Cruisin' through Remote Work: Our Ultimate Work from RV Adventure
Nicki and I are just your everyday couple with a not-so-everyday office on wheels. So, grab a spot, kick back, maybe snag a cup of coffee or tea, and let's chat about how we pull off remote work, RV-style.
Now, I’ve been dancing with the work-from-home lifestyle on and off for a while – you know, living that normal shirt with pajama bottoms life and sneaking in dog walks between Zoom calls. Nicki, though, was more of an office-dweller until COVID shuffled the deck in 2020.
Fast forward to now, and surprise, surprise – we're still happily typing away just doing it from the cozy corners of our RV now. Remote work has helped turn our travel dreams into reality. COVID really served as a wake up call to how short life can be and since it also gave us the freedom of remote work, we took the chance and hit the road.
But let's not sugarcoat it – this journey isn't all postcard-worthy sunsets and laptop glamor shots. Working from an RV has its share of bumps, both literal and metaphorical. And that's why we're here, ready to share the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens – our own slice of digital nomad work life.
So, saddle up as we chat about remote work, RV-style. Whether you're a seasoned nomad or just toying with the idea of turning your happy place into a workplace, we've got stories, tips, and a whole lot of real talk coming your way. Ready to hit the road with us? Let's roll! 🌟🚀
Remote Working From An RV: Freedom and Responsibility
Living on the road means, every day could bring a new backdrop to the nine-to-five hustle. Remote work on the road is like your office cubicle got traded for a front-row seat to the beauty of the world. It can be blissful but there is also the occasional tightrope walk of embracing the freedom of the open road and actually getting down to business.
Now, let's be real – remote work is still work. But here's the magical twist: when your "office" can be a sun-soaked beach in the Florida Keys, a hammock swaying in a forest breeze, or the cozy glow of a campfire with your laptop perched on your lap, suddenly, work doesn't feel like a daunting task.
Imagine typing away to the soundtrack of waves gently lapping the shore, or crafting emails under the dappled sunlight filtering through trees. It's a pinch-yourself kind of experience, and we're living proof that your workplace can be as dynamic as your wanderlust-filled dreams.
But, and it's a big but, it's crucial not to let the enchantment of the scenery completely steal the show. Remote working from an RV is a double-edged sword – a beautiful, adventure-laden sword, but a double-edged one nonetheless. Discipline becomes your co-pilot; it's the unsung hero that keeps you on track when the allure of exploration beckons.
Pro tip: Establish a mindset that's all about embracing the journey while staying laser-focused during work hours. Yes, the beach is right outside your door, and the forest is your backyard, but remember, the working part is what fuels these extraordinary backdrops. It's the yin and yang of RV work life – a delicate balance where discipline and joy go hand in hand.🌲💼🚐
Tips for Setting Up your RV Workspace
Now that we've embraced the mindset of working from the road, it's time to think about our mobile office. Let’s face it, sometimes you won’t be able to work from a beach or a hammock, so it’s important to make sure you have a dedicated workspace inside for those rainy days or even the days when it’s just too sunny to see your computer screen outside. Below are some tips for setting up your small space for remote work!
1. Prioritize a Well-Designed Setup:
Creating a mobile office isn't just about squeezing your laptop onto any available surface. It's about curating a well-designed setup that complements both your work style and the nomadic rhythm of RV life. Think about lighting, seating, and the flow of your workspace to make it both practical and pleasing. Our RV workspaces are both in an area with a lot of natural light and with plenty of space for us to have a notepad and our computer in front of us.
2. Find Your Ergonomic Sweet Spot:
Ergonomics – a fancy word for keeping your body happy while you work. Invest in a comfortable chair that supports your back and keeps you sitting pretty during those extended work sessions. Consider a desk at the right height to avoid craning your neck or hunching over, or even better look into a portable standing desk. Your back will thank you, trust us.
3. Maximize RV Space Efficiency:
RVs are a dance of space optimization. Your workspace should follow suit. Choose furniture and office accessories that serve dual purposes or that fold away when not in use. This isn't just about working efficiently; it's about reclaiming your space for relaxation once the workday is done. In our RV, we were lucky enough to have a built-in desk and we chose a chair on wheels that can tuck right under the desk when it’s not in use. It serves as extra seating if we have a guest, but doesn’t take up any floor space once it’s pushed in.
4. Noise-Canceling Wonders:
While the open road offers a symphony of sounds, sometimes you need a little peace for that deadline-crunching focus or in my case to block out the noise on important client calls. Invest in noise-canceling headphones to create a cone of silence, whether you're in a bustling RV park or surrounded by the serenity of nature. Nicki and I both have Bose headphones. She rocks the over the ear style, while I opted for the in-ear version. When we both have the headphones on we could both be talking at full voice and have no idea the other person is making noise, the downside is, on video calls, other people can still hear you, so it’s not a perfect solution if you both have work calls at the same time!
Bonus Tip: Invest in Portable Office Essentials for Maximum Flexibility:
If you’re tied down to a second monitor, a keyboard and a mouse for your work, try buying the portable versions of these things. That gives you the flexibility to move your office outside for the day or pack away your office for the weekend or evenings. Neither of us uses an external keyboard or mouse, but we do occasionally love our second monitors. Rather than doing without, we found a great portable monitor on Amazon that plugs right into our laptops and folds flat with its stand as a protective case when it’s not in use. It can be a gamechanger for those days where we are working in multiple spreadsheets!
Navigating the RV Internet Connectivity: A Mix of Hotspots and Starlink Magic
When it comes to internet on the road, we've learned the hard way that campground Wi-Fi is often a mirage – alluring from afar but disappointing up close. Our secret sauce? A combination of phone hotspots, T-Mobile home internet, and the game-changing Starlink.
Now, don't get us wrong; relying solely on cell signals is not a good idea. Campgrounds, are often not in the most well-connected spots. Trust us; there's nothing more frustrating than a dropped video call in the middle of a work meeting.
And here enters Starlink, our wifi knight in shining armor. With the ability to beam internet from space satellites like something from Star Trek, it's a game-changer for remote workers like us. But, like all heroes, it's not without its kryptonite. Crowded RV parks in bustling destinations like Orlando can turn Starlink into a buffering nightmare. Rainy days and a site surrounded by towering trees? Starlink might decide to take a day off.
Wi-Fi Woes: Tales from a Digital Nomad
Picture this: you're in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by scenic wonders, but the Wi-Fi decides to ghost on you. We've been there. And it's not pretty. Campground Wi-Fi promises a lot but often delivers frustration. So, how do we overcome these connectivity hiccups?
Research, my friends, is the key. Platforms like Campendium and RV Trip Wizard have user reviews on cell carrier service for many campgrounds. A quick peek on Google Maps lets us scout potential obstructions that might be an issue for Starlink's connection. Asking around in facebook groups or just stalking the comments is another great way to find out if the wifi is going to work for you, or if you’re going to be working for it.
Pro Tip: Backup and Research, Always
Carrying backup connectivity options is our not-so-secret weapon. Having multiple carriers in your arsenal ensures you're not left high and dry when one decides to go on strike. We've got a Verizon hotspot as our last resort in addition to our T-Mobile phone hotspots, T-mobile Home Internet, and Starlink – a digital safety net for those unexpected dead zones.
So, fellow nomads, before you roll into that next picturesque campground, research the connectivity landscape. Know your carriers, check for potential obstructions, and always have a backup plan in your digital toolkit.
Balancing RV Working and Travel
One of the bigger challenges that comes with working and traveling full-time is navigating work responsibilities and the allure of exploration. Hopefully a couple of the strategies we use can help you too!
First up, time blocking my calendar: This really helps me to designate specific periods for work, time for lunch, dog walks or a little exercise (usually in the form of a bike ride around the campground). By blocking time I can also make sure that I get all of my important tasks done when I’m most productive in the morning, and this frees up my evenings to explore the local area with Nicki.
We also like to avoid driving during work hours because the internet when actually moving is generally less reliable than when we are stationary. Drive days are planned, mostly on the weekends or early in the morning before the workday kicks off. This careful planning allows us to hit the road without sacrificing productivity. Every once in a while if we are in a pinch, we will book an extra night that we don’t need at a campground so we can leave later in the day after work. We usually only do this if we are planning to stay somewhere else that night for free (like a harvest host or one of the Thousand Trails campgrounds we are members of).
Another way we try to make sure there is time for exploring is spending at least 7 days in each location. This unlocks the luxury of 1-2 weekend days for exploration. This approach lets us have an opportunity to experience each place where we can dive into the local culture without the stress of missing a lot of work.
And then there's the magic of Paid Time Off (PTO), our secret weapon for those extraordinary spots that demand extended stays. Last summer, amidst the scenic wonders of Acadia National Park, we used our PTO. This allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience without the constraints of work hours, hiking, exploring, and soaking in the beauty without worries. This winter, we plan to use a little PTO for some snowboarding in NM with friends.
The Wrap Up
Living full-time in our RV and working remotely has been an amazing experience so far for us. It’s not for everyone, but if you have dreams of getting on the road whether it be in a travel trailer like us or perhaps just going full on “Vanlife” just remember, the key to all of this is flexibility, planning, and a touch of spontaneity, ensuring that work and play coexist in a digital nomad life. If you keep those things in mind, you’ll love it just like we do!
