Can you travel full-time in an RV on Social Security?
There are many benefits of living in an RV full time—the main one, is exploring our beautiful country. It can also be cheaper than ‘sticks & bricks’ living.
But is it cheap enough to full-time in an RV on only Social Security income?
It’s doable; however, there are some genuine financial considerations to understand before making this decision.
Is RV Life Right For You?
Before taking any steps into full-time RV life, the first thing to look at is your finances. The average Social Security check per month is $1,500.
Back when we began RVing, we did it on a very minimal budget. The lowest we ever got our monthly expenses to was in the $1,800 to $2,000 dollar range.
Obviously, the number depends on numerous factors, but $1,500 is a good starting point.
Chances are, if this is your primary income, a strict budget will be necessary. Let’s take a look at what you can expect for expenses in the RV lifestyle.
PRO TIP: The book Secrets of RVing on Social Security is a great resource for diving deeper.
Getting into an RV
One of the most expensive parts of RVing is the initial purchase cost. Financing is a must if you can’t purchase the RV in full with cash.
Buying an RV on payments might be initially lower than your rent or mortgage, but that doesn’t include campground fees, gas, or maintenance.
If you can’t pay cash for your RV, monthly payments (with campgrounds included) may cost more than you rent or mortgage.
Another thing to consider is that many RV warranties don’t apply to full-time living. Living in your RV may negate the warranty altogether.
Managing the Seasons
One thing to be aware of is most RVs aren’t built to handle four seasons.
Living in an RV year-round is doable. It means you may be chasing the sun more than you initially expected.
You’ll be staying in places that are warmer during the winter (Florida & Arizona) and moving north during the summer to beat the heat.
If you stay in colder environments during the winter, higher expenses may occur with propane and electricity.
Another thing that people don’t talk about often is the moisture that accumulates in colder places when you heat your RV. This moisture can lead to internal RV damage.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Another massive expense is the campground and RV Park fees. Prices vary, but none are cheap.
They can range from $20 a night to as much as $150 a night.
For example, at $40 a night, you’re looking at $1,200 a month.
The best way to mitigate some campground fees is to stay long-term. Typically, you can get a discounted weekly or monthly rate.
Another option is free camping.
Free camping (aka boondocking) is excellent because it’s free. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t expenses associated with it.
You might get a day or two out of your house batteries before they die. If you want to stay long-term in free spots, you will likely want solar panels or a good generator.
To set up solar, you will need installed panels, a converter, an inverter, and high-quality batteries (often lithium RV batteries). And that’s just for power; you must also figure out water and waste.
RV repairs
RV repairs are inevitable and expensive. Just like sticks & bricks life, something always needs to get fixed.
If you’re handy enough, you can probably fix many things yourself. But it only takes one major issue to ruin a day, and deplete your savings.
Some of the biggest things that could go wrong are water issues. If a pipe leaks and you get mold, the only way to fix it is with a complete overhaul.
Another issue is the RV slides. They aren’t cheap to fix if they get stuck or hydraulics break. Here’s a little insight from an RV mechanic: these are the most common things to break in your RV.
Medical Issues
The last thing to consider is how you will manage medical issues when they arise. You won’t have access to your regular doctor, and it can be cumbersome to find a new doctor or go to urgent care.
There are affordable alternatives like visiting a doctor on the Mexico border, but there are risks involved with that as well.
Before You RV on Social Security
The point isn’t to scare you, but it is to make sure you are prepared.
There are rumors that traveling full time in an RV on Social Security is cheap. If you already have cash on hand to help supplement your travels, it is very doable.
But for those with little or no savings and just rely on social security, the best thing you can do is get on a written budget, put money into savings, and consider a way to make a supplemental income.
Here’s a book we highly recommend if you want to move forward with RV life. The author, Jerry Minchey, is a trusted source with valuable insight.
We’ve had the pleasure of meeting him multiple times to discuss RV life.
The book is called: The Secrets of RVing on Social Security.
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Rv,ing with pets= cats and dogs any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Kyle, This is another great article. You hit the nail on the head.
If $1500 per month is the only income for a retired couple and they wish to full time in their RV., I believe that is risky and not a sound choice. Having a smaller house paid for is still cheaper overall in that RV park costs have been skyrocketing as has maintenance on the typical Class A unit especially if a manufactured one which are notorious for poor quality and not designed for year round living. Heathcare is a critical issue especially if you are in a Managed Care plan and over age 65 or disabled in that many of the plans do not cover you in all states unless emergency care is needed. You then have to reenroll in standard Medicare and pay for a supplement plan or Medigap coverage costing another $250 each monthly to have coverage without restrictions state by state. Seniors who are thinking about full timing should think carefully before making that choice as we experienced those mentioned events.