Tiny Home, Big Living with Family RV Camping

Vacationing or living full-time in a recreational vehicle (RV) with your family can be a fantastic way to travel, explore the world, and strengthen family bonds. Living in a house that’s a fraction of the size of your sticks-and-bricks home brings both challenges and opportunities. Here are some things to consider for family RV camping while prioritizing your tiny home on wheels.

Staying Safe on the Road

Traveling with family presents challenges no matter what kind of RV you choose. We’re all familiar with the requirements for everyone in a car to wear a seatbelt, but there are no similar rules for traveling in (or with) an RV. In some states, it’s legal for passengers to travel in a towable trailer, but even in those states, there are restrictions. And just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s wise.

According to Camping World, “Most towable campers lack seat belts, especially smaller towable campers like the Happier Camper, which means getting into an accident with passengers riding in a trailer could result in significant injury or death.”

Generally, transporting passengers in a travel trailer or fifth wheel is not recommended, even though some states allow it. Towable campers lack the safety features found in motorhomes and passenger vehicles.

Before you give up the idea of traveling with a trailer, consider that your family is probably safest when secured in the vehicle towing your trailer.

Note that motorhomes have two safety challenges

First, most do not have three-point seatbelts, except for in the driver and front passenger seats. Some do not have any other belts, which can result in everyone flying during an accident. Some dinettes come with straps, but only for rear-facing (or front-facing) seats.
Second, motorhomes are tempting. It’s too easy to hop up and get a drink or snack, nap, or watch TV while lying on the couch. It’s not safe! All passengers should stay seated. And that should include any family pets. They should be secured in an area (maybe under the dinette table?) that can protect them in a crash. And please don’t even think of towing a vehicle that’s carrying passengers.
There are so many RV classes and designs that blanket advice doesn’t apply. Look at your RV or the one you might buy and choose the safest solution for your family. Consider a travel trailer rather than a motorhome if you’ll be traveling with several children. Travel is much safer if children wear seatbelts in tow vehicles rather than motorhomes.

Learn to Make Do with Less

Is this a challenge or an opportunity? Living in a much smaller home means less space, fewer toys, and less access to unlimited electricity and water – it’s just less! How you treat this will determine whether family RV camping is a vacation or torture. Here are a few ideas:

Ask younger children to choose two or three toys for the trip. Set one or two aside for later when needed to break up a bad day.
Ask older children to help the younger ones, and reward them with time and adventures.
Remember that the internet is not universal, and be prepared with paper books and non-electric activities.
Set timers for showers and bathroom use.
Stock food and medicine for the inevitable sick days. (Sometimes, getting everyone not ill out of the RV is best. If the weather permits, open the windows to air out the RV.)

Choose the Right Trip

The right trip will depend on the age and number of family members, the time available for travel, the season, and your group’s interests.

Driving for many long days in a row is sure to make the happiest family cranky, so trip planning is essential. And choose a family-friendly RV park! Woodland Creek Family RV Camping Park in Tyler, Texas, has something for everyone: plenty of entertainment and recreation for the children and luxurious “relaxing in nature at its finest” for the adults.

Involve Everyone in Cleaning and Maintaining Your Small Space

Even a two-million-dollar motorcoach measures only about 400 square feet. In comparison, US homes (free-standing or condos) average almost 2500 square feet.

Clutter will overtake your “tiny home” within an hour unless everyone takes part in keeping chaos at bay.

Try posting a sign with clear rules to make life easier for everyone. This includes things such as:

Whenever you open something, make sure you close it as well.
When you turn it on, turn it off as soon as you finish.
Don’t leave a mess!

And those are just a few suggested “tiny home” rules. No doubt you will add your own as you go along.

Take Advantage of the Great Outdoors

There’s a reason they call it great; it’s great because nothing compares to outside activities: catching that first fish of the season, swimming in the lake, and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. Unless it rains for days, the fun is knocking on your door. Just step outside and see for yourself.

Become an Organizational Maniac

As you fill your RV with everything you need for your trip, you may find that “wants” have turned into “needs.” You’ll ask yourself, “How many bath towels does a family of four need?” The answer may be four. You have access to laundry at almost every RV park.

Once you’ve divided needs from wants, find a place for each type of item and keep them there. How many pots do you need? Will an Air Fryer be a godsend or a space-waster? How big are your kids, and how many “accidents” do you expect? How many pairs of underwear will keep them clean?

Family RV Camping with Woodland Creek RV Park

Learning to live with less of everything is an eye-opener. There’s no room for fluff, which makes you more aware of what you need versus what you want and reduces excess or frivolous spending.

As your experience with RV life expands, you’ll learn to live with less counter space, which will help you become creative with food preparation.
Given the nature of RVs with water pressure regulators, you’ll use less water than the average household.
Where you may have given up on big spaces, you’ll make up for it with a lifetime of beautiful memories.
Realize that learning to live with less is an adjustment for the whole family.
Please take advantage of the resources; they are there for your benefit. And if you need help, ask for it.

Choose an RV park with a reputation for 5-star accommodations, such as Woodland Creek RV Park, the vacation location with small-town personalized service and friendly staff. You’ll be glad you stayed with us! Call us today to reserve your spot.