Fulfill your dream of adopting the nomad lifestyle! Working from your RV offers unique flexibility and freedom for seasonal and full-time travelers alike. In this blog, we highlight five jobs you can do while traveling in an RV and provide tips for setting up the best mobile workspace.

Benefits of Working Remotely in an RV

Flexibility in Location

As long as you have an internet connection, you can work from virtually anywhere. From a cozy campground with amenities to a quiet mountaintop getaway, you decide the location of your mobile office at your convenience. 

Customizable Work Environment

With remote work, you can set up your workspace according to your needs and preferences. Stake out a corner in the RV or set up a fold-out desk by a window with a stunning view.

Lower Living Costs

RV living can reduce typical living costs, such as mortgage or rent payments, property taxes, utilities, and costs associated with commuting.

Opportunities for Adventure

You can explore many places without having to take vacation days, integrating travel into your everyday life. RV living makes new destinations more accessible.  

Improved Work-Life Balance

The ability to simply step outside and immediately immerse yourself in nature or a new locale can make it easier to balance work productivity with leisure activities and relaxation. Additionally, instead of taking long commutes you can spend extra time exploring or enjoying hobbies.

Eco-Friendly Living

Many RVers adopt sustainable practices, such as using solar panels, conserving water, and reducing energy consumption. Sustainable RV living may align with eco-conscious values.

Enhanced Productivity

A regular change in scenery can be a motivating factor, leading to increased creativity for those in creative fields. Additionally, this lifestyle encourages minimalistic practices, which can lead to less clutter and a more productive working environment.

Jobs You Can Do While RVing

Although there are countless opportunities for working from an RV, we have curated a diverse list of options for every type of traveler. Here are five jobs you can do while RVing:

Work Camping

Work camping, or “workamping,” is a great opportunity for seasonal RV travelers to camp for free or even earn money. Depending on the program, the workamping may involve part-time, full-time, or volunteer work along with free RV or tent camping. Along with campgrounds, these positions are common for RV resorts, mobile home communities, state parks, or even amusement parks. There are several online resources available to connect interested RVers to workamping opportunities. Help maintain a vital community resource while exploring new places and enjoying free stays.

IT Professional

Full-time RV living is compatible with many tech roles, such as software engineering, web development, and tech support. With a robust internet connection system, tech workers can perform their tasks on the road through a contractor or private company.

Travel Nurse

Travel nursing has become an appealing role recently, offering the opportunity to move locations after the amount of time outlined in a contract. Due to the demands of semi-frequent relocation, travel nursing contracts typically pay more than a stationary nursing role. Depending on the contractor, many of these contracts include meal and living cost stipends in addition to higher hourly pay rates. Travel nursing is a great option for RNs willing to stick to a locale for several weeks at a time.

Freelancer

Freelancing encompasses a wide range of work opportunities, such as writing, tutoring, editing, web designing, graphic designing, and much more. This type of work can easily be adapted to a nomadic lifestyle. Many full-time RVers have leveraged their lifestyle for monetized blogging, vlogging, and content creation. Travel influencers can earn money through brand deals, YouTube monetization, and affiliate commissions.

Remote Work

RV living can accommodate remote work opportunities unrestricted by location. Many RV remote workers are involved in accounting services, education, consulting, and RV service. There are a broad range of applicable skills conducive to both part-time and full-time RV living.

How to Find Remote RV Work

The RVing community is a tight-knit network of individuals who love to share and exchange resources. People are often more than willing to offer guidance in Facebook groups, forums, and membership clubs. Traditional job-seeking websites like LinkedIn or Indeed may not be tailored to the type of work you’re looking for. Seek resources specific to RV living. For example, a membership with Escapees RV Club provides access to the RVer Job Exchange, where you can receive advice from the Escapees community and provide your skills to fellow members.

Tips for Working Remotely from Your RV

To ensure a productive, comfortable remote working environment, you will need to optimize your space according to your needs. Follow these tips for working remotely from your RV.

Establish a Workstation

Determine the ideal spot in your floorplan to create a custom workstation. Take foot traffic, natural light, accessible outlets, and space into consideration before settling on a location. If possible, choose a quiet corner or secure spot out of the way of regular use.

Optimize Workspace

Due to frequent movement and limited space, keep items and clutter to a minimum. This will help reduce stress, too! Consider a fold-in desk and ergonomic chair for maximum comfort.

Ensure Sufficient Charge

Ensure that the right chargers are available and keep portable power banks charged. Should you experience any issues with the main power, a power bank can keep you going while you troubleshoot. When electrical hookups are unavailable, make sure you have a portable battery for backup power.

Strategize Moving Days

Plan moving days according to your schedule to minimize stress. Know how long local regulations permit overnight stays. Maintain a calendar to keep track of when it’s time to pick a new spot. Factor in traffic, travel time, and route ahead of time.  

Be Prepared for Potential Troubleshooting

While out on the road, be prepared for possible technological failures. Keep spare chargers, monitors, and other workstation essentials. Additionally, sometimes RVs break down, which could interrupt your regular work schedule. Consider an extended RV warranty policy that provides access to mobile mechanics for swift turnover.

Best Internet Service for Working from Home

For those who plan to work from their RV, it’s important to know what kind of internet service you need and which plans offer the best options for your needs. To receive internet service, you need a data plan that is either included with or separate from your current phone plan, along with a device that accepts data connection and provides wither WIFI or a wired connection to the devices you wish to use.

We combed through various community forums to determine some of the most popular service providers among RVers. Starlink currently provides a data plan specifically for RVs: Starlink Mini. You can choose between a Roam Data and Unlimited Roam Data plan. The former is better suited for those who travel infrequently, whereas Roam Unlimited is geared toward those working from the road.  It is worth noting that Starlink is still in its beta stage, so consider hanging on to your LTE data plan through providers like T-Mobile or Verizon.

Many third-party providers, such as Nomad Internet or Calyx, have a data arrangement with major providers like Verizon or T-Mobile. When it comes to third-party plans, conduct some research. Compare costs, read reviews, and comb through online forums for service details.

RV Office Equipment Essentials

Without overwhelming storage options, be sure to have everything you need for productive work. Here is a list of some basic RV office equipment to ensure success.

• Small Desk
• Ergonomic Chair
• Laptop & Charger
• Monitor
• Headset
• Portable Power Bank
• Mouse & Keyboard
• Clip-On Webcam

Things to Know for Commercial RV Use

An RV will be considered a commercial vehicle if the operation of a business is dependent on the vehicle, if you rent out the RV, or the RV is used only for business. If this is the case, then you may be eligible for various tax deductions. Although commercial use does impact RV extended warranty eligibility, you can still get coverage for commercial use. This entails a one-time surcharge upon signing your warranty contract, then you can enjoy custom protection for your business.

For those who simply work out of their RV, the commercial use designation does not apply. Although you will not be eligible for business deductions, full-timers may be eligible for primary home deductions. Additionally, personal RVs are eligible for extended warranty protection and can carry on working from their RV without the commercial use surcharge.

Safeguard your Travel Lifestyle

You shouldn’t have to compromise your workplace freedom and travel lifestyle in the event of an RV breakdown. Protect your nomadic lifestyle so you can keep working on the road and save money on repairs. Get your free RV extended warranty quote today.