Staying connected with the important things in life can be a struggle while on the road. RVers want to make sure their mail is accessible while still being off the grid as much as possible. Knowing how and where to have mail sent for taxes, inspection renewals, medical information, and mail from family and friends. So, let’s answer the million-dollar question of, how to get mail while on the road. Full-Time RV Mail Service – RVers 101.
What is the best way to get mail when living in an RV?
The most common ways are, asking a family member or friend and mail forwarding service. My favorite is to ask a family member that I can trust and then they can forward this to me in bulk when needed.
If a family member is not possible we have a few more options below that may help.
If researching this topic, you may be thinking of starting a full-time lifestyle. Let us help with, How much does it cost to live full-time in an RV?
Depending on where you are going and the length of stay, here are your best options for Full Time RV Mail Service
Mail forwarding service
- Escapees RV club domicile and mail forwarding service
- Good Sam mail service
- Traveling mailbox
- MyRVMail.com
- America’s Mailbox
Asking a friend to use their address
You can ask a trusted friend to collect and handle your mail. They could check for important mail and then inform you if necessary or forward it to you in bulk when possible.
Resort mail center
Some of the nicer large resorts have their own mail centers you could use. This is like a small post office right in your community that can be used temporarily while you stay.
UPS store
The UPS store can receive your mail and allow you to pick it up, kind of like a P.O. Box
P.O Box
This a good option to use, but you would still need to be in that location for it to work for you. If you have a home base area that you travel to often, this could work well for you.
What to take into account when choosing an address
Is it even legal to live in an RV full-time?
Yes, it is legal to live in an RV. Each state, county, and local municipality will have its own laws/rules to abide by. It is best to research beforehand to assure you are not violating any local zoning laws or ordinances when you decide to plant roots. If you are wanting to park your RV permanently in a park or on your own property, this may involve having access to water, sewer, and so on to keep it legal.
Do I need a permanent address when living in an RV?
Yes, you will need a permanent address for bank accounts, driver’s license, registration renewals, insurance, and of course the dreaded taxes.
Almost any legal business you are dealing with will need an actual address before they move forward with any transaction. All the examples above fall into that category along with many other day-to-day processes you need to stay connected with.
What is the best way to have a permanent address when on the road?
The most common way used to get around this is the use of a relative or family friend that lets you use their address as your own. They could save your mail and inform you of any important-looking documents that arrive or it can also be forwarded to another location in bulk.
How do Full Time RVers get Mail?
Enjoy our trip to Yosemite – See all the sights available for your pleasure.
But remember!
RV Domicile
Do I need a state of domicile living in an RV?
Yes, you need a state of domicile when you are living in an RV full-time. Your RV domicile is your legal connection with a certain state. This needs to be taken into account when you choose a permanent address or your “physical address”. As we stated above, this will be used to deal with things like taxes, voting, vehicle registration, and bank accounts. When you choose a domicile there are multiple things to keep in mind and each state handles its affairs differently.
What is the difference between RV residency and RV domicile?
RV residence
Your RV residence is wherever you are settled down at the moment. For someone living in an RV, your residence can change from week to week and even day to day, while your domicile will remain the same until you choose to change it.
RV domicile
RV domicile is your home base. It is your permanent address where you choose to receive mail, register your car, and pay taxes. You will follow the homeschooling laws of your domicile state, and your driver’s license will be from this state.
This will entail some research due to the implications it has on your state taxes, how homeschooling is handled, voter laws in that state, and the cost of insurance.
What are the 5 best states of residency for full-time RV living?
You will need to spend some time and address the legal side of establishing residency wherever you choose.
Florida
- Income tax-free
- Nice year-round weather
- Numerous RV Parks
Nevada
- Wide open land for boondocking
- Climate
Texas
- Income tax-free
- Climate
- Beautiful scenery
- Easy mail forwarding services
Washington State
- Wide open land for boondocking
- National/Federal Parks
- No Income tax
- Low auto insurance rates
South Dakota
- Income tax-free
- No personal property tax
Full-Time RV Mail Service – RVers 101
FAQ’s
How are taxes handled when living full-time in an RV?
As a taxpayer, you are allowed by the IRS to designate one residence only as a main home at any one time. The main home by definition is where you ordinarily live most of the year. Yes, an RV fits under this category, even if it does not have a permanent location per se.
Can I claim my RV on my taxes?
Yes, your RV can be claimed as your home if you itemize deductions on your taxes. An RV can be claimed as a second home if you only live in it part-time. the main deduction to be taken would be interest paid throughout the year from payments.
Do full-time Rvers pay taxes?
A full-time RV lifestyle still consists of paying your taxes. This is where selecting the optimal state of residency comes into play, as each state can provide different benefits. As shown above under the 5 best states for residency as a full-time RVer.
Mail for fulltime RVers
