One of the things many, if not most, RVers think about as they are starting out on the RV life is how they will be received by the RV community.
It’s a valid question. We are pack animals by nature, we humans, and it is always important to feel wanted and included. The RV community is huge, numbering in the millions, and for a newcomer to wonder what that community is like is perfectly normal.
So, in this article, we will tell you what to expect.
What is the RV Community?
The RV community consists, of course, of people who RV either part-time or full-time, but it is a much larger community than that, and it includes the following:
- KOA
- Harvest Host
- Boondockers Inc.
- Thousand Trails
- RV dealerships, repair shops, and supply stores
- Boondockers
- Nomads
Let’s look briefly at each of these.
KOA
Kampgrounds of America has been around for quite a few years, and all of them have RV hookups for the wandering RVer. Most KOAs are tended to with love; many have pools; all have showers; and most, if not all, have a small general store for supplies.
Harvest Host
If you want a place to stay for the night, safe and clean, no hookups, you can pick from the thousands of farms, wineries, breweries, and museums which make up Harvest Host. Meet some great people, share the camping area with one or two other RVs, and really enjoy life on the backroads.
Booddockers Inc.
Like Harvest Host except these are private properties owned by individuals and not places of business. Sometimes amenities are available, but plan on no hookups.
Thousand Trails
These destinations are like country clubs for RVing. A bit pricey, but the amenities and hookups are sometimes worth the price.
RV dealerships
Most major cities have RV dealerships, shops, and supply stores. Most small cities do not. Keep that in mind if you are going to be on the road a long time.
Boondockers
This term refers to pulling off on the side of the road, or in designated boondocking areas, and camping without water, electricity, or sewage. With the advent of solar panels on many RVs, boondocking is becoming quite popular, and you will meet some great people.
Nomads are RVers who live the RV life full-time, RV travel from worksite to worksite, paying their way by working part-time jobs in various cities and states. When the economy tanked during the pandemic, the life of a nomad became quite popular in the U.S.
Be prepared for lots of new friends in the RV community
No matter what method of RVing you choose, and no matter where you choose to spend a night, you will meet the RV community, and I would estimate 99% of them are friendly and helpful. In fact, it is not unusual at all for new RVers to have experienced RVers stop by for a chat nearly every night, and especially if you are driving or pulling a unique style of RV.
Be friendly and be respectful
There is no long list of rules for RV etiquette on an RV trip; just be friendly, be respectful, and pick up after yourself in your campsites. That’s all there is to it. Be prepared to make lots of new friends on the road if you can follow those three simple rules.
Above all, have fun and improve your quality of life
I cannot emphasize this enough. Have fun! Improve your quality of life on the road. See new sites. Meet new people. Say goodbye to whatever worries and responsibilities you left at home and have a blast with the RV community.