Planning to go wild tenting with a motorhome or campervan? Nervous about what equipment you want? Listed here are the necessities I exploit when off-grid tenting with my motorhome (and the stuff I don’t!)
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome wild tenting guidelines beneath.
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Wild Tenting for Motorhomes, RVs or campervans
One of many issues I really like most about wild tenting with a motorhome or camper is how easy it’s.
I do know it in all probability doesn’t really feel it if you happen to’re new to the concept, however significantly, I took a model new motorhome and headed off into the wilds of Wales- with completely no preparation (and little or no extra equipment).
Nonetheless, there are some things you’ll want to verify earlier than you are taking your van off-grid, and there are a few motorhome necessities I extremely advocate you get.
Motorhome wild camping- our expertise
Wild tenting is my favorite method to keep in a single day in my motorhome- particularly after I might be in the course of nowhere- like when taking the motorhome up into the Alps.
I’ve made many (many!) errors after I’ve been wild camping- I forgot fuel while I used to be wild tenting with the motorhome in France, misplaced all of the recent water in Germany and I’ve run out of energy. You identify it, I’ve in all probability executed it! However it hasn’t put me off- studying is a part of the enjoyable!
Nonetheless, to make your life simpler and cross alongside my data, I’ve put collectively an inventory of essentially the most ESSENTIAL gadgets you want in your camper if you happen to’re considering of untamed tenting… and the issues which you in all probability don’t. You’re welcome. 🙂
In fact, one of many foremost issues which worries individuals is staying protected. You could find out extra about motorhome safety whereas travelling right here.
Anybody can go off grid campervanning
I’m going to begin this submit with a caveat; sure, you CAN after all wild camp in your motorhome, campervan, automotive or RV with out ANY of the next gadgets. You’ll be able to actually get a van, chuck a mattress within the again and spend the evening if that’s what you select and discover a free in a single day motorhome stopover.
However for this submit, I’m going to imagine you’ve a motorhome or campervan which is designed to be lived in. You’re probably not excited by ‘stealth tenting’ in the course of a metropolis, however you wish to spend a number of nights (or extra!) experiencing the enjoyment and freedom of off-grid tenting, while nonetheless with the ability to get pleasure from life in your motorhome.
In fact, everybody’s necessities are completely different. A household with 4 children are going to wish a heck of much more energy and waste services than a pair with a canine.
It’s a stability, nevertheless it’s completely attainable.
Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe
Off Grid Motorhome camping- the experiment!
A number of in the past, my ex husband and I picked up a brand new motorhome and took it wild tenting for the weekend. No prep, no prior planning. We hadn’t even seen the motorhome earlier than and had no concept what it had onboard.
It was an experiment. We knew we needed to remain off-grid for at the least 3 nights. We had no concept if the ability/ waste tanks would cope and we had backup plans in case they didn’t (ie- a campsite or two deliberate out in case we would have liked them!)
So we considered what we REALLY wanted/ needed to hold onboard- after which we assessed afterwards what we would have liked, and what we didn’t.
NOTE: Though the experiment was for less than 3 nights, we determined to deal with it as if we have been on an extended journey. So we didn’t simply ‘put up with’ the ability dying on telephones, or not with the ability to do one thing. We needed to make it as practical as attainable.
Wild tenting necessities for motorhomes
From that journey, I realised that was vital when staying off-grid with a motorhome. The gadgets I really feel are essentially the most important are:
Let’s take a look at these in nearer particulars beneath:
Powerpack/ invertor
This was the one factor we purchased with us once we collected the motorhome- we knew how vital it might be. Each of us use our laptops every day and also you want correct energy to have the ability to recharge the laptop computer batteries.
As of late, energy banks have come a good distance since that journey and I extremely advocate EcoFlow, as I exploit their merchandise myself!
First rate sized leisure battery & photo voltaic panel
On my final motorhome, I had two leisure batteries, in addition to an engine battery. As a result of I spent a lot time off-grid (and an electrical drop-down mattress!) I discovered the additional battery actually helpful.
Nevertheless, my present motorhome solely has one leisure battery, with no house so as to add one other. I fitted a lithium battery a few years in the past now and the system works nice. It made me realise that you simply don’t want a second battery in any respect if the primary one is sweet. Be sure you get a battery designed for leisure use, and get as large a measurement as you possibly can (so long as your electrical system- just like the Sargent system, can deal with it).
READ MORE: Full information to picking and sustaining your motorhome leisure battery
One other factor so as to add together with the leisure battery is a photo voltaic panel. If in case you have an excellent photo voltaic panel, one battery ought to be high quality (simply watch out if it’s raining/ very cloudy as issues may not cost so shortly. That is very true if you happen to’re wild tenting with a motorhome in Scotland– it rain loads up there!!
You should buy a photo voltaic panel cheaply from Amazon and match it your self. Be sure you add in a regulator and don’t simply wire it straight to the battery. When you’re not sure, I like to recommend paying for somebody to suit it for you so you already know it’s arrange accurately.
Contemporary water and empty waste tanks
I used to purchase bottled water for consuming (after nearly being poisoning one 12 months!) however now I exploit one in every of these unimaginable LifeSaver Jerrycans as an alternative. Price each penny.
With out recent water in your tanks you’re not going to have the ability to do a lot showering/ motorhome cleansing and even the washing up! Earlier than you head off into the wilds, be sure to prime up the water tanks (and bathroom flush, if it’s separate.)
Likewise, empty your bathroom waste and gray waste tanks into APPROVED locations earlier than beginning your wild tenting adventures. This would possibly imply having to remain at a campsite (in UK) or aire in France as a way to use the services. Some locations will let you use them if you happen to pay a small price.
I exploit a product known as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, and have executed for years, it’s pure and doesn’t comprise dangerous chemical substances. It’s additionally protected to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means I’ve extra choices to get rid of the bathroom responsibly.
Being frugal along with your water/ waste may even enable you be capable of keep off-grid for longer. Additionally, if you happen to’re shopping for a motorhome with a view to staying in free motorhome stopovers, get one with giant recent water and waste tank capability.
Gasoline for fridge/ heating
When you’re wild tenting within the winter, whether or not within the UK or abroad, you’ll in all probability want heating. In case your camper heating makes use of electrical, you’re actually going to wrestle getting sufficient energy to maintain it running- which, frankly, doesn’t sound like enjoyable to me. A necessary factor to search for when shopping for a brand new motorhome is heating which runs on fuel. And a fridge which runs on fuel/ electrical or battery (whereas driving).
Probably the greatest issues I ever put in was a refillable motorhome fuel system. It’s been really easy to seek out and get fuel all through Europe.
For the previous couple of years now, diesel heaters have grow to be a preferred possibility for each campers and motorhomes. Within the coldest of climate, they’re undoubtedly less expensive than fuel heating! My buddy has spent 3 winters in Scotland, and when it’s been -10, she is going to undergo a 6kg fuel bottle in 3 day! And let’s face it, exchangeable fuel bottles aren’t low-cost!
Like every retro becoming, do verify that your guarantee and whether or not or not an accepted workshop must do the set up to keep up the guarantee!
Environment friendly lighting
That is one other factor which may actually muck up your energy plans. I try to make as a lot of the lighting within the motorhome LED- and people which I can’t I attempt to not use when off-grid tenting. Be deliberate about your lighting and keep in mind to show them off when not in use (particularly the skin one!!)
I additionally use further lights, like these, that are battery-powered and may gentle up the seating space fairly properly with none energy drain in any respect. I’ve additionally added another choices, like USB chargeable lights.
Need to be taught every thing about motorhome wild tenting?
It’s alright to be nervous. Perhaps even barely terrified. I keep in mind precisely what that felt like. Considering everybody else had some secret that I simply couldn’t determine.
If you wish to know what they know, seize our step-by-step information to motorhome wild tenting/ off-grid parking. 80+ pages of suggestions, step-by-step walkthroughs, movies, checklists and more- every thing you’ll want to get began, discover locations, keep protected, handle energy, water, waste and extra.
Bonus tip- Safety
One factor I exploit ALL THE TIME whereas free tenting is a wi-fi safety digicam. Though that is on no account a necessary for motorhome wild tenting, it supplies nice peace of thoughts to know that the motorhome is protected whereas I’m going for a stroll or exploring someplace.
It additionally turns out to be useful at campsites if I select to go away my canine behind for a few hours- I can verify as much as see he’s okay.
I’ve used Arlo cameras (no affiliation) for just a few years and extremely advocate. I’ve used the digicam throughout Europe and it really works nice wherever there may be sign or wifi.
Belongings you DON’T essentially want for off-grid motorhoming
So, these are foremost issues to take a look at to enhance your motorhome wild tenting expertise. Now listed below are two which I THOUGHT I’d use quite a lot of the years… however actually haven’t:
Generator
The primary motorhome my ex husband and I obtained, we bought a generator regardless of my protests. I didn’t wish to be THAT motorhomer, with the genset going into the evening and ruining each ours and everybody else’s quiet night. It appeared to defeat the purpose. However he was appropriate in saying it’s a beneficial security feature- and it’s.
Over the 18 months that we had it, we in all probability used the motorhome generator thrice. Every time was once we spent three or 4 days miles from wherever (and anybody!) and we beloved the solitude a lot we stayed out for an additional day or two. With out the generator, we couldn’t have executed that- however now I don’t use one in any respect!
Spare Battery
We mentioned this briefly above, but when your leisure battery is a good measurement and you propose on driving at the least a few hours day by day, you in all probability gained’t want a second leisure battery. Nevertheless, in case you have the house and the burden allowance, a second battery definitely gained’t damage, however once more, you don’t have to spend the cash earlier than you head off in your wild tenting adventures!!
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Final replace on 2026-01-30 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API
