The popularity of traveling with a camper has increased enormously in recent years, together with the acceptance of working from home. Campers are therefore no longer just a recreational vehicle. More and more people are living and working in and from their campervan, which means the mobilehome is also being transformed into a home and office on wheels. But anyone who wants to be able to work remotely will have to make the necessary adjustments. That’s why we share 6 must haves for your office on wheels in this blog!
#1 4G/5G LTE router with external antenna
Anyone who wants to work remotely from their camper cannot be without good internet. There are various options for internet in the camper, but in our opinion it is best to choose a 4G/5G LTE router with an external antenna. These routers are generally fast and in combination with an external antenna you maximize the reception of the signal for better range. Insert a local SIM card with data and you can connect all your devices such as laptop, telephone and tablet to the router via Wi-Fi.
Tip: Netgear Nighthawk M5 5G Router
#2 VPN
Do you occasionally use a public network, for example in cafes, co-working spaces, at the campsite or perhaps via someone else’s WiFi network? Then it is recommended to use an VPN connection. Many of these types of networks can be accessed without or with a freely available password. Without additional security, it is an easy job for hackers to intercept data. Especially with telephones and laptops that often contain a lot of data and other files (both private and work) that make you prefer some extra protection. A VPN connection uses encryption so that your data is encrypted up to and including the VPN server. This means others have no insight into your data traffic. A nice advantage is that with a VPN connection you can pretend that you are in the Netherlands, which gives you the opportunity to watch Dutch TV and the Dutch range of streaming services, for example.
Tip: NordVPN
#3 SSD and Cloud back-up
A virus, your laptop being stolen or broken, causing you to suddenly lose all your files. A nightmare for many, since we store all kinds of files digitally, not only for business but also for private purposes. That is why making a good backup is essential, although many people postpone this because they do not know how to set this up properly or do not do it consistently. We previously wrote this extensive blog on this subject, but we would also like to mention two options here: a backup in the cloud and via an SSD drive. This way you have both a digital and a physical backup and with the right party you can have both synchronized completely automatically as long as you are connected to the internet (cloud) or have the device connected to your laptop (SSD) so that you don’t have to worry about this anymore.
Tip: TransIP Stack for a back-up in the cloud
Tip: SanDisk Portable SSD for a back-up on an SSD
#4 USB-C charger on 12V
A 230V charger is supplied as standard with a laptop. To use this in the camper you must have an inverter and turn it on. Regardless of whether you have an inverter at all, it also costs extra power to continuously leave the inverter on. It’s a shame if you like to camp off-grid and unnecessarily consume extra power, causing the household battery to drain more quicker. Therefore, use a 12V USB-C charger. Many newer laptops have a USB-C connection and with this charger you can now also charge your laptop at 12 Volts directly.
#5 Noise-Cancelling headphones
When traveling you don’t always know where you will end up. For example, the campsite where you are staying may suddenly be a bit busier than expected, you may be at a camper place near the city or the partner you are traveling with is talking out loud during an online meeting. Ambient noise can be a major distraction when you have to work. If you regularly suffer from this then noise-canceling headphones might be something for you. The noise cancellation technique dampens disturbing ambient sounds and noise via anti-noise. This is produced based on the sound around you and is picked up by microphones in the headphones. Noise-canceling headphones therefore work much better than normal headphones or earplugs and therefore you can really isolate yourself from your environment.
Tip: Sony WH-1000XM3
#6 Adjustable table
The space in a camper simply cannot be compared to an office and therefore a good workplace with a height-adjustable desk and an ergonomic office chair that meets all the requirements is not really an option. Pay extra attention to the seating area where you want to be able to work when building or buying a camper. Make sure that the benches are made in such a way that they support an ideal position as much as possible. For a table/worktop, you could look at a table (leg) that is not only adjustable in height, but that you can also turn in all kinds of directions. This way you can still ensure a good workplace in the camper where you can easily work comfortably for a few hours at a time.
Tip: Lagun table leg
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