I have an opportunity to go full time next year and am attempting to plan properly. I am fortunate to have employment that will allow me to work from anywhere that has internet. One thing I can't seem to sort out without unloading a bunch of $$$ I don't have is, "Where do I actually work from?" We have a 31ft TT and a Long Bed Chevy 2500. I have two toddlers; I can't be in the same space with them and work. So I had a what seemed like a good idea. Convert the truck bed to a mobile office. Solves a couple of issues in on action. 1> I can work from truck office; kids can play and make noise in the TT. 2> If the wife wants to take the kids somewhere while I am need to work, she can take the truck and I can work from the TT. Problem solved, right?I started looking at solutions for this kind of setup. I found one that is 100% what I am looking for, but is $14k!!! http://www.mastertruckbody.com/products/trade-and-utility/mobile-office-field-station/(See this link)I want to spend about half that as a maximum. Does anyone have any other ideas on what I could do to convert my truck bed into a mobile office? Perhaps a different truck cap or shell? Thanks in advance!

How about a used truck camper? You can use the table as a desk and there would be plenty of storage. Here's an example of one on RV Trader: http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/New-Horizons-Outdoors-2700514/listing/2002-Sun-Lite-800-SE-Slide-In-115961810

The mobile office looks awesome with the power sources and AC. Weight may be an issue with it when combined with pulling your travel trailer.If you can do without the awesomeness factor, and just want a dry and secure place to work, then this truck topper may be what you need. I am looking at it for my own truck for when I camp by myself and don't want to bring the TT or a tent. It has a taller aerodynamic rooflinehttp://www.4are.com/product/tw/Another option - I need to grade when on the road, so I bring a 4 person cabin style tent so I can work away from distraction while everyone else is outside or in the TT. For the place that consider it a second dwelling and it is prohibited, I bring a similar size sunshade

The main problem I see is climate in your truck. If you don't need all that fancy stuff in that mobile office, just get a tall camper shell and then add whatever furniture items you need. But working inside a camper shell is always going to be too hot or too cold. I assume you'll be near someplace where you have hookups so you can get portable electric heaters pretty easily. Portable electric air conditioners that work are a little bigger and more complex but you can't get those too. If it were me I'd make the kids play outside and then I'd work in the trailer.

I never considered the truck bed, but I'm also pulling a fifth wheel.I did consider a small SUV pulling a utility trailer that I converted into a mobile office (and laundry room with real washer/dryer). But, I didn't like the idea of having 2 vehicles and worrying about parking 2 trailers. And then the electrical needs would have to be figured out.In the end, I turned my bedroom dresser into a desk:http://www.learntorv.com/2015/06/building-desk-working-from-my-rv.html

sdianel wrote:How about a used truck camper? You can use the table as a desk and there would be plenty of storage. Here's an example of one on RV Trader: http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/New-Horizons-Outdoors-2700514/listing/2002-Sun-Lite-800-SE-Slide-In-115961810This is definitely not a bad idea and one that we have considered. I think it would just take a little work to get one stripped out to suit my needs. It may end up being the solution for us.

Mobile Office Advice | Good Sam Community

ependydad
Explorer
Mar 07, 2016
treeofliberty wrote:
How about a toy hauler? I am a telecommuter myself, and have been considering several floorplans that would allow me to work from the RV. I've seen several toy haulers where you could convert the toy room into an office, complete with door. You could even have an office with a deck, for nice weather.

Is this a stupid idea? Has anyone converted a toy hauler in such a way?

It's a fine idea if you don't have kids. The problem is, with kids- that's their bedroom and play area. Which brings you right back around to the noise issue.

Without kids, I'd much rather have a mid-ship bunkhouse and have a better living area than what toy haulers often provide.
treeofliberty
Explorer
Mar 06, 2016
How about a toy hauler? I am a telecommuter myself, and have been considering several floorplans that would allow me to work from the RV. I've seen several toy haulers where you could convert the toy room into an office, complete with door. You could even have an office with a deck, for nice weather.

Is this a stupid idea? Has anyone converted a toy hauler in such a way?
ependydad
Explorer
Mar 04, 2016
hbomb9000 wrote:
Nice work and write-up on the desk conversion! I can dig it.

I have looked at options that allow me to stay inside the camper, but I think I have one limiting factor. Noise.

I am the parent of two very active toddlers so I am used to them making noise; however in the TT there is no way to escape it due to the compact nature of the vehicle.

I will be customer facing for about half of every work day via phone / webcam and having toddlers in the background won't fly.

I have a 12 year and a 3 year old and can understand your predicament. I am on the phone a lot and a good headset shields most background noises when I'm closed off in the front bedroom. I don't do any webcam stuff, though.

Good luck in what you decide!
Teamfour
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016
We saw several RVs (TT and 5th) that have a separate bedroom for kids. We thought the small room would make a cool office. There was a fold out sofa with electronics connections for a tv, etc.
hbomb9000
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016
ependydad wrote:
I never considered the truck bed, but I'm also pulling a fifth wheel.

I did consider a small SUV pulling a utility trailer that I converted into a mobile office (and laundry room with real washer/dryer). But, I didn't like the idea of having 2 vehicles and worrying about parking 2 trailers. And then the electrical needs would have to be figured out.

In the end, I turned my bedroom dresser into a desk:
http://www.learntorv.com/2015/06/building-desk-working-from-my-rv.html

Nice work and write-up on the desk conversion! I can dig it.

I have looked at options that allow me to stay inside the camper, but I think I have one limiting factor. Noise.

I am the parent of two very active toddlers so I am used to them making noise; however in the TT there is no way to escape it due to the compact nature of the vehicle.

I will be customer facing for about half of every work day via phone / webcam and having toddlers in the background won't fly.
hbomb9000
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016
lgarcia wrote:
The mobile office looks awesome with the power sources and AC. Weight may be an issue with it when combined with pulling your travel trailer.

If you can do without the awesomeness factor, and just want a dry and secure place to work, then this truck topper may be what you need. I am looking at it for my own truck for when I camp by myself and don't want to bring the TT or a tent. It has a taller aerodynamic roofline
http://www.4are.com/product/tw/

Another option - I need to grade when on the road, so I bring a 4 person cabin style tent so I can work away from distraction while everyone else is outside or in the TT. For the place that consider it a second dwelling and it is prohibited, I bring a similar size sunshade

This is an excellent idea. I am not familiar with truck toppers in general and question how well they seal and my ability to fit inside one (sitting in an office chair). Climate control will also be important for me so I need to find out more about insulating the topper and truck bed. Thanks for the tip!
hbomb9000
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016
sdianel wrote:
How about a used truck camper? You can use the table as a desk and there would be plenty of storage. Here's an example of one on RV Trader:

http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/New-Horizons-Outdoors-2700514/listing/2002-Sun-Lite-800-SE-Slide-In-115961810

This is definitely not a bad idea and one that we have considered. I think it would just take a little work to get one stripped out to suit my needs. It may end up being the solution for us.
ependydad
Explorer
Mar 02, 2016
I never considered the truck bed, but I'm also pulling a fifth wheel.

I did consider a small SUV pulling a utility trailer that I converted into a mobile office (and laundry room with real washer/dryer). But, I didn't like the idea of having 2 vehicles and worrying about parking 2 trailers. And then the electrical needs would have to be figured out.

In the end, I turned my bedroom dresser into a desk:
http://www.learntorv.com/2015/06/building-desk-working-from-my-rv.html
msmith1199
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2016
The main problem I see is climate in your truck. If you don't need all that fancy stuff in that mobile office, just get a tall camper shell and then add whatever furniture items you need. But working inside a camper shell is always going to be too hot or too cold. I assume you'll be near someplace where you have hookups so you can get portable electric heaters pretty easily. Portable electric air conditioners that work are a little bigger and more complex but you can't get those too. If it were me I'd make the kids play outside and then I'd work in the trailer.
lgarcia
Explorer
Feb 28, 2016
The mobile office looks awesome with the power sources and AC. Weight may be an issue with it when combined with pulling your travel trailer.

If you can do without the awesomeness factor, and just want a dry and secure place to work, then this truck topper may be what you need. I am looking at it for my own truck for when I camp by myself and don't want to bring the TT or a tent. It has a taller aerodynamic roofline
http://www.4are.com/product/tw/

Another option - I need to grade when on the road, so I bring a 4 person cabin style tent so I can work away from distraction while everyone else is outside or in the TT. For the place that consider it a second dwelling and it is prohibited, I bring a similar size sunshade

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