Camper or RV Preparedness
This should be be fun… I’m sure that some of you have a RV or camper trailer of one variety or another. But how do you set it up for the sake of preparedness, or what extra would you take with you as such?
Since most of the MSB audience is prepper oriented, I’m sure the question has crossed your mind. Further, you may have already dealt with this before and we would love to hear your opinion.
Lets say you’re going on a vacation or a trip somewhere with your camper or RV. Regardless of how big or small it is, there’s never enough room to take everything that you would like to take, right?
Or maybe you’re thinking about setting it up for “bug out”, just in case. In that case there are lots of decisions to make for camper or RV preparedness! How long might you be out, what might the conditions be, etc..
I’m going to get the conversation started by reflecting on some of my own trips, and what I decided to bring along for preparedness.
It all started “way back when”, while tent camping. Remember your first tent or camping trip?
I recall as a young boy going on tent camping trips with the family, and trips with my dad hiking in the White Mountains of NH – staying overnight in one of their ‘hut’ cabins. Carrying everything that you might possibly need in your backpack. Lots of memories. I’m sure you have many too.
As one progresses in life and years, tent camping may lead to picking up a camper trailer or RV. You’ve “been there – done that” with tenting and now it’s time to “rough it” a little less.
So lets jump into the topic:
For preparedness (or not), or as a prepper (or not) — everyone does bring along the basics for living in a trailer or RV. A basic supply of clothes, some food, pots and pans for cooking, cleaning supplies, all that normal stuff…
But what about more things, more supplies for the sake of preparedness? It feels a little uncomfortable leaving the security of your home base and living in another environment for awhile – especially if it’s for a longer while. What if the world goes sideways while you’re out, our if you’re getting away from a world gone sideways (bug out)?
My first thoughts are to shore up the categories of food, water, and security for camper or RV preparedness. Why? You’ve already got ‘shelter’ (your camper or RV). But you need to think about longer term survival basics. That’s water, food, and of course, security.
When we have traveled with our 5th-wheel trailer, to begin with, we always bring more ‘regular’ food. Many people will pack minimal food and then make a big grocery store run at their destination location. Instead, we tend to bring more from home to begin with. A wide variety too. More non-perishable food supplies. It feels good to be stocked up.
I also bring along one (or several) of those professionally packaged container buckets of ready made dehydrated or freeze-dried meals packed and sealed for the long term. Their meals are ready to eat (with water added) and fit tightly and densely in their sealed bucket/container. Meals and calories, easy to handle and pack in the camper or RV.
I know that all of our food won’t last for a real long time between the two of us, but having the purpose-made long term food storage buckets, and the other foods that we pack, I suppose we would be good for a month or so… with some rationing going on.
But if I really wanted to, I could fit a LOT more of my long term food in there. The trick is calories versus available space. And one’s risk tolerance threshold. Obviously if you purpose your rig for the long term, then you’ll pack more.
There are two things to bear in mind. One is a source of water and the other is a filter for that water.
We start a trip with a case of ordinary bottled water.
For normal hookups at a site or park, there’s either water available at the site’s spigot (to connect directly to your camper), or a shared community water spigot not too far away (to haul your own water).
For dry camping, we keep two heavy duty water jugs for hauling water. I have a folding portable 2-wheeler hand cart to assist bringing it back to the camper. The built-in water storage tank holds 50 gallons – though it requires a 12-volt pump (and a source of 12 volts!) to pump it out. This could be a battery (batteries) and solar panel / charger combination for example.
I keep a Berkey counter-top water filter inside the camper for all of our drinking water. I also have a inline filter for when hooking up to water directly at the site. A good water filter is extremely important. I also keep at least one portable (smaller) drinking water filter.
The important thing for SHTF camper or RV preparedness is having a water source nearby. So that depends on your location. The desert, well, not so good in that department. Without water, you’re done. Game over.
The Smallest Berkey Countertop Water Filter
Water Sources and Treatment
I’m going to leave the legal stuff for you to figure out on your own. With that said, you really should pick up this Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. It’s updated each year. I’m glad I bought it several years ago. It initially helped my comfort factor while planning a cross country road trip – knowing the legal issues.
Related article: Transporting Firearms Across State Lines
In many states, reciprocity laws will enable you to legally posses or carry a firearm in another state if that state recognizes your state’s concealed carry permit. And of course there are some states that are actually ‘Constitutional Carry’ states, such as my own (NH).
I do bring firearm(s) and ammo with me on these types of trips. Along with a method or two of carry if need be. That said, know the laws of your destination state. The burden is upon you to understand this.
Of course we hope that we’ll never ever need to consider the necessity of such security. However the fact is we do live in a dangerous world glossed over with a thin veneer of civility.
Many campers have a flush toilet and built-in ‘black water’ tank (along with one or two ‘grey’ tanks for sink and shower water. No problem when you’re hooked up to their sewer and water facilities. But if you’re dry camping, you’re only good up until your tanks fill up.
I’m not concerned about the ‘grey’ water. You could just drain that on the ground if you had to. But the ‘black’? That’s another issue!
We have dry camped a number of times with our camper. A typical ‘dry-camp’ park will have water spigots in places and ‘out houses’ to take care of your business. We do utilize these facilities. Though we’ll reserve using the camper toilet at night – which will last a good while before our ‘black’ tank is full (40 gallons).
Of course the #1 business could be taken care of without too much issue outdoors, in the woods, etc.. easier for the guys 😉 But the #2 business? Yes, this business too could also be done in the woods if one had to. A camp shovel helps.
Then there’s the extra toilet paper. I can visualize our friend, ‘NRP’, here on the blog – cases of TP bulging from all storage compartments in his trailer. Is there ever enough? We start our trips with one case. There’s always ‘leaves’, right? Just stay away from ‘leaves of three’ !
I mean pack a backpack or two. I always have one in the truck (my 72 hour kit) but I also pack an extra backpack in the camper. There are lots of good reasons.
If you have to ‘hoof it’, you will be glad you did. Plus they’re great for an ordinary hike to pack your gear. You do have survival gear with you, right?
I always pack more clothes than I actually use or need. But it makes me feel better. Warm weather clothes, cool weather clothes, rain gear, various shoes and boots, jackets, work gloves, hats, you name it…
Clothes is directly part of the ‘Shelter’ category within the 5 C’s of Survival. Maintaining a safe body core temperature is essential at all times.
I’m not going to list it all. There are numerous articles here on the blog about this (use our Search function). But I am always sure to bring any and all pertinent survival gear for in the camper.
Firemaking, knives, cutting tools/saw, navigation & maps, shelter/tarps/tent, cordage/rope/paracord, cooking/camp-stove/fuel, a complete though mostly basic tool kit, various hardware to fix things, bug repellents!, 2-way radios, and more.
I cannot over emphasize the importance of putting together an effective first aid kit for your camper or RV. It’s an overlooked category, but it shouldn’t be.
Basically, a good ‘basic’ first aid kit AND a set of trauma items which at least include the Israeli Bandage and Hemostatic Dressing. Here are a few related articles:
Continue reading: Best First Aid Kit for General Purpose
Trauma Kit List | 5 Lifesaving Essentials
How to Use the Israeli Bandage
How to Stop the Bleeding with QuikClot
Basically, camper or RV preparedness is like packing or stocking a mini bugout location. The challenge is the limiting factor of available space.
It can be ridiculous to go overboard with this. But there are some common sense things to bring along.
I don’t go too crazy with this stuff, but I do enjoy the process of thinking it through and packing extra for just in case. It’s peace of mind.
If the notion is to trick out an RV for bug out or extreme preparedness, or even ‘Mad Max’, well, that could get interesting.
Your turn… your thoughts?
One thing that shows a lot in camping during deer season is the extreme temps.
Tanks freeze up and many have no backup plan.
The septic froze up on me last year and I couldn’t clean it out till the next thaw. Long term that might be an issue with extra folks.
Water lines will freeze as well because it’s not heated full time. That takes way too much resources.
Higher altitudes and cold can effect propane use sometimes too.
The heat is a booger too without that AC running. For me it’s parking in the shaded areas. The desert dwellers here might have some real good input on lack of shade and staying cool.
For preparedness:
I bring large 30×30 tarps. These are in case anything goes wrong and the roof should leak.
I bring lots of duct tape I use to seal windows and vents with on the extreme cold. If I’m staying I have even tried to figure out skirting to keep the wind down.
I bring extra boards, for the tires and jacks, to park on because ground can change and it can sink over long periods of time.
Matt in Oklahoma;
“The desert dwellers here might have some real good input on lack of shade and staying cool”
As one of those crazy old farts that lives’ in the semi-desert, here is a simple idea for staying cool in summer here.
Build yourself an Igloo, yes I said Igloo, dig a hole a few feet deep, big enough to move around in, but not gigantic. Dig it at night when it’s cooler.
Build a frame (strong frame) of something, sticks, logs, whatever you can find, place a lot of smaller stuff on top that, cover with a tarp and a few inches of Dirt, make dang sure to leave openings in the ends for air.
This will act like an insulated tent, sleep or rest during the day, and do the necessities at night.
PS, Watch out for the Rattle Snakes and Scorpions
Good reminders Ken.
You mention “cart”. I recently spotted Amish-Made Wood Cart on Lehman’s , and thought it looks very versatile. Besides trucking wood around the yard / campsite, it looked to me to be sturdy enough to haul significant weight. Maybe even a person if injured and a few supports stuck in. I just mention it, because with its huge wheels and sturdy make, it might be decent over rough terrain (hauling water bottles from the creek?), and more versatile.
To the above suggestions you made, I would add, many extra bottles of hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Handy for quick disinfection of hands, or surfaces where nasties reside.
Well TSHTF, sort of, actually the Fire Department is sitting in your drive telling you ya have 5 minutes to GOOD (Get Out Of Dodge), there is a wildfire heading your way. Or maybe there is a Chemical Spill and you have to leave NOW!!!!!
SO the question is how and what do you toss in the old Ford in 5 minutes?
This is where the Camper comes into play, Grab the pre packed BOGs and all the other Bags you have PRE PACKED, back to the trailer and haul butt.
Get out of the way and let the FD do their jobs, maybe just maybe your home will be saved. But guess what, maybe not, do you have the important “stuff” in a fireproof safe? Or with you? You do have a few “stashes” buried somewhere right? How about an off-site storage contained with a few rolls of TP in there??????
My Trailer has everything needed for me and ole Blue to make it for a month without resupply, longer if I have an extra 15 minutes.
This stuff is called “being Prepared, NOT FEMA coming to the rescue, please remember to take care of #1 first, meaning yourself and your family.
Two little side notes;
1. Ken that “Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States” may be a little outdated if it’s “several” years old, check out the NRA website for more recent laws.
2. There is a reason I have a CDL, that way I can tow tandem trailers, the second trailer behind the camper is a Box-Trailer with my TP stash…. HAHAHA
GREAT Info Ken, thanks for the article.
NRP, You said that issue is several years old. Please let me know what you’re seeing…
The link is for the 2019 issue. Brand new. I’ve just checked it yet again. Sure enough, says “2019 Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States”.
I think it was because you said you bought it several years ago.
Oh, right, I didn’t mention that it’s updated each year. My bad. I’ll update the article to reflect that fact. Thanks for pointing out that perspective.
Thanks for the reminder on that Ken. Just bought it through MSB. The one I had was 2017
Great reminder as we head back into full wildland fire season. Everyone needs to have a list of what they would grab and take when the FD or PD shows up to evacuate you. I have seen too many people lock up in a panic and try to forget the pets….or Grandma.
Write it down, prioritize, and keep handy the list of things that absolutely cannot be replaced. Start with lives, important papers, and photos. Go from there.
Also remember, even in a “mandatory” evacuation, you do not have to leave. You may be putting your lives in jeopardy…so remember that no one will come in to save you after that.
One may wish to consider spare parts, and maintenance items for the RV. In what condition are the tires? Some, such as Airstream, are switching over to Light Truck tires, which, according to some rv owners, has been a beneficial change. At least for them anyway.
Ahh camping!!
By the end of camping season we’re usually unpacking 50% of the food stuffs we had packed on the first trip.
All sorts of clothes stay in for inclement weather. Rain coats, heavy coats, gloves, head coverings.
First aid kits for us and the critters.
We carry 30/40 gallon of water, but also have a hand pump and River on site. And a couple Life straws. Plenty of fire making igniters. Flashlights. Large duffle type bags for just in case. Security is well covered. TP is not in hoards, but stocked. Ax, hatchet, cordage, tarps. Portable radio
The self contained trailer sits, as the tired Chevy prefers to haul the much lighter load. So not so much with the convenients with this one.
Not sure about all your camping whereabouts, but for us forest fires happen and tornadoes/damaging winds/unexpected storms.
Our camping area has only one trail in and out.
It used to have two, until a cabin owner complained of the horse poo on his trail.
That second exit is now fenced off.
I also carry wire and bolt cutters and a fueled up chainsaw.
Camped all my life, early on didn’t even have a tent. When I got old enough to get my driver’s license, two of my high school buddies and I would spend the first two weeks of summer vacation driving the back roads of Arkansas. Back then, probably 80 percent of Arkansas roads were unpaved, even their state highways. We usually didn’t have a planned route or destination and we camped where ever we ended up as dark approached. Sometimes this would be in a National Forest, sometimes just on the side of a secluded rural, lightly traveled road. Carried a canvas tarp that we laid out on the ground for a ground cloth for all our bed rolls, pulled it over us if it rained.
My seventeenth summer, we camped at a particularly beautiful spot and as we explored around it I boldly proclaimed to my buddies, “I’m going to build a house right here someday!”. Thirty-nine years later, I did just that. It’s now my retirement homestead. I can spit off my front porch and hit the spot I was standing when I made that proclamation. I haven’t camped out a single night since I retired fourteen years ago.
During my child rearing years, we camped frequently, tents early on, various tent trailers and trailers later, and a 40′ Holiday Rambler motor home towards the end. Loved that motor home. Leather furniture, hardwood floors, tiled bath, 10k generator, automatic leveling jacks, 3 built-in TV’s, it had it all. Sold it to a co-worker the week before my retirement party. No way in heck I could have got it to my future home-site without employing a couple of Chinook helicopters.
I always get a kick out of these idiots who buy a tiny house to supposedly move around with and live in, some have paid upwards of 100k for these things not including land,,,
You can buy a brand new 32’ RV trailer fully loaded that sleeps 6 for a bit over 60K if you shop it and wayyyyy less if you buy used. And then you actually have grey water tank, black water tank, fresh tank and a power system as well as fully functional everything else with decent headroom,,,,
My issues I have with a large RV escape pod-mini BOL is you need to leave well before real troubles happen. Otherwise your a very attractive target, almost a rolling Wal-Mart to the unprepared. A tree across the road and a shotgun might be a bad situation.
Second you better have an excellent pre-approved site. That neat camp ground you like might be controlled by “New Ownership” in a SHTF situation. Criminals like to survive in style too. That site needs to be friendly, secure from trouble so you don’t need to flee again, as well as accessible to that large object your towing and you still need support structure like a well and septic hook ups.
Third Extreme weather is trouble as mentioned by others as you have very little insulation built in that RV. Too hot your an easy bake oven once you run out of fuel to run that A/C. Very cold will eat up your propane pretty fast.
Now with a friendly secure site, with a RV shelter to provide more insulation-shade and pre-cached fuel and propane, food and such it is a good option.
Those are valid points in a true SHTF scenario. You either have to leave with the herd and hope you don’t get picked off or hopefully as someone into preparedness you get thru the OODA and off the X before everyone else.
I’ve considered buying a new camper and staging my old one in a storage site close to where I’ll be going.
Security of the site is always going to be tough and another reason why it takes a team and you can’t go it alone. They also stop almost no incoming rounds. 22s sail thru them up close.
The camper shines in not so bad scenarios though when wildfires and weather events happen. I don’t have a huge camper and I’ve considered looking at one of the off road models or doing some upgrades to a small one for maneuverability.
I do have enough propane to last a winter running the heat at night and cooking. If I had to run the heat full time I’d fall short right now but I’m working on finding more tanks at garage sales.
The other “prep” is additional fuel for my truck to pull it because it takes a lot. It takes a whole bunch in traffic jams.
I wonder if anyone has a recommendation for a toilet, especially for #2. I have a luggable loo, but even though quite simple it leaks odors, not pleasant in an enclosed space buttoned down for the night….
Bogan. Check on amazon for camping toilets. They have ones that flush and have a separate dumpable doody tank. I have one that I used in an enclosed job trailer for over 10 years. And it still works. That one has a 2 gallon tank. Also have a larger 5 gallon one that I put in a fifth wheel camper. You can put deoderizer in the holding tank. But if you prefill the bowl between uses. It seals the odors inside the tank.
I have a BoonJon composting toilet, which separates “liquids” from “solids”.
Liquids are collected in a 1 gallon jug container (designed to use a re-purposed milk or distilled water jug) – no fuss, no muss.
Keep the caps for the jugs handy, to seal up full jugs – keeps everything fresh and clean if you have a longer time between emptying.
I just use a plastic bag for “solids” collection, which is then securely wrapped in another plastic bag before being thrown in the dumpster (which meets legal requirements in my state).
Toilet paper is collected in a small plastic bag, and disposed of into the bag of solid waste.
The Boon Jon has a plate/cover thingie that covers up the hole under the toilet seat and lid, which keeps insects and smells virtually non-existent.
Hi Bogan
We use this at night in the mountain cabin. Doesn’t collect much during the night, and is emptied first thing every morning into the outhouse (if contains #2) or into the woods, then cleaned/disinfected. Paper goes separately into a paper bag for burning.
There are gel products that can be used in conjunction with disposable liner bags. Some use wood shavings, we find that a hefty sprinkle of wood ashes keeps odor down. Then there are always deodorizing sprays used befor or after.
Solar panels to keep trailer batteries charged without running the truck, You will be able to keep your phones , flashlight, headlamp, ham radio and weapon batteries charged along with keeping the lights and water pump working.
From the viewpoint of central Puget Sound (Seattle metro area), if you are traveling with firearms consider ‘non-evil’ makes to quell the attitudes of the locals. Revolvers for handguns and non-automatic rifles/shotguns (lever, bolt, pump). Of course, once you are out of the area (Seattle and western King County) then carry what you want.
This is a great topic and one of my favorites.
There is so much to learn from every post.
Deciding what not to bring is as important as knowing what to bring.
We try to go for a couple of months every year. This year old man is thinking 4 months starting tomorrow. We should be going all the way to the Yukon for some real fishing.
We always boondock. It helps us to save money and we use the senior pass and only pay 1/2 price at forest service campgrounds.
For food storage I usually bring the meals from a bucket or two to be used in an emergency. We also take an igloo and keep filing it with ice and use it for water.
We always bring our backpacks in case we have to hoof it back home. We watch the news when we can always with an eye on the latest routes home just in case.
Fire is a main concern where we live. If a fire destroys our house we might find ourselves living it that 5th-wheel for quite a while.
We keep some basics in it like kerosene & lamps, clothing, sleeping bags, etc.
Our food and other essentials we keep in large plastic tubs in the garage.
Our hole bug out system takes less than 1 hour for us to be on the road.
Our final destination depends on witch way the wind is blowing.
We also have a CB mounted in the trailer with hand held units and take bicycles with us.
Search the web and youtube for ideas on converting enclosed cargo style trailers. These are FAR more durable than travel trailers and you or the trailer company can customize with windows, vents, etc., to make more camping friendly. Depending on your customizing you can also get double duty out of it for hauling and storage. Also, they cost far less new than a lesser quality travel trailer build.
Have seen some videos on these conversions.
Most, about 90% of the RV’s are built by the Amish in north central Indiana, and are of durable quality. A real upcommer is the Oliver, which is made in Tennessee.
I could see using a utility trailer. With a used trailer and some conversions , you could be set with a portable BOL, at a decent price.
Have also heard of using the horse transport trailers with accommodations for living. This seems like a viable option for use as a utility trailer as well.
Just make sure that the stuff that you haul in it is securely tied down.
By the time that a genuine conversion is completed, is the cost savings such that it would not have been considered worthy to invest in the purchase of a pre-owned RV.
Albeit, I do understand that if you have the utility trailer, and cannot afford to purchase a used RV, then you gotta do what you gotta do.
– I had almost assumed that the horse trailers with living accommodations were something the rodeo crowd had had cobbled up to their own specifications, as I never see them in other parts of the country.
Having said that, they seem like a good choice for horse owners and are well capable of hauling goods as well as animals. I would have to agree that anything in any kind of semi-open or open trailer should be secured.
– Papa S.
Great topic Ken!
DW and I just bought a 26′ travel trailer and parked on the new property. It’s technically a dry-camp since there’s no water or power hook-ups, but we bought a decent generator for it and enough water jugs to have 33gal of drinking water available. We are still in set-up mode with it, bought large totes to store under the bed to hold linens and such. They are supposed to be air-tight so hopefully they keep rodents away.
Until I get some secure storage out there, I’m hauling stuff back and forth from home to the acreage.
If we had unlimited funds, I would willingly invest in a good 2 or 3 horse slant load with living quarters horse trailer. The finishes in the living quarters are much nicer than in the RVs. Structurally, the horse trailers are built better, designed to carry more weight, have a lot of storage options.
We do have an 8 year old 28′ camper. My husband is rebuilding the whole back end, as we recently discovered that all the wall studs and floor joists in the bathroom and bunk area had disintegrated due to improper sealing of the outside corner pieces at the factory. We are remodeling the bunk room to increase our storage space and make the layout easier to use for our needs.
We do have solar panels and the parts to use them if needed. We also have several propane tanks and extra gas cans that would go with us in an emergency.
We carry bicycles on all our trips, as well as extra food, water and filtration, tools. Working on putting together a better first aid kit than what we have right now.
Enjoyed the article!
BDN
Love our 4 horse slant goose neck.
The stud wall had been moved back, so it is now a three horse.
I’ve done alot of cabinetry work and welded in an additional door to access the horse area from the gooseneck. The fourth stall is now our extra storage and potty room. Not self contained, but doable.
My mom and dad’s behemoth of a self contained is a three horse side by side. 1985 Lazy N 9500# dry weight.
I can fit three horses or our two quads side by side, in the stall area. Amazing living quarters set up.
We also carry a small Genny with a battery charger and/or the solar panel to charge the camper or truck 12 v system
I have a travel trailer that is always ready to go. Basically we add perishable food, more clothes, and fill the water tank before we leave to go camping. In the winter I don’t keep wet nonperishable food in it due to freezing.
I have quietly turned it into a long-term shelter without the boss catching on. It has everything in it our house does to live as we normally do, just less of it.
It has all the tools in it I can use to fix it… and some spare parts. Enough butyl tape to hold most of the roof back together, 8+ tubes of caulk, several tubes of polyurethane, two spare tires, a spare spindle/hub/backing plate, etc. Has three batteries. Tarps, blankets, water filters, plenty of ways to make fire, etc. Collapseable picnic table, banquet tables, the list goes on.
Our camper is basically better prepared than most people’s houses. But it is set up for boondocking and being prepared is a side effect of boondocking. But there is only about a month worth of food and toilet paper in it.
The hard part has been fine tuning what you need to carry to keep the trailer happy and make life simpler when using it. I used to carry a lot more spare parts, especially on the plumbing side. I used to carry a lot of butane cylinders for the butane camp stove but instead I just carry half a dozen. I plumbed 3 locations outside for quick disconnects for propane and mostly just use propane to a single burner stove, a Blackstone griddle, or a couple Smokey Joe’s for cooking.
So far we have never wished we brought anything more except for running out of eggs and sugar a few times. There are a few things that a PITA to deal with like a step ladder that someday I’ll quit taking.
If I ever had to leave in a hurry I’m not taking the travel trailer. I’m taking my truck and my bug out bins.
Are those bug out bins kept in the travel trailer?
No, I have 6 bins I keep in the garage. They are the ones sold around here as Contico TuffBin but I have seen clones at stores. They are all labeled with what is in them and they are kind of a random collection of crap based on weight. You can fit a lot of .30 and .50 Cal cans in them if you need really good sealing. I use them and MTM cases inside.
They take a lot of abuse and are just below bedrail height on GMT800/GMT900/GMk2xx. I haven’t found anything better for around $50/each made in USA. They do not keep moisture or bugs out, but are rain/snow tight.
If someone has to nd something better to organize/stow a bunch of crap together for portability I’d like to know.
Firearms and magazines are in Pelican cases. 6 pistols fit nicely in a 1450 case. Amunition and closely related are in Pelican cases inside .30 Cal cans. Copies of important documents are in ziplocs in a Pelican case.
I also keep six 6 gallon gas cans with stabilizer with the above in the same garage. With all of this the back of the truck is full to bedrail height.
Yes, it is illegal most places to have so much “portable” fuel but I have dozens more gas cans and I don’t care. Between gas cans and tanks I have around 400 gallons at any time. We burn through about $700/month on gas so 400 gallons isn’t that much for us.
Pinky, keep that banquet table for our MSB banquet at Ken’s house 😉
Not giving up the 4 2’x4′ banquet tables that hang under the travel trailer. They’re too handy! Nothing sucks more than having nowhere to set stuff when camping. Same for the picnic table and the umbrella (I welded up storage that hangs under the trailer for the picnic table, umbrella, spare tires, air compressor, banquet tables, and chairs). I have a pull out cooler table/shoe rack under it also and behind that are the panels for sound deadening the crappy inverter generator I have for charging the batteries. There is way too much crap in the trailer for any of that stuff to go inside. I also have 3 batteries on the tongue in a box I welded up. The back has a detachable outdoor kitchen in a box that has a tiny sink, a kustom infrared gas grill, and two Smokey Joe’s in it.
If it sounds heavy that is because I managed to turn a super light composite and aluminum 4200lb trailer that came ready for 4 season use with heated tanks… into a 6700lb trailer going down the road.
I remember a discussion awhile back about bugging out with your trailer. Someone mentioned that in some places and depending on the reason for evacuation, the authorities would not allow you to haul a trailer. Worries about blocking the evacuation route, etc… Sorry I don’t know if this is correct, but I do remember reading about it.
luv ya’ll, Beach’n
An RV parked up on a camp site is not suitable for short local trips. Bring some secondary transportation.
A couple of bicycles equipped with rear racks and luggage bags (panniers) and a flatpack, flatbed bicycle trailer can do local shopping trips and collect water, firewood etc. If space is restricted, folding bikes are OK. If terrain is tracks and trails, a basic midmarket MTB will be better. Assume your travelling speed is 10mph to estimate useful range.
Yeah, I’ve thought about not being able to take the trailer. I wonder though, would a couple of big decals with that six sided star of life and emergency medical aid station on it help?
I just got back from 8 days in my 20 ft ultra-lite. I camped in it while DW was getting part of her right lung removed. I would not want to bug out in it but it would beat the heck out of living in the back of the Durango.
My complaints would be basically shoddy construction. We bought it as it was light enough to tow behind the anemic Dakota that we were gifted by my MIL. As it is there just isn’t enough capacity to make it feasible for bugging out.
I think I’ll just stay put or die.
I like the idea of using my RV but, RVs will make a great target for marauders and you are assuming that road travel will be safe and easy
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