Lana Gates
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Gulliver's Travels

Pros and Cons of a Long-term RV Stay

1/14/2021

6 Comments

 
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We’ve been in the same lot at a mobile home/RV park in the Phoenix area for three months and have another month to go before moving on. It’s been interesting staying stationary for this long after our eventful summer and has made us realize a number of advantages and disadvantages of being anchored for a time. First, let’s look at the pros. Then, we’ll move on to the cons.

Pro #1: Cheaper Rate 

When you commit to an extended period of time at a park like we’re at, the park often gives you a bigger cost break. Because we signed up to stay here four months, our daily rate — including utilities — adds up to less than $20. We likely couldn’t stay at a campground for that price.

Pro #2: Active Members of Society

Our park has both permanent and seasonal residents. Because it’s gated, it’s kind of an entity unto itself, making for a community atmosphere. As a result, we’ve befriended fellow RVers, as well as permanent inhabitants. Everyone we’ve encountered here has been quite friendly. 

Not only do we feel like an active part of this society, but we also contribute to the society outside our park instead of being transients passing through. For example, we’re able to volunteer at the Commemorative Air Force weekly, visit family in the area, and regularly frequent the same grocery store. 

Pro #3: Package Delivery

Being in a single location makes it easy to stock up on supplies. By staying in a city, not only can we visit local stores to purchase items we’ve run out of, but we also have a shipping destination for supplies we order online. 

A word of caution: Some campgrounds don’t allow campers to receive packages. Be sure you check the rules of where you stay. 

Pro #4: Chance to Do Bigger RV Projects
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Just as a house requires regular maintenance of key systems, so does an RV. When traveling, it’s hard to find time and a spot to tackle some of those larger projects. Having a designated lot for a period of time allows us ample opportunity to take care of them. For example, we were able to grease Tagalong’s wheel bearings and axles, an important step before embarking on our next journey. 

Again, many campgrounds don’t allow for maintenance-type activities, so be sure to check before attempting a project like this.

Con #1: Accumulation Creep

The collection of our things has undoubtedly grown while we’ve been stationary. Without packing and closing the trailer regularly, the added accumulation hasn’t been as noticeable as it might otherwise be. 

Some RVers are careful to follow the “one in, one out” rule to avoid this, meaning for every new item they introduce to their RV, they remove one. Because we haven’t been diligent about that, we’re playing catchup to eliminate the things we don’t need or haven’t used before we hit the road again. 

Con #2: Lackadaisical Attitude

Knowing we’d be in one area for a while put us in kind of a procrastination mindset, thinking we’d have plenty of time before leaving. Now that we’re down to one month left, we’ve realized (and made a list of) all the things we need to accomplish before we set out on our next adventure. Lackadaisical attitude, be cursed!

Con #3: Reliance on Modern Conveniences

Because we have full hookups — electric, water, and sewer — we’ve found ourselves liberal with how much we let our water run for dishes and showers. Here, it’s not a commodity like it is when we’re boondocking. However, if we don’t take measures to curb this habit, we’ll be sorry when we find ourselves with no hookups and have to keep close tabs on our water usage. 

Similarly, we’ve grown accustomed to having constant access to our microwave. It’s definitely a luxury item that doesn’t work when we’re not plugged in. So, we’ll have to make some adjustments before heading to a location where we don’t have shore power. 

Con #4: Out of Practice

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment,” said author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. 

After being stationary for three months, we got out of the repetition of packing and closing our trailer to hook it up to Gulliver. We found out just how out of practice we were when we had to revisit those steps in order to carry out some needed maintenance. It’s a good thing we keep checklists so we don’t miss anything.
6 Comments
Jan
1/14/2021 10:48:03 am

Sounds like you’re getting ready to leave. When do you pull out of there?

Reply
Gene Baxter
1/14/2021 11:17:52 am

Thanks, Lana, for sharing some of the pro's and con's associated with your RV adventure. Most of us, especially us elderly, are excited for you because we have dreamed of having such an adventure as you are experiencing, but we know that we'll never have that experience ourselves. However, because we've known you and your family for decades, we readily understand much of your thinking process and concerns. So, your sharing allows us to "kind of" live your adventure with you, Moreover, you help us to put our thoughts into perspective by sharing things like the pros and cons in this blog. Thank you, and I pray that God will bless both of you, abundantly, as you prepare for and set off on the next leg of your adventure. Best regards, Gene

Reply
Elise Oras link
1/14/2021 03:49:43 pm

We decided to stay put for 45 days, and I feel like you nailed what we were feeling, too! Especially the package delivery. It is so nice but now we have more stuff, and I have no clue where it's going to go when we get back on the road!

Reply
Charlotte Poe
1/16/2021 01:17:57 am

Oh Lana, I LOVE reading of your adventures. Just wishing I were younger and could be alongside you on your travels. Also, wishing times weren't as they were, and on one of my trips to the Valley I could meet up with you for a person to person visit. I would really like that. Maybe someday when you are on a stay over there? I have sweet memories of you.
Stay safe and continue to enjoy every minute of your new life. Time for another book! Sure hoping you are doing so!
Charlotte Poe

Reply
Kerry Burgo
1/23/2021 05:40:24 am

Hi there Bob & Lana

So glad you guys are enjoying your RV lifestyle whether stationary or traveling. Cheers to many more happy travel destinations.

God Bless

Reply
Carole Grijalva
3/1/2024 08:49:35 am

Wow... When you put it in the perspective of pros and cons.. creates all sorts of emotions.. lol. We've enjoyed your time here with us.. and so excited for your next adventure..

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    This is the travel blog of full-time RVers Bob and Lana Gates and our truck, Gulliver, and fifth wheel, Tagalong. 

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