5 frustrations traveling in Class B RV and simple fixes 

***??? What are your biggest FRUSTRATIONS of Camper Van Travel? FAST FWD to your POI using the Video Time Stamps in Video Description below (click “more”). Join LIVE Q&A on RU-vid Live each Wednesday at 6 PM CT for What’s Up Wednesday!? to become a better RV traveler. Info & in-person events at www.GoSmallLiveLarge.com Thx for watching, commenting, and Subscribing:)

Scott I completely understand your frustration about rude, and disrespectful drivers. How I have dealt with that is I got a dash cam. My level of anxiety has dramatically gone down. Yes I have recorded an accident right in front of me and turned it into the driver that was hit by a hit-and-run driver ,she was so thankful to have that video recording of the accident. Yes those are some joys that can come back to someone that has had a miss fortune happened to them. Like they say you can’t argue with a video. It shows the truth. Thank you so much for all your amazing videos you are a huge asset for the camper van community.❤️

OMG, Agree about drivers!!! I drive a school bus 7.5 - 8 hours a day. It’s dangerous out there & they seem to be unhappy and frustrated. That’s right Scott, smile, thumbs up & patience. Great video as always. Stay safe🚐

I think you make it sound harder than it is. I never have a problem founding some where to sleep. I don't make too many plans either. The only problem I have being on the road is it can get lonely.

As a former commercial truck driver, I’ve learned to be chill and forgiving. As long as they haven’t hit me, it’s all good. And people can’t see in front of trucks and vans, it’s human nature to assume you’re big and slow, so they get in front of you and slow down. Take a drink of coffee and maintain proper following distance. Oh, and GET A DASH CAM OR TWO! One for the front and rear. Be sure the front has GPS w speed and other info recorded. ❤

I knew going in to van life there would be unique challenges. However when I compare the very valid frustrations you mentioned of van life to owning and maintaining a home, well I NEVER want to go back to the endless frustrations and stresses a home brings. The freedom, joy, and adventures of minimal living are worth every single frustration. I guess I wouldn’t have chosen van life if that weren’t the case! One of my personal frustrations of living full time in South Fl is running out of battery in the middle of the night when A/C is a necessity! As you mentioned the decision overload sometimes can get tiring! Other than that, over time the frustrations do get less bothersome. Sometimes I just laugh at those drivers that I inevitably meet up at stop sign. I can’t help myself 😂.

Hi Scott. Roger and Jane watching from Byron, IL. We couldn’t come up with any major van travel frustrations. Love it!

I totally agree with those five but every time we come home we can’t wait to hit the road again. I’m glad you’re enjoying our little part of the world. ❤

I’m learning from your channel Scott because one day I am going to purchase my very own R.V. Van 🥰

Wonderful video as usual Scott - thank you. Welcome back, hope your vaca was fun. You’re number 1 is mine as well. The two things that bug/scare me the most are as you mentioned, the bullies that tail gate when you are going the speed limit or a few over and the ones that cut you off so close! Absolutely terrifying to stop a trailer/rv on a dime and wondering if everything you own is now on the floor. Looking forward to your 5 favorite things.

That last one is so true, I live in nyc and driving my class b can get frustrating with everybody speeding and inpatient. I’m glad I’m not alone in this frustration. Thanks for the tip.

You have more self control than I. I use a different finger for tailgaters. Appreciate your content

Thank you for all your videos, very helpful. Summers are long and hot where I am, so I got a white van, it stays cooler on those hot days. My van is the rear bath model with two beds (20L- 59k -2LB), I am tall and like the open floor plan. The new Ram as the 9-speed trans, and nice gas mileage for such a heavy load. Ram has a nice turning radius for a 21' van. I added a Wolfbox G900 Rear View Mirror Camera, a must. Also put on KO2 Tires and 1 ½ inch Owl Lift.

My 5 frustrations 🤔 Understaffed every shift Over worked every shift. Under paid 🤦🏼 Too slow to fix the above mentioned 😂 I’m still 3 1/2 years from retirement 👍🏼 great video Scott 👍🏼

Wow 4 years, that's incredible. I remember seeing you in the beginning. You have helped me so much and I am ready to RV full-time. Cheers brother ☺️

Thanks for keeping it real, Scott. VanLife is far too romanticized and many become disillusioned by blundering into it.

As part of our travel planning, we always try to avoid driving through large metro areas during morning or afternoon rush hours. That addresses the worst time for dealing with other drivers' antics. It also makes it easier to change into the lane you need to be in for exits.

Scott- we stayed 4 nights over a long Labor Day Weekend at the same park in our Sequence B Van. We really liked this place. Very well kept, we were in the northern most loop that wasn't quite so crowded-nice and peaceful. Digging your content!

Hey man, just here to give you major props on how you started your vid. Straight the F to it. I love it. You gained a follower.

For shopping, you can do the free pickup at most stores too! I use it all the time with Walmart and Target, it's awesome!

Very informative video! This may not apply to many of your viewers but if you are a senior and have a Lifetime National Park Pass you can stay at many campgrounds near the National Parks and inside them for half cost.

I understand the decision fatigue, I have an older (2004) Roadtrek, 20' van. So many little things to keep track of, I live in my camper only a few months each year, but the planning ahead can be frustrating. I use my phone as a hotspot when planning using my laptop, sometimes it takes several tries before my laptop finds my phones internet, not like at home where I just plop down on my office chair and boot up my desktop while sipping a cup of coffee made in a kitchen with more fresh running water then I could ever use for cooking and cleaning. But as you have pointed out, seeing new places, enjoying the weather of my choosing makes it all worthwhile. I would never want to drive around in a large camper, but I sure would like it after I have reached my destination, I have to put everything I am not using away, so I have room to cook, clean, or surf the net. But to get up at sunrise in the mountains one week, and along the ocean another is unbeatable. Keep up the posts, I enjoy watching them, I really enjoyed the one you recently had with all the mods the guy had done, small spaces need big ideas!

Great informative video! Also agree with your No 1 reason. It’s like you’re describing Atlanta traffic.

Thanks Scott. I appreciate the heads up! I will start my van life journey this coming summer.

One of my biggest pet peeves is route planning/destination optimization. I often hang around decent sized cities. On any given day I find a city park to work from/a place to take my dog, a branch of my gym, a place to get groceries, and a place to sleep. There's also the RV-specific stuff, laundromats, etc. on certain days and point of interest visits. I also have to make sure I have decent cell signals (I now have all three major carriers) wherever I'm going to work from and try to find a shaded spot if it's hot outside. Anyway, finding and optimizing all of my stops in a day can be draining, especially when you're new to an area. You're dead on about decision fatigue. I'm currently taking a break at my parents' place through the holidays and will be starting year 2 of van life afterwards.

Decision Fatigue....WOW! This happens in many modes of travel. It's a great concept. Happy New Year!!!!

excellent video and spot on -- I've been traveling for most of this last year in my Travato and these are definitely my most frustrating situations. The other drivers is my number one frustration -- so dangerous. I find a lot of drivers seem to feel that it's OK to be going so fast that they can't stay in their own lane and stay on the road not leaving enough room on the other side for my wider van and almost causing head on accidents. Tail gaters are pretty awful too -- I've found if I switch on my emergebcy blinkers I can sometimes get them to backoff until I can pull over to let them pass.

I surely understand your frustration with drivers I'm a commercial driver who has retired and have a self build camper my frustration is if I stop at a rest stop I have to sleep in the front seat of my pickup because if I drop the tailgate in getting the back of my camper it's camping and a self build camper is not stealthy everybody knows what you're doing

From a former over the road truck driver of 26 yrs , I hear ya on 4 out of 5 !! Internet connectivity was a non issue because of the nature of the job, ..cellular connection was used for the truck computer and cellphone. but the other 4 , 💯. I'll be taking a few years break from the road with tentative plans to do a fairly simple Van build and visiting specific places that I wasn't able to get a Semi into. The road is in my blood...I'll be back out in the van before too long. Safe travels all.

Scott, thanks for your five frustration events in a camper van and your solutions. Simi Gee

Kinda new in the van life. Stay in parking lots so far, gyms, wallmartians, and campground when needing water or dump. So far so good. Yep crazy drivers.. I’m no stranger to that. Still own a 40’ too.

Scott, thanks for all the honest info about your van experience , I don't own a van, but considering one

Haha- I can so relate to all of this! Pros and cons to everything. I practice a lot of mindfulness and meditation 🙏🏼🧘🏻‍♀️ It takes a lot of work to enjoy the natural spoils in life. Someone posted on a forum the other day- “ What do people who live in their cars do all day? Like smoke and chill?” And he was being serious. So many people got angry at him 🤭 If I find the post again, I'm sharing this link 😁

Hey Scott, thanks for the informative video. These are all the factors I need to take in before I make that leap into Class B traveling.

Beautiful Georgia in Tornado Season (November through May). I'm in another city not far away, and I avoid driving in Atlanta at all costs.

You might want to try Walmart curbside pick up. Let them find your stuff.

Excellent road rage tips 👍

Regular earthling: “Scott, your life really suck” 🙄

Enjoyed the video. Agree regarding the "drivers around me". Don't know why so many people are impatient and feel the need for speed through town. Really irritates me :( I do try to stay in my happy space, though.

I don't know , when I'm in a strange grocery store looking aisle to aisle for something I consider that just adding to my walking steps. I sort of enjoy wandering grocery store aisles when they aren't too busy just to see how some stores merchandise things and maybe stumble over a"free coffee station" or a clearance item that I wouldn't have seen otherwise if I was in a rush to get in and get out.

I use the extra fuel taking off from traffic lights to avoid potential problems of cars behind me getting upset and putting other drivers at risk trying to speed around me. My RV is loud and looks like it just came out of a Mad Max movie so as a rule other drivers try to avoid cutting in front of it. I can shop at pretty much any store even the mom and pop stores and find everything by looking at the signs in the aisles and it really does not take a lot of time since it is just me. Finding water and dump stations is relatively easy with the app that locates truck stops and rest stops that have dump stations and water. The only thing I can say is really not much fun is wondering if your home is going to break down and leave you stranded, thankfully I have one that does not have computers and electronics making it run or a horrible modern Chrysler drive train so it is pretty easy to keep running.

Great video Scott thank you! I hear you on all those 5 vanlife camping reason not to. I hate drivers as well who speed. We have a lot of those out here. We have California drivers now here and they drive like it. I don’t know they do it they don’t get any further a head. Lol! I’m glad Walmart had the camping gear you need. They have everything you need almost. You made me hungry for Cracker Barrel. Lol! 😂 Have not been there in since Covid. Ours is too far to go. Thank you Scott! Great video! 👍

All good points you make, Scott. I think my biggest frustration was getting used to the places where I can bump my head! Even after a few months there were a couple places I’d still bump on, so I conceded and cushioned those spots - maybe if I go a whole year without a bump I’ll try without the “training wheels.” 😅

I don't have most of these problems 😄 But I think because I grew up in big cities, I am used to using GPS all the time and dealing with new stores. Cassette toilets are so easy and a game changer, and the West coast is pretty easy for camping options. So charting my path is not a big deal. My biggest issue is at commercial RV parks. Most people are great, but I have had to deal with some of the meanest, rude, racist and all around terrible people I have ever encountered in life. I've gotten good at avoiding them (30' toy haulers and a tricked out one tons), and mostly avoiding commercial parks, but I didn't really expect that part of van life. And yes, drivers are a menace and don't know what they are doing.

I hear you, the issue with drivers is that our DMVs do not have an idiot proof way of issuing driver's licenses :) My biggest frustration is, I can't find the right RV, either too long, or lacking the right tech, or poor lithium package. The closest layout I have found so far is Wingamm 610, which is not available yet, and if it were, it is only FWD, no good lithium package, and has propane :(

Always enjoy your video! I wish I can travel like you

24 foot full time Class B here. So cities still scare me. I take up 2 parking spots so I really don't know where to park. And even when I had a normal car I never parked on the street. Always used garages or lots. But my biggest frustration is the FOMO everyone else puts on me. They keep asking hows my "trip", what am I doing and seeing? They make me feel like I have to see stuff when sometimes I just want to live my week like I would if I was in an apartment. Like not acting like a tourist. I also hate everyone calling what I am doing a "trip". This is my car but also my house. I am seeing sights but I am searching for a place to settle down. I still work a 9-5 online every weekday. This is not a vacation. Stop calling it a "trip".

I heard a vanlifer say "If you speed in an RV, you're going to get pulled over." So, I understand when RVrs drive the speed limit. Me? I drive a small car that speeds VERY well; but I have a lot of ham radio antennas on the car... NINE at this point. So, I think "If I speed with all of this metal in the air, I'm going to get pulled over." HAHA! So, I stay close to the speed limit unless I'm on the open highway. I don't get tailgated TOO much since people probably think I'm talking to aliens or something might fall off the car. But there some very special people out there who will still ride my bumper. Can't solve that! Good to see you in my feed again. -Scott

Ha! Never thought about how much time it would take to grocery shop if you were always walking in "cold."

Hey Scott. I don't have a camper an yet, however I think the whole thing of speeding would be a frustration. Most of the time it's just poor planning on the other driver part. If we separate out the tailgating or speeding around you, I can say as an ex-motorcycle driver and other safety driving courses I have taken they teach to never drive behind a vehicle that they cant see through to the front so the other car in front can be seen. The other things you mentioned though all valid brother. Adventure on. I'm looking at the newer Travato's coming out with the newer 2023 chassis now. La Mesa seems to only have the older chassis but really good prices. There is one dealer down here in my area of Tampa Bay that has the newer 2023 chassis for around 130ish.

Dude, you really need to scratch number 4 off the list! Grocery shopping is not that serious. 😂

As a Marine veteran, I like to imagine a Cobra helicopter laying down some 20mm Mike-Mike on those annoying drivers. #1. 😆

My 2 cents (or with inflation, .5 cents) .... #5 Internet Connectivity - enjoy the freedom of not being connected at times. Understand some folks feel a need to always be connected, but that "need" may be only a perspective. #4 Grocery Shopping - good point, but look on the positive side. Hit some "mom and pop" stores and you get to interact with people and enjoy the slower pace. #3 Overnight Camping (parking) - think you hit the big advantages/attractions of Camper Van travel ... all the options available. #2 Decision Fatigue - you're kidding, right? Maybe it's a generational thing, but life is always about decisions and planning. Pre-cell phones we used maps/road atlas/trip tiks and survived just fine. Hmmm ... maybe a revisit to #5 LOL #1 Drivers - Agree 100% - BUT - sitting back and giving yourself an extra bubble of space helps. Caveat: I'm looking at this from someone that travels at a vacationer and not full time so our priorities are much more laid back. ;-) Our biggest frustrations are cleaning up when we get back from a trip and finding the time to go on the next one Great stuff as always, Scott!

NC has a RV as a covert class A motorhome as an unmarked police car with a chase car. I saw it in our area once.

Woooow, soooo coool you!!!! Here is Alisa from Keecowsocks ( We producing sport socks for skiing/hiking/running/working). Want to support you some good socks for your fantastic sharing!!!!

People act as though learning to live on the road should come naturally. It’s like any new job where you have to learn the ropes and get used to the requirements of the new life style. I urge anyone thinking about van life to not burn bridges if possible. Learn to use the camper as best you can on vacations or weekends before you take the full time plunge. Then the five frustrations will be much reduced.

Scott are the rude drivers on the road in the rest of the country are as bad as our South Florida drivers. Especially I 95 from Miami past Palm Beach?

Don’t need a van for #1… It’s everywhere and I don’t always offer the thumb, lol!😂

Scott you need to get tmobile at home internet or skylink and never look back. I see speeds sometimes in excess of 100mb down on cellular 5G UC with no data caps.

Always enjoy

Where do you go during Christmas season Christmas 🤶 🎅 🎄

Slow and steady wins the race..

Scott - agree about speeding drivers being a frustration. But you are right in learning to deal with it for your own sanity.

I've been enjoying the van life for a year and a half...and wish I had done this years ago. I have gotten to the point in my life at age 75 that I pay NO attention to other drivers around me. I see them and just maintain my speed within the limits of common sense. I may run four or five miles over the speed limit. I manage to get better gas mileage than other van's who seemingly compete with other drivers. I like to enjoy the scenery and know I am safer than the morons who speed past me. Being retired I enjoy driving without experiencing any stress and I am in no hurry to go anywhere. I'll get there when I get there. I laugh when I see driver's take off like a bat out of hell 🤣 to the next traffic light only seconds ahead of me. I try to get my daughter to relax behind the wheel as she thinks that other drivers feel entitled to do the crazy things they do.

Watergen released their mobile airt to water generator. I won't if there's accessories that will fill the white tank by itself. The perfect spot for our airstream would be the closest that is above the water tank.

Since giving up my B sale, my C is still not fixed. Haven't been on the road since 2019. The world is much different now

My frustration is not knowing if I should travel with my water tank full. Doesn’t that just add to the weight of the camper and cause worse gas mileage? I carry 2 (3 gal ‘I think’ bags) and refill them when I can. Not as convenient as if my tank was full.

Spot on. Especially the intangible "decision fatigue".

Based on the title I was expecting this to be specific to Class B RV's.

I bought a Travato 59G and there is no place to run a water hose from a faucet into the van without keeping the back door open.

Maybe I missed your point somewhere but everything you list as class B frustrations apply to ALL classes of RVs, don't they?

Why are WiFi connectivity problems exclusive to class b camping?

Starlink solves this? The Internet problem?

How is not knowing where things are at inside a store a Class B problem? The things you talk about everyone experiences no matter what they drive.

Number 1... for sure. Lord forbid I hold them up by 2 seconds😏

That should be a t-shirt...see you at the next stoplight

Talking about extra fees companies apply to make reservations online - KOA might have a good web experience, but you need to pay extra to “pick/reserve” a particular site. Annoying…

Agree, drivers have become consistently worse over the last ten years. Tailgaating, drag racing, passing in the on comming lane and even using the pulloff emergrncy lane as another highway lane. I see drivers going thru railroad crossings with gates down, driving around crossing guards crossing children and speeding to out run an ambulance. Wonder how many have legit insurance?????....... sad, manors and courteous driving has gone the way of whale lamps.........................

I think the bad drivers have gotten even worse in the last few years - less vehicles on the road and less cops have solidified bad behaviour IMO

How about truck stops for an overnight stay.

"...a smile a stop light and see you at the next stop light"! I laughed out loud! Too funny! 🤣 Be seeing you!

WHAT ELSE U GOTTA DO BUDDY BESIDES LOCATE FOOD IN NEW STORES,

Lol… while driving on I-4 I had a lady get mad at me and was tailgating me badly… all the hallmarks of road rage. For reference- speed limit was 75 I was doing 80. Know what I did? I slowed down enough that she couldn’t merge into another lane, and enough that it would piss her off even more. Lesson learned for her

Why not Starlink?

There isn’t anything you mentioned that validates not camping in a class B in my opinion

doing good😂

Hope to start class B rv in 2025 wen I retire at 62

Whenever i see people speeding around me, i just assume they have to shit real bad.

i'm surprised he didnt talk about the price of gas. but then there's no fix for that I guess.

why do you do it?

you need an assistant / app to remind you to breathe !

See ya at the next red light. 🤣

I stopped watching after I realized your complaints weren't class b specific.

People suck!

Ridiculous, none of this strictly pertains to "Camper Vans" but any RV ! Try Again !

Stay home

I don't see that ANYTHING you said is specific to traveling in a van. Very negative video.

It’ sooooooo overwhelming! Grow up man!

Did anyone really need this video?

You have to make all of those decisions every day even if you don't have a van. Driving my car: Where do I find gas? Where do I get groceries? What about the people around me, are they friendly or dangerous? In other words, this video was worthless.