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Remember the video game Oregon Trail? If you’re between the ages of say, 20 and 50, chances are you played some iteration of the educational Apple video game in grade school. For those robbed of this wonderful schoolhood privilege, here’s a brief synopsis: You are the leader of a family making the trek across the Oregon Trail. You must keep the rest of the family healthy and, well… alive. Oh, and the oxen. Gotta keep them healthy and living as well, otherwise your trip stops and the family dies. You begin the game by selecting the supplies you think you might need along the way: food, ammo, clothing, water, medicine and spare parts. The numerous challenges faced by those on the Oregon Trail are there to greet you in digital form via the video game and in many cases they lead to the sudden loss of life - especially if you aren’t equipped with the proper supplies. Because you name your family at the start of the journey, you feel a little tinge of emotion every time the game displays a little digital tombstone complete with the family member’s name and cause of death.
The truth is, Oregon Trail is a perfect game in the sense that it puts into perspective the hardships faced by those travelers while teaching the player about the importance of planning ahead, being prepared, and dealing with sudden hardships. These days you can get Oregon Trail on emulators and online, but there is also a card game version. In fact, we carry the card game on board the RV during our travels! I’d recommend checking either game out, both are a lot of fun but most importantly they make you realize just how easy we’ve got it these days. As a full-time RVer the Oregon Trail games hit a little closer to home. Let’s walk through the parallels of driving a motorhome across the US in 2020 and driving a digital wagon across the US in the Oregon Trail game. 
Supplies
In the Oregon Trail video game, supplies are limited due to weight and space. In RV life, loading the rig up with all the necessities while staying under the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is truly a balancing act. Our Class A coach has an overall GVWR of 30,000 lbs. When we are full of fresh water and fuel and towing the Ranger, we weigh in at about 29,700 lbs! Talk about cutting it close. And that’s after we unloaded about 500 lbs of weight during our last stop in Oklahoma City. In the Oregon Trail games, if a hardship arises and you don’t have the supplies to handle the situation, your entire party can perish in just a few turns. Wagon axle breaks and no spare parts? You’re stranded and everyone starves. While the consequences are not typically that dire, RV life is pretty similar. Balancing our on-board water for instance (@ 8.3 lbs per gallon) with a large load of groceries might mean we dump 30 gallons of fresh water in a WalMart parking lot. Speaking of food, we can only bring so much since our fridge and cabinets are in no way “residential grade”. As the primary driver of the coach, I am responsible for repairing and maintaining our “wagon”. When something breaks or needs general attention, I better be prepared. Some items that have proved their weight in gold: tire plug kit; tool kit(s); electrical connectors and tools; fuses; spare oil and other fluids; tire pressure monitors; electric impact wrench; RTV silicone sealant; silicone lubricant; rubber roof patch tape and the Dremel tool. Obviously that’s a lot of stuff but, really, I’ve used all those items more than once in the past year. Some, weekly. What’s the tradeoff? All those things take up space and add weight to the vehicle. For me, the pros of being able to diagnose and repair in the field outweighs the cons of space and weight. Beyond the needs of maintaining the RV, truck, generator and motorcycles, Tosha and I also need to consider that little thing where we keep the kids comfortable and alive. Food, drinks, entertainment, clothing, learning tools and medicine are all crucial. Again, lots of things there but all are necessary. Carter in particular has Type 1 diabetes, which means we always have insulin on board which must be refrigerated. If we lose power, we better have propane on board to run the fridge. No power and no propane? We’re in trouble. By the way, we have to work out logistics for ordering and restocking these meds as we travel across the country! Keeping tabs on propane, gasoline, oil level, fresh water, medication, spare parts, food, ammo (yes ammo is a necessity), waste on board, generator/coach maintenance and 10 different tire pressures can feel like a full-time job in and of itself. Losing tabs on any one of these things can put us in a predicament that sends our stress level skyrocketing. 
Calamities
In the Oregon Trail games, those predicaments are referred to as calamities. Sure that sounds dramatic, but I can relate. Over the past few months we’ve experienced a flat tire, an exploded electrical system thanks to a short in our power hook-up cord and various generator issues. In fact we’re currently living without mobile power since our generator completely went out last week… but that’s a story worthy of it’s own blog. The key is being as prepared as possible for any foreseeable issue while not overloading the RV. Non-tangible things that can still bail you out of a sticky situation include roadside assistance plans, vehicle/RV extended warranties, and the best insurance you can afford. These don’t add weight or take up space, but they do provide protection and peace-of-mind. 
Hunting when times get tough
When you run out of food on the Oregon Trail, it’s time to load the gun and go hunting. Assuming that you have ammo on board of course! In real life I would equate this to hustling for a few extra bucks. This can be done remotely depending on your primary sources of income (and again, assuming you have wifi reception!), but you can also forage for some extra income via a workcamping gig or using your toad vehicle as an Uber. When times get tough, rolling your sleeves up and hunting for those extra dollars can really save the day! 
The oxen
Like oxen, the RV is one of the most important things to monitor during your travels. Without a healthy yoke of oxen you are stranded, and you better hope you’ve got roadside assistance. The thing about RV’s is there are SO MANY THINGS to tend to! Of course you have the running gear; engine, transmission, tires, axles, brakes, suspension, steering and cooling system. But you also need to remember the coach elements; plumbing, electrical, structural, air conditioners, appliances, generator and exterior sealant! Neglect any one of these items and a small inconvenience could quickly become a big big problem. I use a couple different apps to keep me on schedule with all the RV maintenance needs. A logbook works as well. Oh, and don’t neglect your toad vehicle! 
Camping overnight in strange places
Just as on the Oregon Trail, you sometimes find yourself in a strange place with no other choice but to stay overnight. We generally try and scout our surroundings ahead of time using various crime mapping websites, but even that isn’t foolproof. Only a few times have we been truly sketched out, but we can take a little solace in the fact that we have home protection on board. When parked in less than desirable areas we simply pull the shades down, lock all doors and compartments, and we all sleep in the mid/loft area of the RV away from entry doors. Again, it doesn’t happen often but you do need a plan and protection for the times it does.
Arriving at the next checkpoint and resupplying
When you’re low on supplies or have an ongoing calamity in the Oregon Trail game, seeing the next sign of civilization on the horizon is a huge relief. In the Oregon Trail game, it’s a fort or a town. In RV life - for us anyway - the equivalent “sigh of relief” moment would be an RV park with full hookups. Electricity without the restrictions of our generator size! Water without worry of running out! And draining our showers and toilets without worry of overflowing the holding tanks! Living in an RV, you quickly start coveting things you once took for granted. As I mentioned earlier, we’re currently grappling with generator issues. For the past 24 hours we have done a delicate balancing act of conserving every watt of energy while still making food, running the water pump, etc… We also completely filled our waste tanks which meant dirty dishes stacking up, and no one being allowed to use the toilet. This morning Carter woke up with high blood sugar (again, diabetic), and unfortunately he was sick and throwing up. We ran out of water flushing. Worse, we had no water for him to drink in order to reduce his sugar levels! Finally, at noon today we rolled into an RV park for the first time in over four days. We plugged in 50 amp electric and the sewer dump as soon as we arrived, we put the slides out, kicked the AC units on and emptied the waste tanks. Let me tell you, it was nice. It truly felt like we were back in a house. Just as comforting: Leaving the RV park with full batteries, empty waste tanks, full water reserves, and - if I’m lucky to find the time - a freshly-washed rig! RV parks truly are an RV’ers equivalent of civilization on the Oregon Trail. 
Fording a river
I debated putting this one in, but it’s relatable. In Oregon Trail, when you come across a river you have a few options presented to you: You can ford the river, attempt to float the wagon across, or at times pay a ferry. The RV equivalent? Low clearance things like bridges, power lines, trees, etc., or a dead end road that you can’t turn around on. Maybe a steep incline that could cause you to rip the entire rear cap off your rig. In these instances you have to make quick, sometimes stressful decisions. I’ve attempted to clear low bridges and crushed my roof elements, and I’ve been stuck in dead ends that made for time-consuming turn arounds. It’s not fun and it can cause everyone in the wagon (RV) to hurl stress-induced comments at one another. Essentially, when navigating an RV you have quick decisions to make around every turn. Assuming you’re going to clear that low bridge without knowing your actual height? Better have the budget for a new satellite dome! But hey, most of the time you’ll only make a mistake once. That being said, I’ve repaired our satellite dome three times now. Take better mental notes than me. 
These are all first world problems
In the end, everything aforementioned - aside from keeping medication stocked and refrigerated - is not a big, life-threatening deal. These are truly “first world problems”. In the grand scheme of things, whether you live in a big sticks-and-bricks home or a little travel trailer, a day or two without electricity or water is nothing compared to what our forefathers endured. More importantly, it’s nothing compared to what others experience even in these times. We must remind ourselves of this. Perspective is very important. Hopefully if you’re new to RVing or considering it, this blog opens your eyes to some of the everyday challenges you may face. For those of you already familiar with all the things I described above, my hope is you got a smile from this and you’ve been reminded to keep your cool when times get tough. But regardless of how you relate, reading it all the way through means you’re now rewarded with this: A fully playable web-based version of the original Oregon Trail game! Have fun, good luck and… make those supply choices wisely! 
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Our daughter texted us this morning to let us know she and her boyfriend were considering moving into an RV as their first place together. She reached out to us since we were full-time RVers and she wanted to know what tips we had for them.
First of all, there's no one-size fits all answer to this question. There are several basic RV styles with multiple layout options for each style. There are also many different lifestyles one can lead in an RV. Therefore, specific recommendations for furnishings, storage and maintenance cannot be given until the RV style, layout and lifestyle are chosen. However, there are at least five recommendations I could give to anyone looking to go full-time that would be applicable to everyone no matter the specific choices made in these areas. 
Downsize as much as possible.
No matter how much you think you've downsized to move into your RV, it won't be enough. You'll downsize again at some point. We're nearly a year into our journey and we've already downsized twice since moving into the RV. (We probably got rid of 2/3rds of our stuff before we even moved into the RV.) It's amazing how few things we actually needed once we hit the road. We simply don't focus on things anymore. We focus on spending quality time together and making memories. We also use the "where would it go filter" before we purchase anything new. If we don't know where we're going to put it in the RV then we don't buy it. Let's be honest, I never used that method in my house. I just bought it and figured out where it was going to go later. 
Learn the KonMari folding method.
Unless you're a person that can live with an extremely limited amount of clothes (I'm talking capsule wardrobe size or less), you will probably need to find an efficient way to fold and store your clothes. Even if you do have a small number of items, folding them properly can reduce the amount of unnecessary wrinkles. The KonMari folding method by Marie Kondo focuses on both space saving benefits and the reduction of wrinkles and it's a must-know for any full-time RVer. You can learn more about the KonMari folding method buy reading Marie Kondo's best selling book called The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Now, the down side of the KonMari method is that it takes additional time so find a TV show to watch or an Audible book to listen to while you're folding because it's going to take some time. It does get easier the longer you do it, though. 
Leave the glassware behind.
It's not a good idea to bring glass in the RV. Even if you are going to be stationary more than moving, the spaces where you will be keeping your plates, bowls and cups will be small. You will need to stack everything together to save space and, with that, comes the risk of breaking. I highly recommend picking up some plastic items and leaving all glassware behind. We bought these from Target for $0.79 each but Amazon has some great options as well if you are an Amazon-aholic and prefer to get the most out of your two day Prime shipping. 
Invest in high quality internet.
Internet has become a household necessity just like water, sewer and electricity, especially if you plan to work on the road. Many RV parks advertise their free WiFi but very few parks actually have good WiFi. If you are doing any sort of work or want to easily communicate with family and friends from the road, high quality internet is a must have for all full-time RVers. Some people can get by with using their phones for internet connectivity but others will need to invest in a hotspot to use on the road. (We invested in a Netgear Nighthawk.) There is a ton of information out there already on the best internet options but the truth is that, just like the type of RV, there is no one-size fits all solution for internet. You have to review the carriers in your geographical area and research their plans. Plans also change all of the time so just because someone was able to get a great internet plan six months ago does not mean that plan is still available today. 
Make sure you have a nest egg for repairs.
If you buy an RV, you should definitely consider buying an extended warranty for major repairs but the truth is that there will be times when using the extended warranty may not even be an option. Here's an example. Your generator goes out because a piece inside the generator breaks. It's Saturday afternoon and all RV dealerships are closed. You are boondocking and you can't wait until Monday to have it repaired because you need power for the rest of the weekend. You figure out you can fix the issue yourself by doing some Googling. Guess what? You do it. You fix it yourself (even if it would have been covered under your extended warranty if you would have waited until Monday). These situations occur all of the time in an RV. Sometimes you don't have time to wait until Monday or until a dealership can get to you in two weeks. You have to be flexible and sometimes you have to solve the problem yourself. Be prepaid to pay out of pocket for repairs in these situations. And these situations happen a lot in an RV. So, there you go. Those are my top five must knows about the full-time RV lifestyle. Let me know if any of them resonate with you or if you have any you would like to add. Like I said, this is meant to be a list of must knows that apply to pretty much everyone. I could come up with several different lists depending on the RV style, layout and lifestyle you choose. More to come on those in future blogs. 
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