Howard Jaros

Howard Jaros and his wife Pam have been traveling the country in RVs for the past 14 years — eight of which have been as full-time RVers. They currently run an RV inspection business out of their RV, and they work with the NRVIA to assist RV buyers and sellers by performing a type of home inspection on RVs. They provide a valuable service by helping to determine if an RV is safe, road-worthy or a possible money pit. For more information about them and their activities, please visit yourfulltimervliving.com or usedrvinspection.com.

Articles by Howard Jaros

• Living full-time in your RV: Final preparations

  Monday, August 29, 2016

  In the first three parts of this series, I have covered a lot of ground. Hopefully, I have helped you create a plan to get you closer to the dream of enjoying full-time RV living. To wrap things up in this article, I will address some of the finer points that will help you move toward your full-time RV living freedom. At this point, I hope you have given thought to the RV you want to purchase and how you plan to live in it, as well as hitting the road in an RV to gain some experience.

• Living full-time in your RV: On the road

  Tuesday, August 23, 2016

  In Parts ​1 and ​2 of this article I discussed the ideas of renting an RV before you buy one, considering the limited space and how it will affect your current family relationships; choosing your domicile state; remembering the pets and their needs; establishing a budget to see where you stand, with a possible need to supplement your income to afford the lifestyle; and choosing the best RV for you.

• Living full-time in your RV: Lifestyle choices

  Monday, August 15, 2016

  When you think it may be time to investigate the full-time RV lifestyle, lots of things need to be considered. Are you currently full-time RV planning? It is best to plan ahead and develop a calendar of events for the things that need to get done. The timing will be different for everyone, but most of the steps will be the same. If you fail to plan, you might be planning to fail.

• Living full-time in your RV: Getting started

  Monday, August 08, 2016

  ​When you think it may be time to investigate the full-time RV lifestyle, lots of things need to be considered. Are you currently full-time RV planning? It is best to plan ahead and develop a calendar of events for the things that need to get done. The timing will be different for everyone, but most of the steps will be the same. If you fail to plan, you might be planning to fail.

• RV fire safety: We almost lost it all

  Monday, June 13, 2016

  ​When it comes to RV fire safety, you must take the necessary steps to be prepared. We learned this one the hard way and almost lost our RV and everything we owned. It was because we were relatively new full-time RVers and trusted the advice of others without first checking the facts.

• 13 ways to screw up your RV

  Monday, May 16, 2016

  During our 14 years of RV travel — eight of which have been full-time — Pam and I have witnessed a few RV fails and managed a few of our own, too! From those past experiences, I would like to share 13 ways you can screw up your RV. Hopefully, you may find these useful in your RV travels.

• 4 ways to lower the average RV park fees

  Monday, April 04, 2016

  When it comes to budgeting for the full-time and part-time RV lifestyle, applying methods that lower the average RV park fees can add up the savings over the course of a year. Pam and I use multiple methods to cut our average RV park fees, and we would like to share some of those with you. These savings come from searching out RV parks that offer online discounts, using camping clubs and by boondocking at various locations to save on RV park fees.

• The importance of RV tire maintenance — Part 3

  Monday, March 14, 2016

  ​In Part 1 of the importance of RV tire maintenance, I discussed air pressure based on actual RV loading and regular visual inspection of your RV tires. In Part 2, I covered tire pressure monitor systems, what to do with RV tires that are stored or sit static for months during full-time RV living or storage, DOT codes on tires and a discussion of when to replace RV tires.

• Selecting the RV that will work for you — Part 2

  Monday, February 22, 2016

  ​In Part 1 of this article, I shared how we purchased our first RV home. With lots of research and by not being impulsive, we were able to enjoy our first full-time RV home for almost seven years. In Part 2, I would like to discuss a few more ideas that might help you when selecting an RV that is right for you.

• Selecting the RV that will work for you — Part 1

  Tuesday, February 09, 2016

  There are many determinations to make when selecting an RV to purchase. That decision can be entirely different if the RV is being used for full-time RV living compared to just for occasional travel. What I want to address in this writing is to give you things to consider when starting your research for an RV you may be considering. It amazes me that 1.3 million Americans live in an RV full-time. The question is, did most of these folks make the right choice when they made their first RV purchase?

• The importance of RV tire maintenance — Part 2

  Monday, January 25, 2016

  In Part 1 of this article, I talked about the importance of setting the correct cold tire pressure based on the loaded weight of an RV. I also discussed inspecting the RV's tires before each trip and when is the best time to replace those tires.

• The importance of RV tire maintenance — Part 1

  Tuesday, January 05, 2016

  Proper tire maintenance is imperative for any RVer. But, for the RVer enjoying the full-time RV living lifestyle, regular tire maintenance is even more critical. Some people who live in their RVs tend to move them even less than those who don't. They may park in areas where less consideration is given to the surface on which those tires are parked. When tires are not used regularly, and no thought is given to their care due to lack of knowledge, those tires can deteriorate quickly, thereby shortening their life span.

• Full-time RV living: Making money while enjoying the lifestyle

  Monday, November 16, 2015

  ​Pam and I get into many discussions with potential full-time RVers about the cost of living the lifestyle. One question that always comes up is how can these costs be subsidized so one can enjoy being a full-time RVer? Are there ways to live the full-time RV lifestyle and make a living while doing so? That would be a big yes!

• Full-time RV living: Should you buy a 5th wheel or a motorized RV?

  Monday, October 19, 2015

  ​For those starting out full-time RV living, there is an important decision that has to be made — choosing a fifth wheel RV or a motorized one. Now that does not mean you can't full-time in a travel trailer, because we have friends who do, but the majority seem to face the decision of buying either a fifth wheel RV or a motorized one.

• Is full-time RV living for you?

  Monday, September 28, 2015

  Full-time RV living is a dream for many and a mystery for some. People wonder if full-time life on the road, in an RV, is for them. Others see the lifestyle being lived by others and decide to start searching out a possible full-time RV living home without really considering what it may be like.

• 10 free things to do at Niagara Falls

  Tuesday, September 08, 2015

  ​If you're a cost-conscious traveler looking to visit Niagara Falls, you'll be pleased to find out that it's an amazing destination with many free things to do. There's no need to spend money to have a good time. My wife Pam and I were in western New York in late August, so we went for a weekend visit to Niagara Falls State Park.

• Do you know how much your RV weighs?

  Monday, August 17, 2015

  Traveling in an RV is one of the greatest ways to get out and visit great places. No matter where you are, you always have your home with you. For full-time RVers, this is especially true. However, one thing I have observed in our seven years of full-time RV living is some people tend to forget about safety. I would like to suggest a few RV safety tips that may help the seasoned, as well as the occasional, RV traveler.

• Battery issues: Understanding your RV’s electrical systems

  Tuesday, July 21, 2015

  When it comes to enjoying all your RV has to offer, you need to be aware of problems that can occur. Some of these problems can make for a really bad day, and RV battery issues fall into this category. With a little basic understanding, you will be able to maintain the health of your RV's 12-volt DC system and remain a happy camper.