King of the road: How to be an RV courier
Filed under: Extracurriculars, The Dolans, Health, Travel
Ken and Daria Dolan are widely known as America's First Family of Personal Finance.
Wow...
Daria and I were shocked at the number of you who emailed us in response to our Four creative ways to travel for free post . Seems lots of you are intrigued by the idea of traveling the country for free as an RV courier.
Then again, what's not to like about getting paid to travel?!
So today let's talk about whether being an RV courier is right for you and how you can get started. We called America's number one expert on the subject to get the full story and we've got some great tips for you.
Let's start with 3 things you need to know about being an RV courier...
1.) This may be the best job no one's ever heard about! Who DOESN'T want a job with good pay, flexible hours, steady work and a chance to travel the country for free? Even in this tough economy, there are about 5,000 new drivers needed each month.
2.) Becoming an RV courier is easier than you think. If you are over 18, have a valid driver's license with a good driving record, and like to drive, you're in! Unless you are going to drive something about as big as a Greyhound bus, you don't even need a special commercial license.
3.) It's a job for the ages. Are you a student? RV couriering is a great summer job. Have a regular 9-5 job? Make some extra money on the weekends. Retired? Grab your sweetie, see the country and put a little extra money in your pocket.
Now for some nitty-gritty. The company you work for will pay for insurance, fuel and (if it's a one-way drop off) your trip back home. They'll also pay you, of course! Most companies pay by the mile, and you can use 35 cents/mile as a good average.
Unlike truck drivers, this is a low stress endeavor. You won't be pressured by the company to deliver your vehicle on a crazy schedule. They want safe drivers who will come back again and again.
Still reading? If so, sounds like this might be serious. That means our expert Craig Chilton is your next stop. Craig started as an RV courier 30 years ago on his summer break from teaching and has stayed with it ever since. He literally wrote THE book on the subject "How to Get Paid $50,000 a Year to Travel" and has developed a driver placement network that connects wannabe drivers with companies that need them.
Visit www.roadrat.com to learn more and to take his job aptitude test to find out whether becoming an RV courier is right for you!
If you do decide to hit the road, send us a postcard or email us your pictures to aolquestions@dolans.com. And be sure to email us with your experiences so we can share them here!
Ken and Daria Dolan have hosted their own national radio program for 22 years, anchored their own television shows on CNN, authored six books on money matters, served as money contributors on CBS This Morning and have now launched a comprehensive web site and free e-letter at Dolans.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-26-2008 @ 2:02PM
Bruce said...
is this as bad or as good as it sounds.....I love to drive and have been around the U. S. by thumb or by ride and loved it...want to hear from both sides
Reply
2-03-2008 @ 9:47PM
Michelle said...
Summary of aptitude test:
Single Parent with kids in school? 1 Pt (Higher if less encumbered)
Over 18? 5 pts.
Human? 5 pts.
No more than 1-2 traffic violations per year? 5 pts.
Don't totally despise driving? 2 pts. (Higher if you find some enjoyment in it)
Still breathing? 5 pts.
Despise foreign travel? 3 pts. (Higher if you might enjoy)
Total score for very few qualifications beyond having a pulse: 26
Test result: This may be the job of your dreams!
If the books and CD's are of a quality similar to this "test" then I should be getting paid for my time wasted perusing them, not shelling out $50-70 for pure drivel.
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2-09-2008 @ 10:18PM
Michelle said...
If you search for the more accurate "RV delivery" instead of "RV courier," (See also: "workamping) you'll find a lot more information out there, most of which directly contradicts the claims on the roadrat site.
Most, if not all companies will require a Class A or Class B CDL, recent DOT physical, drug test, passport, et al. You'll have to keep a logbook, and adhere to FMCSA/DOT regulations regarding hours of service. And sleeping in an RV (if even allowed) does not count as off duty. (Same as a sleeper berth)
So, it's much the same job as being a professional truck driver, with perhaps not having to deal with frozen tandems, unloading freight, etc.
Unlike most trucking jobs, you won't be able to eat, sleep, smoke, or do much else with the vehicle you're driving. Moreover, you won't be permitted to use shower/lavatory/propane, yet will be expected to maintain good hygeine. Yet fuel expenses are your responsibility, and forget about a per diem. Showers, restaurants, hotels, and return travel is all out of your pocket.
Some companies even require you to put up $1K to cover the deductible for accidents/damages. Want safe driving bonuses, then you'd better pay for any damages (from thrown rocks, retreads, etc.) out of pocket. Otherwise safe driving miles reset to zero. And on the subject of insurance. Whereas, many trucking companies offer excellent medical/dental/life for their employees and their families, driving as an IC, you're on your own to try and find similar coverage at any price. And collective bargaining agreements? Fuggedaboutit!
All the talk of getting paid to visit the Grand Canyon with your spouse (only if they also have a CDL and IC for the same company) while racking up frequent flyer miles to visit Rome, and only needing a common driver's license appears to be absolute nonsense.
In short; RV delivery seems to entail most of the requirements, duties, and hazards of truck driving with very few, if any, of the benefits typically offered by most major trucking firms. Unless the Dolan's have personal experience with this line of work that refutes what I and others have posted, I believe it's deeply irresponsible to be giving free advertising to a site promising pie-in-the-sky and charging a hefty penny for it.
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2-15-2008 @ 8:38AM
Susie Avant said...
This really sounds toooooo good to be true! I enjoy traveling and most of all I love to drive. I am the one that is always elected (voted) to drive when we travel or just go shopping. Please contact me as I am interested.
Reply
2-17-2008 @ 9:44AM
Judy said...
Reading the comments convinced me this is not what I would like to do. Thanks to all the previous folks that explained the bottom line. Plus, you have to buy a 70 dollar book...Who's getting rich? Thanks again for the comments...
Reply
2-17-2008 @ 9:50AM
Judy said...
Reading the comments convinced me this was not a job for me. May work for younger people, but the upfront cost didn't excite my interest. Thanks....
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3-07-2008 @ 2:19AM
Cindy said...
My dad works for and has also worked for 4 other RV hauling companys and I'll tell you it's not as good as they say it is. First of all all the companys that we have had worked for DOES NOT allow the drives to sleep in the RV's. So unless you want to sleep on the floors so not to mess up the beds and risk being fired, you would need to get motels at night. Second they do not pay for your way home and most don't let you hitch a small car to the back if them either. You also have to have what they call a bond account in case of an accident they can get the deductable,and that is usually $1,000.00 or sometimes more. If you think you'd like to do this kind of work check out the fine print. It is great to be able to see this grand land of ours but don't get sucked in to it this way.
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1-10-2008 @ 11:42PM
Fuzzmanmatt said...
Why does this keep showing up in my RSS feed? You guys must really want me to drive an RV across the country this summer.
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1-15-2008 @ 6:59AM
Robert said...
I'm in! Where do I sign up?
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1-16-2008 @ 6:31AM
rod said...
you have to buy the book for 70 first...lol
1-15-2008 @ 11:58AM
Joe Silvers said...
Me too...... If you find out more please email me. Thank you. joesfl@aol.com
Joe
1-15-2008 @ 5:03PM
bill said...
I have worked for one of these transport companies and since you are driving for commercial porpose you do need a CDL. You have to stop in certain states like N.M. and AZ. to get oversize permits and you cannot eat , drink, or smoke in these vehicles. If you take your spouse or other people with you they also have to work for that company and have CDL. You must also show proof before you depart, that you have transportation back. either it be tow vehicle (recommended) or rental car, bus, train, or plane. Pay is around .84 cpm, you pay for fuel. Good luck.
1-15-2008 @ 7:16AM
Tom Canavan said...
My friend delivers cars and school buses around the country. Just go into any dealership and ask for a courier job. Two things you can't do, smoke in the vehicles and no pets.
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1-15-2008 @ 8:37AM
J.R. said...
I love driving cross country every year, at least 8-times a year, all my out of state friends do as well... We all meet while crossing each others states and the motorcade gets to be at least 8-SUV's by the time we get 1/4 way into the trip. We all do it for fun scenery and the outdoors.
PS:How do start and join this "How to be an RV courier" service... I'm ready...
J.R.
Reply
1-15-2008 @ 4:28PM
Arlene said...
I have plenty of experience...All exceptional...School bus, Limousine,Medical Records Courier, Handicapped
Adults to and from a workplace...Perfect Driving Record
Contact me,
Thank you
1-15-2008 @ 10:06AM
J.R. said...
Thanks, that's good to know... So where do we start after that? I'm ready... This is a job for people who like to drive alot, like me... Especially, when it beats city driving...
Reply
1-15-2008 @ 9:25AM
N. C. Walton said...
Sounds like a job for me. Just retired from driving a school bus. Do not smoke , drink or do drugs. Have a perfect driving record.
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1-15-2008 @ 9:15AM
LSP said...
I am a retired empty nester and ready to go !!
CALL ME.
Reply
1-15-2008 @ 10:05AM
Mike said...
I just turned 62 and this is something I've always wanted to do. I'm ready to get on this as soon as possible.
Reply
1-15-2008 @ 9:56AM
Joe Brooks said...
Very interesting, please contact me ASAP
Reply