Mobile office van: your workspace on wheels
Nowadays more and more people are moving away from traditional office setups. Fixed office addresses, the same surroundings, commutes that make you want to scream, and routines you could probably complete in your sleep are now relics of the past for many. With the rise of remote work and the desire for a more flexible and liberating lifestyle, people are turning to mobile office vans as a way to free themselves from the proverbial shackles of the 9-5 grind.
Taking your business and workload wherever life leads you, on the open road and with you in complete control. Offering entrepreneurs, nomads, contractors and freelancers unmatched levels of productivity and personal enrichment. Your mobile office van can become your workspace on wheels, so to speak.
If this sounds right up your street, then it may be comforting to know that here at Nohma, we’re cut from the very same cloth. We all work remotely from campervans and off-grid properties worldwide and want to share that enthusiasm and passion with you. If you’re interested in pursuing a life with a mobile business van or are wondering what it can offer you that the 9-5 lifestyle cannot, then look no further.
Charlie working remotely from Interlaken in Switzerland.
What do we mean by a mobile office van?
When we talk about mobile office vans, we’re not exclusively referring to vans restored to perform a specific function (for example, food and drink vans). In other words, these types of vans will focus more on the business itself.
However, in this case, we’re talking about recreational vehicles and campervans that are more suited to those who can work remotely. These vans can be converted to offer drivers both business and pleasure benefits, perhaps containing a desk, computer stand, chair, and screen, for example.
The benefits of a mobile office van
Working from home is becoming more common. A recent report stated that 48% of employees have kept up remote working after the pandemic. Couple this with aggregated data from Pumble that suggests 98% of remote workers would continue to work remotely for the rest of their careers. Along with 65% of global companies happy to offer employees the flexibility to do so.
However, working from home doesn’t have to necessarily mean home, particularly considering what you can get out of an office van. Let’s look at some of the advantages of setting up a mobile office van.
- Office vans offer more flexibility
- Provided you have a reliable internet connection, you can work from anywhere in the world.
- Your ‘office’ can constantly change as you explore new surroundings and take in beautiful scenery.
- You can achieve a better work-life balance by combining work and travel, driving the van whenever convenient and not exclusively at the beginning and end of the working day.
- Bespoke designs and data secure office vans
- You can design your mobile office van to suit your preferences and specific needs.
- Incorporating features like bespoke workstations, smart storage, comfortable seating, and refreshment stations is straightforward.
- Working from your office van can be as secure as working from home provided you take relevant security precautions to protect data from a potential security breach.
- Provided you have sufficient power, you can enjoy amenities like air conditioning and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Cost-effective and durable van upgrades
- With a mobile office van, you eliminate the need for traditional office spaces and the costs that go with them.
- Despite the upfront costs, you’ll be investing in a long-term solution that benefits you and your future.
- You may also find yourself reaping costs back by hiring out your van when you’re not using it, keeping your cash flow higher.
Charlie & Dale working remotely from their van Ringo whilst on a year-long Pan American road trip.
Finding a remote-working role
If working from an office van sounds like your dream set-up, you might want to discuss your preference for remote-working with your employer or HR department. Most businesses are keen to retain their top talent, and recognise the value as well as growth potential in ensuring employees are happy.
However, large companies might be resistant to hybrid-working requests and have made headlines for insisting colleagues return to the office full-time or on ‘mandatory Mondays’ to encourage workers back in on specific days. While this debate continues, the key is to hold open discussions and strike a balance that meets business needs, personal circumstances, and flexibility requests.
Setting up your dedicated office van
When it comes to outfitting your mobile office van, there really is no right or wrong approach. The options for mobile office van upgrades are endless. The ones that make the most sense for your van will depend on several factors, including:
- How often you will be using the van
- What type of work you do
- Whether you will require the van for other purposes
- How much privacy and security you need
Therefore, it’s worth comparing how feasible your mobile office van ideas would be.
If you’re looking for van conversion inspiration, why not consider the following ideas as a general guide?
- Take advantage of an off-grid electrical system designed to your specifications that can offer your campervan complete reassurance wherever you’re situated.
- Set up a dedicated workspace featuring an ergonomic desk, chair(s), ample lighting and monitors. Consider incorporating adjustable solutions to save space when not being used.
- Use smart storage like cupboards, shelves, drawers, and other units to keep your workspace organised and free of clutter.
- Prioritise your well-being by including comfortable seating or lounging areas for breaks, refreshment stations with clean water, and a fridge.
- Install blackout curtains, soundproof insulation and partitions to make your workspace quiet and private when needed.
- Install built-in secure WiFi connectivity, such as Starlink, to work off stable networks. This keeps your personal and company data safe while on the road, where free WiFi and cellular data may be limited. Read our article about Campervan WiFi where we discuss the best options for WiFi on the road.
Charlie's dedicated workspace with a pull out table that can easily be stowed away when not in use.
Maintaining your mobile office
As with any vehicle that you plan to keep and use regularly, essential maintenance and servicing is key. It’s a good habit to regularly check fluid levels, tyre pressure and other components before you do a long journey. Also, investing in professional van deep cleaning services from time to time would be worthwhile.
When not in use, park your van in a secure location with ample lighting and CCTV surveillance (if outdoors) or a secure storage facility (if indoors).
Consider investing in keyless locks and security systems for inside your van that – when paired with your mobile phone – give you complete oversight.
Be mindful of weight distribution and avoid overloading your van, as this can be easy to do. Kitting your mobile work van with all these upgrades can offer convenience. Be sure to practice safe driving habits to prolong its life as well as its integrated belongings.
Embracing the mobile office lifestyle
Converting a van into a mobile office doesn’t have to be a daunting or stressful endeavour. It’s a chance to embrace that freedom, flexibility, and sense of adventure you’ve been craving since remote work became so available.
Taking your workspace on the road opens up new perspectives and opportunities for inspiration. Whether you’re venturing onto the roads less travelled or are simply looking for a change of scenery. The world is far too beautiful and vast to spend it locked inside the same four walls day after day. A mobile office van allows you to pursue your passions and earn a living. While seamlessly enjoying all the wonderful and fulfilling travel experiences that you deserve.
If this has inspired you, why not refer to our ultimate guide for campervan conversions? Our award-winning book gives you all you need to know about starting your van conversion project.
Have read this item in Sept 2024. Thanks for the content. London continues to experience hybrid working, but the post-pandemic pendulum is nevertheless shifting back towards pre-pandemic office life (sadly). Just this week, Amazon’s CEO announced that its employees were required to resume 5-day office life. I hope that hybrid working continues in many settings, because I want to combine “work life” with “van life”. I will need to change employer to do that, and as it looks like the field of broad minded employers that would entertain such a model will be shrinking. I must act soon now …