Complete boondocking Workkamping

Kenwrite · Aug 20, 2017

A few posts on full-time RV forums have mentioned that workkamping positions with full hook-ups and cable and wifi and all the bells and whistles and comforts of condo living are in high demand and competition. I can see why.
But when I buy and build-out a step van next year, I'll be going for very heavy-duty self-sufficiency. My goal is to be able to head into the wilderness for at least 30 days non-stop, with a high-end ultra-prepared goal of 60 days. Yes, I've monitored my current daily life and crunched the numbers for even more minimalist living. I *will* be able to do it.
So my request is for connections for the "no amenities", total dry camping jobs. Anyone with experiences or references or links? Advice? Warnings? Secret handshakes? Thanks in advance.

highdesertranger · Aug 20, 2017

as of now I can do 2 weeks no problem. I can stretch it to 3 weeks pretty easily. I am shooting for 4-8 weeks. I don't believe that is an unreasonable goal.

as for the "no amenities" jobs, they are usually a lot easier to get as there is much less of a demand for them. Bob did the remote camp host jobs for awhile hopefully he will chime in. a few other have to. highdesertranger

akrvbob · Aug 20, 2017

What you were told about the big campgrounds being popular and hard to get into is true. All the RVers want to work there so there is a lot of competition. But the RVers simply will not go into remote campgrounds without hookups, and there are lots of those in the National Forests. I did it for 4 years. I was never more than 30 minutes from a tiny, mountan town, but I did have a friend who was 1 1/2 hours from one. He was in the High Sierras, just below the John Muir Trail.

One of my campgrounds didn't have water, but it did have a creek running through it so you could filter your water. The big campground was only 6 miles away so I went there and filled up my water jugs.

You probably won't have cell phone or data. I never had them in my campgrounds. If you want them, you have to drive to them to the nearest campground or town.

I found I wanted to leave my campground on all my days off, otherwise, people thought I was still working, so I drove all over and explored the area. I was out anyway, so I shopped while I was there.

Laundry will be an issue. The company will provide a uniform and you must keep it clean because you work with the public. But they don't give you much of it and campground hosting is hot, dirty work!! You'll need to wash clothes once a week or every other week at least.

I loved the job and loved being remote--I wouldn't do it any other way. You got a whole different group of people who loved being there.

bullfrog · Aug 21, 2017

A few remote places have intermittent utilities and are so far from stores, reliable internet/cell phone and shopping that the big buck RV's won't come or stay for long. North Lake Powell is such a place. 3 hours or more to anything more than a gas station or small country store. There are still Maintenance positions available through Aramark and have been all year.

LoupGarou · Aug 21, 2017

Everyone is getting into full time RV living these days. Most don't understand that living full time in a vehicle boils down to one thing and that's having a place to park up at night, every night.

Regarding stepvans, sourcing insurance on a vehicle with a commercial rating is problematic, especially one you plan a DIY conversion on one.

Kenwrite · Aug 22, 2017

LoupGarou said:
Everyone is getting into full time RV living these days. Most don't understand that living full time in a vehicle boils down to one thing and that's having a place to park up at night, every night.

Regarding stepvans, sourcing insurance on a vehicle with a commercial rating is problematic, especially one you plan a DIY conversion on one.

While I'm still researching and planning, I did find out how simply one can re-title a commercial vehicle to a motorhome here in North Carolina. Then when I talked to an agent at Progressive, she said they could insure for liability only as a re-titled vehicle at only $119 a year. "As long as it's titled as a motorhome."
North Carolina General Statues 20-4.01 section 27 d2