By Mark R., Wildfire Survivor, Central California
Wildfires aren’t supposed to happen to you. The news broadcasts images of wild fires while evacuation reports trickle in through social media and personal connections reveal friends who have lost their homes. When you see your own street ablaze and your home turned to ashes reality rushes in.
The event unfolded for us during the middle of the night. Orange light filled the sky as smoke filled the air and before long we found ourselves in a parking lot holding only an overnight bag and our dog. We spent several nights with friends and then moved into a motel as we worked to find solutions. The insurance company appeared supportive initially but became less helpful when we brought up the issue of long-term housing.
Each time I reached out, the response varied. “Temporary housing isn’t included in your policy.” Then, “You might qualify, but we’re still reviewing.” And my personal favorite: You need to submit more paperwork but approval remains uncertain.
We began searching for RV rentals to accommodate disaster survivors after receiving approval.
I had no idea where to start. Should we buy a used trailer? Rent a motorhome? Is it permissible for us to place an RV outside our property where the fire destroyed our house? It was overwhelming. I began searching for companies online and made phone calls to rental places that either had no availability or charged exorbitant prices.
We discovered Enjoy Trailer during our search for disaster relief housing solutions and learned they are FEMA-registered experts in the field. The initial phone call marked a turning point as they presented a new level of assistance. The team from their company demonstrated expertise in handling insurance adjusters and provided assistance with our insurance claim. They sent us a list of questions to ask our insurance rep to ensure we secured the proper coverage.
Choosing the Right RV for Our Family
Enjoy Trailer organized an online unit tour within our financial limits and insurance payment which proved invaluable because we were living in a motel three hours away. Different 5th-wheel trailers appeared on video as their representative guided us through the things we needed to examine.
Size matters. A small camper would not have been adequate for our family with two children. The 5th wheel with three bedrooms ensured each family member had their own space.
Amenities make a difference. Our initial opinion about the washer/dryer changed when we learned about the saved time from not needing laundromat trips.
Layout is key. We selected a trailer because of its large open living space but discovered it lacked any real separation for the kids’ room. The model we selected included a separate bunkroom which provided us all a sense of sanity.
Set up & delivery. Enjoy Trailer managed all aspects of delivery including towing our trailer to the location and final hook-ups to make it ready for habitation. No stressful logistics for us.
Adjusting to Life in an RV
I initially feared that RV life would resemble confinement inside a fancy tin box. But honestly? It’s way better than we expected.
What My Wife Loves About RV Living
Of everyone she showed the most doubt toward our decision to move after we lost our home. The sight of the fully equipped kitchen helped her start to relax a little. The refrigerator exceeded our expectations in size and the oven functioned properly which was a relief after dealing with the unsafe motel microwave that almost went boom while heating popcorn.
Her biggest win? A built-in washer and dryer. No laundromat runs. No dragging baskets of clothes anywhere. She laughed and said if she doesn’t have to share a laundry room with strangers she might never return to a regular house.
She admitted her big closet was missed because of its shoe storage yet she noted “At least now I spend less time choosing my outfits.”
The children believe living in the trailer is the greatest adventure they’ve ever experienced.
At first, Ben (10) and Lucas (7) felt devastated. They felt sad about leaving behind their playthings and the comfort of their bedrooms along with their favorite outdoor space. Moving into the trailer brought about a quick transformation of our situation.
The bunk beds proved incredibly popular because each child enjoyed their personal area complete with USB chargers and reading lights that gave them a fancy experience. The outdoor kitchen turned into “Dad’s Grill Zone” and we made s’mores every night at the fire pit area.
The great thing was we stayed in an RV park alongside other families who shared our circumstances. The children quickly formed friendships after which they began their afternoons by biking around as if they were at summer camp.
Lessons Learned from Living in an RV After Experiencing a Disaster
Experiencing home loss brings pain but living in an RV creates genuine stability minus the impermanence found in motel stays. I would tell other families in our situation this guidance based on our experience.
-Push your insurance company—hard.
Request the same thing from them again after their initial refusal. If they say maybe, demand clarity. RV rentals as an option tend to be slow to materialize from insurance companies yet displaced individuals maintain their rights to these services. Continue making calls to your insurance company while escalating your case and remain firm.
-Select an RV that perfectly matches your family’s requirements.
The space in a small camper works for weekend use but fails as a long-term living space. Think about space, storage, and essential appliances. Avoid depending on campground laundromats for extended periods.
-Choose an RV rental company that specializes in disaster relief services.
Our experience showed numerous RV rental companies who operated with a “one-size-fits-all” approach by delivering trailers and then leaving us to manage on our own. Enjoy Trailer delivered more than just a unit by handling insurance procedures and assisting us in selecting the appropriate model before completing the setup process.
Looking Back—And Looking Forward
We still miss our home. We have nostalgia for our previous neighborhood and our daily routines as well as the knowledge of our future plans one month ahead.
But this RV? It’s given us a home base. Our family enjoys cooking meals together followed by board game sessions and movie nights. My wife has a functional kitchen. The kids have space to be kids. After weeks of uncertainty we now experience a small sense of control over our lives.
If you find yourself in our position and wondering about your next steps, remember that you still have multiple choices available to you. This location may not match your ideal home but it provides you with an opportunity to begin anew. And sometimes, that’s all you really need.
