Kate told Business Insider that they have had plenty of problems with their vehicles, from their truck’s heater pump hose popping off in Yosemite to a tire falling off in Mexico.
Plus, when those issues come up, they’re not just managing their truck; they also have to handle their home and family.
“It’s not just like my road trip has gone wrong, but it’s like, where do I park my house while I figure out how to fix the vehicle that tows my house?” Kate said. “And do I have enough groceries and water? And are the police going to knock on my door and say, ‘You can’t park here?’ There’s just so much of that. That’s the hard part.”
Those issues often cost thousands of dollars, making them even more stressful. For now, those expenses are worth it for the O’Phalens, particularly since their daily living costs are so low, but they are still stressful.
Kate also said the “logistics” of RV life can be tough, particularly because she is raising young children.
For instance, when they first started living in an RV, her youngest child was an infant, and it was difficult to find doctors while traveling to keep up with the baby’s vaccination schedule. They find solutions, but living on the road can make day-to-day life more complicated.
