Telecommuting has turned our lives and our relationship with work upside down. When you like to spend time on the road, the temptation is strong to work or telework from your motorhome. New terms have been coined. These days, they're called telework, workation or digital nomads*. The fact remains, however, that working or teleworking on the road requires a number of precautions to be taken to ensure that you can do so in the best possible conditions.

An office with a view

Whether you're looking for a break from the daily grind, to make the most of the warmer weather, or to extend a weekend or vacation, it can be tempting to take your computer with you when you turn on the ignition and hit the road. Here are a few tips to help you get organized.

Working on the road is the assurance of an office with a breathtaking view. Sea, mountains, countryside... you choose the setting. A motorhome is first and foremost a leisure vehicle. "It's not designed for work, but it's got all the comforts you need," says Marc, Autostar's sales coordinator.

Discipline

In a motorhome, it's important to manage promiscuity with your spouse or children. Even when telecommuting, you have contractual obligations and are accountable to your employer. It's important to establish collective rules with your entourage, employer and work colleagues: working hours, meal times, break times, means of communication and dedicated space in the vehicle. Having clear rules will prevent you from being disturbed every ten minutes. And your youngest child will understand that you can't go and build a sandcastle with him in the middle of a videoconference with your biggest client.

On her blog la planète de Caro, Caroline explains that good organization means: "discipline, resisting temptation, prioritizing tasks, and setting up a regular routine. Faced with changing landscapes, you can get the demon who at any moment is going to want to take you away from your work". If you're tempted to go for a hike rather than a video, it doesn't have to be at the expense of your work. Setting rules for yourself will help you to maintain clear boundaries between your professional and personal lives.

Good wi-fi connection and electricity

Telecommuting means electricity and wi-fi connection. When it comes to electricity, a motorhome's autonomy will vary according to model, equipment and consumption habits. Your consumption will inevitably increase when you add devices such as a computer. That's why you'll need to make sure you've got enough autonomy to work with peace of mind. "Our models are equipped with USB plugs, but it's more comfortable to be plugged into 220 volts," says Marc.

Several options are available to you. You can improve your vehicle's range with a second cell battery, or solar panels, coupled with an inverter. For peace of mind, you can set up camp at a campsite or on land with electricity, and plug in to 220 volts.

Wi-fi, connection sharing... Adapting your connection to your needs

When it comes to wi-fi, forget campsites: "Wi-fi networks there are rarely robust, and speeds are low. The WiFi Map app works pretty well for finding good wi-fi spots," explains freelancer and vanlifer Antoine Besnard. You can use your phone's connection sharing, but make sure you have a suitable package. A video or a large file transfer will quickly consume several gigas of mobile data.

4G. Beware of white zones

On your escapades, your adventures can quickly lead you to areas that are white or poorly covered by 4 and 5 G networks. "It can be a good idea to invest in complementary technologies, such as signal amplifiers, for optimal connectivity, especially if you're traveling abroad," Caroline explains on her blog. 4G amplifiers, antennas and routers offer great options for ensuring a reliable and robust connection. You'll find 4G routers on the market for as little as 70 euros. Read our article on the subject here (link to articles - stay connected on the road).

Creating a good workspace and taking breaks

As with a workstation at home, it's important to dedicate a workspace, and to have good seating and posture. "Pay attention to screen height, and take breaks every hour or hour and a half to stretch your legs. One simple thing is to make phone calls while walking," advises Mathilde Mathieu, a physiotherapist specializing in posture at work.

Small investments, great comfort

Mathilde recommends investing in small equipment that fits in a backpack but will make all the difference. "For a budget of between €50 and €150, you can buy a screen booster, a keyboard and a mouse that will give your laptop the comfort of a fixed workstation. You can also work with a dual screen if you have the space," explains Mathilde Mathieu.

She recommends keeping your back straight. On motorhomes with deep seats, she recommends sitting on the front of the seat, or opting for the bench seat. "If you want to work outside, you have to pay attention to the seat and table height. Height-adjustable tables are good options, as are chairs with rigid seats," advises the physiotherapist. Over the course of a day, varying postures - sitting, standing, even lying on your stomach - will preserve your back... and your attention.

Bistro, co-working, library. Good alternatives

If you want to ensure peace and quiet, connection and electricity, you can find shelters along the way. "Bistros, libraries, media libraries and co-working spaces are all good alternatives. I particularly like libraries for the calm they provide, and you can also find a little coolness when it's very hot. You just have to make sure you go when they're open," smiles Antoine Besnard. Some co-working spaces also offer daily packages. The carte coworking website lists spaces all over France. "I like cafés too. There's often wi-fi, it's noisier, but it's livelier. When you're traveling alone, it can be a good way of meeting new people," concludes Antoine Besnard.

* Teletravel is a contraction of the words telework and travel.

* Workation comes from English. The term is a fusion of the words work and vacation.

* Digital nomad is a term used to describe people who work while traveling. They are often people who work on a freelance basis in the digital world.

Useful links

Wifi Map: An indispensable application for remote workers in search of a little wifi.

Carte coworking website lists coworking spaces all over France

Mathilde Mathieu shares tips on posture at work on her Linkedin account

Read our article Stay connected on the road.