In January 2016, my wife and I rolled into Quartzsite, Arizona, in our trusty 16-foot travel trailer, part of a slow, meandering journey that had taken us across the country. By this point, the road had become more than just a route—it was home.
We’d heard about the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR), a gathering of nomads, road warriors, and travelers like us, and decided to make it a stop on our winter path. What we found was more than a rendezvous.
It was a community, a place where the dreamers and wanderers of the world converged.
Rubber Tramp Rendezvous: A Movement Born from Simplicity
RTR wasn’t a polished event with sponsors and social media campaigns. It started in 2010, thanks to Bob Wells, the man behind CheapRVLiving, as a way to bring together people who’d chosen life on the road. Bob’s idea was simple: gather in the desert, share what you know, and help each other along the way.
By the time we joined in 2016, what began as a handful of people swapping stories around a campfire had grown into a full-blown movement.
That year, Rubber Tramp Rendezvous had an air of camaraderie, yet it was still rough around the edges. There weren’t any fancy amenities—just a lot of people who’d given up the conventional path and found freedom in simplicity. My wife and I fit right in.
Our 16-foot trailer may have been small, but here, everyone was living tiny, embracing the minimalist life, and loving every moment of it.
Learning, Laughing, and Living with Less
What makes Rubber Tramp Rendezvous special isn’t just the chance to meet others like you—it’s the practical skills you pick up along the way. During the day, the desert was buzzing with workshops. Whether you were a seasoned RVer or just starting out, there was something for everyone.
My wife and I found ourselves sitting in on talks about solar power setups and off-grid water storage—things we thought we had down but learned new tricks for.
One of the workshops that stuck with us was on boondocking, the art of camping off the grid. We’d done it before but never with the level of confidence we left with after that session.
Being able to park out in the middle of nowhere with no hookups and still live comfortably is one of the true freedoms of this lifestyle, and RTR was the place to learn how to do it right.
The nights, though, were the best part. As the sun set over the Arizona desert, fires popped up across the campground, and we found ourselves swapping stories with people from every walk of life—young solo travelers, retirees in massive motorhomes, couples like us who were just looking for a simpler way of living.
A Cultural Moment: From Underground to Spotlight
Rubber Tramp Rendezvous was still a bit of an underground event when we attended in 2016. Word was spreading, but the crowds hadn’t hit their peak yet.
By the next year, media outlets like The New York Times and Rolling Stone were writing about the growing nomadic movement.
And then came Nomadland, the movie that would catapult Bob Wells and Rubber Tramp Rendezvous into the national consciousness.
Watching that film a few years later, it was surreal seeing our desert reunion on the big screen, knowing we had been a part of something special before the world caught on.
The Lessons of Rubber Tramp Rendezvous: More Than Just Practical Knowledge
For us, Rubber Tramp Rendezvous wasn’t just about learning how to fix a water pump or rig up solar panels (though those were handy takeaways). It was about learning how to live more deeply, with less, and with a greater sense of community.
- Connection: Traveling can be isolating, even when you’re with a partner. But RTR reminded us that we’re part of a much larger community of people who understand the highs and lows of life on the road. The friendships we made around those campfires are ones we still hold dear.
- Adaptability: Life on the road can be unpredictable. Flat tires, dead batteries, or nights when the wind shakes the trailer. RTR taught us to embrace those challenges as part of the adventure.
- Simplicity: The people we met were living proof that you don’t need much to be happy. Everyone at RTR had stripped away the unnecessary, choosing to live with less and finding freedom in that choice.
The Pros and Cons of Attending Rubber Tramp Rendezvous
Like any event, RTR has its ups and downs, but for us, the pros far outweighed any challenges.
Pros:
- A Supportive Community: Whether you’re a solo traveler or rolling in with a partner like we were, RTR offers a welcoming space to connect with others who share your love for the open road.
- Knowledge is Everywhere: The workshops are invaluable. You’ll leave with tips and tricks that make life on the road easier, more efficient, and a whole lot more enjoyable.
- Affordable: The event itself is free, and boondocking around Quartzsite costs next to nothing. It’s the perfect way to experience RTR without draining your travel fund.
Cons:
- Growing Crowds: Even in 2016, the event was starting to draw larger numbers. While it wasn’t overwhelming, it was clear Rubber Tramp Rendezvous was becoming more popular, and the intimacy of those early years was fading.
- Remote Location: Quartzsite is out there in the desert, which means you need to be fully self-sufficient. If you’re not prepared, the isolation can feel daunting.
- Desert Life: The desert can be unforgiving. In January, the days are pleasant, but the nights are cold, and the wind can whip up dust storms that coat everything in a layer of grit.
Final Thoughts: Is Rubber Tramp Rendezvous for You?
For my wife and me, RTR was more than just a stop on our winter journey—it was an experience that shaped how we approached life on the road. It’s not just an event, it’s a community, a place to learn, connect, and be inspired by people living life on their own terms.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just curious about what this lifestyle looks like, RTR is worth the trip.
If you find yourself near Quartzsite next January, I’d recommend pulling off the highway, finding a spot among the tribe, and letting the desert teach you a few things.
Just be ready for dust, long conversations under the stars, and a new appreciation for life on the road.
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Where I come from (and you also) RTR stands for Roll Tide Roll! 🙂
This year RTR was at the La Paz County Fair grounds. The camping was 18+ miles away. The organization at the fairgrounds was great, thanks to the amazing volunteers. On the last day the prota-potties were not bad at all… as in groceries: Parker (about 12 miles from RTR) has a smallish walmart and a safeway. Quartzsite has a free trash transfer station on Hwy 95 (north of town) open Sunday to Wednesday from 7:30 to 2:30 plus a bit further north towards the RTR site is the La Paz county landfill is open monday through Friday 7 am to 3 pm and also free. The HOWA website had areas for camping. They also a links for various groups camping together around here plus there are the HOWA caravans (on meet-up under caravans). We had a blast with our caravan.
This was worth my time to read. I appreciate the frank commentary. The only appeal to me is 6 months of low rent and no snow. Stuck here in Verdi, NV for two winters and eager to leave before next winter, if this virus crud is over. Love snow but I am sick of it now and the relentless sub-freezing nights and early mornings. God bless and keep you and you new baby save and healthy.