Working from Your RV While Traveling

Tips to Make Work Habits Easier

Rewritten by Joseph Garnett, Jr. - From the Archives

August 17, 2015

Often, RVers combine their love of traveling the country with their profession. Many have discovered how to work while on the road in their travel trailer, fifth wheel or luxury diesel motorhome. Most say their quest for freedom doesn’t just start with a passion for the open road that begins on Friday at 5 p. m.

This desire to have freedom often comes from a desire to have the ability to control parts of their own destiny. With that in mind, the luxury is not just in the RV or motorhome, but in the lifestyle.

Here are five tips from experts, people who work while traveling in their luxury motorhome or RV. Many even run a business of their own as they travel.

Office Space

Create a place inside the motorhome or RV just for work. Keep all of your work items there within that particular space. Staying organized will be the key to success.

Space will always be at a premium when running a business from your RV or luxury motorhome. Excess paper is something you do not want. It encroaches this valuable commodity. Trisha Jackson, owner of Crosstown Pet Care in Brandon, Fla., has a transcription service for her voice mail messages. Messages are emailed and that helps to avoid bulky notebooks and loose pink notes.

There are other ways to save paper include only printing necessary things. Before hitting the road, convert as many paper items to a digital format with a scanner. Also, capture your signature in a jpeg or PDF to allow you to electronically complete documents that need to be signed.

Another option is to hire a fax service. The service provides a fax number to give to clients and receives faxes and provides them to you in an email. So, there is no physical paperwork involved.

Also, use paperless billing for your monthly bills.

Computers

Consider changing out your desktop for a laptop or even a tablet. Eric Jackson, founder and president of Jackson Kayaks says the iPad meets all his needs when he uses it with a wireless keyboard. Jackson says he prefers the iPad over the laptop or desktop because of its long battery life and he doesn’t have to plug into a generator as often.

“It’s critical to have a cast-iron backup system,” says Janet Groene, author and RV lifestyle blogger. “Back up your files even more religiously than you normally would and keep them in a safe place.”

Accessing the Internet

An extremely component to the success of your business is reliable access to the internet while on the road. Many RVers suggest having two data plans to ensure you always have a backup. To avoid going over your data limit, look for WIFI hotspots whenever possible. Most phone, laptops, tablets and computers are equipped to scan and search for available WIFI services.

Printing

Our traveling workers suggest that you leave your big color laser printer behind and buy a small inkjet printer instead. The inkjet uses so little power. Even though they don’t last as long as a laser printer, they’re cheap to replace — around $40 to $50.

If you need the ability to make quick copies, an all-in-one printer, copier, scanner may work best. Sometimes, finding a library or office supply store may also be an alternative than having a printer of your own.

Mail Forwarding

Often, many RVers already have a mail forwarding service, but when you have a business that requires immediate response from the road, it may be necessary to have one that will open your letters and convert them to email and send them to you.

For more information on working while traveling in your luxurious Class A diesel motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer, please contact the Lazydays locations in Tampa or Tucson or log online.

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