Work Camping, Roadschooling, and Affording the RV Life: Trends for Young RVers

The RV lifestyle is no longer just for retirees. More and more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are hitting the road with towable campers and travel trailers. Sometimes solo, sometimes with kids, and often with a laptop in hand. For many, the appeal is simple: freedom, flexibility, and the chance to live life outside the box.

From finding work camping opportunities and figuring out how to teach your kids on the road, to understanding the actual costs of RV living – here is what you should know if you are considering the life of a young RVer.

Making It Work: Jobs from the Road

We’ve talked about this before but this time it’s from more of a part-time, non-telecommuting angle – work camping has quickly grown beyond its reputation as a retiree’s pastime. Lots of younger RVers are finding ways to pay the bills while traveling by picking up seasonal jobs in national parks, campgrounds and tourist areas.

Think of it as a blend of part-time gig and full-time adventure. Some RVers land jobs running check-in desks, maintaining trails, or cleaning cabins. Others pick up short-term work in nearby towns during peak tourism seasons. The trade-off? A chance to live affordably in breathtaking destinations like Yellowstone or the Hudson Valley while building new skills and meeting fellow travelers.

You should know, it isn’t always smooth sailing. Seasonal jobs sometimes fall through last-minute, and RV breakdowns can quickly disrupt plans. The key is resilience. Young work campers often see the challenges as part of the journey and many are willing to hustle, cobble together multiple income streams, and adjust on the fly to keep the dream alive. If this sounds like a drive you have and are willing to commit to, the RV life could be for you.

Raising Kids on the Road: Roadschooling 101

For younger families, the question isn’t just, “How do we earn a living on the road?” It’s also, “How do we make sure the kids thrive, too?” That’s where roadschooling comes in.

Roadschooling is homeschooling adapted to RV life. Your family follows traditional homeschool curriculum, but also leans heavily on real-world, hands-on lessons that only come from traveling. A history lesson might happen at Gettysburg. Science might mean studying tide pools on the Oregon coast.

Pros:

• Kids get unique, real-world education.
• Families spend more time together, strengthening bonds.
• Travel teaches adaptability and curiosity.

Cons:

• It takes serious parental effort. (Often, one parent needs to dedicate themselves full-time to education.)
• Reliable internet is key, and campground Wi-Fi usually will not cut it.

Parents who consider roadschooling need to review their state’s homeschooling laws and decide whether this is a short-term adventure or a long-term lifestyle. One thing is certain: kids raised on the road develop a perspective and skillset most classrooms simply cannot offer.

The Real Costs: Is RV Life Affordable?

The biggest question many younger RVers ask is, “Can I actually afford this lifestyle?”

Here is the reality. Monthly RV living costs can start as low as $800 and run up to $1,700+, depending on your travel pace, campground choices and rig type. A Class C motorhome averages between $1,500 and $3,000 per month when factoring in fuel, utilities, and maintenance.

Compare that to the $6,440 average monthly household expense (reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023), and it’s clear why the RV life feels like a solution to a generation locked out of traditional homeownership. With the national median home price at $403,800, an affordable alternative – like a solid used RV that can be found for under $50,000 – becomes more attractive.

Of course, RVs DO depreciate over time, unlike homes. A Class C can lose nearly 40% of its value in five years. For many, however, the lower monthly cost plus the priceless value of mobility, experiences, and memories far outweigh the long-term financial trade-offs.

If your lifestyle is about more than saving money and is more about living free, creating unforgettable family experiences, and building a life that blends work, travel and community, then the RV life is right up your alley. For those who embrace work camping and roadschooling, the open road offers both challenges and rewards that simply cannot be found within four stationary walls, ever!

Keeping the Adventure Safe with CGS

Work camping in Montana, roadschooling your kids in Florida, or parking at a beachside campground in California all come with one priority: staying safe and comfortable. Protecting your towable RV with strong, reliable glass keeps your journey moving without unnecessary detours.

At Custom Glass Solutions, we specialize in laminated glass windshields but also side windows and door glass built for towable travel trailers and campers. From chips caused by flying road debris to full window replacements, our nationwide network of 3,000+ glass shops keeps your family protected and your adventures uninterrupted.

Ready to protect your towable RV? Contact Custom Glass Solutions today to schedule fast, professional glass repairs or replacement and keep your travels safe. You can use our easy Glass Form to get the process started if you need assistance right now – we are always here for you!

For more info on these exciting topics, check-out these articles on quitting the 9 to 5 grind and more about roadschooling for kids.

Thanks for reading!