Living off Grid

March 26 - We were sitting around camp talking about the organization it takes to live off-grid. It took us about a year to get setup for traveling. 

We started with transportation - The Jeep. We added a winch, compressor, ham radio, trailer brake controller, extra fuel cans…

Next we took an off road driving class and a recovery class (how to recover your stuck vehicle.) While a class does not make up for experience, it’s a good place to start.

That’s my Guy Driving, with one Wheel off the Ground!

Notice that while there are only three wheels on the ground, it’s also not our jeep. Our neighbor back in CT teaches “overlanding” classes so it was an easy decision to take a couple of classes.

Then we started researching how to handle bills and mail. Bills are easy - use auto pay. Our mail goes to a virtual mailbox. We get notified of what arrives. If we need to see something, it gets scanned and emailed to us. 

We learned how to build a website. Ok, we’re still learning.

We got a Starlink satellite dish so we can connect to the web from just about anywhere. 

Star-Link

Cases for transporting all our electronics are essential. That includes cameras, computers, and the Star-link. We have backpacks for most of our camera gear so we can carry what we need on the trail. For other items we use Pelican cases.

Jerrycan, Star-link’s case, and Skottle (camp “wok/grill”) in front of the trailer

The trailer gives us a place to stay that can go anywhere the Jeep can go. In addition to a place to sleep, it has hot and cold running water, a refrigerator/freezer, and a power system. It even has a sofa and table.

While we can charge batteries from the trailer we have to charge the trailer battery. We have a solar panel for that when we are staying in camp. When we are on the road, we can charge the battery from the Jeep. Both methods keep the trailer battery fully charged, daily even if we don’t move for days.

Our Solar Panel

Then you have to make sure you have the correct cables to connect all the electronics to the power. With all our gear that can get complicated. Thank you to our cable source, Amazon. 

RedArc Power Management System Charging Devices

We had quick drying clothes, sleeping bags, camp cookware and an emergency beacon from backpacking.

After that it was just a matter of collecting odd and ends like tables, and chairs, a jerrycan for extra water (shown earlier), and a fire pit etc. We have two sets of chairs. One set is comfortable the other is quick to set up - Sometimes its hard to decide what to take and it’s nice to be able to have extra stuff.

Table with Camp Stove and Ignik Firecan and Hiking Chairs

We keep finding things we need and things we aren’t using.

The time and effort we put in up front is now paying off in comfort on the trail.

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