Roadoffice

(First published in Issue 6, September 2022) Hi, I’m Lucien, the author of Roadoffice Magazine.

Even as a child, I used to make the campsites unsafe on my tricycle. In recent years, I have rediscovered camping—especially in connection with my passion for photography and filming—driving a Defender for days on end over gravel roads, capturing the glow of the mountain peaks in the Alps early in the morning with my camera, or simply enjoying a warm coffee at 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level while the world is still asleep.

In such moments, time seems to stop, and only the here and now exist. Because of this fascination, I have gone camping more and more often in recent years, and I particularly enjoy it when I can do so with a camping vehicle. For me, these vehicles are like children's toys—just for adults. They spark an enthusiasm in me as if I were a little boy again.

During these camping trips, however, I often noticed that time was short. After each trip, I would think, with just a few more days, I could have visited this spot or explored that area. That’s how I came up with the idea of writing a magazine this year as part of my bachelor’s thesis, titled Roadoffice.

If you love to travel and camp, want to spend more time in nature outside of your vacation days, but don’t want to quit your job or take a sabbatical, this lifestyle might be the perfect solution. In most cases, Office on the Road is the answer to balancing work and adventure.

This magazine supports you in your first attempt at this way of working. Over 120 pages, I explain everything you need to know to find your personal approach to Office on the Road, plan your journey, and make your first attempt a success. The focus of this magazine is on all relevant aspects of working remotely while traveling—not just basic camping tips.

The Roadoffice magazine was created as part of my bachelor’s thesis at the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden and forms the core of my research project. In my thesis, I investigated which aspects of a work situation are critical for being able to work from a camper. I also analyzed the advantages for both employers and employees.

The content of this magazine is based on interviews with experts in the field and a one-month self-experiment. The experts included employers and employees who already have experience working remotely while traveling. Their insights formed the foundation for this magazine.

To avoid merely summarizing others' tips and tricks, I wanted to experience firsthand what it’s like to work from an Office on the Road. So, I packed my bags and lived and worked in an old Defender 110 for a month, driving from Switzerland through Denmark to Norway and back via Sweden.

During this time, I:

All these tasks combined made up a workload of about 70–80%. I was largely able to organize my schedule myself and complete my work when it suited me.

Anyone who has ever seen the inside of a Defender 110 knows that space is very limited. Through this self-experiment, I wanted to test the limits of what was possible—and even push beyond them. My fellow student, Jonas Lang, accompanied me for half of my journey. For two weeks, space was even tighter, as he was also working on his thesis while on the road.

The whole self-experiment went more smoothly than I had expected. Fortunately, the average of 21 rainy days in a Norwegian April didn’t come true!

In the next few lines, I'll take you along on my journey, sharing highlights, experiences, and key takeaways from my trip.

Discover different models of working on the road in this short sample of Roadoffice Magazine. Just like every person, every camper, and every job, every Office on the Road is different. Finding your perfect model isn’t something this magazine can answer conclusively, but there are some approaches that can serve as examples and help you create a model that suits you.

In a period of two to eight weeks, work is done at a normal or reduced workload. This could be routine work or tasks particularly suited to this setup, such as year-end reporting or brainstorming for a new project. This is the ideal model to try for the first time.

Tip: If you choose this model, projects that require minimal communication with other employees are particularly suitable.

This model is useful if your work situation changes seasonally, for example, shifting to more administrative tasks in the off-season. It’s also ideal for those who prefer warm climates—you could work remotely from southern latitudes during the winter. Depending on the season, this period lasts between three and six months.

Tip: This model can also be combined with seasonal physical jobs, such as working as a ski or surf instructor, providing a balance to PC-based work.

In the Sabbatical-Plus model, you take an extended sabbatical while working remotely at a significantly reduced workload. This allows for a longer break, and slack periods, such as bad weather days, can be used productively. This model is well-suited for long trips and can be pursued for a set period or even indefinitely.

Tip: It’s advantageous to continue working in a familiar field rather than starting a completely new job. Ideally, you would work for the same employer.

This model is similar to Sabbatical-Plus but applies to later stages of life. It allows for reduced work shortly before or after retirement, helping finance travel, early retirement, or supplementing a pension.

Tip: Those looking to transition to part-time work could use this model. For example, you could provide consulting services to your successor.

As the name suggests, this is a full-time commitment to working on the road. It is the most challenging approach, requiring a shift in lifestyle, social connections, and work dynamics.

Tip: This is a fundamental and radical lifestyle change. I recommend speaking with people who have experience in this field. Start with a different model and gradually transition to full-time Office on the Road.

One of the most common ideas associated with Office on the Road is becoming a travel blogger or content creator. While it seems like the perfect synergy of work and travel, it requires significant effort. A successful travel blog or channel takes years to generate a sustainable income—until then, you're often working for free.

This is a related Office on the Road model: you use a camper van to commute to a workplace for certain days, meet co-workers, and complete tasks that require a physical presence. The rest of the time, you work remotely from your home or camper. This setup allows for a job far from home while still maintaining social connections with colleagues. Ideally, the employer provides a parking space with electricity, and you can use the company’s facilities.