The $5,000 Mistakes: RV Purchases I Regret (and How to Avoid Them)
Van life / RV life is awesome. As a new RVer, you’ve probably been planning for months, obsessing about every cool gadget and trying to envision every possible scenario — from stealth camping in an urban jungle to deep solitude in the National Forest.
I get it. I obsessively and compulsively tried to envision every scenario and planned accordingly. The problem? My wallet paid the price.
Here are the most costly mistakes I made in my first few months on the road — mistakes I hope you can learn from! (And if you haven’t bought yet, do yourself a favor and read Before You Buy a Van or RV first — half of these mistakes start at the purchase.)
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Mistake 1: Not Budgeting for the Inevitable Breakdown.
Whether you’re in a brand-new van or a lovingly restored Skoolie, the probability of something going wrong in the first 90 days is high. Ask me how I know..,.
In the first six months, my brand-new Winnebago Revel—sticker price over a quarter million—was in the shop three times for different issues. I now have new friends at dealers in Texas, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania! (Yep, tour the country by touring Winnebago dealers! Just why I bought an adventure van!)
The Costly Error: I made a huge mistake by not recognizing the inevitability of these mechanical issues and not staying close to home. I spent a fair amount of money on hotels while my van was repaired—easily over a thousand dollars that could have been saved.
The Fix: Plan on the inevitable. Stay near your purchasing dealer for the first 30 days to test systems and work out the kinks while you have preferred service access. Plus appointments during prime camping season may not be easy to come by. So you may be sidelined for much longer than you anticipate. Have a plan.
Mistake 2: Buying Too Much New Gear at Once (And Not Testing It).
That old expression, “They don’t make stuff like they used to,” is pretty true. In preparation for van life, I bought all sorts of fun, new items, from an awesome eMTB to new kitchen gadgets.
The Costly Error: Most of it had problems, and I was far from home.
My almost $10,000 Trek eMTB? Two warranty issues. My dehumidifier, necessary for van life? The one I bought sucked, and I didn’t figure that out until a month in—well past the return window. When you’re dealing with issues a thousand miles from home, even a small repair can cause massive diversion and stress.
The Fix: Start buying and testing crucial items (gear, electronics, major accessories) before you leave home. When you can easily take an item back to your local dealer or return it to Amazon, you save yourself massive headaches and hundreds in re-buying costs.
Mistake 3: Over-Accessorizing Your Van or RV (Buying the Fantasy).
This mistake is about purchasing aftermarket add-ons based on the idealized vision of van life, not the reality. Or, maybe because you have this image in your head… Luckily, when I bought my RV I didn’t repeat the same process and instead sat back and waited to see what I actually Used.
Of what an amazing explorer and adventurer you are: tackling the most off the grid remote locations because you’ve watched some YouTube bro awesomeness videos…
The Costly Error: I spent $1,500 on an onboard air compressor because I envisioned deep off-roading in remote sand dunes. You know how many times I’ve needed it in six months? Zero. Nada. What I wish I had bought? The $5,000 suspension kit I talked myself out of, because I carry way more weight than I thought. My van was accessorized for a fantasy life I haven’t lived yet.
The Fix: Hold off on expensive, specialized aftermarket add-ons. Your plan and reality will deviate. Use your van for a month or two before investing thousands in accessories tailored to one specific (and likely rare) use case.
Mistake 4: Buying Too Much Stuff (The Kitchen Sink Syndrome).
Oh wow, did I buy a bunch of stuff I don’t use. Why the hell I thought I needed a small food processor is beyond me. Like seriously – as if it became a puzzle to try to tetris as much stuff in 60 sq ft as possible.
The Costly Error: I was planning for the “Old Me”—the guy with the complex, hyper-healthy diet who needed specialized tools like mixing bowls and processors. I still have mixing bowls in their plastic wrap because when I need to mix something, I just do it in the pan I’m going to cook with! My priorities changed, and my stuff didn’t.
The Fix: Go minimalist and buy as you go. Pack minimal clothing and kitchen gear. Recognize that efficiency will quickly replace “joy” and “convention” as your cooking and packing priorities. Buy only what you absolutely need, and save your money by accepting that your life and your needs have changed.
Mistake 5: Buying Memberships You Don't Need.
When I first got into van life, I bought every RV membership program: Passport America, Good Sam, Harvest Hosts, etc. And look, I’m not saying these aren’t great programs. Over time, the truth has become evident. Only a few of these original purchases did I renew (one by mistake). As a full tine RVer, I still need camping memberships, I’m just more selective.
But am I going to renew them all? Probably not. I don’t use them enough to justify the expense.
The Costly Error: Investing hundreds (or thousands) in programs you aren’t ready to use.
The Fix: Wait until you’ve been traveling for a month or two before investing hundreds in memberships you may or may not use. Try them out first! My best investment? My Planet Fitness Membership—workout done? Check. Hot shower? Amazing. Occasionally camping in their parking lot? Bonus awesomeness.
The one membership I love: My Thousand Trails Membership!!! If you don’t know anything about Thousand Trails, I highly encourage you to check out my post here on why Thousand Trails is amazing for Van Life!
By far the one investment that I made was buying a Thousand Trails membership. I am averaging about 200 nights per year in Thousand Trails Campgrounds! My average cost to camp is around $17 per night!
Thinking of Joining? Explore Your Options.
Thousand Trails: Your Ultimate Guide to Van Life Adventures and Affordable Stays
I didn’t buy a Thousand Trails membership to go to campgrounds. I bought it so I could go everywhere else. Here’s how it works for van life.
Chasing great mountain biking, camping smart, and living full-time in an RV. Hard-won wisdom. Zero fluff. Live Free. Adventure Often
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A Little Bit About Me.
I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking.
What I bring to you isn’t AI generated. It’s based on my feet on the ground – or sometimes conversations with locals. Click here to read more about me! And, for a State-By-State guide of Where I’ve been and Where I’m headed, make sure to check out my Itinerary and Destination Page by clicking here!!!