How to Use Your RV as a Mobile Office When Working Remotely

How to Use Your RV as a Mobile Office When Working Remotely
Tips for successfully taking your job on the road!

By: Brooke Baum

Many travelers work from the road to make the most of limited vacation time, and RVing offers a convenient solution for working remotely! Whether you are a full-time digital nomad, just craving a change of scenery, or want to extend your time with family during the holiday season, setting up a mobile office in your RV is a great option.

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when working from your van, motorhome, or travel trailer …

1. Make sure remote work is feasible with your job.

If you have never worked remotely before, it is important to first make sure it is a practical option. Not all companies allow remote work, and not all jobs are flexible enough to be done from the road. 

Before planning to work remotely, check for: 

• Employer approval: Confirm what your company’s remote work policy is and that it covers out-of-state or international work (if heading to Canada or Mexico).
• Data security needs: Some companies require secure networks or don’t allow you to work from public Wi-Fi. However, you can often use a VPN for secure connections to work servers.
• Time zone differences: Working from a different time zone may also pose some issues, depending on your schedule.

Find out what will be needed beforehand, so that you won’t be scrambling to make it work when you are hundreds of miles away!

2. Adjust your workstation setup for your RV space.

Although RV workstation options have come a long way, you likely won’t want the hassle of bringing multiple monitors and your favorite desk chair on an RV trip. It may take some trial and error, but having your ideal RV office setup is possible!

Tips for setting up your RV office:

• Go minimal: Start by packing only the essential items needed to do your job while you will be away, to make setting up your RV office a low-stress task. If space allows, you can add on to that with other items that will make your days working from the road easier.
• Stay organized: Having a place for everything will help make your RV office a space where you can be productive, and it will make your travel days much easier if you already know where to put everything for safe transport. Plan to declutter regularly and adjust your setup as needed.
• If you have time, do a test run: While your RV is still parked outside your home, test out your office to make sure you will have everything you need to work comfortably while parked in a far-off destination. This will also give you time to make adjustments, like changing the lighting and where you are sitting, to better fit your preferences.
• Try to keep it a multi-use area: Remember that you will likely want to use the area you are working in for family meals or to set up as a bed in the evenings, so being able to put away your work items easily each day is ideal. However, in many Class A motorhomes and larger travel trailers, keeping a dedicated work area and separate lounging area is possible!

3. Get creative to make working from the road more enjoyable!

Having a dedicated workspace inside your RV is ideal to keep up with your responsibilities while traveling. However, you are also on vacation, so why not try to balance focus and fun?!

Here are some ideas to enjoy working from your RV more:

• Make a schedule: It can be tempting to spend more time exploring and get behind on work, or get pulled into a work project and not make the most of the beautiful location you are parked in. If you can, it helps to create a daily schedule that separates “work mode” and “travel mode” to stay on track. 
• Stay focused: Use noise-canceling headphones in busy campgrounds, and make sure whoever you are traveling with knows when you need quiet for work.
• Work outside: It can be a nice break from your usual routine to take your work outside to a picnic table, or you could even create a standing desk to give your body a break from sitting. (Check out the creative option below that one RVing digital nomad couple made a few years back with an old piano stand and wooden cutting board!)

4. Make sure you have reliable connectivity.

When working from the road, you should first decide how strong and stable your connection needs to be. If you only need to send a few emails every day, your connectivity needs will be vastly different than someone who is uploading content or taking video calls all day. 

Tips for staying connected on the road:

• Have multiple connectivity options: Combine different cellular data plans, Starlink satellite internet, and campground or other public Wi-Fi for redundancy to make sure you can always connect.
• Invest in connectivity gear: A signal booster, external antenna, and other gear items are available to help you have a more reliable connection when traveling by RV. (Note: Winnebago Connect has a WiFi option to help you stay connected!)
• Check reviews: When planning your route, check that campgrounds have reliable internet if you plan to use it, or research where reliable signal zones are in the areas you are traveling to. If you have any doubts, look up coworking places or coffee shops with WiFi nearby to have a backup plan.

Read this article about Starlink vs. cell coverage for more insights.

5. Keep your work gear protected from damage and theft.

When traveling with expensive electronics that are critical to do your job, protecting them is often a top concern. 

Here are some ways to protect your work gear when RVing:

• Secure items on travel days: Don’t forget to secure all of your breakable work gear when you are driving so that it doesn’t bounce around and get damaged. 
• Lock up your electronics: When leaving your RV, make sure none of your valuables are visible. You can also store them in a lockable case, if you would like an extra layer of protection.
• Protect against power issues: Use surge protectors and voltage regulators to prevent issues in case an RV park or other power source has unstable power. (Learn more about RV surge protectors.)
• Save your work: Make sure you back up your work regularly in case the internet goes out or you have another issue. Adding passwords or other protections to your devices is also a good idea for privacy and security when traveling.
• Consider insurance: If traveling with electronics, you can consider an RV insurance policy that covers theft and/or damage of those items to cover you in case you need to replace them.

See how Peter Holcombe set up his Winnebago Revel workstation and made sure everything has a safe place for travel days in this video.

6. Make sure you have enough power for your devices.

Keeping your electronics powered is critical to do your job from the road. This is simple if you plan to plug in at a campground, but it can get a little more complicated when camping without hookups.

Power considerations when working from your RV:

• Understand your power draw: The power needed for laptops, monitors, routers, and chargers adds up quickly. It is important to know how much power you will need to work from the road (especially if planning not to stay at an RV park with access to electricity).
• Plan for off-grid work time: Solar panels and lithium batteries can keep laptops and routers running without relying on noisy generators when boondocking (off-grid camping).
• Carry backup power banks: In case of emergencies or when boondocking

Learn more about boondocking here, and learn more about solar power for RVs in this video.

7. Consider seasonal challenges when working from your RV.

Temperature regulation is important to keep you comfortable in your rolling office, but it is also important not to let your electronics get too hot or too cold.

Here are some considerations for working from the road in hot or cold weather:

• Protect electronics from extreme temperatures: Make sure you don’t let your electronics overheat or become too cold. A computer fan can help in warmer climates.
• Manage humidity levels: It is also important not to let it get too humid in your RV since that can damage electronics as well. Ensure good airflow and use a dehumidifier as needed.
• Consider time change in winter: Remember you will have fewer daylight hours in winter, so it may be ideal to adjust your schedule to work later in the day, if you can.

Read these tips for managing humidity and heat. Plus, read tips for RVing in winter and regulating your RV’s temperature.

8. Try to stay at destinations longer.

Moving to a new place every couple of days makes it very difficult to keep up with your work responsibilities, especially if you are the main driver. Travel days can be tiring, and having to fit in your work hours on top of that can start to wear on you quickly. 

Most people who work from the road suggest a week or more in one place so you can get set up and into a good working rhythm. If you work typical weekday hours, arriving on a weekend and getting everything ready beforehand can remove a lot of Monday morning stress as well!

The RVing lifestyle works perfectly for those wanting to blend remote work and travel! With an RV, you truly can work from anywhere you can drive to if you take some time to plan for your remote work needs. 

What are your top tips for working from the road? Please share in the comments!