Top 7 RV Renovation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them): A Guide for RVers and Travelers

rain2shineventures
Jul 9
5 min read

Whether you’re hitting the open road as a full-time RVer or planning seasonal escapes in your camper, renovating an RV is one of the most exciting ways to transform and customize your home on wheels. An RV renovation can breathe new life into an older rig and help you create a personalized space for your explorations. However, before you break out the paint and power tools, it’s crucial to avoid common mistakes that can turn your RV remodel into a costly and frustrating project. As a full-time RVer and professional RV Renovator I can help you prevent common mistakes DIY-ers make when renovating their campers.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the Top 7 RV Renovation Mistakes — and, more importantly, how you can avoid them! Additionally, if you're considering a DIY RV renovation, visit our Amazon Storefront for renovation tools and must-haves.

Top RV Renovation Mistakes

1. Not Renovating for YOUR Daily Life

The mistake: Designing a space for weekend aesthetics, not everyday living. Some RV renovations focus on making the rig look like a tiny HGTV dream—but overlook practical features full-time RVers need.

💡How to avoid it: Design with real life in mind. Consider your daily routine: cooking, working remotely, storage needs, pets, outdoor activities and rainy-day lounging. Prioritize comfort, convenience, and versatility in every upgrade. However, when you take the time to thoroughly think through your renovation, there are many ways to merge functionality and style to have the best of both worlds.

🎯 Full-time RVer tip: Choose multi-functional furniture and surfaces. A dining table that doubles as a desk. A bench that doubles as a dog crate. A coffee table that doubles as a dining table. Countertop extensions. These are all game-changers!

2. Neglecting Moisture and Ventilation Issues

The mistake: Many first-time renovators overlook minor signs of water damage but it is essential to check for leaks and mold before starting an RV remodel. Water damage is the silent but deadly killer of RVs.

💡How to Avoid It: Inspect your RV’s roof, windows, and seals thoroughly before any cosmetic upgrades. Invest in a moisture meter and a dehumidifier to ensure that your RV’s ventilation system is working properly and prevent future issues during RV travel.

🎯 Full-time RVer tip: Look and feel for soft spots in the floor, walls and ceiling. Use a moisture meter to check for damp spots in the interior - especially in hidden areas such as cabinets, closets and wardrobes. On the exterior, look for delamination and then investigate that area inside for water damage.

3. Overlooking Electrical and Plumbing Systems

The mistake: It’s easy to get carried away with the visual side of an RV interior makeover — but neglecting the electrical and plumbing infrastructure can lead to serious issues down the road, especially if you’re considering a new layout as part of your renovation.

💡How to Avoid It: Before installing new appliances or fixtures, map out your RV’s electrical capacity and plumbing layout. Make sure the upgrades you have planned for your RV won’t overload your circuits or cause any leaks. In fact, I always suggest consulting a certified RV Technician or RV Renovator before getting started.

4. Not Upgrading for Off-Grid Capability

The mistake: Renovating for full-hookup campgrounds and limiting yourself from boondocking opportunities. If you're planning on remote travel (like many full-timers), your setup needs to support that. Or, if that’s not in your plans, it’s always good to be prepared for unexpected situations.

💡How to avoid it: Incorporate upgrades that allow for off-grid living. Solar power, lithium batteries, water filtration systems, water-saving fixtures, LED lighting, propane appliances, a 3-way fridge (battery, shore, propane), composting toilets and a waste-holding tank offer flexibility and freedom. At the very minimum, equip yourself with a portable backup generator.

🎯RV lifestyle tip: Don’t underestimate the power of even a small solar setup. It can drastically reduce your need to use a generator. Oh, and another plus, it saves you money over time.

5. Underestimating the Budget (and Time!)

The mistake: Most RV renovation projects begin with high hopes and tight budgets. It’s easy to underestimate the magnitude of an RV project. Small space = fewer materials and less time, right? WRONG! Often, folks stall out halfway when hidden issues pop up or costs spiral out of control due to underestimating their time and budget.

💡How to Avoid It: I suggest adding 20%-30% as a buffer for unexpected things that come up during your renovation. Additionally, go ahead and plan on doubling the estimated time you expect each phase of your RV interior makeover to take…especially if you’re juggling the project around full-time RV living. Unanticipated issues (no matter how experienced you are) can spring up and renovating an RV is typically not as easy or as simple as one might think.

🎯 Full-time RV Renovator tip: Go ahead and prepare yourself for issues that may arise and additional time to spend on them. Also, keep in mind that there are very few (if any) right angles inside of RVs which can create added time (plus a headache) to your renovation.

6. Ignoring Long-Term Storage Solutions

The mistake: It can be easy to underestimate how much stuff is actually needed for a full-time life on the road. Trendy open shelving and minimalist setups may work for some, but it’s likely only going to work for a short vacation for most. Remember, you’re not just storing your stuff, you must store everything your RV needs as well.

💡How to avoid it: Utilize hidden spaces and maximize your storage. Use vertical whenever possible, as well as under the bed, inside benches, over-the-cab, etc. Be sure to use every square inch wisely—especially in smaller campers.

🎯Full-Time RVer tip: Add slide-out pantry shelves or under-bed drawers to maximize space without clutter. If your RV has a garage, take advantage of compartments and bungee cords for organization.

7. Ignoring Weight Limits

The mistake: One of the most commonly overlooked RV renovation mistakes is failing to consider weight...especially when renovating Lite models. RVs have weight limits for safety and performance and they should be taken seriously. Swapping out furniture, installing new backsplash and flooring, or adding heavy décor can quickly overload a camper.

💡How to Avoid It: Before you start renovating your RV, make sure to research your make and models weight load capacity. The amount of weight your camper can safely travel will depend on many factors including your specific chassis, axles and suspension. Oftentimes, it's necessary to opt for lightweight materials.

🎯 Full-time RVer & Professional Renovator tip: Make sure to balance the weight throughout your camper during the renovation. In other words, don't load one side with all the heavier appliances and furniture - make sure to distribute the weight evenly from back to front and side to side.

Oh! And, if you've made it this far, don't forget to check out rain2shine's Camping & Travel Journal for all your camping documenting and keepsakes! Also, check out Amazon Storefront for all your RV needs--renovation tools, decorating, organizing, etc!