RVers – "How Do They Live Like That?"

by Stephen Busick, F45180
Family Motor Coaching Magazine
November 2005, Volume 42, Number 11
Official Publication of the Family Motor Coach Association

One needs to read no further than the third paragraph of RVers – How Do They Live Like That? to discover that, "This book is not a "how to," but a "what to" – what to expect on the roads you'll be traveling in the months and years ahead." But this publication, written by Lou Stoetzer, PhD and Judy Farrow, F 284778, a husband-and-wife team who share a background in the mental health field, is not a collection of road maps.

What began as a survey of couples in the Escapees RV Club grew into an 18 month of survey and study that included singles, RVers with health challenges, Boomers, and others. Taped focus groups and private interviews added more information. Realizing that this substantial amount of material could best be handled in book form, they decided to write RVers – How Do They Live Like That?

My wife and copilot, Linda, and I purchased our first RV less than a year after we were married and have owned motorhomes for more than 25 years. During that time we discussed becoming full-timers, on several occasions. Reading this book prompted those discussions again.

I believe that anyone who is aging – and that included all of us – will benefit from reading this book. Futhermore, those who love RVing or simply want to learn more about the lifestyle will enjoy the observations and advice it contains.

Even a quick glance at the table of contents will be enough to entice many readers. Chapters include such inviting titles as "How do they become RVers?"; "How do they stand all that togetherness?" (for couples); and "How do they do it all alone?" (for singles). Other topics include staying healthy on the road and coping with getting old. The final chapter is short but covers a subject that perhaps most of us have never really thought about: how do we "hang up the keys?" when the time has come. Sadly there is no rite of passage at that time and it is often viewed as a defeat. However, the authors show how this transition can be yet another positive experience in our lives.

In Chapter Two many questions (from family and friends) about the practical side of RVing are discussed, such as receiving mail and paying bills. The authors make the interesting observation that the rising cost of fuel can be controlled by the parking brake. This seems especially relevant today and reminds us that full-timers are not on vacation; they are living in their RVs and can stay in one location as long as they wish to need to.

The authors have included several lists that engender reflection by the reader. "Conditions for Comfy Togetherness," "Four Ways to Maintain Good Road Health," and "Aging Creatively or Just Getting Old?" certainly gave me pause.

Chapter Seven, "How do they manage family problems?" held a special relevance for me. While written for the "Sandwich Generation" (RVers torn between worry over their elderly parents and concern for their adult children; it has many useful ideas for anyone who has left loved ones behind while they enjoy life of the road and suddenly, or not so suddenly, find they are needed back home to deal with family problems. The question arises whether to take the road that returns you to the family and friends or the one that you have dreamed of. With the open-minded attitude that is shown throughout the book, the authors write, "We can't presume to tell you which road is right for you, but we can offer guidelines to help you find your own answers."

The chapter "How do we learn more?" includes a resource list that is conveniently separated into groupings for different readers. Books are included for those still working yet starting to contemplate the RV lifestyle in a section titled "Just Beginning," and another section suggests books for experienced folks called "Already RVing." Other books are listed for those in the "Sandwich Generation" and for those traveling with children. For readers seeking information about working on the road, RVing with physical challenges, RVing alone, and other personal topics, this chapter will get them started.

There is also an "RVing Dictionary" and astericks refer to "Authors Terms," like "The Career RVer." The idea behind that term (also a separate chapter) is most interesting and certainly applies to many members of FMCA.

In the introduction the authors hope "the readers will find it as educational and fun to read as it was for us to write." I would like to add that I hope they had the high level of enjoyment writing it that I had reading it. Many times a trip or other special occasion is remembered most for a specific meal that was eaten at that time. For me books are often remembered for a specific line or two. For this book I think it will be the sage reminder that "...you can't drive by mainly using the rear view mirror." Those few words seem to point us in the direction we should go. I know they did for me."