Anyone lived out of a motorhome/campervan while working away
Discussion
Pretty much as the title says.
For the last 4 years ive worked away from home mainly on nightshifts. The working week is sunday night - thursday night, 5 nights and 4 days.
The biggest pain has been the accommodation side of things. As i work nights and hotels charge per night ive found myself on numerous occasions having to pay for an extra night just to get an extra few hours in bed, also hotels were starting to get pretty expensive. I then started to go into houseshares but even this can be a hassle as i usually only have a few days notice of a contract starting so inevitably end up in a hotel while i sort out a house share, a bit counter productive on the financial side of things.
So this brings me onto the idea of a motorhome! Nothing extravagant, budget of say £10k, would pay for itself in maybe 2 years. I work pretty long hours so would only really require it for sleeping in. The more i think about it the more its appealing to me but im looking at it with rose tainted glasses at the moment.
Has anybody been down this route? did it work out? would you do it?
For the last 4 years ive worked away from home mainly on nightshifts. The working week is sunday night - thursday night, 5 nights and 4 days.
The biggest pain has been the accommodation side of things. As i work nights and hotels charge per night ive found myself on numerous occasions having to pay for an extra night just to get an extra few hours in bed, also hotels were starting to get pretty expensive. I then started to go into houseshares but even this can be a hassle as i usually only have a few days notice of a contract starting so inevitably end up in a hotel while i sort out a house share, a bit counter productive on the financial side of things.
So this brings me onto the idea of a motorhome! Nothing extravagant, budget of say £10k, would pay for itself in maybe 2 years. I work pretty long hours so would only really require it for sleeping in. The more i think about it the more its appealing to me but im looking at it with rose tainted glasses at the moment.
Has anybody been down this route? did it work out? would you do it?
A colleague of mine does it, perhaps not as regularly as you, but at least one night per week usually. He loves it.
I have to say, I see the appeal of having your own personal space, and the ability to prepare your own food instead of buying expensive and relatively unhealthy stuff in restaurants.
He tends to stay on works car parks, personally I'd prefer a campsite with proper showers and toilets, but that's me.
His is a late 90's motorhome, not a large one, just a two birth, but he tends only to have half the bed made up (benches on each side of the 'van, drop down table makes the double), then uses the other side as a sofa.
I have to say, I see the appeal of having your own personal space, and the ability to prepare your own food instead of buying expensive and relatively unhealthy stuff in restaurants.
He tends to stay on works car parks, personally I'd prefer a campsite with proper showers and toilets, but that's me.
His is a late 90's motorhome, not a large one, just a two birth, but he tends only to have half the bed made up (benches on each side of the 'van, drop down table makes the double), then uses the other side as a sofa.
I have done. I wasn't working nights but still working away for a number of months.
I had a little two berth caravan that I put up on a good camp site. I would deft do it again if I could get a bit of cash for a decent caravan and working away. It was nice to go back to a space that was my own and I could cook what ever I wanted rather than be limited to a menu.
Worked out much cheaper than a hotel and I have to say I preferred it. Also worked out when the oh wanted to come and stay for a week that worked out well as well.
I had a little two berth caravan that I put up on a good camp site. I would deft do it again if I could get a bit of cash for a decent caravan and working away. It was nice to go back to a space that was my own and I could cook what ever I wanted rather than be limited to a menu.
Worked out much cheaper than a hotel and I have to say I preferred it. Also worked out when the oh wanted to come and stay for a week that worked out well as well.
Not personally, but a mate does, he works a four on four off (days not weeks) shift, alternated between days and nights. He says the biggest issue is finding somewhere to park up and kip during the day that is quiet, so do your research on where you'll be parking during the day or you'll struggle to get some decent shut eye.
I am looking into it for the future. Lots of YouTube clips have handy hints, e.g. consider a gym membership that gives access to showers. I heard that a converted van may not get access to some campsites unless it is a proper conversion. I presume you can still be nicked for 'drunk in charge' so might be a good idea to stay off the sauce.
Was on the south coast for over a year in a caravan,1st 3 months on days and the rest on nights
When I do it next time will go motorhome route over caravan
If your cracking the hours in you find you need very little space so it wont be a massive motorhome
Started out with camping an caravanning club sites ect-waste of time and lots of petty rules (cant stay longer than 21 days at a time ect
But once you get into it and find there are lots of contractor friendly sites about your sorted,i was paying £60 a week inc electric and my van was there 24/7 for the last 7 months I contracting there
Lots better than hotels/b+b
When I do it next time will go motorhome route over caravan
If your cracking the hours in you find you need very little space so it wont be a massive motorhome
Started out with camping an caravanning club sites ect-waste of time and lots of petty rules (cant stay longer than 21 days at a time ect
But once you get into it and find there are lots of contractor friendly sites about your sorted,i was paying £60 a week inc electric and my van was there 24/7 for the last 7 months I contracting there
Lots better than hotels/b+b
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