Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Hi, I am thinking of retiring in the spring and joining the solo full time rv world. There is so much to think about: what to buy, can I really drive a truck with a 23 foot travel trailer, will I be able to find part time work or income along the way.... I am hoping this site will help me answer many of these questions.
Hi and welcome to the forum! I'm betting the answer to all of your questions is YES! This is the site we first checked out when we thought about going "full-time". Lots of good info and helpful people here and we learned A LOT at the RV-Dreams Educational Rally back in the spring of '14.
Check out workampingjobs.com to see what's out there and maybe put a resume up when the time comes.
Best of luck!
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Sean & Christine - and the pups, Samantha and Apollo
There is definitely work out there and volunteering opportunities that can help you keep your costs down. It does depend on how much money you have to make though. If you are carrying a bunch of debt it is much harder than if you are free and clear and willing to live on very little. Lots and lots of people finance this lifestyle by working on the road though. We do and have for a couple of years now.
Can I really drive a truck with a 23 foot travel trailer, will I be able to find part time work or income along the way.... I am hoping this site will help me answer many of these questions.
First off, Welcome to the Forum!
Among these many pages, you'll find numerous folks have stood in the exact same spot you now find yourself.
Tremendous opportunities exist for you on the road ahead. Will you find income? Sure! As much (or as little) as you need. Part-Time, Full-Time, and yes, even OVER-Time employment abounds.
Trading Work for a campsite (Traditional 'Workamping')
Gate Guarding
Sugar Beet Harvest
Amazon Camperforce
Natural Gas Pipeline Surveyor
Tourist Train Employee
Each of the above represent just a small sample of the positions available for someone willing to travel Full-Time in an RV. The income (and the weekly time commitment) ranges from minimal to substantial, and seasonal to year round.
Heather and I started our journey by determining how frequently we wanted to travel, which naturally transitioned to how much we would spend, which determined how much (or how little) we wanted / needed to work - before dipping into retirement funds. Since Heather and I remain relatively young (51 and 42), it made sense to allow the retirement savings to continue to grow - untouched - while we chose to work full-time.
Both of us Survey Natural Gas Pipelines. Currently located in The Black Hills of South Dakota (Spearfish), our 'Workamping Job' has us stationed here until the end of August with Minnesota to follow until October 31. Then, we are off to Gulfport, Mississippi for the winter. We worked Myrtle Beach, SC prior to arriving in Spearfish. We chose each location out of many across the country. We trade a 40 work week in exchange for an income that has afforded us a very active lifestyle. In nearly two years on the road, we haven't spent all we have earned, and have yet to touch the retirement funds.
Two years ago, I didn't know the job existed. After living out on the road, I now see it as one of many such opportunities for people to enjoy a lifestyle they may never have thought possible. If we can answer any questions for you, feel free to stop by Chris' Campground in Spearfish and join us for a vodka or two!
Yes, you can do it. You can schedule an RV Driving school to learn how to safely tow. I strongly recommend attending an RV-Dreams rally as you learn so much before making your decision. Review the various posts containing budgets to see if it will work for you.
I get concerned about folks not having pretty significant emergency $, because they do come up!
Take your time, read and research this forum. You'll figure it out.
Sherry
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I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. - Carl Segan
Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD