Does anyone own a RV and travel between pet sits in it?
This is something we are planning to do in US, Canada and South America. I have started reading blogs and researching different types of RVs and all the pros and cons. Being long distance sailors we are used to being self reliant and minimalistic but I’m sure there are other things that we are overlooking.
Some of the problems I am anticipating is parking while pet sitting, getting fuel and water in remote areas, different states/countries laws, driving o; the other side of the road.
I would love to get some insight from people who have done this or are doing this, read some blogs that some of you could recommend.
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Hi @ElsieDownie one of our members, although I’m sure there are many, @barbara.wood777 is very experienced with RVing and has written an article about the pros and cons.
I’ve tagged her and I’m sure she will join in the conversation
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We’ve been toying with the idea of living in a camper van whilst housesitting. There are definitely a few others that already do it.
It sounds like an ideal combination, having the freedom to travel around in a van/RV and then when you need a little more space, somewhere to have a nice shower, clean clothes, fill up water tanks, cook with a full size kitchen etc you can find a housesit and also have the company of some fur-legged friends! Perfect!
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We have a 7m mobile home which we have taken to Europe for extended periods. On the first trip we did three sits, which were fab. Two of the three sits lent us a car which was great as the problem with sits with parking for a mobile home, probably means they are a way from the supermarkets, shops and activities. We do have bikes in the van which we used on the second sit, but it was quite hard work. She also decided, after we got there, that perhaps she’d like to charge us for heating the house, we declined this, as we could have been toasty warm in the van for a lot less than the money she wanted!
The other thing to be aware of is that many insurers only cover the van unoccupied for 48 or 72 hours. This nearly caused problems on the third sit, they were very remote, completely off grid, and did have suitable parking BUT no suitable track to get to the property. They had to return to the UK for medical reasons, so we had to do the sit, and had just reconciled ourselves with one of us sleeping in the van, in the village, to keep it occupied overnight, when with a lot of careful maneuvering, overhead tree pruning through the skylight, and crossed fingers, we made it through the village to a piece of land where we could see it from the house. Setting the alarm off, to see if we could hear it in the house, really disturbed the peacocks on the property so worked very well as an alarm system!
On the whole, while we spend our summers in the UK sitting, the van is in storage and we travel in the car, it’s just easier!
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Thank you for all the info JackieX. These are the sort of things we are anticipating. Another problem with insurance! Along with the other stuff. The UK Government has increased the retirement age but no one has told the travel industry that we are now fit and able to work till 67. It is so difficult to get long term travel insurance for over 65s.
It looks like parking is going to be a headache.
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Hi ElsieDownie,
Traveling around the USA, Canada and South America in an RV is a great way to explore these large countries.
In the USA, you might want to alternate between paid campgrounds (with water & electricity hookups) and free overnight parking lots, or car parks, as you say in the UK, including:
Walmart - well-lit public locations with security cameras.
Cracker Barrel - The restaurant chain has 663 Cracker Barrel restaurants in the USA that will allow you to stay overnight for free in their parking lots.
Harvest Hosts - provide RV owners with free overnight stops at wineries and farms across the USA.
Also, check out: Allstays Campgrounds RV Parks
https://www.allstays.com/
Wishing you the best in all your travels and house sits!
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Thank you Maryse for all these recommendations. We knew that Walmart welcomed overnight stays but that was a fantastic list. When sailing we always had a cruising guide for the places we visited. It listed anchorages, marinas, places to get fresh water, fuel, laundromats etc. Is there any equivalent?
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