Full Time RV Living : Solo Woman Traveler Begins Her New Life

Have you ever made a decision that didn’t seem like a big deal at the time… but five years later, you realize it completely changed your life?

That’s exactly what happened to me.

This is the story of a midlife woman who sold it all — the four-bedroom home, the big SUV with heated seats, and nearly every possession she owned — to live life on the road. For four years, I experienced the most spectacular adventures of my life through Full Time RV Living, got my heart broken by a toxic partner, lost everything, and still found a way to rebuild from scratch.

Here’s how it all began.

Love at First Sight : Full Time RV Living in Minnie Rambles

The moment I saw her, I knew. She was mine.

A 2016 Minnie Winnie 25B Class C RV, sitting there on the lot like she’d been waiting for me all along.

I could already picture it — traveling rugged forest roads, camping under desert stars, surrounded by the silence of nature. After a careful inspection and a deep breath, I bought her for just over $52,000 cash (because I was determined to live debt-free). That day, I officially stepped into the world of full time RV Living.

A few days later, I christened her “Minnie Rambles,” a playful nod to my nickname, Allie Rambles.

Our first night together was spent at a KOA in Flagstaff, Arizona. I learned her systems, practiced backing up into sites, and got to know the quirks of my new home. When I felt confident enough, we hit the road for our first boondocking adventure — dry camping near the Grand Canyon. That’s when the dream became real.

Why Full Time RV Living for This Divorced Mom of 2?

So why would a divorced mom of two trade a “normal” life for full time RV Living?

Because this had been years in the making.

For two years, I researched every alternative lifestyle out there — tiny homes, van life, off-grid cabins in the woods. Each one called to me, but when I lost my remote job five years after my divorce, the answer became clear: I’d use the cash I had to buy a home on wheels.

I’d always wanted to travel. I needed a place to live.

Full time RV living was the perfect way to combine the two.

Is Solo Full Time RV Living for Me? 

Let me be honest, I was terrified.

I had never lived alone before. I had never lived outside my home state of California. And now, suddenly, I was driving a huge vehicle across the country, calling campgrounds, forest roads, and desert plateaus “home.”

And I was doing it solo — as a woman.

I didn’t know if I’d be safe camping in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal and no law enforcement nearby. The thought definitely scared me. But I went anyway.

Because courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s moving forward despite it.

My Rules for Surviving (and Thriving) in Full Time RV Living

If you’re considering full time RV living, take it from me — preparation is everything. My hiking experience taught me to take calculated risks, stay alert, and respect the wilderness. That mindset transferred perfectly to RV life.

Here were my personal rules for staying safe and sane on the road:

1. Always tell someone where you are. My mom and best friend always had my GPS coordinates.
2. Keep your RV in top shape. Maintenance prevents breakdowns and expensive surprises.
3. Never let the tank drop below half. You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere.
4. Stay vigilant. Always trust your instincts — they’ll save you every time.

These small habits made a massive difference in keeping me safe during my years of full time RV living.

Read also : 11 Benefits to Full Time Living in a Motorhome

Finding My First Dispersed Camp Spot

After those first couple of nights at the KOA, I was ready to go all in. From Flagstaff, I drove out to an area I knew well — the Arizona Trail near the Grand Canyon. I parked along Forest Road 302, just outside the park entrance, where I dry camped for about a week.

Each day I hiked new sections of the Arizona Trail, watched the sunrise through the pines, and listened to coyotes sing under the stars.

Read also : List of all my AZT hikes referenced by mile

It was simple, quiet, and absolutely life-changing.

That was the moment I realized: Full Time RV Living wasn’t just about travel — it was about freedom.

Read more about my solo RV travels

Video : Taking My New RV Dry Camping and Hiking

Thank You for Stopping By!

Hi, I’m Allie, obsessed hiker, explorer of our world and reinventor of my life in my 50s.

Here at AllieRambles I explore what it means to rebuild and chase freedom in your 50s and beyond—because life doesn’t end at midlife, it begins.

I also write A LOT about being outdoors hiking, biking and paddling as much as I can – all over the United States and beyond.

Let’s wander, grow, and figure it out together.

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• Midlife Inspiration Posts: How I’m Reinventing Myself in My 50s
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