For many families, RV living is much more than a vacation. But with kids in the equation, RV living can become more dynamic, exciting, and even a little chaotic. RV living with kids is more than packing the snacks and preparing the road trip playlists. Instead, it is about creating a home on wheels filled with comfort and convenience.
However, this sustainable lifestyle does not consist of all sunshine and roses. There are a few things that you will need to know to ensure the longevity of the RV adventures. For example, you will need a reliable solar-powered generator that can bring modern conveniences of home to the wheels. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable RV generators that can power 99% of RV appliances during extended road trips.
Key Takeaways
-
It is generally legal to live with kids in an RV, but zoning and parking regulations vary by location.
-
Monthly expenses for RV living with kids range from $2000 to $8600, depending on travel and lifestyle.
-
Some tips for a comfortable RV living with kids include maintaining routines, planning kid-friendly routes, and using solar generators for reliable power.
-
Homeschooling or online curriculums allow flexibility to integrate travel into kids' learning.
-
Jackery Solar Generators provide eco-friendly, quiet power for essential appliances during off-grid RV adventures.
Can You Live in an RV With Kids?
Yes, you can live full-time in an RV with kids. However, if you want to enjoy a fun and exciting adventure, you must be prepared and understand what to expect.
Living in an RV from a parent's perspective can be a mix of incredible experiences and challenges. For example, the freedom to travel to new locations can be fulfilling for families who enjoy outdoor living. When families live in a smaller space, it leads to more family interactions and shared experiences. However, it sometimes involves challenges, like managing daily routines in a small space and tight living quarters for larger families.
Living in an RV as a kid is like having the coolest, ever-changing backyard. One week, you wake up to ocean waves crashing outside your window, and the next day, you explore forests or deserts. It is an adventure playground where every day feels like a field trip, and "home" is wherever you park. There is a sense of freedom in running around campgrounds, making friends with kids from all over, and discovering new places.
Is It Legal for a Family to Live in an RV
Yes, it is generally legal for a family to live in an RV in the USA, but there are some local and state regulations, such as where to park your RV. For this reason, you should verify the rules in specific state laws and local zoning ordinances regarding RV residency. If you are wondering if full-time RV living with kids is an exciting endeavor, here are some of the pros to keep in mind:
Freedom: RV living with kids offers freedom to families. When your home is on the wheels, you are free to go anywhere you want. All you need to do is pack RV accessories and hit the road with your family.
Adventure: Living in an RV offers opportunities for adventure almost every day. Regardless of where you travel, it is always a new experience.
Family Time: Living in an RV means you will have a lot of family time, as almost all of your time is spent together. There is so much family time, from driving on the open road to homeschooling and nights spent together.
Fewer Bills: One of te biggest benefits of living with kids in a full-time RV is having fewer bills. For example, you won't have home insurance, mortgage, and utility bills. While you will have a monthly RV park payment, it will be smaller than a mortgage, even if you have a huge RV or camper.
Creating Well-Rounded Children: When kids live in an RV, they are introduced to new people, cultures, environments, and experiences. They see a different way of doing things and meet people with different ways of thinking.
Challenges of RV Living With Kids
Living in an RV with kids comes with both challenges and benefits. If you are not prepared, here are some common challenges that might disrupt normal living in an RV:
Running Out of Water: No one likes to run out of water when living in an RV, as it can affect the length of showers, dishwashing abilities, and cooking. For a comfortable living experience, you will need to have an adequate water supply for all needs.
Fears: Fears of trees falling on the RV are an unfortunate and real thing when it comes to living in an RV. For example, an unexpected thunderstorm can lead to dark skies and trees swaying back and forth. Hence, you should be prepared and park your RV in a safe location.
Not So Spacious: Your RV rooms, especially the bedroom, can be so small and often have an overflow of items. If you are planning to live in an RV with kids and have a flexible budget, it's best to start with a fifth wheel so you get some spacious storage options.
Washing and Dryer Hookups: Many RVs and travel trailers do not have washer or dryer hookups, which means laundry can be a challenge for families. While many RV parks offer laundry facilities, they can be expensive.
Electricity Supply: RVs rely on limited battery capacity and generator power, which can make powering appliances with high power consumption challenging.
In that case, it's better to invest in a reliable, portable, and powerful Jackery Solar Generator that can power most of the RV appliances for long hours, ensuring comfort is not limited to the home.
Top 8 Tips for RV Living with Kids
Hitting the road on the RV with kids can be an exciting adventure for the whole family. It can strengthen the family bond and help you make memories that last a lifetime.
Below, we will reveal some of the best tips to ensure the longevity of the family RV adventures:
Choose the Right RV for Your Family
When it comes to staying in the RV full-time with kids, you need to choose the right RV size with enough outside storage, room for food storage, and sleeping areas to make daily living easier for families.
RV Size and Layout: The RV size you choose should be large enough for daily living while still being easy to drive and park. Before purchasing the new RV, it is important to check the campground's rules for where you plan to stay and the RV size requirement.
Sleeping Spaces: Some popular RV floor plans for families include toy haulers and bunkhouse models, which offer separate areas with doors for parents and kids. Toy haulers are popular because the garage can be easily converted into a bedroom space. Similarly, the bunkhouse models lift to the ceiling to offer a more flexible daytime play or school area.
Food Storage: Next, you need to check the amount of food you would like to store in the RV. You can generally stock up on food at warehouse stores, like at home, to save on groceries. This helps you save time on trips to the grocery store.
Prepare Your Kids for RV Living
You need to prepare your kids before transitioning to full-time RV living. If you haven't lived in an RV with kids before, consider renting one so kids can see what it's like. It's better to choose an RV park with a designated kid area to help kids feel like they are in their own room or space. Before you move into the RV, make sure to declutter and donate/sell in the kids' bedrooms.
In addition, you should have a consistent daily living routine to help make the transition smoother. You should work together as a family to create a rhythm for school, chores, hygiene, meals, outdoor time, and family time. It is essential to create a routine for stay-at-home days, RV travel days, and activity/sightseeing days. This helps kids know what to expect and how to make things more enjoyable.
Kids Education
One of the hardest transitions many people face during full-time RV living is homeschooling. It is difficult for kids to maintain a consistent school schedule when they are always on the move. There are many homeschool curriculum programs available, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
You should prioritize the core subjects and fit in the extra subjects when there is some time. It's a wise idea to do schooling when you are not exploring. For example, you can sightsee, camp, or go hiking on the weekdays when the crowds are lowest. You can stay home and catch up on school and work during the weekend.
Keep Social On the Go
Living in an RV with kids does not mean you have to lose touch with friends and family back home. For example, you can make regular phone calls and video chats, share photos and updates on social media, and send postcards with letters and travel updates.
Traveling can be a great way to make new friends and connect with other RV families on the road. You can join online RV communities and Facebook groups, attend campground events, hang out at the campground pool, and attend RV rallies and local family events.
Travel Path
The travel path should have family-friendly spots such as zoos, kid-friendly hiking trails, and amusement parks. It is better to plan short travel days to reduce fatigue and offer enough time for exploration. You can also schedule time in national parks or open areas for kids so they can run around and explore nature.
Kids Habits
While living in an RV with kids, you should maintain a consistent meal, play, and sleep schedule to provide a stable lifestyle amidst a changing lifestyle. You can also incorporate family bonding activities, such as outdoor adventures and board games, to keep everyone engaged.
Plan the Travel Routes
Planning the travel routes ensures the RV trip goes much smoother. Longer travel days can often be exhausting for everyone, so one must consider breaking long trips into shorter travel days. You should also consider how often you will need to take bathroom breaks. It is essential to plan bathroom stops on the route that match how long the family can go between two stops. In addition, suitable places to park the RV along the route, such as truck stops, rest areas, and big store parking lots, should be located.
Avoid Comparison Trap
Avoid comparing your family to other families. Remember that each family is unique, and you will have your own ways of raising children. Your child is probably not going to play organized sports, but they will gain other unique experiences.
Your kids will try outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, paddling, and ranger programs that they might have never experienced while living at home. They will also meet new people and experience different communities and cultures. Hence, RV living is a different kind of lifestyle that cannot be compared to traditional living for kids.
Jackery Solar Generators for RV Living with Kids
Traveling with kids in an RV is an adventure filled with memories, but it also requires reliable power solutions. Jackery Solar Generators combine portable power stations and foldable solar panels. They are your go-to companions, ensuring a smooth journey with portable, eco-friendly energy to power appliances, entertainment systems, and more. Here are different Jackery Solar Generators that cater to RV families:
Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus is ideal for short RV or camping adventures in the campground. It can power essentials like mini-fridges and tablets, keeping snacks fresh and kids entertained. Its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for families who value portability and simplicity during weekend getaways or quick road adventures.
Appliances Running Time
- Mini Fridge (60W): 8.4 hours
- Tablet (10W): 50.5 hours
- LED Lights (5W): 101.1 hours
- Portable Fan (30W): 16.8 hours
- Smartphone (5W): 101.1 times
Note: These calculations are just for your reference and may vary from the actual time.
Customer Review
“My new Jackery Explorer 600 Plus + SolarSaga 100 x 1 works great for setting up my telescope, cooled camera, and laptop in remote dark sky locations. It provides all the power I need to get me through long night astrophotography sessions. The solar panels top off the Explorer during the day if I don't get back to an AC power source.” — Chris Moore.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit is suited for longer RV trips and ensures your homeschool setup, kitchen appliances, and devices stay powered. From laptops for kids' lessons to coffee makers for parents, this versatile solar-powered generator balances convenience and performance for a seamless travel experience. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panels can be installed on the RV or camper rooftop for added convenience.
Appliances Running Time
- Microwave Oven (800W): 1.2 hours
- Laptop (60W): 16.8 hours
- Coffee Maker (600W): 1.6 hours
- Electric Kettle (1000W): 1.0 hours
- CPAP Machine (40W): 25.2 hours
Customer Review
“What I like most about our new Jackery 1000 is that it is easy to set up and can be charged both via a regular outlet or solar panels. It charged quickly via solar even though it was a cloudy day. My favorite use of the Jackery unit so far was when we plugged in the electric coffee pot while camping and woke up to fresh coffee!” — Laura.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus handles high-demand appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and gaming consoles. Its robust capacity lets you enjoy off-grid living without sacrificing comfort, making it a favorite for adventurous families with big power needs. It is also expandable with the support of add-on battery packs to extend the capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.
Appliances Running Time
- Air Conditioner (800W): 2.0 hours
- Full-Size Fridge (150W): 10.8 hours
- Projector (100W): 16.3 hours
- Gaming Console (150W): 10.8 hours
- Induction Cooktop (1800W): 54 minutes
Customer Review
“Enough power for me for van camping or in a power outage. Holds charge well. Heavy, but the handle is sturdy, and so are the wheels, so easy to move. I haven't charged for solar panels yet, but they seem high quality. Very impressed so far.” — Mo.
How Much Does It Cost for RV Living with Kids
The cost of living with kids in an RV can range anywhere between $2000 and $8000 per month. However, the RV living cost depends on various factors, such as the type of RV, location, lifestyle, gas and propane, campsite fees, etc.
Gas and Propane: One of the highest expenses for full-time RVers is gas and propane. The more you travel, the higher the fuel expenses will be. Generally, you can spend $400 - $500 per month on diesel and propane.
Campsite: The campsite fees include the cost of staying in the RV campground or park, as well as any dump, electric, and water fees you pay along the way. Some RV parks charge $30 - $100 per night, whereas others with high-end amenities charge over $200 per night.
Food: The cost of food will be the same when you transition to full-time RV living. If you want to reduce your overall food expenses, it's better to stock up on groceries at lower prices.
RV Loan and Maintenance: Repairs and maintenance costs are the most hard to predict. You can generally prevent repairs by staying on top of your maintenance. For example, you can invest in a good tire pressure monitoring system and air compressor to save a bunch of headaches on the road.
Phone and Internet: When you live in an RV, having a reliable Internet and phone connection is of utmost importance. For example, you can consider Starlink for RVs and power the Internet connections using the reliable Jackery Solar Generators.
Here is the cost breakdown depending on the different expenses:
|
Category |
Expenses (Average) |
|
Gas |
$450 |
|
Propane |
$50 |
|
Campsite Fees |
$300 |
|
Food (Groceries + Restaurants) |
$600 |
|
RV (+tow vehicle) insurance |
$160 |
|
RV (+tow vehicle) loan |
$0 |
|
Repairs and Maintenance |
$150 |
|
Personal Insurance |
$150 |
|
Phone & Internet |
$140 |
|
Entertainment |
$300 |
|
Other |
$700 |
|
Total |
$3000 |
Note: The values are just for your reference and may vary depending on your needs.
How to Make Money During RV Living
Life on the road can be enjoyable as long as you have funds. If you want to pursue full-time RV living with kids, you need a steady income source that supports your travel plans. Here are a few remote jobs you can do while traveling in an RV or tips to make good money during RV living:
Work in a National Park
Those who don't want year-round income and can stay in one place for a while can consider working in the national parks. The National Park Service and its Concessionaires hire thousands of seasonal employees every year.
Seasonal Campground Work
Many private, state, and federal parks have camp hosts and other seasonal employees. If you are interested in staying at one place for longer, you can consider working as a seasonal employee or a camp host who greets people as they arrive and rides in the carts.
Online Teaching
Many people prefer remote learning, and with so many sites established, this could be a chance to bring some income and teach on the road. If you are in the teaching profession or wish to pursue the teaching line, you can consider registering on one of the online educational platforms.
Social Media Influencer
If you know how to tell stories, foster an online community, or take photos, you can consider working as a social media influencer. You can capture beautiful images and videos of your travels and find a platform to share them online.
RV Living with Kids FAQs
What size solar generator do I need for my RV?
The size of the solar generator needed for RV living with kids depends on the wattage consumption of the appliances and their running time. Jackery Solar Generators are available in different sizes, and you can select the one with a capacity that exceeds the appliance wattage consumption.
If you want to calculate the right generator size, go to the Jackery Solar Generator product page that you would like to purchase and scroll until you find the Running Time Calculator. There, you can enter the total wattage of the appliances that you plan to power with the solar generator to calculate the running time.
What is the best RV for full-time living with kids?
Class C motorhomes are the most family-friendly options as they are larger than camper vans but smaller than Class A motorhomes.
What is a good budget for full-time RV living?
Anywhere between $2000 and $8000 is considered a good budget for full-time RV living. However, the exact cost might depend on your needs and preferences.
What is the downside of living in an RV full-time?
Living in an RV means you will have to downsize significantly, which can often be challenging for many people who have a lot of possessions or prefer to live in a larger home.
How much does it cost to rent an RV for 3 months?
Renting a Class B RV for a month or longer means you can get a discount on the daily price. For a 3-month rental, the average Class B RV or camper van could cost nearly $75 per night, totaling around $6,750.
Is It Worth for RV Living with Kids
RV living with kids is different from stationary life in a house. It's important to understand that RV living involves a mix of highs and lows. You should plan ahead, prepare yourself and your kids, and pack all the essential items you might need during RV living. Jackery Solar Generators, for example, will ensure that essential RV appliances remain powered during short and long trips. Since they are portable, you can move these solar-powered generators in and out of the RV to enjoy outdoor adventures such as camping and outdoor movie nights.
Leave a comment