Let’s not mince words, in the recreational vehicle community, there are trailer parks and there are RV parks. There are homes with wheels that never turn, and there are homes that don’t stay in one place more than a few weeks. And finally, there’s a big difference between people who live full-time in a RV, as opposed to full-time RVers. All of these nuances became very apparent to us when we recently needed some help during a hot afternoon in Texas.
Last month while temporarily staying in a cheap trailer park set alongside a pretty river, we accidentally left the key in our Dodge truck’s ignition system in the “on” position overnight and killed the batteries. My first instinct was to ask our neighbor, the park manager, if we could have a jump start from his heavy-duty Dodge pickup. When we approached to ask for this big favor he refused, and made it clear that he “couldn’t” help because he doesn’t ever use his precious Dodge to jump start another vehicle under any circumstances.
My husband and I were dumbstruck. Every other RVer we’ve met wouldn’t hesitate to offer help during a crisis like this. It’s the unspoken rule of the road, you spread the love to other RVers by helping out when someone needs it.
After walking away shaking our heads in disbelief, it occurred to us; the park manager isn’t a full-timer, he’s just a guy who happens to live a trailer. He’s never gone full-timing so he has no idea about the real camaraderie that occurs between vagabonding RVers who occasionally find themselves in a bad situation.
Through the years we’ve learned that RVers are some of the friendliest people around. Whether it’s an old guy in a powder blue jumpsuit or a vacationing family, real RVers will jump in to assist because they understand what it’s like to be stuck in a bad situation with your home in tow.
If you’re a full-time RVer and don’t stay in one place very long, be sure to look around at the license plates on the RVs and vehicles in the park you check into. If most of fellow resident’s license plates are titled in the same state, chances are you’re going to be surrounded by permanent residents, many of which may not be as sympathetic to your plight should you need assistance. If you see piles of junk sitting outside the RVs, or rigs that look like they haven’t moved for a decade, you may want to opt out and choose a park where you have more in common with its temporary residents.
Sometimes you just shouldn’t choose a park on price alone; it’s often the people who help create memories that make for an adventurous full-timing lifestyle, not necessarily the location or the activities you pursue while you’re there. The next time we decide to camp somewhere for more than a couple of weeks, I’ll be sure to pick a park that appears to have full-timing residents from all across the nation. It’s far better to surround yourself with mutually-beneficial relationships of support and camaraderie than trailer park neighbors who haven’t evolved past the dog-eat-dog mentality of a traditional default life.
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
I agree, you do have to look at your potential neighbours and surroundings just like booking a hotel. However, I live fulltime in my rig & several of my neighbours do to. We don’t have piles of junk under our rigs, we don’t look like our rigs haven’t moved in a decade and we do have camaraderie between us. We all help each other as well as the folks that come to share this little piece of heaven for days or weeks at a time. I am living in my rig not because I can’t afford a stationary house but because I am learning to live, use, trouble shoot problems, set up & take down my dear house on wheels as I prepare to retire next year and join the coveted full time RVers group. As a single old gal this is a big learning curve for me so I wanted time to learn while living “the life” and have people I know & trust show me the ropes (and help fix my boo boos) in my transition year. I take my rig out for short jaunts and occasionally longer when time allows. Can’t wait to be a vagabond! I just want to say that not all people who live fulltime in their rigs are uncaring of the folks that are on the move, many of us can’t wait to join you and most are more than willing to help out in any way we can. I’m sorry for your run in with the Texan but you get that from people along the way whether it’s an RV park, hotel or diner…some people just don’t help out. Happy trails & hope to see you on the road!
Lisa, thanks for your kindness, I so appreciate it and totally get where you’re coming from. You are absolutely right, there are exceptions everywhere. I was pretty irked when I wrote this and I know the bitterness came through, I apologize if I offended anyone out there.
What you’re doing is very smart! And I’m so glad you ended up in a good park with helpful folks who will give you the confidence you need on the road. I hope to see you too, keep in touch and good luck!