Can you really work full-time from an RV?

We didn't want our first week as full-time RVers to be our first real test. We wanted to discover the problems while we were still only four hours from home—not four states away.

So we packed up our 2025 Winnebago Vista 29NP, loaded up our two fur babies, Dinkel and Æro, and headed to Navy Getaways Pacific Beach RV Park on Washington's rugged coast for a full week of living exactly as we plan to on the road.

This wasn't a vacation.

It was a dress rehearsal.

We worked our normal 40-hour jobs. We cooked our meals. We tested our internet, our packing strategy, and—perhaps most importantly—whether our cats would file formal complaints about their new lifestyle.

Here's what we learned.

Why We Chose Pacific Beach

We intentionally picked a campground about four hours from home.

That was far enough away that turning around because we forgot something wasn't really an option. We were committed for the week, just like we will be once we're traveling full-time.

It also gave us our longest road trip yet with the cats—a milestone they may not have been quite as excited about as we were.

What Went Right ✅

Starlink exceeded our expectations

This was probably our biggest concern going into the trip.

Could two people actually work demanding remote jobs from an RV?

The answer was a resounding yes.

Our site had a wide-open view of the sky, and our Starlink Mini performed flawlessly. We were both on simultaneous video meetings, uploading files, answering emails, and even streaming TV in the evenings without missing a beat.

One thing we learned early: don't underestimate your data usage.

We previously tried Starlink's 50 GB plan and burned through it in a single weekend.

If you plan to work remotely from your RV, unlimited internet is worth every penny.

The cats approved of the bathroom setup

We placed a stainless-steel litter box in the shower and installed a cat door in the bathroom door.

Success!

Both Dinkel and Æro figured out the cat door almost immediately.

The only hiccup?

The shower door kept swinging closed, blocking access to their "bathroom," so we had to improvise a strap to hold it open.

What Could Have Gone Better ⚠️

Mother Nature wasn't exactly on our side

Pacific Beach greeted us with cold temperatures, rain, and relentless wind.

Was it ideal? Not exactly.

Was it valuable? Absolutely.

Instead of spending every evening cooking outside on the Blackstone and relaxing around camp, we figured out how to enjoy being inside the RV.

Turns out that's a skill worth practicing and preparing for, too.

We experienced a serious case of Fire Pit Envy

Due to the high winds, there were no fire rings for wood fires at the sites. We saw every other campsite had brought their own propane fire pits – and boy, were we envious!

Needless to say, we quickly solved that problem.

Bonus: no more smelling like campfire smoke every single night.

Our Biggest Takeaways 💡

The boys need a little more help on travel days

Overall, the cats did well.

But Æro let us know—in no uncertain terms—that four-hour drives still aren't his favorite activity.

Unfortunately, he got carsick and peed in his carrier both on the trip out and on the drive home.

A quick conversation with our veterinarian gave us several ideas to make future travel days much more comfortable.

Just like us, they're still learning.

We need another workspace

Our custom workstation for Brandon worked exactly as planned.

Mine? Not so much. Working from the center table and dashboard works perfectly when I'm only using my laptop.

The problem comes when I need multiple monitors for work.

I think a lightweight folding desk may be in my future—something that stores easily but gives me a dedicated workspace during the day.

Experience beats Amazon

If you've ever bought an RV, you know what happens next.

Suddenly, you're convinced you need every "Top 100 RV Must-Haves" gadget the internet and Facebook forums recommend.

We definitely fell into that trap.

After living in the RV for a week, we realized several of those "must-have" purchases weren't must-haves at all.

Some of those items are already on Facebook Marketplace. Others will be donated.

Turns out experience is a much better shopping guide. (That seems like an ideal future post, after we have more experience.)

Lessons We Learned

Test your internet exactly the way you'll use it in real life.
Practice working from the RV—not just camping in it.
Expect your packing list to change after every trip.
Don't buy every RV gadget before you've actually needed it.
Cats adapt...but sometimes they need a little extra help.
Never underestimate the joy of a propane fire pit on a cold coastal evening.

Would We Recommend a Practice Week?

Without question.

Back in our military days, we never went straight into a mission without a training exercise first.

Why should full-time RV living be any different?

A week-long practice run gave us the chance to uncover little problems before they became big ones. We fine-tuned our setup, adjusted our routines, and gained a lot more confidence in our ability to live and work from the road.

🐾 The Cat Comfort Rating

Dinkelsbuhl: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I love having new places to chill and watch birds."

Æro: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
"I'd like to formally request shorter drive days...or better snacks (with meds)."

Practice Runs are Key Before Going Full Time