Greetings!
I think the biggest mistake people make is wanting or thinking that they have an apartment on wheels. Well… No we don’t… It’s much more like camping without hookups. We must create our own power, carry our own water, deal with our own waste water and sewage, provide our own climate control, and the list goes on and on.
What we really have is a metal tent on wheels, and if we start with that realization, we’ll have a much better time.
For power, it’s much easier to conserve power usage than to create more of it. Solar and batteries only go so far, before we need additional charging options. Charging via an isolator while driving is the cheapest option, better & faster solar, but only works while driving. Solar only works part time at best, never at night when you need it most, and only when the weather is being agreeable. Remember, batteries only store power, they don’t generate it, and they must be recharged regularly.
While shore power is always a viable option, but it isn’t always handy, and we can’t take it with us, unless we opt for a generator. Generators are good… Generators are GREAT, and many of us feel that no set up is complete without one. BUT… They require fuel, maintenance, and they can be noisy, and possibly annoy others.
No power option is perfect for us. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. So that’s another good reason to minimize our power consumption.
I’m not running roof top solar, instead I chose to stick with the top 3 choices, alternator, generator, or shore power. I rarely have shore power, but it’s still a good option to have, and it really doesn’t cost anything extra. I need my extension cord for my generator anyway… Charging while driving supplies almost all of my power, and my generator takes up any slack.
I grew up off the grid, with no power, and we camped with no power. Everything was fuel powered, heating, cooking, lighting, hot water, refrigeration, etc. We had everything we needed without power. Even our washing machine had a gas engine. Well… Times have changed, A LITTLE. Today I need power for my phone, and for my laptop to make money. That’s it! Nothing else essential requires power. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy many luxuries that require power, but the bottom line is that I can live well without power.
I think that’s important, even if it’s just your backup plan. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. We’re camping, and power or not, we’ll enjoy ourselves, and stay as long as we like. That’s my wish for everyone reading this.
Cheers!
"Be the reason someone smiles today!" ~ Van_Dweller
