One thing that extended or full-time RV travelers are concerned about is making their money last. That is where workamping comes into play. It provides a way to reduce expenses or even earn extra money by working at the campground or a local business. 

What is workamping? 

The term “workamper” was trademarked by Workamper News in 1987. They define it as “individuals, couples and families who combine ANY kind of part-time or full-time work with RV camping.” Now at this point, you may be asking, “Why would I want to work while I’m camping?” The simple answer is that it allows you to stay out on the road longer. As a workamper, you can supplement retirement income, earn a full income, or even trade your services in exchange for a campsite. 

Even better, you can do it in the location of your choosing. If you’ve always wanted to visit a particular area, you might be able to find a position that will provide a free or discounted site, as well as free or discounted activities. 

What kind of jobs are available? 

If you can imagine it, there is most likely a job for you. Our friends, Levi & Natalie have tried many of them too. In fact, they have been workamping year-round for almost six years now. They wrote a book about their experiences, Seasonal Workamping for a Living. 

We recently interviewed them about the book and some of their jobs: 

Here are some of the more common opportunities: 

Amazon CamperForce 

This is a common one for RVers to earn money over the holidays. It includes long days in a warehouse doing repetitive work but can be a good way to pile up some cash over just a couple of months. 

Sugar Beet Harvest 

This is another example of a way to earn money in a short period of time. In fact, it typically only lasts a couple of weeks. While you’ll work 12-hour shifts, you can earn up to $8,000 in that time period. 

Holiday Lots 

Another short-term seasonal workamping job is managing a holiday lot selling pumpkins in the fall, Christmas trees in the winter, or even fireworks in the summer. These positions typically require the RVer to park on the lot. Compensation can be in the form of a specific wage or commission. Levi and Natalie did a great video series on their experience running a Christmas tree lot. 

Camp Host 

Serving as a camp host is a very common workamping position. Both public and private campgrounds employ RVers to perform tasks such as taking reservations, checking in campers, cleaning the campground facilities, and various maintenance tasks. 

Many of the public campgrounds like state and national parks provide a site in exchange for work, rather than pay an hourly wage. However, they typically require substantially fewer hours – often 15 to 20 hours per week. Private RV resorts and campgrounds may provide a site or discount one while also providing an hourly wage (averaging $10 per hour) but expect full-time employees. 

If this is something you think you might be interested in, we recommend watching the video below where our friends Phil & Stacy share their experiences with camp hosting. 

Visitor Information & Interpretation 

We’re still working full-time (read more about that here), but when we retire this is the position that appeals to me the most: providing visitor information and interpretation at a National Park. As previously mentioned, these positions are typically considered “volunteer” and compensation includes a free full hook-up site and a good feeling in your heart for supporting the National Parks. Duties typically include staffing the visitor center, answering questions, and giving informal interpretive talks a few days a week. 

How to get a workamping position

• Review job listings on Workamper News and choose a few that best meet your travel schedule and work preferences. 
• Apply early. You won’t be the only one who wants to work at the bucket list destinations like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon.
• Create a resume that highlights your experience. Once again, I highly recommend Workamper News resources for helping you create a resume that translates your previous work history to suit the needs of common workamping jobs. 

Questions to ask during the interview

You should not take a position without an interview. These will typically occur via telephone or video call. In addition to answering the prospective employer’s questions, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions of your own. Here are a few things you may want to know. 

• How many hours per week are required per person/couple?
• Will couples be on the same schedule? 
• How many days per week are required?
• Will a full hookup site be provided? If so, will the value be deducted from any pay.
• What is the pay structure (if any)? 
• Will you have access to Wifi and a cell signal?
• What other amenities are available – laundry, bathhouse, etc.? 
• Are pets allowed?
•  

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We’ve been full-time RV travelers for 5 years now and have found numerous ways to save money along the way. In this article, we’ll share our top five tips for saving money on RV travel including ways to reduce both campground and fuel costs.

Tip #1: Saving on Overnight Campground Stays

When we first started our RV journey we had a 44′ Fifth Wheel with a residential refrigerator and a tiny inverter that couldn’t keep it powered overnight. As a result, we always stayed in full hook-up campgrounds, even for overnight stays.

We used a program called Passport America to save a lot of money on these stays. It only costs $44 a year and gives you 50% off the regular nightly rate. Just use it for 2 nights, and you’ll get your money’s worth. It is important to know that there can be restrictions because each park is individually owned and makes its own rules about participation. This information is provided for you in the Important Campground Notes section of each park’s listing on the Passport America website, mobile apps, printed camping directory, and e-directories.

Another way we save on overnight stays is by choosing Corps of Engineer Campgrounds. These parks are federally managed and available for all of the public to use. Situated on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, they are found in some of the most beautiful settings and are reasonably priced. If you have the senior or access (disability) National Parks Pass, you get 50% off the already low rates. Here’s one of our favorites:

Tip #2: Saving on Extended Campground Stays

As full-time travelers who are working full-time, we prefer staying a month in most locations to allow ourselves time to really get to enjoy an area. As a result, we get massive discounts! We stayed at a fabulous RV resort in Arizona winter that has 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, a bar & restaurant, mini-golf, and more! The least expensive sites (back-ins at the back of the campground) were regularly $65 a night. BUT stay a month and it was only $690 for the month. Divide that by 30 days and it is only $23 a night!!!

No matter where you are traveling, you’re sure to find places like the Tensaw River Camp in Alabama, that can provide you with all the amenities you want and the access you need to take your trip a level above simply finding a place to park your vehicle.

Many (not all) places with a monthly rate meter electricity. Since we have solar, we don’t need to use much so our electricity bill for the month we stayed at that resort was only $29. I asked the cashier the typical rate and she said about $150 for a large, all-electric rig. Still, if you add that to the $690 and divide by 30, it is still only $28 a night and a great deal!

Tip #3: Saving on all your Stays

Another terrific way to save money on overnight and even longer stays is by boondocking or dry camping. After we upgraded our power system and installed solar, we started doing more off-grid camping and loved it!

Of course, you can stay overnight at retail places like Walmart or Cabelas, but we really like Casinos if we’re going to stay in a parking lot. We go in and get a player’s card that usually gives us $10 of free play on the slots and sometimes even win money back! You often get 50% off buffets too!

The spots we love best for overnight stays are Harvest Hosts, a membership program of farms, wineries, breweries, and even some museums that let you dry camp on their land. In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that this is not really a money-saving technique if you’re like us and spend a lot of money at the businesses, but we still love it. To us, there is no better way to see this country than to meet the people who make it unique and Harvest Hosts allows you to meet small business owners all around the US.

Click here to read my article on Trip Planning where I share the apps and websites I use to find great campgrounds and boondocking spots. I even have a video tutorial to show you how easy it is.

Tip #4: Saving on Fuel

Our first tip for saving on fuel is to slow down! Believe it or not, this actually can lead to significant savings. A study of diesel trucks was undertaken that showed that slowing down 10 miles per hour on the interstate can save 27% fuel efficiency! We never drive over 65 MPH and get 12 MPG towing our fifth wheel with a Chevy 3500 HD dually truck. We also ensure our tires are properly inflated and we keep up with all preventive maintenance.

Another way to stay on fuel is to travel slowly or close to home if you have the option. Explore the hidden gems within an hour or two of your current location instead of trying to race across the country and back in two short weeks.

Tip #5: More Fuel Savings with Apps

We use two different apps: one to save money and one that pays us back with a rebate. When we’re really lucky we can use them both at the same campground.

The savings app is called Gas Buddy and we use it to find the range of gas prices near our current location when we’re at a campground. When we were in Tucson, we found a range of $0.30 per gallon in a five-mile radius! We also use it to find the prices of propane.

The rebate app is called Get Upside and we use it to search our location to see if there are participating gas stations. If so, you scan the receipt and upload it to the app. Once you reach $20 they send you a rebate!

Bonus Tip: Mindful Spending

We have found that setting financial goals and tracking our spending is hands down the best way to save money. Otherwise, it is way too easy for all the small things you buy to add up.

We created wrote a book titled Full-Time RV Finance to help others financially achieve their full-time travel dreams by creating a realistic full-time RV budget, and learning how to make money & save money on the road. 

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