Thinking of doing it but would like more info

After 8 summers of workamping as a couple, would not recommend it if you need to make a living. Typical, average workamping jobs are low pay and with no benefits. Great adventure for retirees who already have an income. If you have some skills so that you could get regular jobs on the road and live in your RV, that is a little different but not strictly "workamping". For example, people like nurses who can get jobs most anywhere. But you need full pay and health insurance, etc.

My suggestion would be to buy a Class A instead of a Class C. Class A components are the same used on commercial trucks they are designed for many trouble free miles. You get more liveable space as well.

www.rv-dreams.com has some good information on financials and workamping. This couple has been on the road for 8 years. They post their monthly expenses plus do a summary at the end of each year. This will give you a good idea of what the true costs are as well as what you may be able to offset by workamping.

Racing rats for a good wage is probably better than racing rats for a Workamping wage. Workamping, as a general definition, is working for an RV park or other business that the RV is a requirement for employment (i.e. gate guarding). Some people make a good living working from their RV, but that is almost universally a situation where their employment is not dependent on the RV, such as people who make their living off the internet or are traveling salespeople etc. Workamping in it's most common form, will pay at or near minimum wage with no benefits. You may get your site paid for, but many places require either hours to be worked for that site, or require you to pay something for the space. This is most often due to federal wage laws, not greed on the part of the park owner. (and remember, most any other minimum wage job doesn't furnish any housing). As another poster pointed out, health insurance will be a staggering percentage of your income. Also, working for minimum wages now will lower your social security income for the rest of your life. Your 40s and 50s should be the time you are accumulating wealth for your retirement, rat race or not, dropping out and working for subsistence at your age is financially foolish.

If you don't like the rat race, you might consider moving and living on site in a large RV resort that would hire you year-round as a maintenance person. Or, work in a large park during the summer and then winter in the south or west as a workkamper as you travel about. As stated, health insurance -even basic - can run you thousands of dollars per year. Owning an RV and RV repairs can also run into money. Finding full-time work six months and then traveling for six months, may allow you the flexibility you are seeking. Perhaps some of the larger RV resorts have a career page on their website. Good Luck. What you are thinking is nothing that many of us have also thought of but haven't bit the bullet. Good Luck.

Hokie,

Spend some time on the Escapees web pages. Lots of good info on what it costs to RV full time by those doing it. I suspect there is 'work camping' and then there is 'working from your camper' using a computer, etc. Some are doing the latter and making sufficient funds for the RV lifestyle. Maybe combining both types will give you enough free camping places and income to enjoy the non rat race lifestyle.

As far a a single and workamping, I did it as a single for manyyears, but I had an income. I do not think that you can make enough money to support your self, maintain a vehicle, and buy necessary insurance.

As a young (55) retiree, let me tell you that you definitely need to think about health insurance. It is EXPENSIVE! and it is something that you definitely need and will be needing more, the older you get.

I don't have any idea about a single guy workamping, but I am sure it is something that can be done.

I hope you find something that works for you.