Okay, so we're probs the least handy people when it comes to what it takes to actually fix up an old RV, but we bought one anyway and we're planning to live in it full time!
It's not just that we bought the RV or that we're going to live in it as nomads in just one month from now/for the foreseeable future, but we're also renovating this thing! (lots of !! because !!)
Again, we really aren't handy people (well, maybe Annie is a little).
To document this process for ourselves and someone who might be thinking of doing the same thing as us, here's what RV Life has cost us so far:
We bought a 21' 2001 Rockwood Ultra Lite for $7500. We know it sounds like a lot, but the demand for RVs right now is cray but we have no regrets.
TOTAL: $7500
We've invested the following into the actual rig:
Safety
* $325 post-purchase inspection (confirmed that we didn't buy a lemon! 🍋)
* $325 registration for one year (we opted not to do the two year or forever registration because we don't know how long we'll own it and the cost was way more than one year)
* $205 insurance for six months
* $925 new tires
* $96 marine battery (technically we can take this to another rig, but we'll probs leave with this one if/when we sell it if still has juice)
* $30 breakaway switch (Matt installed)
Function & Cuteness
* $75 paint for the interior front door, entry area, walls and ceiling
* $55 new bench
* $176 curtains and hanging supplies, stools, dish organizer, wall-mount trash can
* $75 vinyl tiles, peel-and-stick
TOTAL: $2036
What we’ve done so far to the interior:
* Removed a dinette bench and top of the other
* Removed all the cabinet hardware, bathed, painted and replaced
* Removed valances and blinds
* Rebuilt the bench with repurposed valance wood
* Restructured a cabinet to make room for our 5 gallon water jug
* Scrubbed and spackled walls
* Scrubbed and prepped floors for new vinyl flooring
To prep our tow vehicle, Subaru Ascent (tow capacity 5000 lbs):
* $975 hitch (we're leasing, so decided to pay more for the dealership to install vs. some random place or Uhaul to ensure we didn't fuck up our lease agreement)
* $132 ball mount
* $92 brake control
* $60 rooftop cargo carrier
TOTAL: $1259
We've bought other things as investments in RV life vs. this specific rig:
* $35 leveling pads
* $84 wheel chocks (heavy duty rubber, not the dinky plastic kind)
* $88 hoses (sewer, fresh water, etc)
TOTAL: $207
Supplies for Mantequilla's RV Kitty Life:
* $110 Fat Cat backpack
* $31 car seat carrier
* $30 metal crate
TOTAL: $171
Things we need to deal with in the next month to get on the road!
1. Leaking water heater (Annie's planning/hoping to fix it herself)
2. Changing faucets for better function, gooseneck vs. straight/low (Annie will replace)
3. Install floors (We'll do this together)
4. Paint the walls (We'll do this together)
5. Repair bench slats (Annie will fix)
6. Reinforce bed platform (Annie will do this)
7. Build foldable table out of our existing coffee table (Annie will build) $50 for brackets
8. Buy a new mattress (standard queen is too long, need to get a "short RV queen") $850
9. Buy baskets and bins for organizing cabinets and drawers ~$100
10. Screen door protector (to keep Mantequilla inside): $50
TOTAL: ~$1000
Total so far: $7500 (trailer) + $3673 = $11,173
Total to go: $1000
TOTAL to get on the road: $12,173
* Quick-drying/lightweight towels
* Small, desk/clip-on fans for each side of bed
* New interior push lights
* Wall rack for kitchen stuff with magnets, clips, hooks and holders
* Bedside rug solution
* Outdoor rug
* New camp chairs
* Little vacuum
* Collapsible mop
* Collapsible sink for doing laundry
* Bicycles
Thank you for reading, that alone means a lot! It feels great to have people in our world who are interested in what we're doing.
If you're inspired to support us with a gift, thank you so much in advance, our wishlist is linked above or you can buy us a coffee or few 🙏🏽.
With love and gratitude, Matt & Annie