Kim and Jason Betzing
1. What is your previous/current occupation?
I was in the U.S. Coast Guard for 20 years while Kim raised our three kids and managed the household.
2. When did you retire?
We fully retired in 2014 at age 40 and 41. We live very comfortably on my pension because we learned financial discipline and we stayed debt-free.
3. Why did you choose to go full time?
Moving every few years with the military, we felt like we were missing out on the traditions of owning a home and being firmly planted in a community. But, after eight years of owning a home in Michigan, the dream became an anchor weighing us down; we wanted to travel.
Also, after fighting a lot of pain, Kim was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and we discovered that warmer climates make her feel much better. The ability to move with the temperature was a major part of our decision.
4. How Long Have You Been a full-time RVer?
March 2020 marked two years of being full-time RVers. Before we hit the road we spent about two years preparing our house to sell, selling everything we owned, researching RVs and circling the U.S. in an inexpensive RV to be sure it was the right decision.
5. What type of RV do you own and why?
During the two years of preparation, we researched every floor plan and RV style we could before settling on a fifth wheel. We chose a fifth wheel for ease of maneuverability, when compared to a bumper pull travel trailer, and because we wouldn't need a towed vehicle (two engines to maintain), as with a Class A or Class C motor home. We chose the Montana by Keystone because of their reputation and they're one of the few with a warranty covering full-time RVers. The floor plan we chose was the 3791RD because it has clearly defined rooms. We are big movie buffs and having a separate rear den was a big sell. Also, the huge amount of storage and slide tray under the rear den gives us more than enough room to carry everything we own. Much to my dismay, (depreciating assets give me hives), we bought a new 2018 model. The cash deal we negotiated was less than a used model anywhere in the nation. We expect to get ten years out of our current RV; eight more to go!
6. Do you work part-time on the road?
I enjoy volunteering my labour with the National Park Service in return for an RV spot across the country. Since money isn't our main motivation, the opportunity to continue to do public service is fun, fulfilling and mutually beneficial.
7. What is/was your favourite destination?
We have been to so many amazing places in our travels. Some places just affect us on a deeper level. The desert in New Mexico, the Olympic Peninsula in Washington and the California Redwoods are our favourites so far, (in that order). We love snorkeling and plan to visit Dry Tortugas and the Florida Keys, so I expect this destination will move to the first-place position.
8. What are your current travel plans?
We’re leaving the northern California coast soon and slowly traveling to Florida for a Disney World stop and then to the Florida Keys for a few weeks of snorkeling. Later, we’ll be on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then visiting Michigan family. We'll travel to Utah to volunteer for the fall, and then to Mississippi where I'll volunteer for the winter through until the spring of 2021.
9. Do you commonly stay at RV parks or boondock?
We enjoy simple, quiet RV parks, but are prepared to boondock if the mood strikes. With full hookups, our RV has everything we need including laundry, so we rarely use RV park amenities. If we have picked a spot to stay, it's because we want to explore the area. We're still considering a solar set up with a large battery bank and soft starts on our A/C's for boondocking, but it's a large expense.
10. What is your favourite RV park and why?
I hate to give up this spot, but don’t tell anyone else. Hands down it’s Valley of Fires recreation area in Carrizozo, New Mexico. RV spots are perched on an ancient lava flow. You can see both sunrise and sunset. It's peaceful and quiet and sites feel private. We love to sit and watch the bats dart around as the sun goes down. The night sky is amazing for stargazing; the Milky Way is usually visible with the naked eye. The prices are reasonable - with water and electricity it is $18 USD, and dry camping is $12 USD, and there is a dump station on site.
11. What are some advantages/disadvantages of full-timing?
There are many advantages to full time RVing if you crave travel and experiences. The freedom to pick up and go to the next interesting place is simply amazing, as is the ability to stay in a comfortable climate. Kim loves that no matter where we are, after a busy day we get to come back to the comfort of our home. We get to spend our money on things we value instead of home maintenance and upkeep. We also can travel internationally much easier; we just pull in slides, put the RV in storage and board the plane.
If you value material things, the full-time RV lifestyle can be rough; we don’t have many sentimental things. Kim still has everything she needs for a multitude of crafting and sewing projects. The biggest disadvantages are the logistics involved with being full time. Often Amazon is the best option when we need parts, so we coordinate wherever we are for shipping. Sustained medical care is a challenge because it requires us to stay in one place longer than we might want.
12. Would you recommend the full-time RV lifestyle?
In a word, yes. However, I highly recommend people spend time researching and educating themselves before selling it all and buying an RV. I tell people to buy an inexpensive RV and go travel with it as much as you can before they commit. Do you miss your house, or do you wish you could just keep traveling? This is a good indicator of whether you’ll enjoy this lifestyle. Remember that the RV life is not always a social media highlight reel and that just like in a traditional home, some days are rough. But everything said and done, this life is amazing, and we wouldn't change a thing. Every dreamy sunset and breathtaking view lets us know that right now, living by a compass, not a clock, is the life for us.