A couple bought an RV to live in full time. They're hoping to explore every state in their retirement on the road.

Kristen, 44, and Dan Koepke, 57, recently started a new chapter of their lives: learning what it's like to live full-time in an RV as retirees.

Several years ago, Kristen had a bucket list goal of visiting the state capital, a park or forest, a landmark, and "any other key hot spots" in every state by RV, so the Koepkes could actually experience what each state has to offer. Dan was hesitant at first, but quickly got on board after hearing stories from visitors to the couple's Wisconsin winery who enjoyed the RV life.

They put the dream aside and continued running their business, which they had been operating since 2013. When they were approached by a potential buyer for their winery in 2023, it was the perfect time to revisit their RV life idea and early retirement.

It's been over a month of RV living, and the Koepkes are loving sightseeing, hiking, and visiting historical places, with no plan to stop traveling.

The Koepkes and their dog, Vinny, are among the many Americans who have pivoted to living and traveling in an RV. Patty and Shane Gill have traveled in an RV in all 50 states, and Anne and Brian Klumpp hope to reach that same milestone. RVers range from families with young children to empty-nest retirees.

Learning what RV life is like

Kristen was in charge of accounting and staff management at the winery before it closed last September. She also worked part-time at a gym. Dan, who was the winery's main winemaker, also worked in tech for decades. Dan said he was saving a lot because he always wanted to retire around his mid-50s. He resigned from his senior director of information security job toward the end of May, at a company he had been with for five years. He was eager to get on the road after the couple bought the RV in August.

They had to wait because there were some logistical issues with the sale of their winery, which was a separate sale from the original one in 2023. While the final sale is still pending, they hit the road as planned.

The Koepkes said that "if you can mentally get past selling virtually all your possessions, learn how to move around and communicate efficiently in small spaces," and be fine without a stationary home base, it's a lifestyle change that can work.

They're adjusting and learning as they go, such as remembering to pack enough water and snacks for themselves and their dog, and to download maps before heading into the wilderness.

Dan wished they had a coffee pot for high altitudes, while Kristen wished they had started preparing for the transition earlier. There was a lot to do, "from selling things to moving our few saved items to storage and even packing the RV," she said, and it felt like they were rushing at the end.

With higher prices, the Koepkes expect to spend more on gas a month in their Jeep, which they tow behind the RV, than they originally thought they would, but their RV fuel costs are on par with what they expected. Kristen thinks people who want to travel should be careful of higher prices on groceries and dining in tourist areas.

The couple will be spending more on excursions than before RV life, such as horseback riding, helicopter tours, and rafting. They hope to see all of the state capitals, checking off Pierre, South Dakota, so far. They also enjoyed visiting Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. They found Yellowstone stunning but a somewhat challenging visit since dogs aren't allowed on trails.

Buying their new home

The Koepkes bought a 29-foot RV Class C toy hauler for $85,000. That type of vehicle includes a garage space, where they can store their motorcycles. They got rid of a lot of their belongings, making several runs to donate items to Goodwill and selling other items. Dan said he's a minimalist, so getting rid of a lot of their stuff was relieving.

The couple said Class C toy haulers are rare in the US. They got in touch with an autotrader in Rhode Island and flew to pick it up. "Never met the guy before, just went to his house and with a check in hand to pick this up and drive it home," Kristen said.

Dan said driving the RV was easier than expected, and they got to experience what it would be like to maneuver it with wind, rain, construction, and traffic on their trip back to Wisconsin.

They made some upgrades so they can go off-grid when they want, totaling over $2,900. That included adding another solar panel to the roof, which required other upgrades so they can run more items, and installing Starlink Mini for internet. Dan said the upgrades mean they can comfortably camp at places without electricity or other hookups because they can run their coffee pot and LED lights, watch television, and use the computer without issues.

They also switched the mattress to something more comfortable than what's typically in RVs, which they said was a game changer. They're also keeping up an active lifestyle on the road, bringing exercise bands, a medicine ball, and a yoga mat.

Kristen mapped out the first few months of their trip in advance, but the couple doesn't want to rush through states. Kristen said they want to sightsee and explore the area to count it as visiting. They plan to visit the southern states in the winter and eventually go through Canada to visit Kristen's brother in Alaska.

They will miss their friends, but will see some of them who enjoy camping. They're also excited for their dog, who enjoys walks and socializing after growing up on the winery patio.

Are you pursuing RV life? Reach out to this reporter to share at [email protected].