Working on the Road – How to Make Your Van Into a Mobile Office

The recent boom in remote working has allowed people the freedom to carry out work from all sorts of locations and settings across the globe. If you’re an avid traveller, whether it’s for work or leisure, and you have a campervan or mobile home then you might want to consider transforming this space into a mobile office van. 

Working on the road can give you the opportunity to see some of the most stunning sites and cities across the UK whilst still staying committed to your job. In this blog, we’ll teach you how you can make your own camper office for remote working on the go.

Haven’t got your own van yet? Explore options for campervan finance from us here at Auto Finance. 

Choose the right mobile home

If you’re in need of a mobile office van that lets you work on the road then it’s important you choose the right one for you. You’ll need to take storage and walking space into consideration as well as amenities offered in each vehicle. 

Campervan Office

A campervan is ideal if you want to work casually for a few hours whilst you’re on a trip away. Space is usually tighter in a campervan compared to other vehicles so if you’re working on a laptop it’s a suitable place to get some work done at a small table or even sitting in bed. If you’re looking for a fuller office set up however you’ll need to invest in a larger vehicle.

Motorhome and Caravan Offices

Motorhomes and touring caravans are usually larger than campervans and offer more amenities like a small bathroom and kitchen area. A caravan office allows you to fuel yourself with coffee breaks and go to the loo without disturbing your work too much. You’ll also have access to more seating and table room which is great if you’re using several devices like a laptop, phone and tablet or making notes with notepads. 

If you need room for all of your office supplies then you should have ample storage space for all of your bits and bobs. You are however limited to the sofas and chairs installed in the vehicle which are not always ideal for ergonomic working. 

If you’re interested in these larger spaces, we have motorhome finance available at Auto Finance Online.

Horsebox Office

If you’re looking for a vehicle for the sole purpose of using it as an office on wheels then this might be the best bet. Horseboxes can be converted into a home living space but the majority come bare without any furniture or appliances. This means you have the opportunity to create a customer workspace for whatever you need for your job.

Set Up Your Designated Work Area

Once you’ve chosen your vehicle it’s time to start setting up and transforming your mobile office van into a functional workspace. Look for furniture and accessories that are both practical but also comfortable for extended use. 

Desk or Tabletop

You need a desk space that is the right size and height for your office space. A collapsible or swivel table is useful if you have limited room, or you can use your booth table or counter table top provided if it’s comfortable for you to do so. 

If you’ve got a blank space like you would in a horsebox, you could install a purpose-made mobile office desk with everything you need from adjustable heights to storage compartments. 

Suitable Seating 

All mobile homes and other vehicles come with passenger seats for seating during travel but these aren’t adequate for use during work. You need a comfortable seat that can prevent discomfort when sitting down for long periods of time. If you’ve got a built-in bench or booth seating you can utilise this for your camper office, but we’d recommend using an ergonomic pillow to ensure you have lumbar support. 

If you’ve got the space in your caravan office to install your own chair you could mount an adjustable ergonomic office chair to the floor for ultimate comfort and support for a long day’s working. Remember that an office chair with wheels isn’t safe or practical (nor is it legal) if you’re working in a moving vehicle. 

It’s important to remember that there are various seatbelt laws in a mobile home so you’ll need to check which of your chairs or benches need belts. 

Equipment and Accessories

If you plan to use your camper office for working then it’s obvious you need something to work from. The majority of people will need a laptop or computer to do their jobs but if you own a business you might be able to get away with using a smartphone or tablet to manage accounts. 

If you’ve got a technical job you can still use a PC if you’re in a motorhome or caravan but it’s crucial you’re doing so safely. Ensure that your monitor is mounted to the wall or desk to keep it secured in one place and try and opt for a PC unit with minimal casing so it can be tucked neatly and safely away. 

If you are working on the road, our recommendation is to use a laptop for portable working from one place to another. You then have the option to connect your laptop to a monitor and other peripherals should you wish.

If you’re looking for a tech-savvy mobile office van, check out our blog on the best motorhome and campervan gadgets. 

Lighting Solutions

Working in a poorly lit space is never good for your health or productivity so your van office needs to be properly lit. It’s always best to work with some natural light by a window as this has been scientifically proven to reduce eyestrain and headaches and boost productivity.

If you’ve got smaller windows in your van, go for lighting that imitates natural light or is softer and more warm. Harsh spotlights and glaring lights can cause discomfort for long periods so instead opt for LED lights or desk lamps. You may also want to consider battery-powered or rechargeable lighting if you have a limited electrical supply in your mobile home.

Storage Space 

The main concern for people making their van into an office is “Where am I going to fit all this stuff?”. You’d be surprised to find that there are in fact a number of innovative storage solutions in mobile homes.

You can use overhead storage cabinets or functional storage like chairs with storage under the seat which is especially useful for saving space. You can also add some really simple DIY wall-mounted options like hooks and hangers to keep wires out of the way to add hanging storage units. 

If your table or desk is a large component of your office set-up, consider under-desk storage or adding desktop storage organisers that utilise upward rather than outwards space. A foldable or swivel table should also give you more walking room when you’re not working. 

If you’re unsure how to set up your camper office, you can check out our interior design ideas for inspiration. 

How to power your mobile office

When working in your mobile office van you’ll of course need to find a way to keep your electronics powered for long hours of use. 

Solar Panels

By far the most sustainable electricity option for your camper office, solar panels will power your devices and store the energy when it’s not sunny. Once installed on top of your vehicle, driving around on sunny days can actually help to power your electronics.

Power Banks and Batteries

A power bank designed for camping or even an industrial power bank will help keep your devices charged all day. The pack will serve as a failsafe should anything happen with your usual electricity. 

Portable Charger

If you’re only travelling a shorter distance or stopping off at places where you can recharge devices then you may only need to bring a smaller portable charger. This will keep your phone and laptop topped up until you reach your destination. 

How to work online in your mobile office van

Almost all modern jobs require internet access so it’s essential that you stay connected while on the road. There are a few ways to get an internet connection on in your van. 

Portable Wifi Hub

You can now purchase portable wifi routers from an internet provider that can offer you a monthly plan in the same way you’d use a router at home. 

Mobile Hotspot

If you have a data plan on your phone you can use your hotspot to connect your phone and laptop to the internet. This is great if you have unlimited data but just remember that if you’re on the road and your cellular data drops you’ll lose your connection.

Satellite Internet

If you’re going somewhere more off-grid or you don’t have mobile data then you can use satellite internet through a satellite dish or panel attached to your van roof. 

What do I need for my mobile office? 

If you’ve decided to go ahead and use a mobile office van then you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need for working well. Here’s a quick list of what you might want to use in your camper office:

• Laptop, PC or tablet
• Laptop stand
• Monitor and monitor mounts
• Smartphone and charger
• Computer mouse
• Keyboard
• Internet connection
• Headphones, earphones or portable speaker
• Notepad
• Pens, pencils or other stationery
• Chargers, adapters or connectors
• Ergonomic seating support 
• Webcam and microphone (if not already included)
• SatNav or GPS for stop-offs
• Portable printer if needed

If you want to know the full list of things to take on your trip, you can check our full campervan checklist. 

How to manage mobile work and travelling 

It can sometimes be difficult to balance work and travel at the same time with the busy pace and surprises that daily work life can bring, but there are a few things you can do to help:

Maintain structured working hours

If you don’t have contracted hours you need to stick to, you should try to make your own work schedule and stick to this when you’re at home and on the road. Keeping this routine should help you stay focused and productive when working in your caravan office. 

Have backup options 

Unpredictable events can always happen whilst you’re on the road like breakdowns, traffic issues or loss of internet. Ensure you’re able to work offline on paper or Word documents should you lose internet connection. Have access to battery and charging packs should accidents or delays make it longer to reach your destination. 

Keep in touch with your colleagues 

Ensure you stay in contact with colleagues or clients whilst on the road and inform them of your whereabouts should they request something or you encounter any issues that could potentially impact your work. 

Make a marvellous mobile office with a vehicle from Auto Finance

If you love the idea of working on the road then it’s time to get yourself ready to travel with our caravan finance options. We have a brilliant range of loan plans personal to every customer and we work with vehicle providers all across the country to ensure you get your mobile home for the best price. 

To see how much you’d be expected to repay you can take a look at our calculator for vehicle finance. If you’re still unsure which vehicle from campervans to horseboxes is right for your mobile office, get in touch with our team and we can help you pick the right option based on your budget and needs.