These are questions we've received from RVers, both experienced and newcomers. The questions are arranged in categories to make it easier for others to find answers they are looking for! We hope this Q & A page is helpful. If you would like a question answered you may Email Us, please remember that we answer from our perspective only --- there could be many more ways to tackle a question if asked to other fulltimers. For clarity,and space constraints, I have edited the questions, comments and our answers. Hopefully you'll know which ones are yours, and WE THANK YOU for your contributions! OK, here we go...
A: We have never 'workamped' as far as using the Workamper News (although we do subscribe to the magazine).
Q: Is it easy or difficult to find jobs on the road?
A: It's easy if you want to get a job working for a concessionaire of a National Park. Check out Coolworks for more information on work for RVers, in our National Parks and many more places! The key to working and getting a job you'd like is to APPLY EARLY!!! Get your applications in before the end of FEB! When we are done working the summers for a concessionaire, we head to where we'd like to spend the winter and then we get 'regular' jobs in our fields. Scott is a plumber and Deb loves anything computer-related.
Q: Do you use Coolworks to submit your applications for these jobs? How long does it usually take for responses to your applications? Do you usually apply in more than one place and then choose from what is being offered to you?
A: Go to Coolworks' site. Check out the links to those parks you're interested in. Email them (parks) if you can, if not take down their phone numbers and call them. Ask them to send you their newest employment applications packet and be sure to specify you need TWO APPLICATIONS (one for each of you)! When they arrive, read their employment requirements pamphlet and decide if you want to apply. YES, APPLY FOR AS MANY AS YOU WANT. As to responses, it can take a couple of months before you get a call (or letter) if they are interested in you. If you are hoping to get into a particular park, try to stall the ones that contact you first. Apply by JAN or FEB at the latest! Otherwise, your job picks thin out considerably!
Q: When you stop for 4-6 months and get 'regular' jobs (not with concessionaires), how do you handle the employers' questions about your previous jobs? Do you tell them that you fulltime and will be hitting the road again soon? If so, doesn't that make getting the jobs more difficult? Do you have to supply resumes?
A: Scott's profession generally never asks, or cares! I tell them, but only if they ask. I cross my fingers and toes in hopes they don't, I haven't gotten very good results because my resume reflects my travels. A WORD OF ADVICE --- ALWAYS GET A REFERENCE LETTER FROM YOUR EMPLOYERS, it does help to send it with your resume. A royal pain in the keester is that you have to fill out millions of applications! Nobody will consider you by resume, you must fill out THEIR application! I've found resumes to be absolutely useless! But, DO GET REFERENCE LETTERS, they will be needed later!
Q: When you work for concessionaires, do you usually work 40 hours a week each or less? How are the taxes handled?
A: Yes, we both get 40 hrs/wk. The season (4-6 months) is busy, and sometimes it's hard work, but we really enjoy it. Most concessionaires take out taxes for both Federal and the State you are working in. Some also take out Local taxes where applicable. We do our own year-end taxes (usually with software like Turbo Tax, which offers all 50 states besides the Federal program).
Q: Do you have time, and money, to see the interesting sites in the area?
A: Time, yes...as
we go from one destination to the next for work. Money, Charge it! Also,
most concessionaires will give you some time off if you need it but you
should ask for it before accepting your offer for employment.
A: Can't blame ya there...we don't have health insurance, we can't afford it!
Q: Don't you worry about not having insurance? What will happen to you if (God forbid!) you're in a bad accident or come down with some awful illness?
A: Yes, we do worry, but what's a person to do? How can you live f/t in your RV with no home per se and get health insurance? The only way to do it is to claim to be from somewhere and find some kind of rider policy that will cover you wherever you go, this can be expensive. Escapees offers such a health insurance rider but we can't afford to make monthly payments for something we MAY or MAY NOT use! We find this to be so even when we work for companies that offer it. When we have taken it, we generally find that we don't use it and have paid for nothing!
Q: Do you use Escapees' insurance?
A: No. We just can't afford it at this time!
Q: What do you do about vehicle insurance?
A: Our RV/Auto insurance is currently through Camping World's MVP Insurance Plan. When inquiring about RV insurance, make sure to specify that you want 'fulltimers' coverage! Also, make sure that the 'fulltimers' coverage is good for the state in which you get it. For example, and much to my surprise, we're told the state of TX does NOT recognize 'fulltimers' insurance!
Q: I don't really understand what you said about the state of TX not recognizing fulltimers insurance, can you elaborate?
A: If you plan on living in your RV (as though it was your home, and that's how you want to insure it...you need to ask for "fulltimers' insurance"). It will cover everything in your RV in the event of a disaster such as fire, etc. Most RVers find insurance companies that offer 'fulltimers' insurance and then decide which is the best ($$$) for them. I would advise you to get 'fulltimers' insurance because regular insurance doesn't cover all of your belongings AND it doesn't cover accidents like if someone falls in your RV or on your lot. You really need to get in touch with the insurance companies listed on my RVers page and ask them to send you quotes for the states you wish to be insured from. Example, insurance out of NM state is a different $ than Florida or Texas. Each state has their own rules and regulations, and that is where apparently TX doesn't recognize 'fulltimers' insurance, it's supposedly the only state that doesn't! You can register from what you consider your home state but you need to find a company that offers fulltimers' insurance (thus MVP, Miller, Progressive, etc).
Q: Have you been satisfied with Camping World's MVP insurance? Have you ever had an occasion to use it?
A: No
complaints yet. The insurance rates are based on which state you want to
be insured from, thus the reasoning to get quotes for more than one state
if possible. It's expensive ($1,250/yr for our auto & RV) but worth
the cost due to the fact that we can just up and leave anytime. We keep
the MH insured all year (instead of only while we expect to travel). We
have not had an accident yet, but every time you get on the road you run
the risk of doing so --- you can't afford not to have fulltimers' insurance!
It may be different for 5th-wheels and trailers but I don't think so. You
should call or email those insurance companies on my RVers page and ask
them exactly what F/Ters insurance is and who needs it. They could probably
clarify the point much better than I.
A: I am 40
and Scott is nearing 50. We know where you're coming from, we're babyboomers
too! You will run into some age discrimination
out there on the road, don't let it bother you, you have friends that have
been through it! Keep on chuggin'... LIVE
YOUR DREAM!
A: Sometimes,
but our philosophy is if they don't accept pets
then who needs 'em! Just move on to those that will accept
you! There are some campgrounds (like Coast to Coast, RPI, etc) that
don't accept pets, not because they don't like them but because people
don't clean up after them and customers end up stepping in DOODOO.
Always SCOOP THE POOP!!!
A: Laundromats!
Also, most concessionaires for NP have them for their employees and the
cost is reasonable. Alot of campgrounds have laundry facilities too, they
are usually as expensive as laundromats.
A: Yes, we use SKPs mail forwarding service. Aside from a problem getting photos (it was the POs fault not SKPs) we think they do a wonderful job.
Q: I'm so excited! I'll try not to be a pest, but when I have questions, do you mind if I e-mail you?
A: Email away!
Our email address is dmurtagh@3rivers.net
(until Oct. '98), see our RVers page for updates on our email addresses
which change periodically due to new destinations.
A: When we
first arrived we paid resort prices of $385/mth. This place had a clubhouse,
pool, etc. We moved closer to Scott's work and were then paying $185/mth,
a much more reasonable amount without any amenities.
A: We don't have a home base, and after three years fulltiming we no longer feel the need to have one.
C: We are thinking about purchasing a very small piece of land and putting electric, water and sewer on it with a concrete slab to pull the camper up onto for when we do come back to visit our family. We may put a small storage building on it to house a few of the things we don't want to part with just yet.
A: Good idea,
spend lots of time making up your mind though! It's a better option for
our age group (boomers) than to buy into a co-op/park. You should consider
buying the lot but not adding water, sewer, electric, cement pad until
you know for sure you want to keep it and will use it. Otherwise, it may
be harder to sell once you've made the improvements!
A: I understand! I remember how hard it was for us, we had to wait 9 years from the time we were 'bit by the fulltime bug'. I'd suggest you do a mock 'move into the RV' for a few months before your actual fledgling flight so you can get use to living out of a small space. This will help you to adjust when it comes to sharing an area of less than 8' x 30'.
C: I know I'll have some difficult times ahead in deciding what to do with all our "stuff".
A: Yup, you
will. We tried yard sales (3) and gave up! We took what we could to the
Salvation Army and put the rest out by the garbage for the street scavengers!
It was very difficult to decide what stays and what goes. Here's a tip...start
now! Set a room or basement corner aside and start moving things in the
following fashion:
1) ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO KEEP IT IN THE RV
pile
2) ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO KEEP IT IN STORAGE
pile
3) MIGHT NEED IT? pile (later to be sorted
into 1, 2, or 4.)
4) WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT IT, get rid of
it pile.
You'd be surprised at how much you use 1 & 2 in the beginning
but if you conform to the true fulltimers lifestyle you'll find that most
things belong in 4. From the time we're little kids we learn and assimilate
the 'pack rat' way of life and at first it's hard to recognize that you
are a pack rat!
A: First, you need a computer (386 or higher), modem (preferably 14,400 bps or higher), a phone line to your RV that can be connected to a line from outside and all the necessary cables, phone cords, etc. Once you have all of that and it's mobility capable (strapped down), you go to your designated place to visit. Ask the locals (folks from the town/city) where/who is the local Internet Service (Access) Provider. Someone is bound to be on the internet and if you ask enough locals you'll find out which is the best. MAKE SURE THE ISP (INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER) IS LOCAL TO WHERE YOU WILL BE GETTING YOUR PHONE HOOKED UP! In other words, make sure it doesn't cost you extra to call into the provider when you log on, they have to be within your local dialing area or you'll be paying long distance charges! When you find an ISP you'll want to try to get UNLIMITED ACCESS which usually costs about $19.95/mth. MAKE SURE TO ASK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER (HIDDEN) CHARGES for whatever option you choose. For instance, you can get options that allow you to get access for 10 hrs/mth, 20 hrs/mth, etc.
C: I checked out the links you have listed under 'Telephone, Cable & Internet Service', but I'm still so confused. I have spent about a week looking at websites trying to find out what we need to have.
A: As far as phone companies, that's why I put GTE and US WEST on my site...they are the two consistent companies that I've found no matter where we've gone. They are just now getting with the program as far as internet goes. I don't know how much they can help you until you've gotten to your destination as it won't be clear as to whether they provide service in the area you wind up at. Like I said, check with the locals. And, local phone companies and local satellite (usually the 18" dealers) are also getting on the internet bandwagon so call them when you get to where you're going. Oh ya, TRUCK STOPS have phone lines at the tables now! And some are internet capable...you wouldn't believe the technology that Truck Stops have! Also, some campgrounds are also becoming internet friendly and some have phone lines right to each site. Call in advance of arrival and ask around! I check Woodalls Campground directory and see which campgrounds have phone lines at the RV sites and those are the ones I go to if I can.
C: Okay, here's where my problem comes in. I think it will be rare that we will be in one spot long enough to get local monthly service. I really just don't see us staying in one place that long.
A: You're right, that may be a problem. It seems as though you'll need to go the truck stop route (hey, truckers are online while eatin' dindin...I've seen 'em!) or invest in Woodalls or Trailer Life's Campground directories and go to the ones that have phones to the lot. Next you will have to check into really big companies such as AOL, AT&T, Sprint and other big phone companies. They offer access via an 800 phone number and charge you something like $19.95/mth for internet access. Sounds good so far huh...well, if it sounds tooooo good to be true it probably is! Besides the monthly fee of up to $25, it'll cost a minimum of .06 cents/min to access that 800 number! Why? The 800 number is meant to give you convenient access to the internet no matter where you connect from, it is NOT meant as a toll free phone number --- thus the fee of .06/min. Sometimes it can cost up to $2.00/min and there may be 'hidden fees' besides. Always ask the company to tell you if there are any other or hidden fees! You should be able to find these sites online by searching for something like "800 internet provider", "AT&T internet +800" or, try searching for "campground +modem", "cyber cafe" or "net cafe" will get you to places that are like coffee shops with internet access. Libraries and Schools are often online, and FREE, too! WebTV may also be an option, I'm not sure if they access through the phone line or the tv cable. Ya, you heard me...you can get online to the internet through TV cables now and not even need a phone line! GTE is developing it and you may be able to find out more through their site. Very few places offer it but if it catches on...wow!
C: I don't know if we need some sort of digital satellite system or what.
A: As yet,
Satellite has nothing to do with the internet (except maybe WebTV which
doesn't really give as good an option as an ISP). All you need is a computer,
modem and a phone line, then check out the above suggestions.
A: Not any more, it was hard for the first couple of months. That's why you need to have developed patience with each other. If you love each other, as Scott & I do, you'll learn to lessen your personal space and get use to being joined at the hip. Being courteous to each other sure helps! You'll find the worst thing about this lifestyle, when you start out, is that you've gone from a house to a very small (one room!) space. It can be frustrating at first to have to SQUEEZE by each other every time you want to move. Do it politely and keep in mind that he/she has to conform to the space limitations too. Just don't let little things bother you, keep a focus on spending valuable quality time with your best friend doing things that most people can't even dream of!
Q: I don't know how I'm going to organize my things! Do you have any suggestions?
A: You'll start out with MORE THAN YOU NEED! Over time you'll divvy up space according to where it's best for both of you to get at it, OR you'll end up putting stuff wherever it will fit!
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