anyone homesteading?

[castle]

Seems like there are some pretty neat tips and tricks for someone living in an RV on the go, but I'm a stay in one place kind of guy. I have a spot of land picked out, but no hookups available....and I have no idea where to start! <br /><br />So...how to get power? Run a genny? What kind of genny? How do I figure cost for solar panels? How do I get running water? <br /><br />And what about an internet connection? I'm a college student!

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Here's the setup one of the other forum members has - <a href="/post/OffGrid-HomeBase-for-the-RV-Dweller-5865012">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/OffGrid-HomeBase-for-the-RV-Dweller-5865012</a>

 

[akblack10]

I am living in my RV, I have a honda 2000 generator and a small solar set-up that runs a National Luna Fridge. &nbsp;Check out my link below for more info.....<br /><br />http://www.apocketfullofwanderlust.com/2012/05/meanwhile-back-on-farm-kentucky-2012.html<br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

Get chickens, lots of chickens too!<br /><br />

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Will you own the land?&nbsp; Is there a river or stream or something nearby?&nbsp; That helps a lot. Laundry, bathing, cleaning etc all handled there.&nbsp; Heat water on a fire for hot water (just be aware of fire laws), or even get wood stove/water heater.&nbsp; Propane fridge helps too if thats an option for you.&nbsp; A lot of people here in WV live this way....<br /><br />I dont know much about solar but from my googling you can get a decent setup for like 6-700.&nbsp; 300 for the panel, 80-100 for the battery (a walmart deep cycle), cheap charge controller for like 40 bucks, and an inverter (havent priced one yet) plus the various wires etc.&nbsp; Run a few lights, fan and charge a laptop etc.&nbsp; If you spend a little more on batteries I think you can run an electric cooler.&nbsp; I think where you are/amount of sun makes a difference too.<br /><br />If it is your land and there is no need for stealth or mobility, you can get a much cheaper generator than the yamaha and hondas and just build something to deflect the noise away from you, but remember you'd need to get fuel for it if you use it a lot.

 

[Guest]

been homesteading since 1994, except for a 5 year hiatus in the city for school/work. have lived in fancy place, and dumps and on and off grid. <br />and i am still learning. for the past 7 years have lived amongst the Amish and learned very much from them. they use honda motors here to start the well. this is all old order. <br /><br />i would like to and have, designed a place off grid with very minimal power. much of that i have put in practice, and its worked very well, but the MI winters are getting to me. <br />i have made and also re-configured a potty chair for a nice compost toilet. use wood and coal to heat and cook. rainwater system (very nice soft water). the only thing i would want power for is to charge cell phone and laptop and maybe use air card? <br /><br />i have now and have had: horses, milk goats, rabbits and chickens/ducks/guineas, and of course cats and dogs. and a pot bellied pig.<br /><br />i have everything to live off grid except the little cabin. why would someone want to? well its cheaper, plenty of physical labor to keep you healthy. animals and gardens provide much entertainment. and are good for the soul.<br />whats the point of living in the country if i must have all the city amenities.<br />that said i enjoy the internet. <br />i figured at some point i could van dwell and travel and find that spot eventually where the winters are a little less harsh, buy or put up a decent sized storage barn and convert it to a cabin. it does give me something to dream about. after that was done, start putting some little out buildings around for grown kids and grands and friends to visit. <br /><br />there is a sweet little book by Conrad Meineke (sp) called "your cabin in the woods". its an old book but chock full of wisdom and written beautifully.<br />of course Encyclopedia of Country living is good and there are many others as well. <br />sorry didn't mean to go on and on LOL

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I have been living on 5 acres for 7 years. It can be a challenge to homestead living in an RV, they are not insulated well. You have to live through weather extreams winter and summer.<br />Get a 3500 watt generator and set up a battery bank. charge the battery bank with generator. You could use the generator to run a small window a/c in the hottest part of the day.<br />Get a large propane tank from local propane distributer and have them deliver the propane. This is the easiest way to handle the propane since you may use a lot in the winter to heat the RV depending on the climate. I went through one winter the temp went down to -20! Put skirting around the RV to help keep the floor warmer in the winter(use plywood or some thing that will last for many years). <br />Water could be more challenging if you can't afford a well then you will need to find a local source for water such as a nearby neighbor or business where you can get water from. I transport 100 gallons of water at a time put it in a tank that is not clear preferably black so algae will not grow in it.<br />If you are haulling water to your homestead then you don't want a flushing toilet, use a composting toilet like the one on this web site: http://humanurehandbook.com/index.html Yes crap will compost, what comes from the earth must return to the earth.

 

[offroad]

Good notes here. Look at zoning and tax laws. Some states still allow you to set up a CAMP and have little to no taxes on the land, if county is unincorporated. Not sure of many areas&nbsp;like that but will do research.&nbsp;<br /><br />Other points about cold weather are well taken. It's a lot of work to heat a cabin or RV in winter at 32 degrees. Your toilet or tanks could freeze and split, causing major expense. Look for a location that does not have much freezing or no freezing at all.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />

 

[castle]

Well, I live in the desert, and it's some family land...so hardly any chance of rain water collection, and the nearest water source is a two hour drive...I suppose I could get 5 gallon jugs and take really old school baths? <br /><br />My dilema is that I'll only be living off grid for 10-12 mos, and then moving to an rv park when I transfer from my jr college to a 4 year uni. <br /><br />I think I'm just really nervous, but I know once I get my setup I'll be alright.

 

[Cubey]

I would be mainly concerned with if it would be legal to "live" there (where ever you buy land) with a septic system and a well. That's the main two things you need. For energy to power the well, solar+battery bank and/or a generator would work great.<br /><br />I guess I'd also be concerned about getting internet service. Cell phone data is the most cost effective but satellite internet is also out there but costly with INSANELY low limits.

 

[akblack10]

Bertha Gets a Bedroom........ I ve been working on getting a roof over Bertha the Truck Camper... slowly she is getting a roof over her head!<br /><img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img708/9139/berthasbedroom1.jpg" alt="" />

 

[Cubey]

That new structure you're building doesn't look very heavy duty. I'd do at least double as much of a structure for something that large.

 

[akblack10]

Cubey, I'm not done yet... the 6x6s are 3 ft in the ground with an 80 lb bag of concrete around each, the sides will get more lumber and the roof has lots more work to be done... but ... I will take your recommendation as a friendly comment! ; )

 

[IGBT]

Cubey, I'm not done yet... the 6x6s are 3 ft in the ground with an 80 lb bag of concrete around each, the sides will get more lumber and the roof has lots more work to be done... but ... I will take your recommendation as a friendly comment! ; )

<br /><br />Not to hijack the original thread, but I like your linear design of buildings <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Each building is popping up along the road...like an assembly line.

 

[Cubey]

Cubey, I'm not done yet... the 6x6s are 3 ft in the ground with an 80 lb bag of concrete around each, the sides will get more lumber and the roof has lots more work to be done... but ... I will take your recommendation as a friendly comment! ; )

<br /><br />Yes, didn't mean any malice by it. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Just the way it looks now just would make me nervous if that's all there was going to be to hold up such a large structure over something I was living in and my vehicle.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

Well, I live in the desert, and it's some family land...so hardly any chance of rain water collection, and the nearest water source is a two hour drive...I suppose I could get 5 gallon jugs and take really old school baths?

<br /><br />It sounds like it might be a remote spot. Water conservation is the key here then, 5 gallon jugs will work great for this. The number of jugs will depend on how often you will make a trip for water, a person needs about a gallon of water a day. It doesn't take much water for bathing about 1 gallon should be plenty to wash with. And if you keep the dishes and cooking utensils to a minimum then washing dishes will not take a lot of water. So i would plan on about 2 gallons of water a day at least. &nbsp;Don't for get a pair of binoculars for looking a the stars at night (50mm-75mm), this great entertainment in the desert.

 

[Pikachu711]

I've been looking into this subject for some time. This is something I would love to do in the future. There is property that can be acquired relatively inexpensively.<br /><br />Spritituallifetime, you're correct that the key to homesteading is water conservation. A homesteading propery that has water can be an asset. But some (if not all) properties will require you to dig a well. I've seen some blogs where people have drilled their own wells. If you opt to have a commercial&nbsp;company drill your well it can be a costly&nbsp;expense.<br /><br />This is only one option you have to consider when you buy homesteading property. There are quite a few websites that offer advice on homesteading.<br /><br />Later,

 

[akblack10]

IGBT thanks for the comment! &nbsp;They are in-line because in Ky it's really hilly (at least where I am) and I am trying to maximize a relatively "flat" spot!<br />-AK

 

[yesican]

Snow load must be minimal there?&nbsp; I like the slant of the roof.&nbsp; Would be easy and cheap to make a rainwater catch off the roof.&nbsp; Are you thinking of that?<br /><br />Rae

 

[josephusminimus]

I'm thinking in the direction of homesteading of a sort, anyway.&nbsp; I've never seen anything of this nature proposed, but the idea came to me a few days ago and I posted it on Intentional Communities to find out if there's any interest.&nbsp; Gotten a few responses, but not yet enough to go further in planning it for the moment.<br /><br /><a href="http://directory.ic.org/24101/New_Mexico_Farmer_Nomads_Circuit_Community" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0066cc;">http://directory.ic.org/24101/New_Mexico_Farmer_Nomads_Circuit_Community</span></a><br />&nbsp;<br />New Mexico Farmer Nomads Circuit Community <br /><div class="ecxcmtyViewLocation">New Mexico Public Lands, New Mexico</div><div class="ecxgenericFormSection"><div class="ecxcmtyView"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="80%"><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;Proposed [forming]migratory community to occupy BLM and National Forest lands with water available capable of growing food crops. Members would occupy each site and tend gardens 14 days maximum to stay within BLM and USFS regulations, then rotate to another community site at least 25 miles away, replacing another rotatee who's been tending the garden there.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">No permanent structures are allowed on these multi-use BLM or USFS public lands, though if, say, a mining claim is filed [a cheap, easy means of establishing certain legitimate, defined rights of occupation], a storage for 'tools' building is allowed.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">Members will need to be willing to live in tents, RVs, campers, or converted school bus shelters while occupying the sites.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">The only reason 'community' is an issue is to assure crops get planted and tended at each site through the growing season, and because of the 14 day occupation limit per site.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">Some rules regarding wood cutting, site cleanup and maintenance, and waste disposal will be needed, along with a rotation shedule for each member unit.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">My thought is that if there's sufficient interest in this alternative lifestyle it should begin before spring planting, 2013.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">contact me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><span style="color: #0066cc;">[email protected]</span></a>.</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">&nbsp;</div><div class="ecxcmtyViewDescription">Jack<br /><br />Edit:&nbsp; At the moment I'm toying with the prospects for the two valleys between the Lueras, the Magdalenas, the San Mateos and Black Range, with Winston to the south.&nbsp; Plains of San Augustin to the north:<br /><img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/magdalena-san-mateo-torc-triangle.jpg" alt="" /><br />Lots of side canyons with water.&nbsp; Not married to it, but figuring it's a good starting place.</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>