Today’s video showcases how to enhance your RV experience with upgrades and modifications to take it to the next level. From simple tweaks to more advanced modifications, this video covers a variety of options to improve your RV’s functionality and comfort while on the road. Just be sure to do your research and consult with professionals to ensure the modifications are safe and within legal guidelines.
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In the event of a lightning strike on the job site, it’s important to have a stand down procedure in place to ensure the safety of all workers. Here are some steps that they consider: The safety officer on each location is responsible for monitoring weather conditions and determining when it’s necessary to initiate the stand down procedure. When lightning is detected within 10 miles of the job site, the safety officer will notify staff to alert all workers to stop work immediately and seek shelter indoors. All workers will be instructed to remain in their vehicle and remain on-site during this time. Once the storm has passed and it’s deemed safe to resume work, the safety officer will give the all-clear signal.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority on a job site, and having a stand down procedure for lightning strikes can help ensure that everyone stays safe in the event of an unexpected storm. Well…do the procedures on paper really work? Are the procedures inforced?
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Juggling solar farm gate guard work and personal repairs can be a challenging balancing act, but with proper planning and prioritization, it is possible to manage both effectively. By creating a schedule for ourselves, prioritizing tasks you too can maintain a healthy work-life balance even though we are required to be on-site 24/7.
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Ed and I value transparency and honesty. When it comes to the jobs we do to earn our income and share with you, we want to be very upfront and honest. We strive to provide clear and accurate information about all of the job opportunities, including the required qualifications, responsibilities, and compensation. In this video we are only into our 2nd week on this solar farm gate and we are wondering if this is a good fit for us OR if it may work for you.
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Working security on a solar farm involves monitoring the premises, performing regular patrols, and ensuring the safety of the equipment and personnel. This includes managing access control and notifying police any potential security breaches. It is important to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing any security risks to keep the solar farm operating smoothly and safely.
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It’s been a few months since we returned from our trip to Quartzsite, and life has definitely changed since then. We’ve all had to adjust to the new normal, and it’s been a crazy transition. But, with some creativity and effort, we’ve been able to make the most of our new reality. For starters, we’ve had to get used to working a frac gate and…..not to mention a few other adventures that is coming your way. It’s definitely been an adjustment, but Ed and I are doing our part to keep our positive head in place and get working to pay for some projects for the near future. Overall, its been a change for us but we would change this #rvlifestyle for anything.
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As you may know, we have been living Full-Time in our RV since 2009. When we decided to get rid of our Sticks n’Bricks, we started looking for more “OUT OF THE BOX” ways for us to make the income necessary to live a comfortable RVlifestyle. When we took our 1st camphost job in Tybee Island GA., I was able to do the job while Ed stayed in Iowa for a month to finish up his job then he joined me. This particular job was WORK FOR SITE only which worked great for the season. But after the 1st season there I started a Sales Job that I worked at a physical location during the summer. Once we headed south again, I was able to take that job with and work remotely. But after that year I found that the Sales Job was not something she wanted to do long term. So we began searching for all the options out there. We had NO idea how many different options were out there.
1 of the ways we look for opportunities are by subscribing to a FREE NEWSLETTER at, Workers On Wheels. New postings come right into your email on a weekly basis. There are volunteers positions to fully paid positions so it will fit everyone’s needs. On Workers On Wheels they also have services that allow you to post your resume for employers to see for a very low cost of $5.00 for 30 days OR if your an employer, you can post job openings for as little as $1.00 per day/minimum 30days.
As you would for any job, do your research before you accept the job. And if you are not able to make it to the job for any reason, and you’ve accepted the position, please be courteous and let them know so they can find a replacement.
The summer season has just begun so Ed and I hope as you get started on your new ventures, you have an enjoyable time living on the road, making money and making long lasting friendships.
Tips for staying safe if you are camping in a tornado region
If you are planning on RVing or camping in a tornado region there is basic tips and information you should know before you go, straight from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The United States averages 1,200 tornados a year, according to NOAA. Doppler radar has improved the ability to forecast tornados, but still only gives a warning of three to 30 minutes. With such little forewarning, NOAA stresses that tornado preparedness is critical.
Tornado Warning Systems
If you are RVing near a small town, chances are there is a siren system that can be heard for several miles. Take a moment when you first arrive at your RV park to find out about the tornado and storm warning systems for your area, even if you are staying only a short time.
Tornado Shelters
Find out if your park has a shelter onsite or where the nearest shelter is located. Basements and underground shelters are the safest, but small, sturdy inside rooms and hallways provide adequate protection during a tornado, as well.
If there is no shelter onsite, alternatives might be the park’s shower or bathroom stalls. If there is a sturdy building with closets or an inside hallway try to take shelter there. If none of these exist drive to the nearest shelter as quickly as is safe. Keep your seatbelt on.
Tornado Preparedness Plan
NOAA’s and the American Red Cross’ recommended actions include:
*Monitoring an NOAA Weather Radio *Know where to go for shelter, preferably within walking distance *Be ready to go when a tornado watch is issued *Remove lawn furniture and other objects that could become projectiles to an inside location *Go immediately when a tornado warning is issued *Wherever you find shelter stay away from windows *Do not plan on staying inside your RV *Bring your pets, in a carrier if possible *Grab only essentials (purse, ID, cash, medications) and only if easily accessible (We now have a ‘bug out bag’) *Don’t waste time searching for anything
Practice your tornado drill periodically
Signs of Potential Tornado
*Electrical charge in the air — hair on arms standing up (not always present) *Large hail *Lightning *Roaring noise *Grayish/greenish clouds *Visibly rotating clouds *Wall cloud that appears as thunderclouds dropping close to the ground *Cloud progressively extending down to the ground, increasingly funnel-shaped *Rotating dust or debris rising up from the ground, often “reaching” towards a descending funnel-shaped cloud
Inland and Plains Tornados
Tornados that develop on the plains and most parts of the country often are accompanied by hail or lightning. These warning signs are your signals to seek shelter until the storm passes. We tend to think of tornados as “approaching” from some distance. Bear in mind that every tornado begins somewhere. If that “somewhere” is close to you, you won’t have much time to get to a shelter.
Tornados can develop during the day or night. Naturally, nighttime tornados are the most frightening since you may not be able to see them coming, or might be asleep when they hit.
Tornados Spawned by Hurricanes
Unlike inland tornados spawned from storms, those that develop in hurricanes often do so in the absence of hail and lightning. They can also develop days after a hurricane makes landfall, but tend to develop during the daytime after the first few hours over land.
Although tornados can develop in the hurricane’s rainbands, far from the eye or center of the storm, they are most likely to develop in the right front quadrant of the hurricane. If you know where you are in relation to the hurricane’s eye and sections, you have a better chance of avoiding tornados.
Obviously, evacuating before the hurricane makes landfall is the best choice you can make but isn’t always possible. Many situations can prevent you from getting as far away as you’d like, if at all. Running out of gas or diesel might be one of them.
Fujita Scale (F-Scale)
Have you wondered what the term “F-Scale” means, as in a tornado rated F3? Well, it’s a rather unusual concept, since most of us expect ratings to be derived from direct measurements. The F-Scale ratings are wind speed estimates based upon three-second gusts at the point of damage, rather than wind speed measurements.
Originally developed by Dr. Theodore Fujita in 1971, NOAA placed the Enhanced F-Scale in use in 2007 as an update to the original F-Scale. Based on this scale tornados are rated as follows:
EF Rating = 3 Second Gust in MPH 0 = 65-85 mph 1 = 86-110 mph 2 = 111-135 mph 3 = 136-165 mph 4 = 166-200 mph 5 = Over 200 mph
Bug Out Bag:
A Bug Out Bag Could Save Your Life. We recommend putting all these things into a bug out bag, which should be kept in an easily accessible location near the door. This will ensure you’re well prepared and can get to safety quickly, no matter what kind of weather comes your way. Because if you need to leave your RV on a moment’s notice, you will want to have a bug out bag easily accessible and ready to go.
In addition to the items above, make sure your family is fully dressed with closed-toed shoes on. Grab your phone and any important documents in the rig and then get to shelter. If you can, grab helmets and/or pillows to cover your head and protect yourself from flying objects.
I also suggest having cash on hand. You might not want to put cash in your go-bag but having it in a ready to grab-and-go location in your RV will save you time.
Considering our latest experience of RVing during the Polar Vortex, we thought we would share a few tips on how to survive in your RV during the winter months.
Summer may be the most popular time for road trips, but that does not mean you have to pack up your rig at the first site of a snowflake. RVing in the winter is a great way to experience a wide variety of outdoor activities, from skiing and snowmobiling to simply meandering around in winter wonderland, cup of hot cocoa in hand.
You may be wondering, however, how to keep a RV warm in the winter. After all, even the best-made rigs on the market have significantly less insulation than a sticks-and-bricks home. And just like your sticks-and-bricks, RVs have a variety of items that can be damaged by the freezing temperatures.
RV winter living is all about one thing: preparation.
If your not prepared, you will experience big problems. Your RV’s pipes can burst just like the ones at home, and the cold weather is killer on your RV batteries. Even though many four-season RVs come with thermal packages, which include extra insulation, it’s still not enough for extreme cold weather RVing in sub-zero temperatures. If you’re camping in extreme cold, put your RV in a skirt! Skirting the RV will keep the battery bays, plumbing, and other important components warm. We spent a winter in Iowa and put a skirt around our RV but also placed a small heater under the RV to keep it above freezing. If you don’t have a skirt, you can pack snow around the RV bays. We do not suggest hay or straw bales being placed around your RV because of rodents and it’s a fire hazard. But if you travel for work like we do, do you best to keep the furnace running to keep that RV belly warm so the pipes don’t freeze.
Some of the most important items in your RV is deep in the underbelly: the tanks, batteries, and plumbing. While skirting can help, you’ll also want to wrap your pipes in heat tape and invest in a heated RV water hose, so as to avoid having your water line freeze if you’re hooked up to a city water connection. If you don’t want to upgrade to a heated hose, you can also add insulation or tape to your existing water hose or fill your onboard freshwater tank and use that as a water source instead.
RV windows lose a ton of heat, no matter how insulated the manufacturer claims they are. There are several ways to insulate them: foam insulation boards, relectix, bubble insulation, solar blankets, etc. For extra warmth, line your windows with heavy-weight thermal curtains. You may also want to go over your RV windows and doors with a layer of RV sealant or caulk, just to ensure they’re nice and weather-tight.
There’s one major area of confusion many RVers face when RVing in the winter, and it’s all about the HVAC system. Many rigs have both a “heat pump” that’s built into your AC unit and an onboard furnace that uses propane. We feel the heat pump can be used UNTIL you are experiencing freezing temperatures. You need the onboard furnace to run during these times, so it heats the belly of your RV, keeping the plumbing warm and toasty. Now with that said, we use the heat pump and furnace to keep us nice and toasty inside however, we do run the furnace to ensure the belly temperature stay above freezing. While your furnace does utilize propane to burn, it’s more efficient at warming a space quickly. Which means that if you’re planning on living full-time in an RV in winter, you need to ensure you’ve got plenty of propane. When you’re out of your rig for the day, be sure to leave the thermostat set to switch on your furnace if the RV reaches a certain temperature — it can be pretty cool, if you don’t have pets waiting, but you don’t want your pets to freeze inside while you’re away.
Now that we’ve covered the basics for keeping you and your RV warm, let’s talk about what RV is best for RV living. Although many RVs are advertised as four-season or insulated, not all rigs are created equally when it comes to living in an RV for the winter. The best RV for winter living is one that’s fully self-contained and as insulated as possible, perhaps even with some extra, after-market insulation added. Large motorhomes and trailers may be constructed out of sturdier, more weather-proof materials, but on the other hand, a smaller motorhome or trailer may be easier to heat, since there’s less internal living space. In today’s RV market there are particularly large, luxurious RVs — offer fireplaces, which can be a welcome addition for those planning on extreme cold-weather traveling. And no matter which rig you go with, you’ll want to ensure it does have an onboard furnace, since, as discussed above, the HVAC heat pump or fireplaces won’t cut it below freezing.
Here are some more quick tips and tricks for winter RV camping
Many RVers drain their freshwater tanks completely for the season. That means bringing bottled water for brushing your teeth and doing the dishes. However, if you’re a Full-Time RVer this may not be possible so we suggest installing tank heaters for those freezing temps.
The bay that holds your tanks must always be kept above freezing. Mini space heaters are inexpensive and use very little amperage. Buy one and stick it in the bay. Just be safe! They can easily cause a fire.
Use RV antifreeze in your plumbing and gray/black tanks. You can do this by flushing antifreeze down the toilets and pouring it into your drains. That said, you do not want to introduce RV antifreeze to your freshwater tank or water heater!
If you do choose to use water hookups, make sure you insulate the pipes with heat tape. You’ll also need to insulate any connections and exposed piping.
Never allow your black tank to freeze unless you want to deal with a disgusting mess. Use a PVC pipe for your sewer hose – it’ll have less chance of freezing than a regular hose. If you plan on leaving the tank hooked up, add a layer of insulation around the sewer pipe. However, it’s a good idea to keep your tanks closed until it needs to be dumped. Don’t leave your black or gray water valves open if you’re camping in a spot where you’re connected to the city sewer. Why, you ask? Poopsicle!
Your never too dry. Even if your hair sticks up when brushing your hair
Cold and wet is bad. Not just for you, but for your RV, too. All that heat in one confined space can lead to humidity and condensation, which can cause mold in your walls.
Vent covers are great for two things: they help prevent condensation, and they keep you warm. Lots of warm air escapes out the vents in your RV. A cover adds an extra layer of insulation. The best part is, you can still open the vents even if there’s snow on the roof.
We hope you learned a few things in this post. So get out there. You’ll see some beautiful, unique sights along your winter RV trip. There’s nothing quite like being in the solitude of a winter campsite, watching the snowfall and blanket the land around you. Make sure you follow the tips we’ve included here to stay safe during your winter adventure. Remember, warm and dry, not cold and wet!
The biggest question most people have before they run away to live in an RV full-time is: Can I afford it?
When we first started talking about RVing full-time, we had no idea how much it cost to live full-time in an RV. Was it going to cost more than living in a house? Was it going to cost less? How much would we spend on gas a month? We had no idea. If you are thinking about RVing full-time and wondering if you can afford it, this post is for you.
Living and traveling full-time in a RV is of course not free, but we were surprised how affordable it can be. You actually have a lot flexibility when it comes to expenses – depending on your budget and how you like to travel.
People enjoy the full-time RV lifestyle on all kinds of budgets, and the money full-timers have to work with comes in all kinds of forms. Some retirees have big pensions but not a lot of savings. Others have a nest egg of savings but no pension. Many younger full-time RVers work while they travel, either to cover all of their living expenses or to supplement other income streams.
We hope you find todays post helpful to anticipate some of the costs of full-time RVing.
Full-time Campsite Budget
Think of campsites like your mortgage or rent. Campsites are, in my opinion, where you can either spend the most money or make full-time RVing cheaper than “normal” life because there are so many options. Depending on your budget and camping style, you can stay in RV parks, State Parks, on free Boondocking land, or utilize RV Discount Clubs.
RV Parks
RV Parks with full-hook ups (electric, water, sewer) will cost on average anywhere from $30-$90 a night. Many provide showers and other great amenities, which has nothing to do with the budget but sure is nice. Average Monthly (which can vary greatly): $400 – $1,600
State Park Campgrounds
State Park campground fees will vary by state and what is offered. We’ve been found State Park campgrounds with partial hook-ups (electric, usually water) anywhere from $15-45 but have dumpsites available on the premises. We found most state parks do not allow monthly stays.
Boondocking
Boondocking is basically camping at free spots without hook-ups. Several State Forests and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) locations have free dispersed camping. Typically, you can stay in one location for a maximum of 14 days. We have also found a few state parks have free campsites. While this option is free, you do have to find and pay for dump stations. Monthly: $0
RV Discount Clubs
There are several RV Discount Clubs out there that allow you to pay an annual fee to camp at various sites. For example, there is Boondockers Welcome which costs us $50 a year. You are able to stay with Boondockers Welcome hosts throughout the country for no additional charge. Another option is Harvest Hosts which starts at $79 a year. We’ve haven’t tried this one yet, but it looks awesome! With either option, spend a few nights a month at different locations and it pays for itself after a few nights.
Our Monthly Campsite Budget
We budget $450 a month for campsites, but that is because while we are working, we are provided free onsite generator, water & sewer onsite. It works great for us – it’s free!
Full-time RV Gas Budget
Honestly, I’m not sure if there’s a way to generalize the gas budget, since gas prices, gas mileage, and the number of miles you travel varies so much. However, we do recommend a discount fuel card if you use diesel. A TSD Fuel card has been very helpful to keep our fuel costs down. We budget anywhere from $300-$500 a month depending on how far we travel, the fuel prices and how much driving around we do in our tow-behind car.
RV Insurance
Since our RV is our home, we upped our RV insurance when going full-time. If you are living in your RV rather than just taking vacations, you will need specialized insurance. We recommend doing some research on providers and finding out exactly what you need. Our RV insurance is $54 a month.
RV Maintenance and Repair Budget
If you’re planning to RV full-time, just know things break – often. This isn’t to scare you – full-time RVing is totally worth it, but just be prepared to spend $50-100 a month on repairs or maintenance. Thankfully, ED can fix most things on our RV, so we just have to buy the parts. Depending on the condition of your RV and your handiness, you may need to adjust this number.
Remember, you’ll also be putting some miles on your RV or Tow Vehicle, so oil changes and regular maintenance should be in your budget.
RV “Utilities” Budget
While you may no longer have a water, sewer, or trash bill, you may need to include utilities in your budget. Since we are provided a site during our work assignments over half of the time, we only budget $75 a month. This too will vary greatly. Some campsites your rental fee covers the cost of all utilities however, some monthly sites charge electric.
Cell Phone + Internet RV Budget
Before we hit the road, we upgraded our cell phone plan to the Unlimited Plan with AT&T but later got rid of those plans and now use Straight Talk utilizing AT&T towers. We saved appropriately $60 per month by doing this. Between both of our phones we pay $110 a month with unlimited data however only 15GB of data on our hotspots. So, we purchased another phone plan through a third-party vendor that allows us to use the hotspot with unlimited data. The cost of that plan is $45 per month. Our monthly costs for both our cell phones & internet phone is $155.
Full-time RV Laundry Budget
Laundry budget. This is our least favorite chore – even before full-time RVing and we do have a washer/dryer combo in our RV. But the larger items such as our bed quilt, we have to pack everything up and go to a laundromat, it’s really not our favorite. But it must be done. Some RV parks will have washers and dryers onsite, but if you are on remote jobs sites or boondocking, you’ll find yourself at the laundromat.
If you can find a place that has the industrial size washers and dryers, then you’re in luck. You can wash several loads in one machine. If we are washing clothes, bedding, towels, and the dogs’ stuff, we spend about $18-20 to wash and dry it all.
Propane Budget
We really weren’t sure how much to budget per month for propane. We read online that you can spend $40 a month, so that’s what we originally budgeted. Luckily, we don’t spend anywhere close to that. We refilled our propane tanks approximately 2x’s a year. We only use propane for cooking, our refrigerator as we travel, and if its super cold out and our electric heater cannot keep up, we do run our furnace.
RV “Fun Money” Budget
This totally depends on what you want to do for entertain and fun while full-time RVing. Our fun money budget is way less on the road. This for a few reasons: We eat out way less on the road than we did at home. We can go explore or hike for free versus paying for entertainment. We do spend fun money on is the occasional dinner out, park fees and drinks if we are meeting up with someone. Your monthly budget is up to you!
Normal Living Expenses
Normal living expenses include food, cleaning supplies, toiletries – all the non-specific RV items you already pay for. This varies from family to family and should not change too much from your current budget. Except there is a lot less space to clean meaning fewer cleaning supplies!
Hit The Road
As you hit the road you may find several ways that you can reduce your overall monthly costs. However, on the flip side, you can live a luxurious life on the road, too. More and more RVS are being designed for full-time living and offer many of the same features that houses do. You can also find RV resorts all over the country that make you feel like you are at a 5-star resort. Obviously, this will all come at a higher price. We strongly believe that full-time RVing can be as expensive or inexpensive as you make it. While it may take some discipline and extra planning, there are a ton of ways to save money on the road and therefore make RV Life affordable and achievable. So, get out and get started today. You will not regret it. It’s A Good Life!
It's A Good Life RV 