Uncomfortable "Truths" Of RV Life NO ONE Talks About (But Should)

[@GratefulGlamper]

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[@wipatriot510]

Just being myself with 2 dogs, my only "truth" was resource management... The first time you run out of something, or fill something to soon, will be the last time you do that...

[@NomadicLiving]

We love our airhead composting toilet. No more blacktank fears.

[@azmike3572]

Wow. Haven't heard that word (airhead, meaning a dumb person) since college, in the 70s!

[@MsJRod2012]

I've been on the road, as a retired solo female traveler, for almost 14 months, and I have learned a lot during this time, and continue to be open to learning new things! Thanks for your wealth of information! Happy traveling!

[@ksw501]

Thanks for the tips Charity. It’s good food for thought when considering traveling the country in an RV during retirement.

[@legalpuppy8602]

We aren't full time. Yet. I am getting ready to go back and rewatch a number of your videos, gearing up for the season, as a refresher. You are a true resource. Thank you!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for watching and happy to help!

[@Legendsingray]

Always enjoy the early morning walks with the dogs and hearing the songs of the smoke detector bird throughout the campground as the inexperienced attempts to cook bacon inside their RV.

[@GratefulGlamper]

😂

[@micheleh4016]

Lol. Been there, heard that.

[@teressarenslow5992]

When the RV is swaying....you probably should have already pulled over or found a place to take a rest. It's better to be late than on your side!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Exactly!

[@j87waldo]

I hope everyone is playing nice and being kind 😁 I love the videos !

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for watching

[@maxsmart8786]

We lived 10 years fulltime in a 5th wheel. The first 2 weeks was hard, but then you start figuring out the things you need to do and it becomes second nature. Oh the places we been and seen, and the interesting people we've met. Definitely one of the best experiences of our lives. I will say that it is not for eveyeryone though.

[@yardboy3955]

So true, I did RV-ing for two years, had enough of it, it's a lot of work, went back to traveling by car and truck and staying in a hotel. It was a nightmare not a dream.

[@713devereux]

I'm knocking R/Ving and I think everyone should do what makes them happy with their vacations. I like the idea of R/Ving but I don't think it would be for me, first of all I'm not that handy at fixing stuff but I don't see R/Ving being that much cheaper other types of vacation. For instance recently me and my wife returned from Austria and Bavaria in southern Germany for three weeks for her 50th birthday and we averaged about $250 a day. Some days we spent more depending on activities and some days cheaper if were just hiking or exploring. I think the big draw back for me would be maintenance on the R/V. I may be misinformed because I never owned a R/V but get impression they are maintenance heavy. Cheers, Happy Travels

[@Mstred]

I love that you show BOTH the good and bad in RVing. Keep up the good work please.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching

[@rebeccaambroe7949]

This is a GREAT video! I'm a campground owner, former full-timer, and these ring true! Nothing that you can't solve, though. The key to full-timing is flexibility!

[@paulinebrennan8836]

Out of all the channels I watch of RV life, there are only a couple that I watch that are manly the glamour side of travelling. I much prefer to watch ones like yours that show the reality of life on the. You’d be a fool to think that it was all beautiful sunrises & stunning views.

[@kkirsch3583]

Just came through Kansas with sustained 40mph/gusts over 80-mph. I-70 was closed, several high-profile wrecks and just sedans as well. Poor visibility and yeah, even a car takes a beating. I would park facing into the wind and wait before I’d ever try to drive a Class A or C through that. If you’re not sure how much you can take just consider the bow wave generated by a big semi - if your RV needs careful handling when that happens then anything gusting over 35 is out of your range for safe, comfortable driving.

[@uniquecampingmarine]

Looove this video! So refreshing to hear both the good AND bad sides of RVing! 🙌

[@GratefulGlamper]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edwardnelson3413]

I would imagine the monthly running costs, fuel, major depreciation, etc. run more than just taking reegular vacations. I guess one would really have to be into this lifestyle.

[@stephenbrasure4331]

Excellent video. You covered the most important topics that anyone interested in purchasing an RV should aware of. RV ads can make it so wonderful, but experienced rvers know that it comes at a price!

[@1MillionMileRoadTrip]

We have been full- time for going on 4 years, we have camped at amazing locations , but you are correct anyone wanting to go full-time needs to understand you will sometimes camp in not so scenic.

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

We hit the road full-time on Saturday so aren’t expecting amazing sites/sights every day. As former tent campers we had some “interesting” campsites. We figure being put into a site 15’ from the Trans-Canada was definitely a low point…every 17 seconds a semi would use their engine brakes. All. night. long. No good sleep that night! Hopefully our fiver will muffle that sound enough that we can sleep.

[@martinschulz9381]

My in wife's family are weekend RVers so I've taken some interest in it. (why I'm here) You have to be cut out for it and should be mechanically inclined to do it because there's always something to fix and or jig rig until it can be properly fixed. RV dealer repair shops are generally swamped and weeks or months out. (good luck with them) Good video an cool pics in the background.

[@bobmartens1089]

I love traveling down south to AZ from canada in the winter and yes wind is my biggest issue. I had such bad weather going down this winter i actually turned around and stayed home😮. I just could not find a good weather 7 day travel window, first time ever that has happened

[@GratefulGlamper]

Yikes!

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Our friends Tom & Lori once broke a spring on their 5th wheel travel trailer while traveling, and when the spring broke it severed the travel trailers gas line. This could have been a very big deal, but lucky for them they travel with their gas shut off. Not only do RVs break, but you have to plan for breakdowns of your Tow Vehicle too if your towing a travel trailer. My wife and I put $10,000 aside for breakdowns/emergencies while we were full time RVing. One year into our RV life the engine blew in our pickup truck while towing through Kanab, Utah. A garage in Panguitch, Utah towed our vehicle to their shop, and it cost us almost $8,000 for a new 7.4L (454ci RV spec) gas engine, with parts and labor.

[@GregInHouston2]

I spent a week on the road back in the 80s. We rented an RV from UHaul to travel from Houston to the Grand Canyon. The alternator went out crossing the Rockies. We called UHaul and they sent out a mechanic. Except she got there and she didn't have the right sized wrench.I did and she got it repaired. But it took a couple of hours. Second thing that went out was the waste system. It didn't exactly go out, the paddle that allowed us to empty the tank broke. So we couldn't empty it. So we stopped a UHaul in Flagstaff. They wouldn't touch it unless we emptied it. We couldn't do that unless they fixed. We were finally able to bust it open and dump it into a ditch. Not something we were happy about but what else could we do? I'm not certain if it broke before we got it or after; we checked it out before taking it out but we didn't know what to look for.

[@bobabooie6389]

Charity is good with her hands when she speaks, she's not awkward at all she's smooth👍🇺🇲

[@adi7795]

Yes taking the good over the bad Happy camping enjoy

[@GratefulGlamper]

Always!

[@jhm68]

I have read many reviews for campgrounds that complain about the weather and bugs. How is that the campground fault? I see a lot of those type of reviews at dry camping sites in the woods high in elevation. Blows my mind.

[@GratefulGlamper]

That is mind blowing - thanks for watching

[@kscoville6939]

We were camping this week and came home a day early because of a high wind warning. Thought it was interesting that you discussed this in this video.

[@Dave-sw2dm]

I am camping, not RV’ing. It is a lot more work than staying at hotels, but I like having my own bed. Built a toy hauler from a cargo trailer in March 2020. Just bought a tiny slide in truck camper.

[@tomc9299]

Great vid. Gives me a lot of food for thought!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joyfulhomemaker8053]

My father-in-law thought he was helping us… my hubs and I have a system which causes us to remember to check our check points to avoid errors… My FIL attached our sewer hose for us one visit. Problem. It was a brand new hose. It had caps on both ends. My hubs had to fly home soon after we got situated at his mom’s. I had to dump the tank. I’ve done it a million times, no issues. Well, I pulled the black and heard a gurgle w no waste coming thru. I immediately pushed it back and immediately knew things were not okay. lol I had to borrow a bucket and managed to get thru the problem without a mess! God Bless “Happy Camper”! But I highly recommend making sure sewer caps aren’t on before dumping! Lol it was quite the situation

[@GratefulGlamper]

I’ll bet, thanks for sharing and for watching

[@donb270]

Thanks for another great video! Not on topic, but could you share how you search for a camp ground…Campendium?

[@skanderchida9174]

You don't have to create sewage in the RV, All you have to do is separate urine and feces. Use a labeled water bottle for urine, and a litter box for fecal matter. The cat litter box is a good example of that. You scoop the litter and put in a disposable plastic bag that you throw away when you dump your trash. Your gray water from shower and dish washing contains soap and should smell ok when you dump it.

[@gilbertmartinez6538]

EVERYBODY is always saying dont drive in high winds ..well exactly HOW High?? ......30 ...40mph???

[@c0urtn3y526]

30 mph is pretty difficult, it will depend on your rv/travel trailer and if you have a tow vehicle. If you feel unsteady, get off the road.

[@LSZEsq]

You will know when you have trouble controlling your vehicle.

[@johnlynch5221]

@@c0urtn3y526 When you hear someone call out in the rig. Arre Matey, hold her hard to port and steady as she goes! Yep! next rest stop and take a break.

[@rickacranston5953]

20-30 mph will test you and depending on your RV, can be unsafe. I hunkered down in MO for 3 extra days due to high winds. I won’t drive 25-30 mph winds.

[@ghand9452]

20mph makes a horrible day of driving, and makes you feel exhausted from fighting your truck through it. Here a hint to pay attention to. Watch the flags. A flag standing Straight out, is roughly 20mph, and therefore, is no fun.

[@dougandrussellsadventures6710]

Truth!! Thank you for sharing ❤❤

[@kenvaillancourt2536]

Best RV video I have seen so far

[@jenniferstewarts4851]

waste tanks - water tanks - holding tanks. This is an interesting "lie" from RV makers. many RV makers in the fine print say... you should not travel on the road with any of these tanks... full. 500 pound held by a single strap and 2 bolts. look at your warranty forms on these days. They may say, void if traveling with a full tank. New RV's breaking. With more and more people wanting to RV, and companies looking at more and more profits.. little things like quality control fall by the way side. RV's are arriving at dealers with parts missing, incorrect parts, things simply not assembled. A door that requires 12 screws, 6 per hinge, 3 per side. well that take time to put in, so they might only have 4 screws..1 per hinge side. wiring may be incorrect, or incomplete. the expectation being.. YOU as the OWNER will get the vehicle, figure out all the stuff the company forgot, missed, all the stuff that needs to be fixed, and spend the next 2 years trying to get all the warranty work done. Of course they will drag their feed and such hoping in some cases for the warranty to run out first... Weather. many rv's are NOT build for weather. any weather... Cold or extreme cold weather are RV killers through. "maintenance bays", battery bays, PROPANE BAYS are often unheated or even external to the vehicle. at about -40c propane turns to liquid. In cold temps like that if they propane bay is unheated... it can get to cold for your heater to work. same-with your battery bay.

[@beckywiklanski]

My 8 year old son once said, “boy dad must really love us, he dumps the poop”.

[@GratefulGlamper]

lol, things only RV kids say 😂

[@jodipencek5680]

Love your videos, they have been helpful. Dumb question, but besides looking to see if there is a high wind advisory, what do you do when you are on the road and experience high winds? Is it as obvious as pull over and wait it out? Drive slower? or go to the nearest exit?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Slow down, and pull off at the safest spot and wait it out .

[@MsJRod2012]

Regarding my 5th wheel repairs, I have decided to take my camper in about every 3 to 6 months for checkups at the location where I purchased my rig. I was not born with that mechanical gene, so I'd rather pay for the service, just as I do with my towing Ford F250 4x4 truck. 😊

[@MsJRod2012]

In regards to the noises around me, I just turn on my music which helps mute the sounds. 😅

[@ZXX984]

I always told my husband to chill regarding your description your resource management. He was always concerned about what you mentioned but I always thought it was his OCD kicking in.

[@GratefulGlamper]

👍

[@larrydobbe980]

Thanks for sharing. When cleaning the kitchen I saw a green "coffee maker"? on the counter. Can you please share what that model is?

[@GratefulGlamper]

The turquoise green appliance is our air fryer. The coffee maker we have is this one: amzn.to/49DpfPm

[@micheleh4016]

I had to laugh when i sawxthe cli0 8f the train going by the back of the RV. TRAINS! No one twlls you about how often RV parks are located near train tracks. And trains love to run at night.....often all night long.

[@darrellwhipple45]

Wait… now what?? You can use regular TP with the solution you use? What is it again and where can I order it?

[@eric3532]

Yes!!!!

[@2OldFartscamping-i8h]

Great video 😊so true

[@ShannonLynch-yk3me]

It always makes me laugh, we camp in our trailer all summer, and it’s not anything like Instagram lol

[@GratefulGlamper]

Right!?! 😂

[@petebusch9069]

Everything is what it is. Your either a person who listens to what you WANT to hear or your a person who listens to what you NEED to hear. Again, everything is what it is, peoples opinions mean nothing.

[@user-gl9iz1bp1r]

I'm trying to simplify my life, not induce more complexity.

[@r8edrv4fun65]

Ty for the info 😊

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks for watching

[@heather8761]

Full time just since February and the truth I have comr to accept is that you're always shuffling stuff!

[@Grijsduif]

We can relate to all of them😂

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

Not sure why one wants to live in a vehicle made of chalking and balsa wood. Lots of video's are talking about all the problems with modern RV's Then there is the cost to park them. I know I would not want to be over nighting in some store parking lot. Why not just stay in a hotel?

[@brendakrause5639]

What were those cleaning products?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Gratefulglamper.com/release

[@kevincarr335]

I like 5 star hotels

[@sandrajordan3802]

I’m visiting my daughter after a year and noticed that her toilet has a calcium buildup. I’m wondering if she’s not putting enough water in or if there is a leak in the water seal ring. What is safe to remove the stain? I’m only here for this week, any suggestions would help. She is stationary.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Try this from Unique amzn.to/3w15FPm

[@edwardnelson3413]

Camp ground looks like one giant trailer park.

[@timborgenheimer155]

Don't crap inside, find a outside bathroom.

[@sandymanning8744]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@r8edrv4fun65]

Has anyone installed an Ogo composting toilet?

[@SpykersB]

Robin from utube channel "creativity rv" loves it. Go to her channel n sift through her videos im sure she has a video on it. Her last video she has a link in the description to the ogo even. She plans to get another in her current rv. (She changes rvs frequently lol). I imagine she can help. 🍻

[@johnlynch5221]

Privacy. The lady of the Rig next door is a screamer, and you get sort of X rated entertainment like a cheap hotel. Oh no! Nevertheless. having a RV still beats a tent.

[@Kando439]

Who th fuxx wants a life like that?

[@purselmer5931]

In case we hadn't noticed the glamorization of the RV lifestyle? LOL, what do we do, live under a rock? 🙂

[@BobMedley62]

You sure don't make full time or even alot of the time rv-ing sound very appealing.

[@Kando439]

Stanky livin.

[@Michaelthearcheangel]

My 2008 coach has 5,872 ( NOT TYPO) miles gasser (8.1 Vortec). I had an inspection of EVERY INCH and they said my engine will last over 150k before issues. My coach has DUAL PANE windows and a MASSIVE black tank over 100 gallon fresh water (for the residential washer and dryer and dishwaher) 14 hours on 7k onan generator. 2000ah lithium,6k with 12k surge inverter and 2500 watt solar. Zero nothing found that will go wrong for years according to my MASSIVE inspection from the inspectors. Oh and 2 new spares and roof is rated for over 50 years. Did I miss anything? Only thing I'm worried about is windshields.

[@chrisallison9526]

Well I guess you grow together or some is going to go 😂

[@GratefulGlamper]

😁