Hey ya'll,

So I'm a 21 Yr old Heli Pilot, and have moved about 3 times since I started my career when I was 18. Needless to say, packing up, waiting for lease terms to end, finding new apartments, moving stuff up and down stairs etc etc etc all that fun stuff that goes with moving is not much fun, especially when I have to do it once a year it seems due to taking different contracts and work elsewhere. However, the stage I am at in life I have to be flexible. If a job calls me friday and wants me there monday, I need to be available. I once talked to a contractor for a gas company who bought a pull behind camper and would live in that while he was on jobs.

Has anyone here ever done this? I have no problem towing around a camper or 5th wheel (I have a f150, of course I can do it!) and I only have me to look after, no wife, fiance, kids, or pets. It would only be for another few yrs at the most. I found a few campers that are pretty affordable and in good condition for around 3500-4000. Also looked into long term lot rv parks and found lots for around 150-250 a month which would be a massive cut from my rent per month.

Just looking for some input from anyone (whether you've done this or not).

thanks

 

Im way north, but with all the mines and exploration and development going on in our neck of the woods I know many people who do what you're asking.

If I was in your situation I would do the same, leave your big items with your parents and you live like a luxury turtle with your home and everything you need on your back without sacrificing privacy and comfort.

 

I've done it. Perdium work only. You make a killing staying at a camp ground or renting. Last job I rented a pretty nice house for a year. With Perdium work you receive two paychecks, - pretty close to double the money. That's what makes it worth while. - Specially if you land a job with an oil company. I've worked right along side of helicopter crews working on transmission lines for wind turbines. All these guys are nutts, but make a killing on these jobs.

 

BTW - This is a contractors site that I've used in the past, - it's the real deal. Perdium's aren't always advertised.

http://www.roadtechs.com/green/wwwboard/

 

In my line of work, I visit lots of commercial jobsites, which are often being built by construction companies from out of town. Many of the jobsite superintendants do exactly what you propose -- when the job is over they just hitch up the camper and move on to the next site -- wherever it might be.

Most of the guys I have met seem to have a wife in tow, however -- I always laugh at that since I know my wife would NEVER agree to such a lifestyle arrangement......

 

I haven't personally done it but a lot of our guys do. Our E&I Supt pulls a huge trailer with 3 slide outs.

If you are going to do any work near metro areas, the RV parks get get a little steep $400-$600 per month. But then, apartment rents are higher there too.

The reality is that you aren't going to be able to pull a very big trailer with your F150. Nearly all out guys use 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. One guy ran with an F450!

There are trailer transport companies who will pick up a trailer and delver it to a new location, for $xx/mile. It would save wear and tear on your truck or keep you from buying a bigger truck just b/c you have to tote the trailer. If you are moving frequently, it would be pricey.

 

Yeah i figured an f150 wouldnt be able to pull to much, but I figured I could pull at least a 25ft. I found a clean one for 3500 in my area. It's all still an idea right now though. I'm still in this lease for another 6 months, and then after that I either have to renew for another 6 till my contracts up, or do this idea.

It also depends of I get the Alaska contract I'm dying for.. cause I'm thinkin a camper in Alaska probably wouldnt be all that much fun...

 

I know a few guys that work for us the live in campers year round, they don't have a problem with it, hey its better then living in a hotel which some of our guys do also. Our campgrounds around here are packed with people living in them with all the oil work out here.

 

I'd do it in a heartbeat. If you have to move for work you just hook up to your truck and roll out.

 

i did it back in the 90's when i worked on a pipeline. only way to go.

 

I'm thinking about a small to medium size houseboat instead of a camper if we get the project in Mississippi.

 

Dude i thought about getting a Sail boat to live on, but I dropped that Idea when I moved to AZ.... that whole desert + boat thing didnt seem to mix to well...

 

Yeah, I'll have to drop the idea if I get sent to Minot, ND.

 

well, seems like I may be doing this sooner than I expect. issues with the current roommate may mean I'm moving out soon, and may just go ahead and get a camper. I'm tired of the roommate game anyways... I've had wayyyy to many interesting situations occur....

 

Do it while you're young because after a few year's you'll get tired of being a Gypsy. I'd scratch off living in a trailer in Alaska in the winter. It get's cold up there!