I am hoping to get a campervan and try the off grid life as much as possible while travelling around the UK.
I am new to the whole idea and my only idea of a van is one I've seen while out at work which I think is a VW T25, which has similar round lights and dials to the old Golf Gti's.
So I am here to ask whether that is a good van to buy and also for any general advice on what I plan to do, are there any books or magazines worth buying to help me learn about this kind of basic lifestyle on the road?
If it were me I'd consider something bigger than a vw if I were living in it. VWs are expensive for what they are too. Transits rot so avoid those, how about a peugeot boxer panel van conversion?
VWs are great in the summer in good weather but if you want to carry on slightly out of season then you need something you can properly live and cook in. They are best looking campers just not IMO the most practical for everyday living.
Whichever van you end up buying, for off grid living, you will need good advice on Solar power, LED lighting,Batteries and Inverters, all of which are our speciality.
I am at your service for any free advice you may need, just ask.
------------- Make the most of the POWER of leisure.
Quote: Originally posted by Leisurepower on 29/7/2014
Whichever van you end up buying, for off grid living, you will need good advice on Solar power, LED lighting,Batteries and Inverters, all of which are our speciality.
I am at your service for any free advice you may need, just ask.
When we did it last thing we needed was electric, we didn't even have a battery in that van, simpler the life the better when off gridding IMO
I would certainly suggest decent leisure battery(s) with a good charging set up and obviously decent 12v distribution. Also as suggested decent LED lighting. I think for true off gridding, solar panels are a must. If there is free advice on offer from an expert, I see no reason not to take it.
If it were me I'd want the biggest gas bottle I could get and maybe an Easicool cool box or similar to negate the need for a fridge. I would also suggest a propex heater, again fitted or maintained with professional advice to get the very best from it.
Also maybe a couple of good quality wind up lanterns.
Also, good advice here - charge laptops, tablets and mobile from from the vehicle when driving about. It will negate the need to charge them from the leisure battery when you're parked up. I do this when I'm not on ehu with the folding camper. I them only use the leisure battery for simple 12v strip lighting and running the 12v shower for 5 mins per day.
Small chemical loos can be emptied discreetly in to an ordinary public toilet (not urinal.....) with absolutely no problems but ensure you do not make a mess and that everything flushes away properly. Leave the public loo as you would wish to find it.
Fresh water need not be an issue as supermarkets sell 2 litre bottles of still water for about 20p.
Depending on the sort on camper you intend to buy, showering may be an issue, but all large motorway services have shower facilities in them, often free, or consider a simple 12v shower (10 litre of warm water adequate for a quick shower) and a shower curtain strategically placed around the doors of the camper. Shower in a pair of shorts if there is any chance you will be seen and and no one can be offended!
I am intending to buy a small motorhome/camper shortly and these are the things that I have considered. I intend to wild camp including using lorry parks, beach car parks and country parks if there are no restrictions in them. My idea is to tramp about the country when time allows, for a week or two at a time. I think that with the provisions I have suggested, it is easily possible to be off grid for this amount of time regularly.
Hope this helps!
------------- Just call me Panda!
These broken wings are gonna leave me here to stand my ground......
Whatever van you eventually go for, if you are intending to "full time" in it, make sure you can stand up straight in it - speaking from bitter experience
As has already been said T25 not the best for full timing off grid, those small spaces get even smaller after a while. The other thing you will need to think about is vehicle insurance, it can be near impossible to get without a residential address to use as your own.I use several forums that have good sections for full timers and they are well worth a look.
www.motorhome 365.com
www.wildcamping.co.uk
freemotorhominguk.boards.net
and www.ukhippy.com
I'm on all of those forums with the username Full Timer and have been full timing since 2006
------------- here today , where tomorrow?
yet another full timer,
How about a used horse box a lot come with all mod cons for stable lads/girls or show jumpers. you could even convert horse box/s into luxury lounge when got rid of horsey smell. while seeing the world a leisure while travelling project. true rainbow conversion.
horse boxes are expensive . you some how have to pay a premium for them . plus the living areas arent that good usually . the horses area is nicer . ha ha .
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Off grid living in campervan
