I spent 2 nights glamping in a 45-square-foot camper. Here are 9 things that surprised me about trying out RV life.

Monica HumphriesAug 21, 2022, 17:28 IST

The author found surprising hidden costs and a reliance on airflow during her two nights in a teardrop camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

I spent two nights sleeping in a tiny camper that wasn't much larger than a queen-sized bed.
While the trip had surprising highs and lows, I loved my first taste of van and RV life.

From chatting with couples over the realities of van life to interviewing people who traded brick-and-mortar homes for a few hundred square feet, I've written what feels like countless stories about life on the road. Until May, I had never tried it myself.

Freelance worker working from the van while taking a road trip.MStudioImages/Getty Images

From chatting with couples over the realities of van life to interviewing people who traded brick-and-mortar homes for a few hundred square feet, I've written what feels like countless stories about life on the road. Until May, I had never tried it myself.

I got my first taste of RV life when I rented a 45-square-foot camper in Utah's desert.

The author in front of the small camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

The two nights were filled with surprises, and I drove away from the experience daydreaming of trading my monthly rent for a van payment.

The author in front of the teardrop camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

I knew the camper would be small, but I was surprised by just how tight 45 square feet can feel.

The interior and exterior of the trailer.Monica Humphries/Insider

I rented the camper to have easy access to nature, but I was surprised by how connected I felt to the outdoors without sleeping in a tent.

The author in the camper's bed.Monica Humphries/Insider

In just three days, I was shocked by some of the hidden costs of RV life.

My campsite cost $48 for two nights.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was surprised to see unfamiliar storage hacks in the camper.

The camper had enough storage for a few nights.Monica Humphries/Insider

The camper was so small that my car turned into a second living space.

My entire wardrobe never left the rental car.Monica Humphries/Insider

The tiny camper's kitchen setup was impressive. I didn't expect that I'd be able to cook almost any meal my heart desired.

The back of the camper opens to reveal a kitchen area.Monica Humphries/Insider

I learned I love glamping and was stunned by how painful it was for me to retreat back to my tent a weekend later.

The trailer I rented on Airbnb.Monica Humphries/Insider

Moab's desert was so hot that I kept my windows and doors open, which eliminated any sense of privacy.

For daytime naps, I kept both doors to the camper open.Monica Humphries/Insider

Finally, I was surprised by how quickly I adapted to life in the camper.

The author inside the small camper.Monica Humphries/Insider

I took a high-speed electric train from England to Scotland, and I still can't believe the 400-mile journey cost just $64

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I spent 2 nights glamping in a 45-square-foot camper. Here are 9 things that surprised me about trying out RV life.

From chatting with couples over the realities of van life to interviewing people who traded brick-and-mortar homes for a few hundred square feet, I've written what feels like countless stories about life on the road. Until May, I had never tried it myself.

I got my first taste of RV life when I rented a 45-square-foot camper in Utah's desert.

The two nights were filled with surprises, and I drove away from the experience daydreaming of trading my monthly rent for a van payment.

I knew the camper would be small, but I was surprised by just how tight 45 square feet can feel.

I rented the camper to have easy access to nature, but I was surprised by how connected I felt to the outdoors without sleeping in a tent.

In just three days, I was shocked by some of the hidden costs of RV life.

I was surprised to see unfamiliar storage hacks in the camper.

The camper was so small that my car turned into a second living space.

The tiny camper's kitchen setup was impressive. I didn't expect that I'd be able to cook almost any meal my heart desired.

I learned I love glamping and was stunned by how painful it was for me to retreat back to my tent a weekend later.

Moab's desert was so hot that I kept my windows and doors open, which eliminated any sense of privacy.

Finally, I was surprised by how quickly I adapted to life in the camper.