Over the last decade, RV sales have skyrocketed as more and more Americans choose to live and work wherever the road takes them. The prospect of buying an RV and living in it full-time is pretty enticing. So is working remotely. But is there any way to combine the two? Of course. With remote work opportunities becoming more common, working remotely from your RV is more possible now than in the past.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work. As companies adjusted to stay-at-home orders, it became clear that work isn’t always location-dependent. In fact, companies across the U.S. now embrace the idea of remote work. It has resulted in more and more people seeking answers on how to work remotely and travel at the same time.
Why RVs Are Becoming the New Office
Working from an RV isn’t a new concept, but it is becoming increasingly popular. RV technology and accessories make it possible for digital nomads to hunker down in remote locations and still stay connected. Full time and even part-time RVers have found ways to have jobs that allow the flexibility to work and travel simultaneously. With a stable internet connection, it’s possible to work from the road or even your own backyard.
How To Work On the Road In An RV Remote
Working from the road may not always be as glamorous as social media makes it seem, but once you establish a work-travel balance, you will discover that life as a digital nomad gets easier. Not every work situation is the same, but learning the secrets on how to work remotely and travel in your RV before beginning your journey will help make the transition from office to RV a little less bumpy.
Create Comfy Office Space Inside Your RV
Fantasies of Zoom meetings from the beach or working while nestled in the pine trees facing a mountain lake are not always realistic. Sun glare, bugs, and ever-changing weather conditions make it challenging to work outside for long periods. Here’s some helpful hints to creating a comfy workspace inside of your RV.
- Set up your workspace somewhere other than the bed. Your body will thank you later.
- Utilize a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
- Elevate your laptop or buy an external monitor to avoid long hours hunching over a small screen.
- Think about light sources in your RV, and adjust your workspace to avoid glare.
- Face the outdoors. If you can’t be outside, at least you can see it.
- Decorate your RV with items and colors that make you happy. You want the inside space to feel as relaxing as your outside space.
Keep Your RV Workspace Organized
Organizing your RV office will help your workday run a little more smoothly. Your RV might be your working and living space, and organization is the key to finding harmony between the two worlds.
Are you easily distracted, or will you work alongside someone else in your RV? Consider noise-canceling headphones to help block out distractions.
Clean your space each time you sit down to work. Removing the clutter around you will also help to declutter your mind. You might need to organize your work area a few times a day.
Have a place to store your laptop, computer accessories, and other materials if you don’t have a dedicated desk. It’s easier to stay organized and keep your workday more structured when you can put work away once you’ve finished for the day.
Set Realistic Work and Travel Expectations
It can be hard to balance work, play, and travel time, especially for new RVers. Working long hours without structure directly conflicts with why you probably set out in the first place. Setting realistic work and travel expectations is the key to figuring out how to work remotely and travel.
Set aside dedicated travel days. Whether your travel days are long or short, most RVers will tell you travel days are exhausting.
Plan to stop driving before three in the afternoon. Arriving at a new place after dark is very difficult for RVers. Parking and setting up in unfamiliar areas at night can often be a recipe for frustration.
Do not expect to have a productive workday after driving more than a few hours. Planning to work after a long drive doesn’t work for most people.
Plan for dedicated workdays, even if those days fall on a weekend.
Allow time in your travel days for setting up or taking down your RV. Account for gas stops as well as time to dump or fill your tanks.
Stay in one place longer. If you work from the road, it’s easier to enjoy new areas when you stay put. Take time to explore and enjoy the places you go. You’ll make great memories along the way.
Add time in your schedule for sightseeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Some RVers find if they don’t schedule their free time, it doesn’t always happen.
Schedule some flex time in your work or travel days to allow for unexpected events such as mechanical emergencies or illnesses.
Use apps, club memberships, and other online tools to scout for safe or scenic places to stay.
Subscribe to the General RV Blog and check out more helpful advice to make RVing the relaxing, enjoyable experience it should be.