Travel nursing in an RV is a great way to go. One of the biggest advantages to traveling in an RV is that you don't have to pack and unpack every three months. You just pull in all the hoses (don't forget to unhook the water hose), roll up the stabilizing jacks, and hook onto the back of the truck. Another advantage is that you always get to sleep in the same bed no matter where you are at on assignment.
Some of the disadvantages to traveling in an RV are that you won't make any land speed records getting from assignment to assignment. Traveling in just a vehicle, we can make about 500 miles per day. When traveling in an RV, we can only make about 400 miles per day. If you are pulling a trailer, you don't run down the freeway at 80 miles per hour. An average safe speed is going to be anywhere from 55 to 65 miles per hour. In fact, some of states have mandated rules that you can only travel 55 miles per hour when pulling a trailer. Another disadvantage can be space. You will be confined to a much smaller space than you would have in an apartment. A few chairs and a small table can do wonders at conquering this problem!
Gas prices have come down the last year, but still they are quite high. This is another thing that you have to look out for when traveling with an RV. Number one, you have to have a truck big enough to haul the trailer, which will only get about 15 miles per gallon. After hooking up the trailer, your gas mileage will only be about half of that. The good thing is that you are only pulling it every 3 months.
What about a motorhome? Well, they are easier to travel with than a trailer and you can get a few more miles per day, but the gas mileage will be about the same as pulling a trailer, especially if you are pulling your vehicle behind the motorhome (commonly called a "toad"). The big disadvantage to a motorhome is that your initial investment is going to be a lot more. You can get into a good trailer for $20K to $40K, but a motorhome can easily cost you $100K to $150K.
There are several types of motorhomes and trailers. The two most common types of motorhomes for full time travelers is a "Diesel pusher" or a gas motorhome. The diesel pusher will cost you more, but it will hold onto its resale value. A gas motorhome is less expensive and does not hold its value as long. The two main types of trailers are bumper pulls and fifth wheels (has a special hook in the bed of the truck). The bumper pulls are less expensive, but they can have problems with stabilization. The fifth wheels are more stable, but can cost a lot more to purchase. From the two years that we were full timers, we found that most full timers choose either the fifth wheel or diesel pusher.
What is the right vehicle for you? Only you can determine that. Go to all the RV shows that you can find or just go shopping online or at a dealership. Look at the floor plans and see what fits your lifestyle the most. How much room do you really need? Do you have children? I do know a few families with two to four children that are very happy traveling in their RV. Just make sure that the park has a play ground! I traveled with my son and husband and we had a two bedroom RV that fit us just perfect.
For more information on traveling in an RV check out the dedicated chapter in "Highway Hypodermics: On The Road Again." Get out there and enjoy traveling in your own home on wheels!
Written by Epstein LaRue, RN, BS, author of the number one rated nursing, trends, issues, and roles book series, "Highway Hypodermics." For more information on travel nursing including travel company profiles, travel company evaluations, and hospital evaluations, visit her website at: www.highwayhypodermics.com.
Share on Facebook
Guest Author: Epstein LaRue – Travel Nursing in an RV
View this post on my blog: http://travelnursesuccess.com/guest-author-epstein-larue-travel-nursing-in-an-rv
No comments:
Post a Comment