The Culture of Modern RVing

We have owned several motorhomes - a type of RV or recreational vehicles - over the last thirty years. And in that time we have seen a dramatic change in the population and culture of RV’ers. When we purchased our first motorhome is was a small used model just large enough for two adults and two small children. Gasoline was less expensive then and we drove much longer distances, traveling all over the western US and Canada. On these trips we met many other families who had similar RVs to ours, and we met lots of retirees that lived full time in their luxury models.

Now, we have a medium sized motorhome with slide outs (portions of the sides which slide out to expand the inner living area). But what we have noticed over the last ten years is the growing number of “full timers” – people who have chosen to live in their RV for many reasons. We have met young couples where one or both work for a season in one location, then move to another for the next job. We met families where one parent works at a seasonal job and the other parent stays home and cares for their children. And many of these children are not receiving an education because they must move frequently. We have also met many older people who cannot afford permanent housing. And, most recently, we have met people who, because of the economy and the new healthcare law, can no longer afford permanent housing and now live in their RV. This is a part of American society that very few see. This is the new “migrant” work force and the new “stateless” population. They cross all races, ages, sexes, faiths. Yet, there is an unmistakable sense of community among full timers, together with a respect and code of honor that isn’t seen in regular society.

I took this photo tonight, at about 9:00pm, at the top of the RV park looking down one of the streets of RVs. The bright light illuminates the laundry facility. Most of the RVs in this RV park are large 5th wheel trailers that are towed by pick-up trucks, like the one shown here. That is because most of the residents are seasonal workers installing high voltage electrical lines over the mountains shown in the photo and use their trucks to transport their tools up and down the hills. About 30 miles over those mountains is Los Angeles.

Today my husband had his surgery and everything went well. He’s doing well now, but is very sore and tired. Hopefully he will be feeling better over the next couple of days. So, I hope to get back to commenting soon. Thanks for your patience! And with everything that has happened today, I guess I am loading this a little after midnight as a backblip.