We have decided not to work as gate guards in the oil patch any more. However, I will leave this page up as a handy reference for anyone who wants to use it. If anyone sees something I need to correct or delete, please let me know. Thanks š
Here is a list of gate guard service providers I compiled while we were working. This is not a personal recommendation of any company. It is just a list we have compiled to help you in your search for a gate guarding job.
- KC Services – 956-236-5255
- Pro Gate SecurityĀ – 830-776-8666
- Oil Field Support Services – 361-815-7050
- Time Keepers – 830-816-5059Ā Toll Free – 877-851-7676
- Trinity – 956-241-1675
- LOMA Rentals, LLC – 817-964-1828
- Site Watch Gate Guards – 800-561-7202
- Primo Gate Guards – 361-563-9272
- Gate Guard Services, L.P.- 361-949-6992
Timekeepers and Site Watch are two companies that hire guards as employees.
We personally prefer to be independent contractors (IC). Yes, we areĀ responsible for getting our own taxes paid, but as an IC, we have some pretty good tax deductions.
In our case, we have our own corporation. When we get paid it’sĀ to our corporation. We then write ourselves paychecks and send in our required taxes. If your don’t have a corporation, you need to send in quarterly tax payments so either way, you are paying your taxes as you go. My dear husband Bob is an accountant so he does all that gobbely-gook tax stuff š
If you want to know more about how to pay your taxes as an independent contractor or if you would benefit from forming your own corporation, please do not contact us. Contact a tax accountant or a tax attorney for the appropriate advice.
One thing I can tell you is you live the job. Since someone must beĀ here 24/7 you both cannot go out to eat or shopping together. And then there is laundry. Thankfully, we have a washer/dryer in our rig. I would not trade that for love or money!!! We also have a regular side by side household refrigerator so food storage is not a problem as it can be with standard RV refrigerators. That has made it much more livable for us.
I’m passing along my knowledge of these other companies to you so you can contact them if you desire.
One of the good things about this job is… we can schedule times off to get repairs made and visit family. As ICs we can do that.
Vicky
Full-Time RVing... Our Journey Into Full-Timing, Workamping And More 
COULD YOU TELL ME THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT GETTING A GATE GUARD JOB. I KEEP GETTING THE STALL. IS THERE SOMETHING IM MISSING OR NOT DOING RIGHT HELP……………………………….JUST WANT TO DO WHAT YA’LL DO
Hi Kaye,
I don’t really know how to answer you on this. I don’t know what you’ve been doing to try to get on as a gate guard.
First, let me say this is a hard time to find a position as a gate guard. Winter Texans (aka Snowbirds) are flocking from the northern states to work as gate guards. The holidays are approaching and from what I hear, Thanksgiving and Christmas bring on a very slow period. Also, the oil companies are approaching the end of their annual budgets. Some may already be shutting down until the first of the year.
First priority is probably given to those who have been faithful workers during the summer months. In the Texas heat there is usually a shortage of gate guards, so those who can be counted on are probably rewarded with steady work. We were delayed getting started this fall since we were getting Bob’s mother’s affairs taken care of after her death in July. So we are in line just like everyone else at this point.
We are also changing companies. We are licensed and experienced, but on the waiting list just like others are.
Things are slow right now. Hang in there. Read other blogs to see if you can gain more insight.
Vicky
we also had problems with loma gen set. clock running fast;Any ideas..had to replace inverter 4 2800.00 AT MATTHEWS RV WE ARE CARRIZO SPRINGS,,480288 9134,,NO0RM &PAT
Hi Norm,
It’s not only LOMA gensets that produce problems for RVs. All companies that use industrial generators will produce this problem. You see, they are not meant to run sensitive household systems. They are meant for things like irrigation systems and other industrial uses. I know of several people who are spending money regularly on costly repairs caused from being hooked up to these generators. We had to replace our washer/dryer last winter, now my electric stove is going crazy. We’ve had other problems as well. Unfortunately, this is just a problem that exists out there and not likely to change. Sorry to hear about your inverter. They are expensive!
Vicky
Guard 1 Services is hiring RV Officers, please contact HR at HR@guard1services.com or call 713-337-4300
Hi, I was wondering what a gate guard can expect to be paid. Also …. If I understand correctly you have more latitude to take time off if you are an independent contractor… Is that correct??
Lastly, why did you stop working as a gate guard???
My husband currently hauls oil in the oil fields and I work for one of the major airlines.
We are thinking of going this direction and are interested in finding out the pro’s and con’s of the job.
Thanks so much…. Kate
Read through my blog and blogs on my blogroll & you’ll get a feel for this kind of work.
Thank you for your insight into gate guarding. The problem with the generator is of most concern. I do not want to replace all my electronics. Do they have anyother options.
Unfortunately there is no other option. That is the biggest reason we will not do this job again. I’ve talked to our friends doing it & all agree, it is very hard on your RV & everything in it.
How about using a electronic filter. I think camping world has one for sale.
I asked my husband & he doubts that will help. We have two different kinds of filters & it did not help because it is such dirty power. The megahertz are way off. Our clocks would gain or lose sometimes 45 minutes every 24 hours. They are industrial generators & not meant for sensitive household use.
Just talked with Guard 1 and there gen are new and electronic quality.
That’s great let me know how that works out for you. I hope he is being honest with you!
The generator still affects our clocks and ads about 1 hour every 24. Haven’t noticed any other electric issues yet.we have been w Guard 1 for a month. The days do get long…..
Yes, the days get very long! We did not realize some of the electric damage till later. Hope you don’t have any damages over the long haul.
Hello! I have been reading all about this! It is so nice of you to compile the list of companies!!! If I could ask, which company did you work for and where all have you worked?
Thank you,
Carol
Not that I’m aware of. You provide your own RV.
Are there any company’s that provide the rv?
Just wondering how that gen at guard 1 worked out?
We worked as Corp Gate Attendants this summer. It was slow but easy work. Are you still doing Gate Guarding? If so how is it going. We are still thinking about it. Not sure what to do.
Gate guarding for us just was a grind. Dirty electric power… Wild animals… Choking caliche dust that comes into every nook & cranny of the RV… And 12 hour shifts and we could never both leave & do anything together… It was not much fun! You also have to worry about illegals out there.
I’m really interested in hate guarding..what are the requirements
Older couple with 38 ft. MONTANA RV, looking for gate job.
I don’t know how old this is. But we have worked for both timekeeper and site watch over they last 5 years. You are NOT an employee.
Timekeepers make that clear and 1099’s you. Site watch goes 2 steps further. You must have a dba AND a small business bank account. That is a major undertaking when u are a full time rv’r and have to prove residency to any bank. We got lucky and found an rv park mgr that provided us a letter when we stayed a short time before our assignment.
For any one who is considering gate guarding, I will post some of our experiences. Some of this is redundant, but it serves to support accuracy.
First of all there are investments. First and foremost a good set of solar motion sensors.. read the reviews.. you’ll need one coming and one going.Printer ink, paper, pens pencils etc. Portable fans heaters and lights are a few. Everyone has their preference what works for them.
All the companies we’ve worked for including timekeepers and Site Watch 1099 you. One requires a dba and bus. Bank acct.
And plan for repairs., theirs and yours. Bring extra water and sewer hoses/connections and various plug adapters.
Not all companies have the same level of support equipment (ie generator, water & septic) some companies have horrible well beaten equipment others do their best to get their when it fails. Check to see how far away your “support” team is. Remember they service many gates. Rarely do you get a repair done the same day. And you may be patching things together yourself while u should be sleeping or while also trying to work a busy gate. Truckers get paid by the load. They dont like to wait.
As it was said the generators make your clocks run fast, their obnoxious and noisy. Some you have to check and maintain oil etc. dailey. We’ve had several that have just mysteriously died. All of coarse when its 100* out and my husband is sleeping. I’ve heard horror electrical stories. We are having an issue ourselves but cannot confirm. Its generator related.
We’ve had occasion when obtaining fuel was a chore. We decline gates if we have to get the fuel ourselves.
There is the rare heavenly occasion when your power actually comes from a pole.
Be prepared as others have said. One of you has to work 12 hours and THEN go to town, sometimes 80 miles for that necessary supply run. Or your hubby has to pick up the slack if u leave early. We’ve done it both ways, both are equally exhausting.
Some companies offer shelters. (Aka small cargo trailers) recently some are charging you to use them.. Most do not offer a shelter if u use an rv. If your a newbie, go laydown down and have someone open and close the door, go up and down the steps, it could be every few minutes the entire 12 hr shift. This is hard on the rv, tracks and blows in the caliche. I’m a lite sleeper it doesn’t work for me. we both spend the majority of our shifts sitting out in the heat, bright TX sun or cold,, (dont count on your awning with tx wind) with the humidity, bugs, snakes and various critters from alligators to tarantulas. Or run your truck for heat and ac.
Many gates are truly “Gates”. The last several We’ve worked have been. This means, in many cases the Rancher wants the gate closed behind EVERY vehicle. If its a single gate I rig up a rope to stay off the treacherous cattle guard. Not all have that strip of steel to walk on.
If its a large double gate its more of a challenge especially during storms.
Be sure you ask about where to take your trash. Theres a bin on the pad…somewhere but u may not be able to get to it.
Some co use Ipads, some use paper to log. Neither work in wet conditions. Some oil Co will do spot checks.and your head count better match theirs.
For the most part the oil folks and workers are friendly and pleasant to work with. Most offer to help and bring something from town if your desperate. You do get to meet people from all over the world and We’ve made many good friends and have LOADS of stories to tell. You can be prepared and make the best of it and like or love it..or be miserable.
We’ve been both.
Retirees mostly do gate guarding but we have worked for company’s that hires locally. Some offer the option to live in an rv park and commute to a gate. Better for your rig but harder on you and your vehicle. If they offer to pay for the rv park find out if you will be 1099’d on that value. Thats taxes you’ll have to pay on $ not actually received.
Do your research.
We’ve had locations We’ve loved and some we drove away from before we started. You just never know..on that note consider how far you are traveling to get there, be sure u can be there long enough to make it worth the trip.
This will.most likely be our last gate. Its just physically too taxing at our ages, and hard on the dogs as well. No run or play time at a gate.
You don’t get paid a lot…but if you live on Site you have no utility bills, can’t go anywhere together to spend it, and can rarely get mail/pkgs. So you “Bank” a lot. If your on a gate u love its awsome and rewarding.