Anyone RV'ing?

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10-17-20, 11:31
Whalstib

Anyone RV'ing?

Howdy,

I've always had prepping on my mind but tended to buy the "toys" instead of the "goods" I'd stock up ammo and not food or silver/gold etc....

That changed last year I went full time RV with a travel trailer and have been outfitting it for boon docking which is pure prepping. I fear as a solo it would be way too much of a target and only useful for quick early get away unless I found more like minded and heeled folks.

It seems the opposite of stocking a secure location to fall back to but for minor out breaks of insanity I think it works great! I have solar power that will run most low voltage indefinitely. Generator for higher power tasks. 38+ gallons of water. Tow vehicle, Tundra 4x4, has 500 mile range towing. Come first week of Nov. you can count on me be in the desert!

While I'm sure I'd be a sitting duck in many environments it still gives the the super fast bug out when ever I get the sniff of trouble. I can hitch up and split in 30 minutes or less if need be.

They are certainly targets though. I read of a couples "adventure" after Hurricane Katrina I believe where they were able to evacuate in style and safety. They got momentarily stuck at a FEMA camp (don't ask me how!) and soon became a target. "let us use your restroom; give us water; why should you have.....etc..." Folks started to get hostile just because they were prepared. All within the confines of a gov't facility!

I think an RV of some sort is essential! Especially in harsh climates at the wrong time of year. Again, great for minor temporary out breaks but usefulness may decline unless you can get to a secure location with others...

Anyone else prepping with an RV in mind and have some strategies to share?

Thanks!
10-17-20, 11:45
Diamondback

I've been toying with the idea of a liveaboard Class C for a while myself... have utility hookups and a shed at "base camp" but fire/mudflow evac is as simple as "disconnect umbilicals, start engine and roll out with the whole house."

Building codes generally frown on it though...
10-18-20, 10:32
Whalstib

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diamondback

I've been toying with the idea of a liveaboard Class C for a while myself... have utility hookups and a shed at "base camp" but fire/mudflow evac is as simple as "disconnect umbilicals, start engine and roll out with the whole house."

Building codes generally frown on it though...

Most codes have easy work around except a proper septic system that would make life much nicer.

Before I got a 25' trailer (Airstream Flying Cloud) I was serious about a rugged off road "tear drop" trailer. There's some badass ones that can go almost anywhere a 4x4 can and haul LOTS of survival gear! They got for $10K to $20K++ but would be fantastic tools! Easy to store and prep.

BTW mentioning my Airstream. Perhaps you've not seen many RV crashes but the box type usually explode to total loss. Airstream while sustaining damage and probably an insurance total loss usually hold their shape and could be righted and towed albeit it in a less luxurious fashion. Still be a shelter and tanks and some appliance may survive....They have aluminum ribs that are arc over the entire body plus aluminum in and out holding shape.

Oh yea... I've read some mention that they are also Faraday Cages but I have not determined that for sure.
10-27-20, 18:15
blade_68

Well I've been a full timer in my Scamp T.T. for just short of 10 years. Sold the house down sized, now building back up somewhat. Bought a acre of land with septic system, installed power and water. Two "portable building's" at edge of National Forest. Travelling light sounds great and is if your group is of like mind and large enough (security). I've got some good and bad people around here, but for most part they'll stick together, I'm not quite a "outsider" after being here for a few years now. Evac from where I live wouldn't be worth it unless the country is in a ground war. Then all bets are off. Good base of farms and live stock and they will be needing security experienced people. Knowing that I'm not a spring chicken anymore. Now when I fully retire I might be more mobile with Jeep n R.V. but keep my base here or in TX, KY?
10-28-20, 09:42
Lowdown3

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade_68

Well I've been a full timer in my Scamp T.T. for just short of 10 years. Sold the house down sized, now building back up somewhat. Bought a acre of land with septic system, installed power and water. Two "portable building's" at edge of National Forest. Travelling light sounds great and is if your group is of like mind and large enough (security). I've got some good and bad people around here, but for most part they'll stick together, I'm not quite a "outsider" after being here for a few years now. Evac from where I live wouldn't be worth it unless the country is in a ground war. Then all bets are off. Good base of farms and live stock and they will be needing security experienced people. Knowing that I'm not a spring chicken anymore. Now when I fully retire I might be more mobile with Jeep n R.V. but keep my base here or in TX, KY?

This would be the way to do it if you were going to RV- have at least one place that is YOURS as a primary location. This way you could stock more of what you need and have the necessary infrastructure.
10-28-20, 10:16
cdb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowdown3

This would be the way to do it if you were going to RV- have at least one place that is YOURS as a primary location. This way you could stock more of what you need and have the necessary infrastructure.

This is more or less how we operate. We full-time RV all over the country with our three kids, but have farm land with basic utilities and a little bit of storage and living space. Wherever we go we're never more than four day's drive from our land and full stock of supplies.

If things start looking questionable out there we start heading in the right direction; if things start looking dire we can drop the hammer and be safe in short order.
10-28-20, 14:05
glocktogo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whalstib

Most codes have easy work around except a proper septic system that would make life much nicer.

Before I got a 25' trailer (Airstream Flying Cloud) I was serious about a rugged off road "tear drop" trailer. There's some badass ones that can go almost anywhere a 4x4 can and haul LOTS of survival gear! They got for $10K to $20K++ but would be fantastic tools! Easy to store and prep.

BTW mentioning my Airstream. Perhaps you've not seen many RV crashes but the box type usually explode to total loss. Airstream while sustaining damage and probably an insurance total loss usually hold their shape and could be righted and towed albeit it in a less luxurious fashion. Still be a shelter and tanks and some appliance may survive....They have aluminum ribs that are arc over the entire body plus aluminum in and out holding shape.

Oh yea... I've read some mention that they are also Faraday Cages but I have not determined that for sure.

If I were seriously considering a mobile evac system, I think this along with a prepped 4Runner or Wrangler Unlimited would be my go-to. The nice thing is it could be utilized for "trial runs" by remote camping some back country most RV'ers will never see, and the tow vehicle would be more useable day to day than a motor home unless you lived in it full time.

Search "Off Road RV trailer" and see all the examples. They run from mild to wild:

https://www.carbibles.com/wp-content...d-trailers.jpg

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LZR2lVZORks/maxresdefault.jpg
10-29-20, 20:15
taliv

2 Attachment(s)

I went down this path Several years ago. I imported an imagine trailvan from South Africa. Very compact behind the truck but has 2 double beds and hot shower and full kitchen with a 90L fridge and freezer. 400+ watts of solar and plenty of battery. Etc etc. very offroad capable. it's definitely cramped on the inside but if desired, a 15' x 15' tent attaches to the trailer (shown below) which adds a ton of livable space.

I’m in a similar boat now after selling my house and buying acreage in the mountains.

i can hook the trailer up and be on the road easily in under 5 minutes. and if i want to stop and set it up, it's about 5 min. packing it all up and getting back on the road is more like 20-30 min usually. if i want to put the big tent up, that's close to 45 min so not something i do unless i want to be somewhere for several days
https://www.m4carbine.net/attachment...1&d=1604020087
https://www.m4carbine.net/attachment...1&d=1604020177

this site sucks for hosting pictures, so you can see a ton i posted here: https://www.overlandbound.com/forums...leaning.30901/

Attachment 64186 Attachment 64185
12-15-20, 10:13
coal-cracker

We have a LivinLite Quicksilver 8.1 (tent trailer) with Offroad Package.
I wouldnt try to tackle the Rubicon Trail with it, but it is good for most light offroad/offgrid situations.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a6e157421e.jpg

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
12-16-20, 05:38
blade_68

Sorry about not getting back on this work n other stuff. That's part of reason I finally bought a small spot of land, I lucked out on it having a septic system already just needing serviced. Now I'm wanting to build a shop or building on the land too, I'm getting to old to lay on ground in rain working on vehicles. I've been pushing off on doing much, waiting to see what happens especially with this year's crap. I might look for another few acres of land in another state or two to buy as a "vacation camping sites" after being "full time" in a RV for 10 years. You do want a place to have more storage and secure storage not just a storage unit after some time. Short term problems a RV can work but major or long term not a good choice, you (and family) need to be in group to survive the latter ones. A few Ret. RVing friends of mine have bought 50 + acres started a small farm and building relationships with the community their in.
12-16-20, 09:27
Whalstib

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade_68

Sorry about not getting back on this work n other stuff. That's part of reason I finally bought a small spot of land, I lucked out on it having a septic system already just needing serviced. Now I'm wanting to build a shop or building on the land too, I'm getting to old to lay on ground in rain working on vehicles. I've been pushing off on doing much, waiting to see what happens especially with this year's crap. I might look for another few acres of land in another state or two to buy as a "vacation camping sites" after being "full time" in a RV for 10 years. You do want a place to have more storage and secure storage not just a storage unit after some time. Short term problems a RV can work but major or long term not a good choice, you (and family) need to be in group to survive the latter ones. A few Ret. RVing friends of mine have bought 50 + acres started a small farm and building relationships with the community their in.

I need to start working on acquiring land...not entirely sure where I want to be although "want" wont be as big a concern as location.

I'm single and self employed and have moved too much. Those close to me have little interest in prepping, which is fine. I've gained ground on encouraging RV'ing during Covid as they are getting bored at home! I think RV'ing encourages prepping so a step in the right direction.

But being solo is risky. I can easily weather short term events and with some luck a little longer. Being nomadic it's difficult to find community to build with. I've only been at this for a year over a 2 year span so still working out the kinks in my own rig and approach.

On the bright side my rig is new and in great shape! (2019 Airstream and 2019 Tundra). Though 60 years old I'm experiencing no health issues a few ibuprofen doesn't solve. Very mechanically inclined and have a lot of building skills in my resume so I'm set up well. I think I need to solve the above issues sooner than later though.....

I feel MUCH more confident in my chances having an RV!

W
05-17-23, 10:46
Gregory234

I like camping and I'm going to buy an RV next month. I've already addressed mhsrv via this source and found out the details (I chose this company as it is well-known and one of the biggest RV and motorhome dealers). I hope to go on a trip this summer. My wife and kids are also excited.