Love for camping, and going off the grid...

[caseydog]

I'm thinking there is a connection, but I have been an avid camper since I was a young boy. I also am very drawn to the notion of having a home that is "off the grid."

Maybe the "self-sufficient" aspect of camping is related to the desire to have a home that is self-sufficient, too. Maybe it is the simplicity of a small, energy efficient home that I don't have to spend a lot of time fiddling with.

That's my theory, anyway.

Since this forum is full of camping enthusiasts who don't care much for big motorhomes and fifth-wheelers, I'd like to hear if anyone shares my dream of being "off the grid."

CD

[goramsey]

Oh yea! I have been planning that for quite awhile. I am getting my ducks in a row here. Getting much closer. Doing my research. I still want to be connected. That is cell phone, laptop, or laptop and Magic Jack. Trying to figure that out. Where I live in So. Utah there are so many places to hang out for free. Great website http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/index.html. They have a lot of info about off the grid lifestyle.

[Oasis Maker]

YOU HAVE NAILED IT CD ... VERBATUM ... WORD FOR WORD... WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPRESSING TO PEOPLE FOR YEARS NOW.

It is this exact sequence of events that has opened one door of discovery to the next for me and it all started with tent camping.

1) Tent camping led to teardrop trailers.

2 )Teardrop trailers then got me back in to cycling because I hitch my bike on the back of it for day tour ventures in my travels. Now, I have committed to commuting to work by bike and ride just about everywhere else at home. I have a utility bike and commuter bike.

3) The smallness and efficiency of a teardrop raised my consciousness about the smart usage of space and got me seriously craving and dreaming of the tiny house movement.

4) And because my teardrop experience is without electricity and off the grid, I want my tiny house to be completely off the grid.

Yes, these are the things that float my boat. It's the total package and lifestyle, and there is a common thread for me in all of it.

Scott G.

[Shadow Catcher]

This was one of my goals, and what I have planned for. Solar power and generator when cloudy or in shade, LED, water pump and filters to take out nasties including giradia etc.

[D.J.]

I thought that my days of camping "off the grid" were over when I was issued my CPAP machine . I had to be connected to the grid at all times . This problem is now one of the past . Not only are a great deal of the CPAP machines available with 12V DC power adapter plugs but there are also machines with battery packs weighing only 1.5 lbs , that can easily fit in a backpack . ...... D.J.

Informative Article .
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=146

[hiker chick]

I value independence and freedom (which go hand-in-hand).

Off-the-grid capability = independence and freedom.

Teardropping is freedom from needing a huge campsite, freedom to navigate narrow, curvy backroads, freedom from needing a huge gas-guzzling engine.

Camping is freedom from the city congestion, traffic, noise, pollution. Camping for me is freedom from the phone, e-mail and other incessant demands on attention and time.

Camping is freedom to read a good book, uninterrupted (except from teardrop gawkers).

Fun thread!

[Corwin C]

Not so many years ago, it was my belief that if you could drive to it, you weren't camping (we did a lot of pack horse camping). My shelter consisted of a 14'x6' canvas tarp folded into an envelope and pegged to the ground with a sleeping bag (and if I was lucky a foam pad) inside. Cooking was all done in a 12" DO over a fire, I drank water from the mountain springs, and sanitation consisted of a folding military shovel and a roll of TP. Today, I welcome the comforts that are possible when your stuff is carried either in the SUV or the trailer. (oh man, look at all the stuff)

I have stayed at campgrounds, and plugged the trailer in, however, I struggle with the concept of all those strangers (that won't come out and say hello) just a few feet away. I guess boondocking is in my blood. For me, luxurious is a remote corner of an off-season state park and don't bother to hookup. As long as there was a dry, warm, comfortable place to sleep, anything else could stop working and it wouldn't be a deal-breaker for a good camping experience.

I'm looking forward to getting my tear built and trying a camping trip with the people on this forum. You're not strangers anymore if you sit around a campfire for a couple of hours before hitting the sack. Even possibly hosting a trip for those of you who don't mind being without hookups. I'll tell you what, there's nothing like looking at the stars on a moon-less night from 10,000 ft elevation without an electric light for miles and miles. It's an experience that is becoming more and more rare and less and less appreciated.

[High Desert]

I can't say it better than all of you have already said it. So in one word- YES

[Eunice]

Kenny and I just watched a program about a recycled village in New Mexico. the houses were built with old tires and dirt or bottles. Everything was recycled. They have solar and even their own sewage treatment. It looked very interesting.

I would like to be in the country with a simple life. BUT I do enjoy going to town so I guess I dont want to be too far away. Kenny and I have driven through several little towns that we thought would be very nice so I guess bottom line is NO not off the grid but much simpler than what we do now.

[dreadcptflint]

I'm a big fan of self reliance and have been slowly working my way for quite a while. A magazine that will assist you with information is Home Power Magazine. http://homepower.com/home/ A great bunch of guys with a whole lot of information.

I got my CPAP machine three years ago which lead to a teardrop trailer and this year, I will be installing my solar panel on it.

I hope to be able to take our household off the grid with in ten years.

[Larwyn]

Seems to me that finding alternatives to using electricity would be a more effective strategy toward living off the grid than spending my time and money on private production of electricity.

Lighting, heating, and cooking can all be done relatively easily without electricity. There are many forms of entertainment that require no electricity. If you happen to require medical equipment that uses electricity, it might be wise to retain connectivity with the grid, as no electrical generation system is 100% reliable, home generation systems even less so than those supplying the grid.

If electrical production sounds like an exciting hobby to you, go for it, personally I do not see it as a necessary or appealing way to spend my time. A candle or lantern and a box of matches are much easier to obtain and maintain than a bunch of led's, batteries, solar cells, wind generators..........etc. I even find the candle light to be a bit more agreeable to my eyes than led light.

I have no plans of voluntarily leaving the grid, but I have no doubt that I could get by just fine without it.

Just another view on the matter, I make no attempt to change your own.

[packerz4]

my cabin is off the grid. i love being there. i have 12v battery for a little light in a pinch. however i usually use my oil lamps and candles for light. i have propane and wood heat. and a generator if i really want to watch tv, need to vacuum, or need to charge the battery that runs the lights.

when i graduated from college i lived there for a year! loved it. unfortunately my better half merely tolerates a weekend there now and then. i can definately full-time there though. so i often take a week and go there by myself.

no bath, just a path. and that'd ok with me. warm water on the stove and take a shower outside. works for me!

tam

[Miriam C.]

Did that a couple of times for cheap rent...... I could never figure why I would spend so much for oil, candles and such when elec. was so cheap (way back then). The house didn't have any as it was deep in home brew territory.....LOL still can't believe I did that but the fireplace was so nice. Had to fix the pump. OMG that water was so good. Oh yeah and it was a new house.

If I could, I would love a cabin on a lake somewhere. I can go to sleep at dark and wake with the sun..........Not into the struggle but could use some peace and quiet!

[caseydog]

I guess my version of "off the grid" does not mean I want to "rough it" on a daily basis. For me, it means living in the modern world, with air-conditioning and computers, but not passing thousands of dollars a year over to big companies to live decently.

My first goal is to build an ultra-efficient house -- which would probably be less than 1,000 square feet. I live in 1,620 now, and could easily live comfortably in 600 feet less house. So, step one -- consume less.

Then, I'd like to gradually move over to self sufficiency on power. How I'd do it would probably depend on where I do it. In North Texas, both wind and solar are viable sources. If I move back the the Northeast, I'm not sure what works best up there.

CD

[Dixie Flyer]

Hey Scott G........your tiny house........

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/