We have been living full time in the RV for almost 2 1/2 years. If Chad had told me 11 years ago that in the future we would live in an RV full time, I would have told him he was crazy. But here we are killin’ it, well most days that is. RV living has its ups and downs. For instance, we have become closer as a family, and we have learned what is truly important and what is not. By the way, a full size kitchen is important, RV kitchens do not have enough room for someone like me. I have kitchen gadgets that I use regularly, I like to have a good stock of groceries, and I like to cook big meals and bake. That is one thing I look forward to on the farm is having a big kitchen.
Since we live in the RV full time we do not have the option to just take the RV to the shop for months to get fixed. After the first winter in the RV the central heat and air went out. I tried hiring someone to come fix it but no one wanted to work on an RV. I have not fixed that issue other than using window units and space heaters.
I have learned how to fix plumbing issues, not my favorite but I am super thankful for Sharkbite pex plumbing supplies, they cost a little more but they work great. I have changed out the septic drain lever twice (it is a really bad design) which is not for the faint of hearts. I have also switched out the water pump and changed out the bathtub drain, and plumbing because the old one was leaking. I am very thankful for YouTube, I have watched so many how to videos on different RV models that have helped me enough to get through it.
The bathrooms in the RV are usable but not cute in any way. Of course I saw on Pinterest how to put in faux ship lap which I was able to talk Chad into doing. And while I was in Kentucky this last time he repainted our bathroom, and gave our bathroom cabinets and mirror a facelift. We have always hated the bathroom cabinets but have not had the time or ambition to get it done.
There is also constant maintenance with an RV. Every 2 weeks or so I clean out the septic tanks with a wand attachment on our hose. And with a family in here we are constantly cleaning up because of a couple things are out then it makes the whole house look like a mess. Luckily it doesn’t take long to clean.
When we moved into the RV one of my requirements was to have a washer and dryer. We went with a washer/dryer combo to save space. I do not recommend it. To wash and dry 1 load of laundry it takes 4 hours if not longer depending on what you are drying and the laundry loads had to be super small. Eventually I just started hanging clothes out to dry on a clothes like because we just had too much laundry.
RVs are not designed to live in full time even though so many people do live in them full time. The washer/dryer combo also was not made to be used like a household washer and dryer. If finally kicked the bucket on Chad while I was gone this last time in Kentucky. There is not room for him to pull it out and look at it, so when I got home I crawled behind it through the closet and went to work on it.
When I opened up the back the drive belt was not on it, so I though oh that should be an easy fix. I tried and tried to get the dang belt on and finally resorted to YouTube which showed me how easy it actually was to get it back on. I finally got it on and then had Payton turn on the dryer to see if it would work. Within 10 seconds it threw the belt again. I then thought we’ll maybe we just need a new belt. But after researching more, it is the bearings that went out and we ended up just taking the whole machine out. I will just have to go to the laundry mat and do laundry for a while.
There is definitely never a dull moment around here. Back in Kentucky, Hunter and my dad finished cleaning out all the foam in the basement. And found that there is a section on the floor where there is concrete is higher than everywhere else. Maybe they did it to level the “Amish fridge” since the rest of the basement is made so any water will go into the drains built into the floor. And my dad got the light above the bathroom sink installed. Let there be light!
Pink Squirrel Farmstead 