The RV lifestyle brings a certain freedom. For Fraserway customer Dawn Laing and her partner the opportunity to embrace off-grid living just couldn’t be ignored. If the thought of cutting loose from the usual everyday inspires you, read on for some terrific tips from these two experienced adventurers.
Find the perfect unit for you!
Their adventure began with the hunt for the perfect unit. “It’s important to think through how you’ll want to travel.” advises Dawn. “Consider how far you’ll want to travel and whether you plan to go off-grid for periods of time.” Following a rigorous search, Dawn found the perfect match to fulfill their travel dreams – a used 2020 Adventurer ALP from Fraserway which they affectionately named ‘Peaches’.
As avid adventurers, they’ve clocked over 50,000 kilometers across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Over their journey, they were able to fine-tune Peaches to create their ultimate off-grid experience. Here’s how they tailored their unit to be the self-sufficient, reliable rig they love today.
Electric Upgrades: the heart of off-grid living
“We knew we wanted to be able to park anywhere without worrying about a power hookup.” said Dawn. So, they upgraded to a 600-watt solar system paired with a higher-capacity lithium battery bank and a 2,000 watt inverter. This combination supports everything these adventurers wanted, from an espresso machine to their laptops.
Tire Upgrades: be terrain ready
Dawn and her partner’s travels often take them down rocky, uneven but irresistible paths. “Knowing we wanted to be able to head down intriguing roads, we also swapped out the factory tires for larger, all-terrain Goodrich KO2s. These tires provided better traction for the rugged surfaces we knew we’d face.” The right tires and safe driving know-how was all that they needed to explore out of the ordinary terrain.
Enhanced Water Independence
“Longer stays mean you have to have clean, reliable water. It’s essential for stays in remote areas.” Dawn recommends carrying an easy to refill (and purchase) 5 gallon filtered water jug. ‘We extend our freshwater tank by using that water to wash hands, cook with and shower but keep extra water onboard to accommodate certified filtered water for consumption.” Note! Off-grid life requires mindful conservation so make sure to adopt habits to minimize water use like using eco-friendly soaps, taking fewer (& quick!) showers and being conscientious of water use when washing dishes.
Real-Life Lessons: what Dawn has learned on the road
The off-grid lifestyle doesn’t only depend on the unit. Here are some important learnings Dawn shares from their experience:
Battery Monitoring. Make sure to know where your power levels stand at all times to help you plan your usage efficiently. The lithium battery system and a reliable monitor ensures everything will be kept running smoothly. Given they also added a charger off the alternator they could also plan for additional charges on cloudy days just by going for a drive.
Water Conservation. Conserve as much as possible. Use water responsibly and plan for refills.
Navigating Low Clearances. Keep an eye on overhead clearances when travelling in certain areas. Use caution – low hanging tree branches or city wires can cut your trip short!
Be Over Prepared. You never know if you’re going to love, or hate, where you end up. So, prepare for the best! Overstock so if you get somewhere that’s amazing, you can extend your stay by having a stocked fridge, empty grey/black tanks, and a full tank of fresh water.
Hear directly from Dawn! Watch their journey on YouTube.
Off grid living takes some forethought and planning, but it also lets you avoid busy RV parks and get closer to nature. Ready to give it a try?
