Finding freedom on the road
A candid look at RV travel, teamwork, and finding the right fit
What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a lifestyle for Susan A. and Jamie V., a Toronto-based duo who’ve been RVing for most of the year since 2018. Spending an average of eight months annually on the road, they’ve learned to embrace a slower pace of travel, favouring quiet backcountry sites and wide-open spaces over crowded campgrounds whenever possible.
From navigating the unique challenges of finding an RV tall enough for Jamie’s 6’8” frame to discovering the freedom of boondocking, their journey has been shaped by adaptability, teamwork, and a genuine love for life on the road. With countless shared experiences, new friendships, and destinations still on their wish list, Susan and Jamie were happy to share their insights:
How long have you been RVing, and do you travel full-time?
We have been RVing since 2018 … we average about 8 months a year RVing.
What type of RV unit do you currently travel in?
We have a 29’ travel trailer. We just bought a new one. We will use it for the first time in the spring.
What’s something you learned early on that you wish you had known sooner?
Boondocking …. our preferred way to camp. The comfort of being in our travel trailer with the seclusion and quiet we enjoyed when we back-country tent camped.
What are some of your favourite places to visit?
Florida Keys, Northern Ontario, Newfoundland … so far!
What destinations are still on your RV bucket list?
(We would like to see) Western Canada, southwestern United States, and Mexico.
Do you ever attend RV-related events?
We do. We enjoy attending RV shows. However, our selection of RVs are very limited as Jamie is 6’8” tall. Fifth wheels don’t work as the overhang interior height is never useable. Travel trailers with interior heights under 81” will not work for us either. So we are always on the lookout for units that can fit us. I won’t even go inside one unless he has gone in first and can stand straight up … directly under the AC unit. Also, we prefer a towable so we can use the truck as a standalone vehicle. A conundrum for sure, but gives us a good excuse to always be looking at new RVs.
What do you consider to be your most valuable RV gear or technology?
Solar panels, generator, good camp chairs, and a residential mattress.
Do you prefer campgrounds, boondocking, provincial parks, or a mix?
A mix … provincial parks, state forests, boondocking … it’s nice to be plugged in once in a while, but it seems that every time we camp with hook-ups we’re ready to leave by day three! We don’t really boondock in Ontario as we haven’t found anywhere to do it! If you know anywhere, please reach out on Instagram @rvwithsusan.
How do you divide tasks on the road—driving, route-planning, campsite setup, etc.?
(We divide it) 50/50 … inside vs outside …. my responsibilities are often mental labour with Jamie’s being physical.
What’s the biggest challenge of RVing as a pair, and how do you navigate it?
Besides backing into our site?!?!?? Seriously though …. when things go wrong, as they always do, remaining kind and respectful towards one another is always our goal… we try our best to remember that we are a team working together toward a common goal. It also helps that we’re together in a very small space and we had better figure things out, because there is nowhere else to go!
What have been some of your most memorable experiences while RVing?
Meeting new friends and experiencing new things together. Community campfires, learning new card games, keeping in touch and running into one another down the road. It is impossible for us to pick just one thing. There are just too many.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We wish we would have started RVing sooner. It’s not easy, or convenient, being the owner of an RV when you live in downtown Toronto, but we have managed it. A good storage yard and a variety of trusted service providers (tires/brake, repairs, etc) make all the difference.
