Whether travelling for summer or looking to make a lifestyle change, here are our top tips for staying in a motorhome…
If you are looking for a simpler life, one of the best ways can be to invest in a motorhome where you can take part in some old-fashioned fun without being dependant on modern amenities. Taking you back to basics, learning to live off-grid can ensure you’re able to enjoy your motorhome no matter where you are in the world. What’s more, it can actually help you to appreciate things a little more once you’re back ‘on-grid’! Whether you’re planning to live in your motorhome for a long period of time, or just for a summer of travelling, living off-grid can be an exhilarating experience.
However, there are a lot of things to consider if you want to do it properly. So, here is a guide to living off-grid to get you started!
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Finding the right motorhome
First of all, you need to make sure you have the perfect motorhome to suit your needs. After all, if you’re not comfortable and settled in your home-away-from-home, then it’s just not worth it. There are so many well-established motorhome manufacturers, including the likes of Hymer and Auto Trail, so make sure you do your homework.
It’s important to consider the layout of your motorhome, making sure it is right for your living situation. Remember that size isn’t everything; sometimes the smaller motorhomes are much more manageable, especially if there are only two of you. Making sure you have everything in the right place is a great start to living off-grid comfortably.
Make a list of your must-haves, and the things you could manage without. This can ensure you’re being sensible when choosing your motorhome.
Meeting your power needs
One of the most important aspects of living off-grid is making sure you have some sort of power source. A generator is often a popular choice, while many motorhome owners will have two leisure batteries, alongside a third which runs the engine. These batteries can be charged by using solar power. Solar panels can be mounted on the roof of your motorhome to provide a power source to live off. You may also want portable solar panels for an extra option.
LED lighting is a very efficient way of keeping your motorhome lit. More efficient, this is a great way to reduce your power consumption.
You can also look into powering your motorhome using gas. Water and air heaters, fridges and cookers can all be powered by gas which can make life easier if you’re not hooked up.
Water
Water and waste disposal is an important part of living in a motorhome, and has to be done properly! ‘Black’ water, or anything that comes from the toilet, should be emptied properly when the tank is full; check before you put it back. You may want to consider using toilet facilities where you can find them, or even going outside when the opportunity presents itself. This can save you from emptying the tank quite so often.
Some motorhomes will have two water tanks; one used for fresh water and another for ‘grey’ water, which is water you’ve used for washing the dishes or showering.
So, if you’re hoping to live off-grid in your motorhome, it’s important to do your research and understand just what you need to do in order to live comfortably!
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