Any issues work camping in a converted cargo trailer?

[GeorgiaPeach]

Does anyone have any issues being hired for work camping jobs in RV parks while living in converted cargo trailer versus traditional RV? I am a 51 year old single female who will be getting a brand new SUV and cargo trailer in three months that I plan to convert into a nice living space. Initially, I intend to use a portable toilet and an outdoor solar shower until I can construct a wetbath inside cargo trailer. I have been planning and saving for my new way of life for the last three years. 

All of the jobs I'm seeing on Workcamper News request that you send a pic of yourself with your "RV" along with job application. A cargo trailer or converted van are options never mentioned. Do they accept a new SUV/nice converted cargo trailer combination in lieu of RV? Thank you.

 

[WanderingRose]

I am not a work camper, but have seen many hundreds and know well several, also have traveled this country for 13 years.

I believe you will be more likely to be accepted as a work camper with an unconventional RV if you look toward federal campgrounds, where campers are more diverse and there are fewer restrictions.

I believe you will be less likely to be accepted in private, more expensive campgrounds.

Many of the latter are unlikely to even let you camp there, in my experience.

But, there are always exceptions, so it doesn’t hurt to try for anything that may appeal to you.

Good luck.

 

[izifaddag]

Does anyone have any issues being hired for work camping jobs in RV parks while living in converted cargo trailer versus traditional RV? I am a 51 year old single female who will be getting a brand new SUV and cargo trailer in three months that I plan to convert into a nice living space. Initially, I intend to use a portable toilet and an outdoor solar shower until I can construct a wetbath inside cargo trailer. I have been planning and saving for my new way of life for the last three years. 

All of the jobs I'm seeing on Workcamper News request that you send a pic of yourself with your "RV" along with job application. A cargo trailer or converted van are options never mentioned. Do they accept a new SUV/nice converted cargo trailer combination in lieu of RV? Thank you.

Hi GeorgiaPeach. 
You and I are in the same boat. I too have a converted enclosed cargo trailer. I use a dry toilet and I have built myself an indoor shower. I want to supplement my shower with a nice shower tent when stationary for a couple of weeks. A lot of jobs do not want any vehicle without holding tanks. In some locations I see the logic of this and in others it is ridiculous. However it doesn't matter what I think they will refuse you a job.
I joined Workamper and to be honest I find them useless. I have been approached in a sort of mass trawling way by one employer from there and that is it. I have applied for a couple of jobs and just crickets.
The reason I decided to plunge and spend my precious money on a membership was because of Hansonontheroad YouTube channel. This guy is extremely interesting and I strongly suggest you watch his videos. He is all about working on the road. Each video he speaks from where he is working. He is constantly working, never stops and goes from one job to another. I have spoken to him. He does not clean toilets, will not work just for a camp site and doesn't work nights.
He shows golf courses, baseball parks, rodeos and much more. Go take a look and he will write to you, he is an extremely nice man.
Through him I hooked up with Six Flags in upper New York. Covid sunk me but eventually we will get back to normal.
My current plan is about to get under way right now. It doesn't matter if you don't have holding tanks. Bob did an interview with a young guy called Toby. He goes to places like Jackson Hole in Wyoming. He works nights in hotels or cooks. The wages are very good easily $15 to $18 a hour. He works then goes off to a park and sleeps, cooks etc. Then back to work. On days off he enjoys the scenery. 
He makes enough money to spend the winter in Quartszite. Around Jackson there are free campsites and some people do commute in and out of the little city. There are pay campsites too which seems to eliminate the max stay rule. $15 a night for no hook ups seems to be the rate. OUCH!! But with a Golden Age Passport it reduces it by 50%. Age 62 and up and only $10 for an entire year!! 
This is my plan. Jackson for the cool weather and some money then a dog leg to MS for mail and loose ends then Q for the winter for some company.         
I have had contact with Toby as well. If you want to know more and I can help I will. We are in the exact same boat. I'll follow this thread. Good luck.

 

[izifaddag]

I believe you will be less likely to be accepted in private, more expensive campgrounds.
Many of the latter are unlikely to even let you camp there, in my experience.

That is the truth. Places like Lake Tahoe do not want anybody that is not in a $500,000 class A anywhere near the place let alone work there. 
You have to get creative and unconventional but that is what this is all about right?
I face the exact same problem as the OP. I cannot work beet fields, Amazon is insane and I do not want to be isolated in the middle of nowhere with no internet. I won't clean vault toilets either. 
30 years ago maybe but certainly not now.
There is a certain amount of snobbiness in the RV world but sometimes I do understand it.
There is a fine line between destitute homelessness and being a nomad. Some of the rigs or rather health hazards I have seen on the streets of Portland I wouldn't want to camp anywhere near.
Old ice cream vans held together with planks and pieces of 4x2 nailed in weird places. It has to be seen to be believed.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Last summer I stayed at one of the New Mexico State Parks, Oasis State Park, near Portales, and there was a gentleman living in a converted cargo trailer who had the camphost job for the summer. He was an older, down to earth fella who was courteous, friendly, and went about his duties in the park every morning.

I did not see the inside of his rig but the outside looked really decent. 

On the other hand, at Brantley Lake, near Carlsbad, the camphost was in a very nice 5th wheel with a nice pickup truck and several power toys like ATVs and motorcycles, and he was a complete JERK.

So I guess it really depends, I would presume, on the rules at the particular park and the appearance that your rig presents.

 

[user 423]

...He was an older, down to earth fella who was courteous, friendly, and went about his duties in the park every morning.

On the other hand, at Brantley Lake, the camphost was in a very nice 5th wheel with a nice pickup truck and several toys like ATVs and motorcycles, and he was a complete JERK.

I've seen a wide variety of hosts also. A new twist I saw at Vedauwoo in WY last year was an older guy in a large Class A that also worked a job in Laramie. He was only at the CG in the evenings and weekends and contracted out the toilet cleaning to someone else. Earning full-time pay plus collecting SS, I'm sure he could afford to do that.

 

[izifaddag]

A new twist I saw at Vedauwoo in WY last year was an older guy in a large Class A that also worked a job in Laramie. He was only at the CG in the evenings and weekends and contracted out the toilet cleaning to someone else. Earning full-time pay plus collecting SS, I'm sure he could afford to do that.

That is a clever idea. btw I never thought of working in Laramie. I am familiar with the town and it would be easy to move around setting up camp at a different spot each night.

 

[izifaddag]

Last summer I stayed at one of the New Mexico State Parks, Oasis State Park, near Portales, and there was a gentleman living in a converted cargo trailer who had the camphost job for the summer. He was an older, down to earth fella who was courteous, friendly, and went about his duties in the park every morning.
I did not see the inside of his rig but the outside looked really decent. 
So I guess it really depends, I would presume, on the rules at the particular park and the appearance that your rig presents.

I would like to be that old guy. My camper is, as I am sure the OP's is, spotless. 

 

[WanderingRose]

“But with a Golden Age Passport it reduces it by 50%. Age 62 and up and only $10 for an entire year!“

They are $80 now, I believe, but are good for a lifetime once you qualify.

 

[izifaddag]

“But with a Golden Age Passport it reduces it by 50%. Age 62 and up and only $10 for an entire year!“

They are $80 now, I believe, but are good for a lifetime once you qualify.

WOW!! I just picked up a pdf from the national forest website the other day and it said $10. However you have to buy these from a booth or office at a NF site so that is where the latest information would be. I am guessing you have already run into this so I bow to your superior information. Thank you good to know. $80 for a lifetime is still great value. Well worth it. 
As for qualifying that is just being 62 so I am 'in'.

 

[WanderingRose]

It’s possible that fee has changed back, and I missed it.

I thought the $80 from $10 was a bit outrageous.

I had to buy my own when my husband died, and it was still $10 then, tho was told later by a volunteer that if I lost it or the numbers wore off I would have to buy a new one at the new price.

If you ask at any federal site, camp host, volunteer or staff, they will be able to tell you.

 

[crofter]

“But with a Golden Age Passport it reduces it by 50%. Age 62 and up and only $10 for an entire year!“

They are $80 now, I believe, but are good for a lifetime once you qualify.

Yes $80 for lifetime or $20 for only one year. If you are going to lose the pass, go with the cheaper one as they do not replace lost passes.
-crofter

Description: link to Forest Service site to purchase pass.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passes-permits/recreation-fees-passes

 

[crofter]

OP's question "can you camp host in a converted cargo trailer?" Yes if they will hire you. 

To be considered for the job, send a picture of yourself and your rig with the application. Follow up with a phone call and your best customer service attitude.
-crofter

 

[izifaddag]

https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/feedemo/fedpass2.pdf

Good job they are consistent lol

 

[user 423]

That is a clever idea. btw I never thought of working in Laramie. I am familiar with the town and it would be easy to move around setting up camp at a different spot each night.

The thing is, I don't know if it really would be allowed by the NFS at most of their campgrounds. He may have been getting away with it and they were unaware. I just happened to talk to a couple who had stayed there for a couple of weeks and somehow found out the situation.

 

[user 423]

I thought the $80 from $10 was a bit outrageous.

Ditto here. They did offer it online a couple of years ago for $20 and since I couldn't find the one I had picked up at a NFS site about 10 years ago, I sent off for another before the window closed. So now I have two.

 

[B and C]

I keep mine in the plastic trim above the drivers door. Always handy and I can remember where it is. I also keep the mirror hang tag there for it.

Even for $80, it won't take many national park or national monument visits for it to have paid for itself.

 

[bullfrog]

If you lose a life time pass you have to buy a new one but if it is wearing and becoming difficult to read they will let you exchange it for a new one! they are $80 at the parks gate although finding one open with an attendent is difficult because of the pandemic, also if they are there they will only take credit cards at this time.

 

[maki2]

Look at as many of the job postings as you can find and pay attention to any requirements for being self contained. If you are looking at camp hosting jobs then take a look at any restrictions for that camp ground regarding what type of camping vehicle can stay there.

There is not universal policy as regards what the rules are at campgrounds, RV parks, work sites. Of course it is also going to be a very unusual summer due to covid-19 to try and come up with an accurate picture of anything long term related to work camping jobs as so much is currently in suspension.

 

[WanderingRose]

I think a big difference in what private campgrounds and public ones allow is the difference between private and public.

Private can allow and not allow anything they like, as long as they are within the law, such as the signs in many offices that they can refuse service to anyone.

Public have to abide by rules and regulations to prevent and avoid discrimination of many kinds.