I assume your going to be moving alot, and that means the fuel costs are going to be high. Workamping is an option, and if you plan your route you should be able to make arrangements in advance. I'm thinking it might be easier to cut a different expense, like food, that could be done without the need for cash (for fuel). Maybe somebody else has an idea, but I can't think of a way to earn fuel as payment unless you work at the gas station.

The working part legally and technically can be tricky. But, that said, you can (at least in the recent economic past) find temporary cash paid or bartered work - especially in the more "resort" like areas of the USA. I bet the hostels in an area can point you to local work centers and just by asking around you can find daily/weekly cash work.

You'll need cash for fuel but getting a bite to eat, a sightseeing experience, or similar can be bartered. Probably even more so now than before. Wait tables and maybe get a couple meals. Tidy up a convenience or grocery store and maybe get a bunch of food they are getting ready to toss as "un-sellable" but is perfectly fine. Clean a couple rooms at a small motel and maybe get a shower and laundry. Work a retail store at a ski town and maybe get a ski lift ticket. Clean rafts at a rafting store and maybe get a rafting trip. You get the idea.

Smaller towns and mom & pop stores will be more amenable to bartering – and it sounds like these are the places you prefer to visit and a great source to find true Americana. The big box stores and chains less likely to do so. The big thing is to simply get out and ask. Put your personality out there - we are really a friendly place. It’ll take plenty of courage and chutzpah but always be on guard for your safety.

No disrespect to anyone who answered it, but is this post for real?? Even if were, how does it fit in with RVing, which is the purpose of the website?  

I'd bend over backwards and give the shirt off my back to someone visiting America who needed assistance and advise....on RVing. Am I wrong to question the validity of this post?

I believe Katy posted in the past that she would be visiting the U.S. to do a cross country RV trip (if she's the one I'm thinking of). 

I think if you read a little more you will see that She IS planning a RV trip, just  trying to figure out how to do it on a shoestring budget. I don't she was planning on standing on a corner with a cardboard sign literally. Equating what was said to bums on the street isn't a fair assesment of her intension.

I too thought the post was a little (well totally) off the wall, and as a stand alone post it probably is. That led me to do a little looking around. Go back and read her FIRST posting here (there's only a handful) and that one will 'splain the context (click her user name and then click the member postings link). Once you read the original post, this post is then put in clear context. I wasn’t ‘gonna touch an answer until I read that first post.

A further quick Googling and you'll find that this poster is possibly not an im-poster as she/him/it (whatever their true identity) might also possibly be quite involved at home across the pond in Isle of Wight as an advanced retail apprentice (w/ Jubilee stores??) and also with  something called the Young Employees Scheme which all adds some additional sense of credibility. Seems she may also be involved in several cancer related charitable events too.

For additional context - as many of us posting here may not really know, her avatar photo, though not of the typical RV-Dreams ilk, is classic for the 20’s 'sumptin genre (not many of those on this site) and her screen name is also quite interesting - she must be a bit of a counter-culture artistic rebel too. Everyone who is sincere and legitimate deserves a chance. Sometimes, it may be difficult to identify legitimacy and sincerity due to cultural and generational differences.

Anyhow, as Sir Speedster so eloquently said, Hi. we are from RV-Dreams and we ARE here to help! I wish her (or him or whoever it may REALLY be), all the best in their travels throughout the good ol' USofA however she/it/him does it - just do it and mostly ENJOY!

-- Edited by RVDude at 00:43, 2009-02-27

Wow, I really didn't realise I had written such a contentious post. Sorry let me explain. I should have written in my post that I am new to the boards and planning an RV trip around America/ Canada I thought I had posted the question in the right section of the forum, but I obviously didn't explain myself with enough clarity, my apologies. I have a year or so to plan and I am right at the beginning of this so plaese forgive any silly questions. Also I think I should establish the fact I wasn't actually planning to wear a cardboard sign, my clumsy wording failed me again. I can assure you all I am real, my photo is real, etc. I am not really a 87 year old mexican man or anything like that. I can't imagine that anyone would be interested enough to do it but if you wanted to validate this I have a page on www.facebook.com - Katy Reynolds (network portsmouth). Thank you to everybody for your suggestions, may my next post blend in better. Katy

Katy, We sold merchandise at swapmeets, flea markets, county fairs and events like RV and car shows. We would sometimes hire help for the day or a few hours to assist with our booth setup & tear down and to watch out for theft. Most of the folks we hired were standing by the vendors entrance gate and would ask us if we needed any help. We typically would pay $10 per hour for at least 3 hours work per day. This type of work would allow you to sight see during the week and work on the weekends. Good Luck in your travels. The Bear II

Now there's some good ideas Terry. While camp hosting last summer we met folks who were from England and doing the RV USA thing. Makes me think the newspaper idea would be popular with readers.

Great idea guys! I will certainly look into it. Thank you

Please let us know when you set up a Travel Journal or a blog so we will know where your are and where you are heading. I'm sure that some of us in our travels will either run in to you or be close enough to provide you with some American hospitality (meal) or have a small job that a young person can handle better then some of us oldtimers.
Good Luck,
Stan & Isabel

Now if this don't prove us to be the best Forum on the Web nothing does!!! You got to love this bunch of folks...Sherri and I know we are glad to have you all for our RV Dream family. Hope to see you at the "Gathering" or the Rally. Joe and Sherri

I think investigating the job of being a journalist for overseas and visiting RV'rs has strong possibilities if you can get connected with the right people. You could, in effect, be doing a "documentary" on North American RV vacations/travel from a foreigners perspective and what to expect, legal implications, resources, etc. If you can get a magazine or tv channel to sponsor you and back you with money, camera equipment, RV setup, etc this would work out perfectly.