Out of desire and financial necessity, I am looking for a Motorhome that will enable me to live
off grid permanently and avoid caravan parks if possible. At the very least, I am looking to have
enough solar panel power generation with 2 or 3 batteries to run my fridge/freezer and lighting etc.
without the need for gas. I am looking to keep my gas solely for cooking. I do have a generator to
run the airconditioner when I need it.
I am aware if I add enough solar panels, batteries and inverter then I can also run the aircon.
In looking through the for sale websites, rarely do I find a s/hand motorhome that is set up well enough
to camp off grid for long periods. Is it me? Why aren't there more motorhomes set up this way? Surely
everyone would want to have that option.
I know you can option up the mhomes to allow you to do this but I am surprised that a lot of them don't come
this way as standard. I just would have thought that the demand would have been there, but so many are being
bought with little attention paid after purchase to enable off grid camping.
It's probably just me. I am new to this style of living but I know I don't want to stay in caravan parks if I can avoid
it.
My post today is not to discuss how many watts of solar power or battery amps I require but feel free to have your
say on this if you want.
Cheers and happy travels to you all.
Wayne.
deverall11 said
07:39 PM Feb 22, 2022
I would be looking at a bus. Plenty of scope to carry what you need :
Things like generator, plenty of real estate for solar panels, plenty of room for lots of water.
The only downside is the cost of fuel every time you move.
Always wanted to do that but settled for a caravan.
Quite a few unfinished projects on F/B Market place for example.
Larry
Mike Harding said
08:16 PM Feb 22, 2022
Hi Wayne
I have been living in my caravan as a nomad for over three years, almost always bush camping.
If you are going to live, as opposed to holiday, in your vehicle then I *strongly* recommend a caravan over a motorhome for the reason that if (when) a motorhome suffers a mechanical breakdown you become instantly homeless whilst your vehicle is being repaired. With a caravan the RACV et al will tow it to a caravan park and you can sit out the repair time of the vehicle there.
In regard to being independent power wise this is perfectly possible but your setup needs to be tailored to your general location and style of camping. Running an AC from solar is only practical if you're prepared to spend a considerable sum. A small generator is a better option. I use a generator for microwave and AC, everything else is solar.
I wish you the best of luck.
Read this site regularly there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here.
Edit: Corrected the autocorrect!
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 06:27:02 AM
Are We Lost said
08:29 PM Feb 22, 2022
As Mike says, living on the road is quite different from holidaying.
I agree with him on the caravan vs motorhome, but will also add the fact of needing to pack everything if you need to get a bottle of milk and there is no shop nearby. For living on the road I consider space and comfort as the prime requirements.
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:36 PM Feb 22, 2022
I am of the view that a 4WD truck based motorhome is the best answer to total independence and off grid life with the ability to go anywhere in this great country.
Properly set up, you don't need to go to the shops more than once a month and when you do, you take the MH to the shop to put the stuff stright into the fridge and freezer.
We can stay off grid and remote for at least a month. How often you have a shower is determined by how much water you carry. We currently carry about 280L.
We curently cook with gas (and use a bit more than 1kg per month). The only other energy input other than than solar is diesel that provides hot water and central heating. Our new build will have no gas and we will cook with solar using an induction cook top. That needs about 300-400Ah of lithium and 1,000W of solar. In sunny conditions, that battery and solar is capable of providing good A/C capability. Emergency power is provided by the alternator. No generator is required and we have no power plug-in capability.
Most people who drive across the Simpson for instance, take about 4-5 days. They can not take longer because they can not carry enough water in addition to the fuel required.
We can take a month, which means we can smell the roses, explore the side tracks and get away from the crowds. We are very privileged.
Cheers,
Peter
Are We Lost said
11:07 PM Feb 22, 2022
I was going to add to my previous post that there are many with motorhomers who do successfully stay off grid, and spend long periods on the road. Peter_n_Margaret for example.
While they manage it successfully, it would not work very well for us. If we are camped remotely, there may not be much around to want to visit. But in most cases when we camp for a few days or more, there always seems to be something around that we like to drive to. Maybe it's that bottle of milk, or going to a fishing spot, or simply exploring. We tend to set up base at one site and do day trips to various nearby sites. Unless you have a more specialised MH, some of those destinations may not be feasible.
On the other hand, I often don't feel comfortable leaving the disconnected van while we travel around for the day.
As for the subject of your post, I think you don't see many set up for long term living off the grid for reasoms similar to what I mentioned above, and because that lifestyle only suits a small percentage of people.
msg said
01:40 AM Feb 23, 2022
What do you consider long term. I would rarely go to CP's and live off grid for about 5 months of the year.
Water and food seem to send me into town every two weeks or so.
My MH is small light truck. Great with diesel. It only has a small solar set up. 350w panels and 150 amps lithium batteries. Diesel Heater and hot water. Fridge is a compressor fridge that runs entirely on the 12v. Small @90l. 4kg gas bottle lasts about 3 months and is only used for cooking. I have 12v TV. 12v Fans. Computer and notebook charged via 12v system. No generator necessary. Works well for one person and small dog.
I know Mr Harding is totally against MH's especially for long term living and always cites the example of being homeless if it should break down. Yes, you can be unlucky. However, after 200,000ks I have had no major breakdowns. Anyhow there are always motels, cabins in CP's and even pubs to stay at. You just have to make sure you have the wherewithall to pay for it. Also MH's are not built to go off grid. They generally don't have good ground clearance, and are usually over 3mtrs tall. Too big. Try getting one down a winding river track. Not easy.
If you are living off grid and are a long way from shops (I am usually about 200ks away) you make sure that you don't run out of milk (or anything else) and have to take a trip into town.
I think Motorhome buyers usually want to travel comfortably and stay in Caravan Parks with all the amenities. They don't need all the things that are necessary for living off grid.
86GTS said
04:43 AM Feb 23, 2022
Interesting post. We mostly camp off grid with our caravan. In 2019 we flew to Broome & hired a motor home for 25 days traveling 2,500kms to Darwin. It was a great unit & my wife did all the driving which was a nice change from me towing our caravan. It only had one 9kg gas bottle for cooking, one solar panel on the roof & a 12v charging system that charged as we drove along. It was recommended that we only camp off grid every second night alternating with a night on 240v every two nights. That's what we did & we had a lovely trip. The double bed that retracted up onto the ceiling at a push of a button was a great feature. The Mercedes Benz motor was economical & powerful. We loved the motor home so much that we looked into buying one secondhand & selling our current rig. If it could have a lot more solar & battery storage capacity fitted it would have been perfect. We're still hesitating about going that way, there are currently a few lowish km units around.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 05:31:57 AM
oldbloke said
07:26 AM Feb 23, 2022
Bumped into a woman in a MH last year. She had a battery operated bike for trips into town.
DMaxer said
09:07 AM Feb 23, 2022
When I purchased my present van in 2016 it came equipped with a 125 watt solar panel on the roof and a single deep cell battery. Initially I had great plans to become a mobile power station with additional batteries and a roof of solar panels that could maintain a small city. Six years later and I have done nothing to what I started out with. When off grid I run my hot water and fridge off gas, the tv (if I bother to use it) off 12 volt, I cook outside with a butane stove and only use the inside stove if it is pouring rain or blowing a gale. I can charge my mobile phone and run the computer with one of those little coke can inverters and use a Nighthawk modem for the internet that runs off its own rechargeable battery. In relation to water I have two 75 litre tanks on the van and carry two 25 and one 10 litre jerry cans in the tray of the tub. I do not have a diesel heater but rely on a lightweight thermal sleeping bag, opened up and used as a doona on chilly nights. On hot days I fire up the 12 volt fan and open up the windows and hatch.
On a couple of occasions after days of overcast and wet weather the battery was running low so I hooked up the anderson plug on the van to the tug and let the engine idle for about 15-20 minutes. I recall one night that was so hot and humid that I simply reclined my outside chair and did a bit of zedding under the awning.
I am no expert but I think an additional battery and more solar in my set up, given that it is 18 foot and single axle, would mean I would have to ditch a lot of the things I have inside the van to comply with weight restrictions. I think if power becomes an issue I will look at one of those solar blankets or the lightweight portable panels. Up until now there hasn't been any need. In my view, for what it is worth, I think the most pressing issue is access to water.
Whenarewethere said
09:45 AM Feb 23, 2022
If you get a van, insulate it. Acoustic foam insulation is great thermal insulation.
Some great suggestions and recommendations, with everyone touching on certain areas of
concern that I have.
Just a little window into my personal life at the moment. Twelve months ago, I had a minor stroke
(all good now), ended up in hospital for a very short time but unfortunately lost my home, my wife
and my son on the same day due to my own fault.
I know I am grieving and with these losses, I also lost my dream to travel. Well its not quite lost, it
just got pushed way out of sight. I connect strongly with the earth and I need it now more than ever.
Up until recently, I had a nice van (no shower or toilet though) and took it only on one short 4 day trip.
It didn't inspire me at all to travel in it any further, so I thought perhaps a well set up motorhome could
be the answer.
I think I just need more time to grieve and hopefully which direction I want to take will become clearer.
Thanks again for your responses and please forgive me getting off track with this reply.
Happy travels to you all.
Wayne
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:31 AM Feb 23, 2022
My advice would be to buy a budget second hand version of the vehicle you think may suit you as soon as possible and get on the road.
Don't mess about spending lots of time trying to find the perfect answer.
Vehicles do not have to be "forever" (says he who hasn't changed for 19 years), and it is unlikely that your first choice will be exactly what you need (we made it in 2, but more is likely).
After some year or so on the road you will discover more about what style of travel suits you best and more about the vehicle that will suit that style. At that point, you can modify what you have, a bit at a time, or start again.
Cheers,
Peter
Izabarack said
11:47 AM Feb 23, 2022
Wayne o wrote:
rarely do I find a s/hand motorhome that is set up well enough to camp off grid for long periods.
A solo person is in the best position to get a bare commercial van and fit it out with sufficient equipment and facilities for a very small capital outlay. When my tired knees suggested it, I put my bushwalking backpack in the back of a T5 4 Motion Volkswagen, left the hike tent in the shed, added my Engel fridge, and was ready to be able to survive off grid for up to 3 weeks, at that point. Add solar, LiFePo4, inverter, computer, iPad, iPhone and Porta Pottie and I have the capability to be off-grid for a long long time. The 4WD of the van capability helps me ensure Free Camping is normal behaviour. I have done up to 4 months on the road and only stayed in a CP once, for one night.
oldbloke said
01:43 PM Feb 23, 2022
3 or 4 months is a long time in the bush.
What do you do for washing clothes? Just hand wash, or local laundromat? We usually just stay in a CP after about 6 days.
Cuppa said
02:19 PM Feb 23, 2022
This motorhome vs caravan discussion arises reasonably often. Thought I'd put my tuppence worth in this time.
Our first travel rig was a small bus based motorhome. Apart from short trips, we had a longer 18 month trip in it. We quickly got used to the travel style this imposed. ie. if we needed to re-stock we would do so before finding somewhere to camp (rarely in caravan parks). It never seemed like a problem. When we had a major breakdown we stayed in a cabin, with hire cars/taxis & accomodation paid for by our RACV cover.
Our second & current travel rig is a 4wd & off road camper. We have been travelling in it since 2017, with a bit of house sitting/caretaking along the way. Occasionally we have left the van set up & used the car to go out & about for the day, but really this has not occurred very often because I think we 'learned' to travel in a motorhome first & tend to continue what worked for us first time around.
What having a setup which allows us to go bush, to get off the beaten track, & to access the multitude of camping opportunities not available to folk restricted by their choice of vehicle means for us, is basically the same as the reason we still choose to travel. It is about finding beautiful spots which are not overrun by others & most importantly being able to wake up in those sort of places. This is the significant difference to those who advocate 'base camping' & using the car to go out & explore. It really does depend on what is wanted. For us it is about the experience of being in those places. Very different to visiting, looking at & leaving. It, in my mind anyway, is the difference between being a traveller & a tourist. We commonly go for 4 to 6 weeks between resupplying, & have rarely viewed any town as a destination.
For anyone who is aspiring to live an independent, off grid lifestyle, with the greatest number of camping possibilities, & the option of remaining in places they love for longer periods then in my view a vehicle suited to getting well off the beaten track, with the capacity to carry supplies to last for as long as possible is what is needed. Essentially two options. An off road motorhome, or an off road vehicle & small towed accommodation. Some may argue the relevance of larger off road caravans here, but it becomes about size vs access.
There are compromises with everything. Our Patrol & Tvan have suited the two of us for a few years, but we still think we will return to a motorhome someday, but if we do it will need to be one capable of doing what we do now. Waking in wonderful places rather than day visiting wonderful places.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 02:22:06 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
02:39 PM Feb 23, 2022
A converted bus is about the price of a good caravan. They dont break down very often . Plus you can still live in them when getting fixed !! No different if a tow vehicle breaks down ? How do you get to go shopping etc ? Depends on licence ? Like any vehicle get it checked and serviced ! Often its a $5 part that causes major problems ! Like heater hoses, fan belts ! Toyotas or Mitsubishi Rosa are great busses . Very comfortable too . Or you may wish to go LARGE and really enjoy the comforts ! As is in 7m + motorhome. Seen it plenty for under $40,000 . Make sure they are diesel ! Rego and insurance is about the same as car !
Peter_n_Margaret said
03:02 PM Feb 23, 2022
oldbloke wrote:
3 or 4 months is a long time in the bush.
What do you do for washing clothes? Just hand wash, or local laundromat? We usually just stay in a CP after about 6 days.
We carry a small washing machine. Before that we washed by hand. The volume of cloths needing washing can be kept quite small. Again, the volume of water that can be carried can be important.
A converted bus is very low on my list of desirable vehicles. Despite that, there are a lot about (and many unfinished projects too).
Converting them is a pain. Nothing is square, windows and doors are in the wrong place and are the wrong type. The floor may not be flat, the roof may be too low. The insulation is usually poor. Our OKA was a 13 seater bus when we bought it. I took the bus body off and build something that was more appropriate and more livable. Building the " box" is the easy part of a motorhome build.
Then, when it is converted, few of them are capable of getting far off the bitumen.
Cheers,
Peter
Izabarack said
03:19 PM Feb 23, 2022
oldbloke wrote:
3 or 4 months is a long time in the bush.
What do you do for washing clothes? Just hand wash, or local laundromat? We usually just stay in a CP after about 6 days.
Question to me? My washing machine is a 25 Litre dry bag with a dozen plastic practice golf balls in it. Bit of wool wash for really dirty stuff and rinse in white vinegar and Bi Carb soda. I started with my bushwalking clothes, all quick dry material. Wash jocks and socks every day, at least. I often bucket shower and save that water for the first part of my washing cycle, as long as Im not washing huge amounts of mud off me.
I use the T5 when tripping solo. My off road van has a bit more stuff in it to keep my partner happy.
Mike Harding said
04:12 PM Feb 23, 2022
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
My advice would be to buy a budget second hand version of the vehicle you think may suit you as soon as possible and get on the road. Don't mess about spending lots of time trying to find the perfect answer.
I totally agree. (Got to be a first Peter :) )
It is only after you start doing this that you learn what is important for *your* style of bush living and it's impossible to anticipate that from the comfort of your armchair in Sydney/Melbourne etc.
Buy something which is resalable then get out there and learn... we'll hold your hand :)
Aus-Kiwi said
04:17 PM Feb 23, 2022
Depends what you call off the bitumen too ? As Ive got older . Im not as interested in going rough rocky roads . Good Metal roads are fine ! Theres enough half decent roads out there ! Did all the 4WD stuff when I was younger . Over it now ! Each to their own . My old 8.5 Fuso was a great bus / motorhome. The engine in the back ( pusher ) made it so quiet up front . Plenty room for water . Storage under floor .,
86GTS said
05:40 PM Feb 23, 2022
There are vast areas of crown land & state forest where there are plenty of great places to camp in an "away from it all" style.
They're not in any camps book, internet site or Wikicamps.
That's where you'll find us, by ourselves surrounded by nature.
No happy hour sessions, no listening to other peoples life stories & no out of tune country music singers
You don't need a so called "off road" caravan to reach them either.
Mike Harding said
06:09 PM Feb 23, 2022
86GTS wrote:
There are vast areas of crown land & state forest where there are plenty of great places to camp in an "away from it all" style. They're not in any camps book, internet site or Wikicamps. That's where you'll find us, by ourselves surrounded by nature. No happy hour sessions, no listening to other peoples life stories & no out of tune country music singers You don't need a so called "off road" caravan to reach them either.
Indeed.
Last week I arrived back in this beautiful spot in State Forest in Victoria where, last year, I spent three months and had but one visitor except for the echidnas, kangaroos, goannas and birds. I brought my Snowy River SR-19 in here slowly in low range and have all the isolation, dam water, firewood and comfort I need.
About 300km north I have another delightful camp on the Murray River where I spent two times three months of lockdown and saw about five people, again all the firewood and river water I need.
One does not have to drive thousands of kilometres to find solitude.
Edit:
PS. Neither these two not many other isolated locations I have discovered are on Wikicamps and never will be if I have my way.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 06:31:22 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
07:18 PM Feb 23, 2022
Doesnt matter what tee pee !just get out there and enjoy !!!
86GTS said
08:08 PM Feb 23, 2022
Mike Harding wrote:
86GTS wrote:
There are vast areas of crown land & state forest where there are plenty of great places to camp in an "away from it all" style. They're not in any camps book, internet site or Wikicamps. That's where you'll find us, by ourselves surrounded by nature. No happy hour sessions, no listening to other peoples life stories & no out of tune country music singers You don't need a so called "off road" caravan to reach them either.
Indeed.
Last week I arrived back in this beautiful spot in State Forest in Victoria where, last year, I spent three months and had but one visitor except for the echidnas, kangaroos, goannas and birds. I brought my Snowy River SR-19 in here slowly in low range and have all the isolation, dam water, firewood and comfort I need.
About 300km north I have another delightful camp on the Murray River where I spent two times three months of lockdown and saw about five people, again all the firewood and river water I need.
One does not have to drive thousands of kilometres to find solitude.
Edit:
PS. Neither these two not many other isolated locations I have discovered are on Wikicamps and never will be if I have my way.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 06:31:22 PM
Absolutely.
We've been bush camping in virtually unknown places for decades in tents & then camper trailers before our caravaning days.
Keep an eye out for a track heading into an attractive area of bush land, pull over & walk down the track for a few kms looking for potential sites to camp in.
Make sure you have room to turn around to get out.
Sim sala bim! Set up camp & then take a deep breath to enjoy the serenity.
Stay there for a week to really get to know your surroundings.
After you leave serenity central spend one night in a small regional town, enjoy a pub meal, fill up with fuel, gas, water & provisions at the local IGA & then head back out again.
Keep the driving to a bare minimum. The perfect lifestyle IMO.
Who needs ''off road capability''?
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 08:12:19 PM
Jaahn said
07:40 AM Feb 24, 2022
86GTS wrote:
Mike Harding wrote:
86GTS wrote:
There are vast areas of crown land & state forest where there are plenty of great places to camp in an "away from it all" style. They're not in any camps book, internet site or Wikicamps. That's where you'll find us, by ourselves surrounded by nature. No happy hour sessions, no listening to other peoples life stories & no out of tune country music singers You don't need a so called "off road" caravan to reach them either.
Indeed. Last week I arrived back in this beautiful spot in State Forest in Victoria where, last year, I spent three months and had but one visitor except for the echidnas, kangaroos, goannas and birds. I brought my Snowy River SR-19 in here slowly in low range and have all the isolation, dam water, firewood and comfort I need.
About 300km north I have another delightful camp on the Murray River where I spent two times three months of lockdown and saw about five people, again all the firewood and river water I need. One does not have to drive thousands of kilometres to find solitude.
PS. Neither these two not many other isolated locations I have discovered are on Wikicamps and never will be if I have my way.
Absolutely. We've been bush camping in virtually unknown places for decades in tents & then camper trailers before our caravaning days.
Keep an eye out for a track heading into an attractive area of bush land, pull over & walk down the track for a few kms looking for potential sites to camp in.
Make sure you have room to turn around to get out. Sim sala bim! Set up camp & then take a deep breath to enjoy the serenity.
Stay there for a week to really get to know your surroundings.
After you leave serenity central spend one night in a small regional town, enjoy a pub meal, fill up with fuel, gas, water & provisions at the local IGA & then head back out again. Keep the driving to a bare minimum. The perfect lifestyle IMO.
Yea I think these sum up what we do these days. No bouncing along rough unmade roads for hours to get where ?? Just stick to the normal formed roads, gravel is OK, and find a good looking spot. We never use Wicki Camps or the like. No shortage of places once you leave the cities. Carry a bit of water and a battery and solar and go for it. We drive a smalish motor home, probably a full size bus is to big for us on the back roads. We had a truck based MH before but the crap ride sitting over the wheels was too rough even with suspension work. Getting soft
Jaahn
Buzz Lightbulb said
10:30 AM Feb 24, 2022
Wayne o wrote:
...
I know I am grieving and with these losses, I also lost my dream to travel. Well its not quite lost, it just got pushed way out of sight. I connect strongly with the earth and I need it now more than ever.
Up until recently, I had a nice van (no shower or toilet though) and took it only on one short 4 day trip. It didn't inspire me at all to travel in it any further, so I thought perhaps a well set up motorhome could be the answer.
I think I just need more time to grieve and hopefully which direction I want to take will become clearer.
Thanks again for your responses and please forgive me getting off track with this reply.
Happy travels to you all.
Wayne
Have you considered hiring what you think that you want to buy? If you hire, and you find that you still aren't inspired, you don't have to sell your MH/caravan.
Just an option.
Mike Harding said
12:39 PM Feb 24, 2022
Buzz Lightbulb wrote:
Have you considered hiring what you think that you want to buy? If you hire, and you find that you still aren't inspired, you don't have to sell your MH/caravan.
I've never been a fan of the hire before buy philosophy.
To really get a feel for something like a caravan or motorhome one needs to spend weeks or months (or more!) living in it and, of course, changing the setup as we learn and discover things. eg. an outside annex mat makes life more pleasant but you're not going to want to buy one just for this experiment.
Additionally it takes some weeks just to become familiar and at ease with living in a van.
On top of that the hire rate is, what, $2k per week? A three week hire becomes a significant sum.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:00 AM Feb 26, 2022
Why is it you come across great van or motorhome when you dont need one ! Then when you do ? Theres NOTHING out there !! Seen a few older motorhomes or vans that previous owner built it to suit their needs . Including mechanical maintenance !! Often BETTER than
new ? With more modern Diesel engine, interior, elect etc at a great price . The decision I see is the size !! I tend to think a little larger than you initially think ? As your in it pretty much full time . Its ok being in small- sh dwelling for a few days ! Keep in mind you can get a few weeks with miserable overcast days too ! But its all to do with budget etc .
the rocket said
02:18 PM Feb 26, 2022
We have been travelling for 6 years now in a caravan and car. All decked out for off grid. Love it. Do know people who bought motor home only to find they still needed a car to go out and about in. Horses for courses i guess, its your preference. Either way, you will have a great time. The sense of freedom, go where i want, when i want. So glad i got to experience this as its real life living.
Out of desire and financial necessity, I am looking for a Motorhome that will enable me to live
off grid permanently and avoid caravan parks if possible. At the very least, I am looking to have
enough solar panel power generation with 2 or 3 batteries to run my fridge/freezer and lighting etc.
without the need for gas. I am looking to keep my gas solely for cooking. I do have a generator to
run the airconditioner when I need it.
I am aware if I add enough solar panels, batteries and inverter then I can also run the aircon.
In looking through the for sale websites, rarely do I find a s/hand motorhome that is set up well enough
to camp off grid for long periods. Is it me? Why aren't there more motorhomes set up this way? Surely
everyone would want to have that option.
I know you can option up the mhomes to allow you to do this but I am surprised that a lot of them don't come
this way as standard. I just would have thought that the demand would have been there, but so many are being
bought with little attention paid after purchase to enable off grid camping.
It's probably just me. I am new to this style of living but I know I don't want to stay in caravan parks if I can avoid
it.
My post today is not to discuss how many watts of solar power or battery amps I require but feel free to have your
say on this if you want.
Cheers and happy travels to you all.
Wayne.
I would be looking at a bus. Plenty of scope to carry what you need :
Things like generator, plenty of real estate for solar panels, plenty of room for lots of water.
The only downside is the cost of fuel every time you move.
Always wanted to do that but settled for a caravan.
Quite a few unfinished projects on F/B Market place for example.
Larry
Hi Wayne
I have been living in my caravan as a nomad for over three years, almost always bush camping.
If you are going to live, as opposed to holiday, in your vehicle then I *strongly* recommend a caravan over a motorhome for the reason that if (when) a motorhome suffers a mechanical breakdown you become instantly homeless whilst your vehicle is being repaired. With a caravan the RACV et al will tow it to a caravan park and you can sit out the repair time of the vehicle there.
In regard to being independent power wise this is perfectly possible but your setup needs to be tailored to your general location and style of camping. Running an AC from solar is only practical if you're prepared to spend a considerable sum. A small generator is a better option. I use a generator for microwave and AC, everything else is solar.
I wish you the best of luck.
Read this site regularly there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here.
Edit: Corrected the autocorrect!
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 06:27:02 AM
I agree with him on the caravan vs motorhome, but will also add the fact of needing to pack everything if you need to get a bottle of milk and there is no shop nearby. For living on the road I consider space and comfort as the prime requirements.
Properly set up, you don't need to go to the shops more than once a month and when you do, you take the MH to the shop to put the stuff stright into the fridge and freezer.
We can stay off grid and remote for at least a month. How often you have a shower is determined by how much water you carry. We currently carry about 280L.
We curently cook with gas (and use a bit more than 1kg per month). The only other energy input other than than solar is diesel that provides hot water and central heating. Our new build will have no gas and we will cook with solar using an induction cook top. That needs about 300-400Ah of lithium and 1,000W of solar. In sunny conditions, that battery and solar is capable of providing good A/C capability. Emergency power is provided by the alternator. No generator is required and we have no power plug-in capability.
Most people who drive across the Simpson for instance, take about 4-5 days. They can not take longer because they can not carry enough water in addition to the fuel required.
We can take a month, which means we can smell the roses, explore the side tracks and get away from the crowds. We are very privileged.
Cheers,
Peter
While they manage it successfully, it would not work very well for us. If we are camped remotely, there may not be much around to want to visit. But in most cases when we camp for a few days or more, there always seems to be something around that we like to drive to. Maybe it's that bottle of milk, or going to a fishing spot, or simply exploring. We tend to set up base at one site and do day trips to various nearby sites. Unless you have a more specialised MH, some of those destinations may not be feasible.
On the other hand, I often don't feel comfortable leaving the disconnected van while we travel around for the day.
As for the subject of your post, I think you don't see many set up for long term living off the grid for reasoms similar to what I mentioned above, and because that lifestyle only suits a small percentage of people.
Water and food seem to send me into town every two weeks or so.
My MH is small light truck. Great with diesel. It only has a small solar set up. 350w panels and 150 amps lithium batteries. Diesel Heater and hot water. Fridge is a compressor fridge that runs entirely on the 12v. Small @90l. 4kg gas bottle lasts about 3 months and is only used for cooking. I have 12v TV. 12v Fans. Computer and notebook charged via 12v system. No generator necessary. Works well for one person and small dog.
I know Mr Harding is totally against MH's especially for long term living and always cites the example of being homeless if it should break down. Yes, you can be unlucky. However, after 200,000ks I have had no major breakdowns. Anyhow there are always motels, cabins in CP's and even pubs to stay at. You just have to make sure you have the wherewithall to pay for it. Also MH's are not built to go off grid. They generally don't have good ground clearance, and are usually over 3mtrs tall. Too big. Try getting one down a winding river track. Not easy.
If you are living off grid and are a long way from shops (I am usually about 200ks away) you make sure that you don't run out of milk (or anything else) and have to take a trip into town.
I think Motorhome buyers usually want to travel comfortably and stay in Caravan Parks with all the amenities. They don't need all the things that are necessary for living off grid.
Interesting post. We mostly camp off grid with our caravan.
In 2019 we flew to Broome & hired a motor home for 25 days traveling 2,500kms to Darwin.
It was a great unit & my wife did all the driving which was a nice change from me towing our caravan.
It only had one 9kg gas bottle for cooking, one solar panel on the roof & a 12v charging system that charged as we drove along.
It was recommended that we only camp off grid every second night alternating with a night on 240v every two nights.
That's what we did & we had a lovely trip. The double bed that retracted up onto the ceiling at a push of a button was a great feature. The Mercedes Benz motor was economical & powerful.
We loved the motor home so much that we looked into buying one secondhand & selling our current rig.
If it could have a lot more solar & battery storage capacity fitted it would have been perfect.
We're still hesitating about going that way, there are currently a few lowish km units around.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 05:31:57 AM
When I purchased my present van in 2016 it came equipped with a 125 watt solar panel on the roof and a single deep cell battery. Initially I had great plans to become a mobile power station with additional batteries and a roof of solar panels that could maintain a small city. Six years later and I have done nothing to what I started out with. When off grid I run my hot water and fridge off gas, the tv (if I bother to use it) off 12 volt, I cook outside with a butane stove and only use the inside stove if it is pouring rain or blowing a gale. I can charge my mobile phone and run the computer with one of those little coke can inverters and use a Nighthawk modem for the internet that runs off its own rechargeable battery. In relation to water I have two 75 litre tanks on the van and carry two 25 and one 10 litre jerry cans in the tray of the tub. I do not have a diesel heater but rely on a lightweight thermal sleeping bag, opened up and used as a doona on chilly nights. On hot days I fire up the 12 volt fan and open up the windows and hatch.
On a couple of occasions after days of overcast and wet weather the battery was running low so I hooked up the anderson plug on the van to the tug and let the engine idle for about 15-20 minutes. I recall one night that was so hot and humid that I simply reclined my outside chair and did a bit of zedding under the awning.
I am no expert but I think an additional battery and more solar in my set up, given that it is 18 foot and single axle, would mean I would have to ditch a lot of the things I have inside the van to comply with weight restrictions. I think if power becomes an issue I will look at one of those solar blankets or the lightweight portable panels. Up until now there hasn't been any need. In my view, for what it is worth, I think the most pressing issue is access to water.
If you get a van, insulate it. Acoustic foam insulation is great thermal insulation.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65443581/car-acoustic-insulation/
Thank you so much to everyone for your responses.
Some great suggestions and recommendations, with everyone touching on certain areas of
concern that I have.
Just a little window into my personal life at the moment. Twelve months ago, I had a minor stroke
(all good now), ended up in hospital for a very short time but unfortunately lost my home, my wife
and my son on the same day due to my own fault.
I know I am grieving and with these losses, I also lost my dream to travel. Well its not quite lost, it
just got pushed way out of sight. I connect strongly with the earth and I need it now more than ever.
Up until recently, I had a nice van (no shower or toilet though) and took it only on one short 4 day trip.
It didn't inspire me at all to travel in it any further, so I thought perhaps a well set up motorhome could
be the answer.
I think I just need more time to grieve and hopefully which direction I want to take will become clearer.
Thanks again for your responses and please forgive me getting off track with this reply.
Happy travels to you all.
Wayne
Don't mess about spending lots of time trying to find the perfect answer.
Vehicles do not have to be "forever" (says he who hasn't changed for 19 years), and it is unlikely that your first choice will be exactly what you need (we made it in 2, but more is likely).
After some year or so on the road you will discover more about what style of travel suits you best and more about the vehicle that will suit that style. At that point, you can modify what you have, a bit at a time, or start again.
Cheers,
Peter
A solo person is in the best position to get a bare commercial van and fit it out with sufficient equipment and facilities for a very small capital outlay. When my tired knees suggested it, I put my bushwalking backpack in the back of a T5 4 Motion Volkswagen, left the hike tent in the shed, added my Engel fridge, and was ready to be able to survive off grid for up to 3 weeks, at that point. Add solar, LiFePo4, inverter, computer, iPad, iPhone and Porta Pottie and I have the capability to be off-grid for a long long time. The 4WD of the van capability helps me ensure Free Camping is normal behaviour. I have done up to 4 months on the road and only stayed in a CP once, for one night.
What do you do for washing clothes? Just hand wash, or local laundromat? We usually just stay in a CP after about 6 days.
This motorhome vs caravan discussion arises reasonably often. Thought I'd put my tuppence worth in this time.
Our first travel rig was a small bus based motorhome. Apart from short trips, we had a longer 18 month trip in it. We quickly got used to the travel style this imposed. ie. if we needed to re-stock we would do so before finding somewhere to camp (rarely in caravan parks). It never seemed like a problem. When we had a major breakdown we stayed in a cabin, with hire cars/taxis & accomodation paid for by our RACV cover.
Our second & current travel rig is a 4wd & off road camper. We have been travelling in it since 2017, with a bit of house sitting/caretaking along the way. Occasionally we have left the van set up & used the car to go out & about for the day, but really this has not occurred very often because I think we 'learned' to travel in a motorhome first & tend to continue what worked for us first time around.
What having a setup which allows us to go bush, to get off the beaten track, & to access the multitude of camping opportunities not available to folk restricted by their choice of vehicle means for us, is basically the same as the reason we still choose to travel. It is about finding beautiful spots which are not overrun by others & most importantly being able to wake up in those sort of places. This is the significant difference to those who advocate 'base camping' & using the car to go out & explore. It really does depend on what is wanted. For us it is about the experience of being in those places. Very different to visiting, looking at & leaving. It, in my mind anyway, is the difference between being a traveller & a tourist. We commonly go for 4 to 6 weeks between resupplying, & have rarely viewed any town as a destination.
For anyone who is aspiring to live an independent, off grid lifestyle, with the greatest number of camping possibilities, & the option of remaining in places they love for longer periods then in my view a vehicle suited to getting well off the beaten track, with the capacity to carry supplies to last for as long as possible is what is needed. Essentially two options. An off road motorhome, or an off road vehicle & small towed accommodation. Some may argue the relevance of larger off road caravans here, but it becomes about size vs access.
There are compromises with everything. Our Patrol & Tvan have suited the two of us for a few years, but we still think we will return to a motorhome someday, but if we do it will need to be one capable of doing what we do now. Waking in wonderful places rather than day visiting wonderful places.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 02:22:06 PM
We carry a small washing machine. Before that we washed by hand. The volume of cloths needing washing can be kept quite small. Again, the volume of water that can be carried can be important.
A converted bus is very low on my list of desirable vehicles. Despite that, there are a lot about (and many unfinished projects too).
Converting them is a pain. Nothing is square, windows and doors are in the wrong place and are the wrong type. The floor may not be flat, the roof may be too low. The insulation is usually poor. Our OKA was a 13 seater bus when we bought it. I took the bus body off and build something that was more appropriate and more livable. Building the " box" is the easy part of a motorhome build.
Then, when it is converted, few of them are capable of getting far off the bitumen.
Cheers,
Peter
Question to me? My washing machine is a 25 Litre dry bag with a dozen plastic practice golf balls in it. Bit of wool wash for really dirty stuff and rinse in white vinegar and Bi Carb soda. I started with my bushwalking clothes, all quick dry material. Wash jocks and socks every day, at least. I often bucket shower and save that water for the first part of my washing cycle, as long as Im not washing huge amounts of mud off me.
I use the T5 when tripping solo. My off road van has a bit more stuff in it to keep my partner happy.
I totally agree. (Got to be a first Peter :) )
It is only after you start doing this that you learn what is important for *your* style of bush living and it's impossible to anticipate that from the comfort of your armchair in Sydney/Melbourne etc.
Buy something which is resalable then get out there and learn... we'll hold your hand :)
They're not in any camps book, internet site or Wikicamps.
That's where you'll find us, by ourselves surrounded by nature.
No happy hour sessions, no listening to other peoples life stories & no out of tune country music singers
You don't need a so called "off road" caravan to reach them either.
Indeed.
Last week I arrived back in this beautiful spot in State Forest in Victoria where, last year, I spent three months and had but one visitor except for the echidnas, kangaroos, goannas and birds. I brought my Snowy River SR-19 in here slowly in low range and have all the isolation, dam water, firewood and comfort I need.
About 300km north I have another delightful camp on the Murray River where I spent two times three months of lockdown and saw about five people, again all the firewood and river water I need.
One does not have to drive thousands of kilometres to find solitude.
Edit:
PS. Neither these two not many other isolated locations I have discovered are on Wikicamps and never will be if I have my way.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 06:31:22 PM
Absolutely.
We've been bush camping in virtually unknown places for decades in tents & then camper trailers before our caravaning days.
Keep an eye out for a track heading into an attractive area of bush land, pull over & walk down the track for a few kms looking for potential sites to camp in.
Make sure you have room to turn around to get out.
Sim sala bim! Set up camp & then take a deep breath to enjoy the serenity.
Stay there for a week to really get to know your surroundings.
After you leave serenity central spend one night in a small regional town, enjoy a pub meal, fill up with fuel, gas, water & provisions at the local IGA & then head back out again.
Keep the driving to a bare minimum. The perfect lifestyle IMO.
Who needs ''off road capability''?
-- Edited by 86GTS on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 08:12:19 PM
Have you considered hiring what you think that you want to buy? If you hire, and you find that you still aren't inspired, you don't have to sell your MH/caravan.
Just an option.
I've never been a fan of the hire before buy philosophy.
To really get a feel for something like a caravan or motorhome one needs to spend weeks or months (or more!) living in it and, of course, changing the setup as we learn and discover things. eg. an outside annex mat makes life more pleasant but you're not going to want to buy one just for this experiment.
Additionally it takes some weeks just to become familiar and at ease with living in a van.
On top of that the hire rate is, what, $2k per week? A three week hire becomes a significant sum.
new ? With more modern Diesel engine, interior, elect etc at a great price . The decision I see is the size !! I tend to think a little larger than you initially think ? As your in it pretty much full time . Its ok being in small- sh dwelling for a few days ! Keep in mind you can get a few weeks with miserable overcast days too ! But its all to do with budget etc .
We have been travelling for 6 years now in a caravan and car. All decked out for off grid. Love it. Do know people who bought motor home only to find they still needed a car to go out and about in. Horses for courses i guess, its your preference. Either way, you will have a great time. The sense of freedom, go where i want, when i want. So glad i got to experience this as its real life living.