This article was reviewed by Jay Brecknell, CFP®.
Open road. The potential of adventure. No real commitments or obligations. This is the inspiring promise of the RV road trip—no wonder it’s such a popular retirement dream. Whether you want to spend a couple weeks exploring B.C., or every summer adventuring to new places across Canada (and perhaps even into the United States and Mexico), with some thoughtful planning, you could be hitting the open road in no time.
Retirement is your time to really kick back and enjoy yourself. You have the time to explore new hobbies, to gather with friends and family, and of course, to travel. This is the reward for years of hard work. The great thing about RV travel is that it’s completely adaptable to your needs, interests, and budget.
If you want to take off on an RV adventure, we want to help you do it. “A dream without a plan is just a wish,” wrote famous French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. So let’s take a look at this RV dream and create the foundations of a plan. Here’s what we’re going to cover:
- Choosing the right RV for you and whether to rent or purchase
- Trip costs
- Where to stay
- Special considerations for senior travel
RV Living
Canada is a beautiful country with unique and interesting places to explore. From the Hot Springs in Radium, BC, to the sand dunes in Manitoba, to the Bluenose in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, this country has an abundance of incredible places to visit. Even if you opt to stay in BC, there are plenty of places to travel to and things to see in an RV.
RV-ing and van life have exploded in popularity over the last few years! There’s now more options than ever to tailor your RV experience to your individual needs and vision. Knowing what that vision is will help you decide on where to go, what type of vehicle to drive, the amenities you need, and other important travel factors.
So that’s step one: outline your RV dream. Once you’ve done that, keep reading for more tips and information on how to turn that dream into reality.
What Type of Vehicle is Best for You
Arguably, the most important factor of RV travel is deciding on what type of vehicle to drive. Things like size, amenities, drivability, and travel needs once you’ve parked are all important to consider when deciding what type of RV is right for you.
There are quite a few options to choose from: large Class A motorhomes, smaller Class C motorhomes, high-end converted vans, fifth-wheel trailers, or even travel trailers. Size considerations aren’t just about the interior living space, but what your comfort level is for driving. You’ll need to be comfortable driving on a highway, narrow roads, backing up and maybe even parallel parking, so be sure to choose a rig you feel confident driving.
Beyond drivability, when it comes to the interior space, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Who will you be travelling with? Will it be just you and your partner, or will your grandkids be joining you for all or part of your trip? This will determine how many sleeping spaces you need, as well as space to move around comfortably.
- What creature comforts do you want to enjoy in your RV? Do you want heating and AC? Do you want to have a shower or bathroom inside the RV? For cooking your meals, do you want a kitchen available, or are you happy cooking on a camp stove?
- What kind of storage will you need? Are you light packers who can make do with minimal storage or do you require more space?
- Do you want to unplug for much of the trip, or do you want to have access to a tv inside the trailer for those rainy days or cozy nights?
Finally, once you’ve arrived at your location and parked your vehicle, what type of transport do you anticipate needing? With Class A and C motorhomes, you would either have to drive your motorhome everywhere (not ideal for exploring towns and cities), tow a vehicle for you to drive once you’ve parked, or invest in e-bikes or another form of transportation in order to explore nearby attractions and cities. Converted vans are a little easier to drive around town and to various attractions, offering more flexibility, but you compromise on amenities and space. Fifth wheels and travel trailers can be a great option, as they typically offer ample space and amenities, and you’d have easy access to your vehicle once you’d parked and unhitched your trailer. Whether you tow a vehicle behind your motorhome, or tow a trailer behind your vehicle, make sure you practice driving and particularly backing up with your chosen configuration.
With so many options available on the market today, you’re bound to find the perfect vehicle for you. Take the time to consider your needs, wants and comfortability with driving before making your decision. Once you’ve landed on what type of vehicle you want, you need to decide if you want to rent or buy.
To Rent or Purchase
Have you travelled in an RV before? If not, try renting first. There are so many different sizes, layouts, and feature options to choose from. Renting will give you a good sense of what you want, what you need, and what you don’t. It’s also a good way to make sure you’ll use the RV often enough to make purchasing a worthwhile investment.
Go RV-ing has an excellent online resource for more information to consider when renting an RV, as well as for comparing different RV models to determine which is best for you.
Breaking Down the Cost of RV Travel
Your Vehicle
Compared to vacations abroad, RV-ing can be a cost friendly travel option. RV travel is very customizable, which means you can tailor your experience to suit your budget.
The primary cost is, of course, the vehicle. Typically, rental rates range from $175/night for a converted van, up to $400/night for a large motorhome. If you are looking to purchase, costs can range from around $120k for a high-end converted van to $500k for a luxury motorhome. Of course, you can get a bit more of a steal if you purchase second-hand. There are many reputable dealers in the Lower Mainland who would happily assist you in choosing the right RV for you—new or used.
Travel Expenses
The great thing about RV travel is it can be custom tailored to any taste and any budget—make it as luxurious or as minimalistic as you like. Some factors—like food, where you choose to park overnight, and the attractions you visit are all flexible cost factors, whereas costs like gas and auto-insurance are more guaranteed costs to factor into your budget. When creating your personal travel budget, here are a few costs to factor in:
- Auto Insurance, travel insurance, and a roadside assistance membership
- Gas
- Food—including both groceries and dining out. The more you choose to cook in your RV, the more budget friendly your trip will be
- Attraction admission fees and entrance fees for some national parks (e.g. Banff National Park)
- If you purchase your motorhome, you will also have to consider storage costs for the off-season if you have no space on your property
Overnight Parking
Where you park your vehicle for the night can vary based on your budget, hook-up requirements (such as electricity and water), comfort needs, and your sense of adventure. You can choose between private and provincial campgrounds, Crown land, Public Land Use Zones, commercial parking lots and even street parking. Of course, what type of rig you are driving will influence where you are able to camp for the night. A large Class A motorhome for instance, won’t be able to park on a street the way a converted van might be able to.
Let’s review your parking options:
- Street Parking: for smaller vehicles this may be an option in certain cities, if you are only stopping for one night. Every city has its own rules, so it’s best to do your research ahead of time.
- Commercial Parking Lots: It used to be that you could park overnight at just about any Walmart or major grocery store, but that has changed in the last few years as the popularity of van life and RV living has increased. Some stores do still offer this service, but it’s best to call ahead and ask.
- Provincial Campgrounds: these are a great option and often have pull-through sites saving you from the dreaded reverse parking. Amenities can vary from campground to campground and even from site to site, so pay close attention when you are booking and be aware of what your hookup and space needs are. However, since Covid, the popularity of camping has soared in most provinces, and it can be very difficult to book a camping spot. It’s best to book months in advance—sometimes even a year in advance for more popular parks.
- Private Camping: As with Provincial sites, the amenities at private sites can vary greatly. Some offer full-service hookups, bathrooms with showers, and laundry facilities, while others will simply be a place to park. It’s best to book as far in advance as you can manage for this type of site as well.
- Non-traditional Alternatives:
- Websites like Hipcamp have become popular resources with the boom of nomadic living. Like an Airbnb for camping, Hipcamp connects travellers with people who have land to offer for people to park—some even offer amenities.
- Boondocking is essentially camping in a non-designated campground. This can include things like street parking or commercial parking spaces, but can also include Crown Land, Public Land Use Zones, as well as private property (when it has been approved of by the owner of course!) Boondockers Welcome is a great resource for connecting with landowners happy to have campers stay on their property.). Always do your research before taking this option!
RV travel offers maximum customization—it really is what you make it. No matter your budget, you can travel the province, the country, or the continent in an RV, it just takes a bit of planning and forethought.
Special Considerations for Seniors
While you may have spent years dreaming of the open road and the endless adventures it offers, now that you are retired, you might be wondering if this dream is really feasible at your age. This is perfectly normal, so let’s talk about a few things you can do to put your mind at ease.
- Talk to your doctor in advance and inquire about options like Telus Health, or other means of virtual appointments should you need to discuss medical matters on the road. You can also request that they provide you with a script for enough of your prescription medications to last the length of your trip, or at least provide you with information and a plan on how to access refills when on the road.
- Follow the 3-3-3 rule! This is an excellent guideline for pacing your travel, so you avoid fatigue. The 3-3-3 rule means: drive no more than 300 miles (482 km) a day, plan to arrive at your overnight destination by 3pm, and plan to stay in each destination for at least 3 days.
- Whether you’re renting or purchasing an RV, you can inquire about mobility aids if you need them. These can include handrails at the entrance and in the bathroom, RV’s with wider hallways, and even wheelchair lifts are commonly available accessibility options.
- With modern technology, there are plenty of safety features available to help ensure your trip goes smoothly, stability control, collision warning systems, advanced braking systems, and back-up cameras. Don’t overlook the importance of a good pair of wiper blades either! And be sure to budget for a road-side assistance program.
If the open road and beautiful nature of our country is calling to you, with a few extra considerations, no matter your age, you can answer the call.
Get Ready to Hit the Road
Going on a road trip in an RV is a common retirement dream—whether it’s a few weeks to explore BC, a few months on the road exploring our beautiful country, or even camping out in one spot at an RV park, the options are endless. With a country as beautiful as ours, and the vast options available to personalise the RV experience, this is a retirement dream that can suit any retirement budget.
When you are creating the plan for your dream RV retirement experience remember to consider: the type of RV that best suits your needs (and whether renting or purchasing is best for you), your budget (including cost for food, gas, insurance, attractions and overnight parking), and your health and mobility needs to make the trip stress-free and enjoyable.
We’re happy to meet with you to discuss your financial picture and help you determine a travel budget that lets you have the trip of your dreams, while keeping your overall finances healthy and robust.
Additional Resources
For RV rental and purchasing information head to:
- Outdoorsy – like the AirBnb of RV rentals
- Karma Camper Vans – high-end camper van rentals
- Fraserway RV – specialising in RV rentals and sales here in the Lower Mainland
- Cruise America – specialising in RV rentals across North America
For more information on just about everything RV travel, head to Go RVing Canada.