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Working Camper Barter Rates

a Workers On Wheels RVer writes....
(Figuring the Hourly Rate and Making Changes)

Working camper barter rates come up again. This time, my answer favors the campground, even though I personally believe 20-some hours a week to work for a site is too many. My answer also provides simple solutions for getting changes made and offers a work around until those changes come to be.

An RVer writes...

I am currently working as a workamper in California. The owners here charge us 100 hours a month for our site, then pay is $10.00 an hour after that (minimum wage).

I was wondering how in the world they get by with charging workampers $1000.00 a month for our site and how they expect anyone to make a living. We work 40 hours a week, so after all is said and done, really aren't getting paid what we should.

Am I insane or is this just absolutely crazy or what? And if so, what can we do to stop this? I'm just puzzled and need some direction.

Coleen the working while RVing editor replies...

The answer to your question of how they get by charging what they do for a site is simply that there are RVers willing to pay it. Campground owners are business people and the purpose of a business is to make money.

It all comes down to supply and demand. As long as you and other RVers are willing to work 15, 20, even more hours a week for a site, you can't blame the park owners for welcoming you to do so.

What to do about it if you don't like it? I don't mean this sarcastically, but, find another place to work. And, don't patronize those campgrounds that charge more than you think is reasonable. Let your friends know. As more and more RVers refuse to pay excessive hours for a site on barter deals -- and when lots of RVers stop going to those campgrounds as customers -- then things will change.

If the barter offer isn't acceptable to you, ask for the hourly wage for all hours worked and then pay the regular rate for your site. I don't see any reason a campground owner would object to that -- unless he was trying to take unfair advantage of you.

Actually, I checked the website for the campground where you said you were working. It lists the campground rate as $59 per night, with the fourth night free. At that rate, on a 30-day month, the cost comes to $1357 a month. (They don't provide a monthly rate.) So, actually, if they are only charging you $1000 a month, you are getting a deal! Put another way, they are paying you $13.57 an hour for those first 100 hours.