RV Lifefashion: Resolutions Impressed by Skilled RVers – RVBusiness

Editor’s Note: The following is a submit from RVLifestyle.com’s Mike Wendlend. Wendlend mentioned these are the New Year’s resolutions that may “actually stick,” and are wanted for a profitable RV journey.

Every January, social media explodes with RV influencers posting their resolutions: “Travel more! Adventure awaits! Live your best life!”

Yeah, thanks. Super useful.

After 15 years of full-time RV dwelling and speaking to 1000’s of RVers by means of my podcast and neighborhood, I can inform you the resolutions that truly matter don’t have anything to do with Instagram-worthy sunsets. They’re concerning the unglamorous stuff that separates RVers who thrive from those that promote their rig inside 18 months.

Here are the resolutions skilled RVers want they’d made in yr one, and why 2026 is likely to be the yr you really hold them.

I do know. Boring. But right here’s what no one tells you: tire failure is the primary reason behind RV breakdowns, and it’s nearly all the time preventable.

Linda from Oregon instructed me she discovered this lesson the onerous manner on I-90 in Montana. “We were six months into RV life, having the time of our lives. Then a tire blew at 65 mph. The damage cascaded: destroyed the fender, took out the battery compartment, cracked the frame. $8,000 in repairs because I thought ‘it looks fine’ was good enough.”

The decision that sticks: Buy a high quality tire strain monitoring system (TPMS) and really use it. Set a calendar reminder for the primary of each month. Check pressures when tires are chilly. Write down the numbers.

Is it thrilling? No. Will it prevent 1000’s of {dollars} and probably your life? Absolutely.

Most new RVers don’t know what their life-style really prices. They have a fantasy quantity of their heads (often manner too low) or they’re simply hoping it really works out.

Here’s the fact: Over the years, I’ve watched RVers have real-time revelations about their spending. The ones who tracked all the things knew precisely the place their cash went. The ones who didn’t? They had been confused, shocked, and generally ended up slicing their journeys quick and quitting RV Life totally.

Mark and Susan from Texas began out as full-timers in 2024. They shared their story with Jen and me over a campfire in Tennessee final summer time: “We thought we could do this on $3,000 a month. After actually tracking for 90 days, our real number was $4,800. That’s a huge difference. But knowing the truth meant we could make real decisions instead of just worrying constantly.”

The decision that sticks: Use an app, a spreadsheet, or perhaps a pocket book. Track each greenback for 3 months. Every campground charge, each tank of fuel, each grocery run, each “quick stop” at Walmart that turns into $200.

After three months, you’ll know your precise burn charge. Then you may make knowledgeable selections about the place to chop, the place to splurge, and whether or not your RV life-style is sustainable.

Click here to read the rest of the resolutions.