Off-grid RV living is the perfect way to get away from hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re tired of the high cost of electricity and water, then maybe the best choice for you is to go off the grid with your camper. In this article, we’ll present off-grid RV living, its pros and cons, and a few tips for beginners.
Off-grid RV Living
The number of people who are choosing off-grid RV living is increasing and with increasing cost of living, is it even a wonder why? Off-grid RV living gives people a chance for financial freedom and at the same time, become more at peace with nature.
Synonymous with boondocking and dry camping, off-grid RV living means you aren’t connected to any electrical or water source. You won’t have any sewage either. Thus, you will need to ration your supplies due to the lack of unlimited resources you will have.
Benefits of off-grid RV living
You may be wondering why anyone would want to be away from all the affordances of modern technology. For example, could you imagine being way from the Internet? If you can’t, then that’s a sure sign that off-grid RV living isn’t for you.
That being said, going off-grid on your camper has a lot of benefits, one being your ability to significantly reduce your expenses. To illustrate this point, just think about this scenario. Without rent to pay, nor water or electricity charges, you will have nothing to worry about money-wise.
In addition to addressing financial concerns, off-grid camping will help reset your biological clock, therefore allowing you a more peaceful and restful sleep. Moreover, you’ll be closer to nature and have more privacy.
Drawbacks of off-grid RV living
Now in terms of drawbacks, off-grid RV living does have quite a few. Although, if you’re serious about living off the grid, then these factors might be negligible to you.
Firstly, know that you might be far away from civilization. That is to say, hospitals, doctors, grocery shops, and recreation centers will not be easily accessible. Should you have a medical emergency, it might take a while for assistance to arrive.
Secondly, you will have to be extremely aware of your food, energy, and water supply. Because you won’t be connected to any hookups, wasting any resource is a definite no.
Next, you might not be around other people often. And if solitude is what you’re looking for, then going off the grid is for you. Otherwise, it would be best to stay away because off-grid RV living could be equated with not being easily connected to people.
Tips for off-grid RV living
In the event that off-grid living is for you, you should keep a few things in mind. Below, we discuss a few of the basics.
Scope out your chosen area
If you already have a place in mind, make sure to do your due diligence and research about the climate to see if your RV can handle it all year round.
Additionally, it is important for you to know how far the nearest hospital is, in case a medical emergency happens. That being said, if you have a life-threatening health condition, you should probably steer clear of off-grid RV living.
Check your RV’s condition and specs
Before you set off for your destination, check your RVs condition. It’s important that all the wiring, plumbing, water system, and power source is in good condition. Otherwise, we’ve got bad news if you ever run into trouble and you’ve chosen a particularly remote location.
Afterwards, look at your RV’s specs because it’s important for you to know them by heart. This will allow you to plan out a schedule for when you should venture into refilling and dumping stations. As a matter of fact, you can even look into caravans specifically designed for off-grid living.
Manage your resources accordingly
We know camping in your RV is supposed to provide you comfort while doing so. However, off-grid camping in your RV is a different situation. Remember, you won’t be staying in a campground with complete hookups. Thus, your water supply needs to be managed appropriately if you don’t want to suddenly run out. For this reason, you should make sure you budget your use for food preparation, bathing, dishwashing, and toilet flushing.
Looking for ways to extend the use of one water tank is a useful skill to have. For example, when showering, you can adapt the navy shower to save a more water. Moreover, water that is wasted in the shower can be used for your dishes or for watering plants.
Dispose your wastes properly
Part of being a responsible RVer is proper waste disposal. Even if you live off the grid, you aren’t allowed to dump and clean your waste tank out in the open. That simply isn’t sanitary, and you would possibly be releasing pathogens into the environment. For this reason, it is important for to stay near dump stations or septic tanks.
Invest in alternative sources of power
One of the most important things in your RV is a power source. You need it to run your vehicle, turn on the lights, operate your water pump, and use your appliances. We could say it’s the heart of an RV.
Coupled with the fact that you won’t be connected to an electrical hook up, the need for an alternative source of power becomes all the more important. In particular, renewable energy systems such as solar power and wind power are increasing traction in the RV community.
In comparison with generators, solar panels do not produce much noise. They’re also more environment-friendly because they produce less emissions. Lastly, if you’re worried about their cost, don’t be. They are more cost-effective because their source of power comes from the sun. Basically, it’s free. Moreover, solar panels are very durable and last for a long time.
Conclusion
All in all, off-grid RV living can be a challenging experience, especially if you’re used to having all the comforts of home while on the road. Perhaps, you shouldn’t rush into off-grid RV living. Consider everything we presented above and do your own research before making a decision.
