In Episode 5 of Go RVing’s series 6 Things I Love About RVing, RV owners Dan and Jess share how owning an RV for over a decade has reshaped their family’s lifestyle. Raising two young daughters, Penny (7) and Molly (5), alongside their two dogs, Razzy and Bonnie, Dan and Jess highlight how their home on wheels supports everything from remote work and cross-country road trips to hosting massive annual family reunions.
Below are the six reasons Dan and Jess love the RV lifestyle:
1. Multi-Purpose Functionality & Remote Work
An RV isn’t just for weekend getaways; it can seamlessly serve as a functional remote workspace.
- Quiet Home Office: As a remote nurse, Jess uses the RV three nights a week as a peaceful sanctuary outside the noise of the main house.
- Flexible Workspaces: The interior layout allows work to be spread out at the dinette table or set up at the front pull-out table.
2. Hosting Budget-Friendly, Large-Scale Family Reunions
The flexibility of an RV turns any private property into an event venue.
- Centerpiece for Events: Dan and Jess host an annual family reunion on their farm for 70 to 80 people using four parked RVs.
- Built-in Amenities & Power: The RVs power party equipment, function as full kitchens for cooking, and provide bathrooms for guests—eliminating the need for porta-potty rentals.
- Free Accommodation: Around 20 family members sleep comfortably overnight inside the RVs using bunk beds and drop-down bunks.
- Personal Space: Guests retain privacy with their own beds, bathrooms, and refrigerators while remaining part of the larger gathering.
3. Hosting Budget-Friendly, Large-Scale Family Reunions
Using RVs for large gatherings serves as a major money-saver, providing an affordable way to host family and friends for annual events without incurring high venue or hotel expenses.
- Budget-Friendly Setup: By hosting on their own property and utilizing RVs they already own—along with a rental option for friends—they create an accessible and cost-effective event space.
- Private Comforts: Everyone enjoys their own private beds, refrigerators, and bathrooms while staying fully connected at the same large gathering.
4. Scalable Setup: From Minimalist Boondocking to Elaborate Celebrations
Whether you want a simple nature retreat or a fully equipped party setup, RVing adapts to the occasion.
- Boondocking Simplicity: During trips to national forests, setup can be as simple as rolling out the awning and setting up camping chairs to soak in nature.
- Event Hosting: For special occasions, the RV supports extensive gear, including popcorn makers, outdoor grills, lights, movie projectors, bounce houses, and hammocks.
5. Ultimate Convenience & Bringing the Comforts of Home
Having everything needed in the RV—whether boondocking or staying at a campground—provides the ultimate convenience of a true home on wheels.
- All Essentials Onboard: From pots, pans, and food supplies to dog beds, treats, and leashes, everything stays loaded inside so it's easy to set up and go.
- Food Safety: Keeping food stored in the refrigerator until it is ready to be served ensures it stays fresh and safe instead of sitting out during warm weather.
6. Bringing Pets Along for the Journey
Bringing dogs along on camping trips ensures that pets—who are true members of the family—get to share in the adventure without the added cost or worry of pet care.
- Eliminating Boarding Expenses: Traveling with dogs saves money on pet sitters and kennel boarding fees while keeping the whole family together.
- Safe, Climate-Controlled Rest: When visiting dog-restricted national parks or attractions, pets have a secure, air-conditioned environment to relax in back at the RV.
Final Thoughts
RVing provides the family with immersive outdoor experiences and encourages lasting childhood memories.
- Iconic Destinations: Dan and Jess have taken their daughters on epic adventures across the country, including hiking The Narrows at Zion, visiting Glacier National Park, and viewing a total solar eclipse.
- Living in Nature: The lifestyle encourages children to run through meadows, play in creeks, and appreciate nature firsthand.
- Memory Keepers: The family collects souvenir fridge magnets from every destination to display on the RV’s microwave.
Unlike traditional vacations anchored to a single location, an RV changes its role based on where you park. The RV transforms into a mountain house near national parks, a beach house when camping on the shore, or a cozy retreat anywhere in between.
