and they can get you the best price.
🌲 Thousand Trails New Memberships: Jim & Brandy 770-622-4188 or
brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
If you get your Zone pass through anyone other than Jim and Brandy, you’re on your own!
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Should I get a Zone Pass or an Upgraded Thousand Trails Membership?
Deciding on the right Thousand Trails membership can be confusing. There are so many options. Now we decided to get a new membership, but the bottom line is: What is your budget?
It pains us to admit this, but after using Thousand Trails for years, looking back at how we use our Thousand Trails membership. we probably should have opted with a resale membership. And if you can buy your Thousand Trails membership for cash, you might consider a resale. Resale memberships, (sometimes we call them “used”) are half the cost of a new memberships but you usually cannot resell them again later.
New memberships cost about twice as much as resell, but you can sell them and get half of your money back. So in the end it’s kinda a wash!
But getting a used (or resale) membership is confusing. So the only resale company that works directly with Thousand Trails is Campground Membership Outlet. Contact Kim or Chad by phone 1-800-272-0401 or email them at kimberly@membershipoutlet.com and mention RVOdd Couple for the best deal! (again, they actually RV!) .
Now New memberships have their perks too! TT will throw in bonuses and you can finance your Thousand Trails membership if you go directy through 1000 trails. But again, you need to make sure you talk to the right people to avoid additional fees. If you are looking to finance call Jim & Brandy, they work for TT. We only trust and recommend Jim and Brandy Reneau by phone 770-622-4188 or email them at brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com and mention RVOdd Couple. (They are actually RVers that stay in the park)
We actually made a video that details whether we should get a new or resale TT membership based on what we know now. You can link to that here:
Again, here are our trusted resources. If you get your Thousand Trails membership anywhere else, you’re on your own!
🌲 Thousand Trails Resale Membership: Kim 1-800-272-0401 or
kimberly@membershipoutlet.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
🌲 Thousand Trails New Memberships: Jim & Brandy 770-622-4188 or
brandy_reneau@equitylifestyle.com (Plz mention RV Odd Couple)
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Should I get a “new” or a “used” (resale) Thousand Trails membership?
It’s really important that you resell your Thousand Trails membership with someone who understands each membership type.
If you’re looking to sell your Thousand Trails Membership, the only people we recommend are Campground Membership Outlet. They work directly with Thousand Trails and will get you the best market value for your membership.
Here’s their contact info. Let them know the RV Odd Couple sent you!
Melissa Chick
campresale@aol.com
800-272-0401
Melissa at Campground Membership Outlet oversees all listings and handles all of the sellers for RV park memberships.
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Who do I contact if I want to sell my Thousand Trails Membership?
Do you recommend an Escapees membership? We joined Escapees for community and due to the lobbying for RVer rights. But Escapees is a full service RV resource. They offer discounts, mail services and practical advice. Find out more here:
👍 Escapees: https://bit.ly/EscapeesRVOC
Category: Discounts and Savings with RV Memberships
Direct Link: Do you recommend an Escapees membership?
Of all the RV gadgets on the market, it’s hard to figure out what you really need. There’s a big difference between creature comforts and necessities!
So we created a video that discusses our top Day-One-RV Essentials are must haves for full time and part time RVing. You can check out that video here:
And don’t forget to take advantage of our exclusive discount codes: Check out the links and coupons below:
⒈ RV Tire Pressure Monitoring System
15% Off the Best TPMS Use Code RVOC15 https://bit.ly/TSTTPMS
⒉ RV AC w/ Low Power Solution
Soft Start: https://www.SoftStartUSA.com/rvoddcouple
⒊ Furrion RV Backup Camera:
https://bit.ly/FurrionRVOC
⒋ RV Surge Protector
10% use Off Code “rvoddcouple10” https://www.hughesautoformers.com
⒌ RV Water Filter Solution:
10% Off Clearsource Use Code “RVOC” https://bit.ly/Clearsource
5% Off Berkey use Code “RVOC” https://bit.ly/RVOCBerkey
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What RV products do I need for my first RV trip?
Monitoring your Tires when RVing is crucial for safety. We monitor our RV tires with a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system), specifically, the TST 507.
When we first started RVing we used the Tireminder A1A. But after our first year, we decided to use the TST 507 tire pressure monitoring system. We trust the TST TPMS system because it’s a trucking system, they offer multiple sensor options, installation, and the ease of programing.
For more information on our Tireminder vs. TST comparison, be sure to check out our video here:
Make sure you take advantage of exclusive discount and get 15% Off the Best TST TPMS By using Code “RVOC15”
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: How do you monitor your RV tires?
One of the biggest challenges that John had when preparing to RV was picking the right tools. He wanted to make sure he had everything that he needed in case we ran into trouble.
Deciding which tools to bring was tricky because tools are heavy but you may not be near a store when something breaks down.
We made a video & blog article where John shares all of the tools he brought with him. It’s pretty funny! We’ll link to it here:
We got so many requests for his list of tools that we decided to make a blog article of it. This way we can update the list as we find newer and better tools. You can read that article here.
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What Tools do I need to take with me when I RV?
Summer in an RV get’s hot fast! And if you don’t have enough power to run your RV AC, RVing in the summer feels like roasting in an oven! If you’re going to RV full time, or go boon docking, prepping your RV AC for low power situations is a must!
We trust the soft start to optimize our RV’s AC so we can run the air conditioning on limited power! We can run two air conditioners with a 30-amp hookup or run one air conditioner with a small portable generator. When moochdocking,
we can run one air conditioner on a 15 or 20-amp household hookup.
We tested the Soft Start RV by running their RV AC in Low Power situations. Check out that video here:
And take advantage of a special discount for the RV Odd Squad. Check it out here: https://www.SoftStartUSA.com/rvoddcouple
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: How do you Run your RV AC while boondocking?
Wondering what Gear you need to Full-time RV? We made a video that shares our RV Newbie Must Haves and their favorite Glamping Essentials. When you RV Fulltime, you want comfort, security, and to make memories. This list of RVing full-time gear is designed to make the road feel more like home!
You can watch our Glamping Essentials video here:
And here’s a list of the RV products we discussed:
🔓 RV Locks: https://amzn.to/2WAZzlP
🔓 RV Security Camera: https://amzn.to/2WY6BQZ
📷 Furrion Backup Camera: https://amzn.to/2KElpOd
📷 Halowview Backup Camera: https://amzn.to/2KCzT12
🚗 Tire Pressure Monitoring System: https://amzn.to/2K5yTTK
🚗 Portable Air Compressor: https://amzn.to/2F1CUVf
⚡️Dog Bone: 50 to 30AMP- https://amzn.to/2U970LR
30 to 50AMP- https://amzn.to/2IzMhft
💧Kink-Free Hose: https://amzn.to/2I4JbBl
💧Water Pressure Regulator: https://amzn.to/2MCoSzD
💧Hose Splitter: https://amzn.to/31kdZ8L
🧺 Washer & Dryer: https://amzn.to/2Ka1NCk
⚙️ Tripod: https://amzn.to/2I5hdoX
⚙️ Stabilizers: https://amzn.to/2XvqUSZ
🔥 Portable Grill: https://amzn.to/2Iu4RpA
🔥 Fire Pit: https://amzn.to/2WBfbGe
📡 WeBoost RV Cell Booster: https://amzn.to/2XAfDRt
📡 RF Cell Booster: https://amzn.to/2IL58Vl
📡 Antenna: https://amzn.to/2Xz1zYt
⛺️ Clam Tent: https://amzn.to/2K6wh82
🧯Fire Extinguisher: https://amzn.to/2WwOGlh
⚡️ Generators: https://amzn.to/2Wt9PI6
💧 Compact Pressure Washer: https://amzn.to/2K2tLQ8
🧮 Outdoor Mats: https://amzn.to/2KIAjmN
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What should I buy for my RV?
After trying to buy a cheap surge protector we learned better and tried out the Hughes Power Watchdog. Hughes is the only brand we trust and if you go with any other surge protector, you’re on your own!
RV Newbies need to know that the typical RV electrical hookup at RV parks can be outdated. You can’t trust the RV park electric hookups to keep your RV safe. We’ve seen horror stories where all the electric & wiring in the RV got fried due to a poorly working pedestal.And with newer RV’s housing more electric gadgets and more people full time RV living, that’s even more wear and tear on those pedestals.
So you have to get a surge protector, and you have to get a good one! We’ve created a blog & video detailing how to protect your RV’s electrical here:
And make sure you take advantage of our exclusive discount here:
⚡️ 10% Off Hughes Autoformer & Watchdog Discount Code: “rvoddcouple10” https://hughesautoformers.com
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What is the best surge protector for my RV?
We’re pretty particular with the detergents that we use in our RV. We don’t trust chemicals, but John’s a germaphobe. We also like supporting small businesses, so we recommend Red’s Gone Green. They smell AMAZING, you can actually read all the ingredients, and your RV will feel clean.
The only downside we’ve found is that Red’s Gone Green will ruin all other cleaners for you! 🙂
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What can I use to clean my RV?
RV Kitchens are tiny! As a full time RVer we have to maximize all of the space in our kitchen.
But Van kitchens are even smaller! So when we rented a Van and noticed these space-saving kitchen ideas, we had to share! These tiny kitchen organization ideas will help you make the most of your small kitchen!
RV living full time doesn’t mean you have an organized kitchen! So check our this article and video on this expertly organized small kitchen here:
And if you are shopping for RV Kitchen Gadgets, check out the top items here:
🚌 Rent an RV with RVShare: http://bit.ly/RVshareRVOC
🍽 RV Odd Couple Amazon Kitchen: http://bit.ly/RVOCKitchen
🗞 Non Slip Liner: https://amzn.to/2Q53aDt
🧂 Hanging Spice Rack: https://amzn.to/3cMGIJe
🥣 Non Slip Bowls: https://amzn.to/3cOqG1q
🍳 Nesting Cookware: https://amzn.to/3cOBa0P
🔪 Sharpening Knife Sleve: https://amzn.to/2TSxpia
🗑 Slim Trash Can: https://amzn.to/2xrRPHg
🧹 Wal Mount Broom Holder: https://amzn.to/2W3eMe2
💧 Collapsible Bucket: https://amzn.to/39EYdJx
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What should I put in my RV Kitchen?
We never really considered the importance of getting an RV water filter when we started RVing. But after we heard that an RV Odd Squad member contracted a waterborne illness from brushing her teeth with RV drinking Water, we became concerned with the safety of our RV drinking water.
After testing multiple water filtration systems, we trust Clearsource and Berkey. We created a video that discusses the RV water filter options that we trust. You can check out that video here:
Also, make sure you take advantage of these discount codes below:
💧 10% Off Clearsource Use Code “RVOC” and click here
💧 5% Off Berkey use Code “RVOC” and click here
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: What is the best water filter for an RV?
Laundry is a big challenge when you RV full time. We had issues with our 2 in 1 RV Washer Dryer combo unit.
But to be fair, Shortly after we made the video, we got in touch with Splendid Support. Most of the problem was user error. You’re supposed to use 1-2 tablespoons of Liquid detergent. I used a cup of Powder!
We also learned about adequate load size. I was way overstuffing.
We just moved the same 2 in 1 RV Washer Dryer combo to our new RV and we realized the dryer vent hose was almost completely blocked with lint! It was 6 feet long and bent. Now the hose is just 6 inches and it vents directly outside. (Figures- Camping world installation…just because the install kit comes w/ 6 feet of hose, doesn’t mean you need to use it!)
Also, we had no idea we were supposed to do maintenance. We learned that we need to run regular maintenance so the machine can clean itself out. Check out our laundry struggles in this video here:
That said, we’re currently struggling with the drying functionality. We tend to dry our clothes by hanging them throughout the RV.
So… Guess we need to do another video! 🙂
Category: Finding the right RV Gear
Direct Link: How do you like your 2 in 1 RV Washer Dryer combo?
When considering the RV lifestyle, most people focus on the exploring and sense of adventure. But due to the dangerous nature of RVing, the biggest mistake that RV Newbies make is failing to take RV safety and security tips seriously.
We actually created a video and article on 10 Deadly Mistakes that they see RV Newbies make and admit to a few mistakes that we’ve made ourselves. Here’s a link to that important safety info:
Make sure you take advantage of our exclusive discounts. Here’s a list of a few key safety items that Every RVer Must have!
🚗 TST TPMS: *** 15% Off the Best TST TPMS By using Code “RVOC15″ ***
🔥 Power Dog Surge Protector: *** “10% Off Use Code rvoddcouple10” ***
🚧 Safety Kit & Road Flares: https://amzn.to/2OGU2o7
👷♀️ Vest: https://amzn.to/3bb8D4E
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: What are the Biggest RV Safety mistakes that Newbies make?
We quickly realized that just getting ready to start RVing required an investment. Before we were able to drive the RV anywhere, we had to invest in gear, insurance, fees, etc.
So we wanted to share our initial costs to RV to dispel the myths that RVing is cheap.
Below is our video that lists our RV expenses before we hit the road. Here are our RV Start Up Costs:
You might benefit from our 💰 RV Budget Spreadsheet. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/RVBudget
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: How much does it cost to start RVing?
Many people think that RVing only costs $1000 a month. Our experience is that RVing can quickly get expensive.
Your RV Budget depends on what “type” of RVer you are. Do you require hookups? How often do you move? Also, what state will you be in? (eg. CA was a lot more expensive than Mississippi).
We created multiple budget resources to help you determine your budget.
The first resource lists what we spent before we hit the road. This is our investments in our supplies to RV.
Here are our Start Up Costs:
Now that we knew our startup costs, we needed to determine our monthly RV Budget. We itemized every expense that we had once we started RVing. Because surprises come up, so you almost have to budget for the surprises. The next video on RV Budgeting details what we spent the first 6 months.
Here is our Monthly expenses first 6 months:
And then once things got more settled, we figured our first year’s expenses. This gave us a better average of what it cost to RV full time for a year.
Here is our RVing expenses from our first year.
And finally, we created a 💰 RV Budget Spreadsheet. You can check it out here: https://bit.ly/RVBudget
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: How much does it cost Monthly to RV full time?
Downsizing from a standard home to an RV was a huge adjustment for us. The downsizing process took time and was not easy. Unfortunately, we made a ton of mistakes in this process.
We created a video on this topic. I’ve attached a link to it here:
And since we’re gluttons for punishment, (just kidding- kinda) we decided to downsize again!
We then downsized from a 40 foot fifth wheel to a 30 foot motorhome. We thought that it would be easy because we had already downsized once. But downsizing was a big challenge. For those of you considering a smaller RV, we’ll attach to that video here:
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: How do you downsize an RV?
Getting mail as a full time RVer is quite the challenge! We’re constantly moving and many RV Parks don’t accept mail. What’s worse, is sometimes there are shipping delays and we’ve made plans to leave.
So we decided to get a mail service provider to collect our mail. We are currently using Traveling mailbox as our mail service provider.
We made a video that discusses tips for using Traveling Mailbox and why we picked them as our mail service provider. You can see that video here:
Check out our link below where you get 2 months free with an annual plan.
📫 Traveling Mailbox: https://bit.ly/TravelingMailboxRVOC
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: What do full time RVers do about mail?
This is a tricky question because while we don’t want to discourage your from living your RV dream, we have an obligation to the truth.
We spend most of our time in RV parks that are safe. But we’ve had some issues regarding safety. It’s an uncomfortable situation, but we share what happened here:
We also created a resource that prepares you for the worst. You can check out that video here:
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: Is RV living Safe?
If you’re wondering what it’s like to RV full time, it really depends when you ask!
RVing full time is the best and the worst all rolled into one! Our experience has changed over time so we’ve made a few videos updating our progress through our RV journey. If you want to see the progression, here’s what it’s like to RV full time at different stages in time:
First Month RVing- Newbie Mistakes:
Three Months RVing- Honeymoon’s Over:
6 Months RVing- Pissed:
9 Months RVing- Ruined:
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: What’s it like to RV full time?
Minimizing our clothes was a challenge because we weren’t sure what we would need for our RV Journey. At some point we may make a video on RV wardrobe tips but until then, here are a few things to keep in mind.
First, do NOT get rid of your winter jacket. We all set out with the idea that we’ll chase 70 degrees, but it just doesn’t happen that way all the time. But the difference is that you need 1. And the 1 winter jacket you keep, should match with everything.
Next, I got rid of stuff that didn’t match. Outfits that are missing an item to be complete wont work. There’s not enough room for outfits like that because you want everything in your wardrobe to be friends. I think the term for this is “capsule wardrobe,” meaning that all the pieces can mix and match together.
Along those lines, be sure to keep clothes for all seasons. We’ve gone to the hot tub in winter and been cold in the summer. So layers are your friends!
Another strange thing that we did was buy multiples of the same items. I found a racerback tank that fit right and bought sets in different colors. That way I’m wearing different color clothes but they’re all the same cut and fit.
You can check out my go to tank top here: https://amzn.to/3lwrVFx
And if all else fails, do what John does and buy 5 of the same shirt. Einstein did that to avoid wasting time making decisions… no wonder he was a genius… 🙂
I didn’t get rid of all of my nice clothes, but I did narrow down most of my fancy outfits. I looked at these three things when deciding which clothes to eliminate from my minimalist wardrobe:
-If I haven’t worn it in a year, I got rid of it.
-If it’s something I’m keeping because, “I’ll wear this when I lose 5 pounds…” I got rid of it because when that happens, I’m treating myself to NEW clothes.
-If it’s an “incomplete” or “incompatible” item that doesn’t match my wardrobe, I eliminated it.
Finally, speaking of new clothes, you will notice the outfits you have will wear out more quickly. So the bright side is that you’ll get to buy more clothes soon.
Category: Hacks for RV Living
Direct Link: Any wardrobe tips for RVing?
The powdered donuts became a staple in our videos by accident. You see, when we would record our videos in front of the fridge, John’s donuts would sit over the fridge. Slowly more and more RV Odd Squad members kept commenting on the donuts.
Soon we couldn’t make a video without the donuts being mentioned. So we’re waiting on Hostess Donettes to offer us a deal. They should at least provide us with free donuts considering how many bags of Hostess we’ve sold!
If they don’t we’ll be sure to reach out to Little Debbies! 😂
Category: Just for Fun
Direct Link: What’s with the powdered donuts?
You know they say that Einstein always wore the same outfit? John always wears the same shirt because he’s a genius! 😂
Just kidding! But actually when we set out to RV and youtube our adventures, we knew that we would need to monetize our travels. So we set out to create Obliss for youtubers. You can find out more about that here: https://bit.ly/OblissClass
Category: Just for Fun
Direct Link: Why does John always wear the same shirt?
Mobile Internet were a huge challenge for us. We ultimately learned that we needed redundancies so we have multiple internet carriers. Right now we use an AT&T hotspot and a Verizon hotspot. We’ve found these two carriers cover most of the United States.
To amplify our signal we use a Mimo Antenna. Of the hundreds of dollars that we’ve spent, the Mimo is the best priced and hardest working!
Category: Youtube & Remote Work
Direct Link: How do I get internet in my RV?
We’ve been able to make a living from our Youtube channel. We’ve made multiple videos that describe how we support this nomadic lifestyle. We’ll link to them below:
Our first video describes how we made $1K on Youtube. Click here to see more:
And our most recent video describes our $12K Month. You can check that out here:
We need to be very frank though that doing Youtube for a living is not easy. John & I sometimes work 80 hours a week each. But there are many ways to make money online, and this may be a consideration. Youtube is not a “get rich quick.” It’s a work really really hard and you get paid months later for your efforts.
Category: Youtube & Remote Work
Direct Link: How do you afford to RV full time?
This is pretty embarrassing to admit but we’re spending about $600 a month internet for all our phones, devices, and mobile internet providers. We’re looking to downsize our AT&T and Verizon plans but we’re grandfathered and don’t want to lose that!
The biggest reason our bill is so outrageous is that we are on a business plan for our channel. So there are definitely ways to get good mobile internet for less!
Category: Youtube & Remote Work
Direct Link: How much does your mobile internet cost?
We’ve learned the hard way not to give out details to our specific location. If you are an RVer, we urge you to be very careful about who you give your location to. And if you have a youtube channel or monetizing any other social media, please be even more cautious about who you give your information to!
About 6 months into our RVing journey, we had a scare that made us up our security.
We share about that experience and what we learned from that here:
Category: Youtube & Remote Work
Direct Link: Where are you staying?
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