I took the ultimate RV trip, five years of full-timing in a comfortable unit traveling to the far corners of North America. From Alaska to Florida, Vancouver to Montreal, RVing allowed me to see more of the continent than I could have ever dreamed.

Regardless of how you might choose to RV, I think you should take an RV trip at least once in your life.

One of the best parts of RVing is traveling at your own pace with your bed, kitchen, and bathroom. You can keep your surroundings familiar while changing the view outside your window. You can visit large cities and quiet forests without having to pack and unpack. RVing is like going cruising on land.

RVing is also a great way to travel if you have pets. I traveled with two cats that adapted well to the lifestyle. Their perches never changed, but the view outside the window did, and I was able to give them enough routine to keep them happy and stress-free.

You will be surprised by the friendships you make RVing. The more you travel, the more you will find yourself meeting up with the same people. From happy hour to community potlucks, there’s always an excuse to socialize in the RVing world. You will find yourself sharing stories of the places you’ve been, your worst disasters emptying holding tanks, and tips on how to find those magical out of the way places you can’t find in travel guides.

Traveling in an RVing can be very economical. If you choose to make the jump to full-timing, you’ll learn that the cost of maintaining an RV is less than the cost of maintaining a residence. Even if you’re just traveling part-time, you can make most of your meals yourself, cutting down on the cost of eating out. Fuel costs can be intimidating, but are less terrifying when other costs are so low. For example, accommodation doesn’t have to be five-star resort-type parks because there are so many free or nearly free parking locations available, from Walmarts for one-night stays to beautiful beaches for an extended vacation.

If you’re unsure about RVing and just want to try it out for a bit, consider renting a unit. You can rent from large companies or from private owners through a service like RV Share. These owners recoup some of the cost of ownership by renting out their RVs when not using them.

Renting an RV is a great way to try out a variety of units before making a decision to buy. The most common rental unit seen on the road is the class C type, with the overhang over the cab. By renting directly through the owner by way of a service like RV Share, you can get the opportunity to try out a larger class A motorhome or even a towable like a bumper pull trailer, fifth wheel, or tent trailer, which are rare in the commercial RV rental markets.

RVing is a wonderful and affordable way to travel, offering all the conveniences of home on the road. Whether you choose to buy or rent an RV, I really do think you should take an RV trip at least once in your life.

(this is a sponsored post)