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Anyone who’s ever thought of living off the grid in an RV understands the lure of the freedom it offers. The ability to take your home with you wherever you want to go while always being comfortable is certainly appealing. Over the years, the trend of living in off-grid RVs has gained immense popularity in the US for several reasons.
Building an off-grid RV from scratch requires a lot of planning and forethought, and one of the most critical aspects of making this work is that it is a reliable power source. A Jackery Solar Generator is a good option as it offers you the capacity you need to run most of your RV’s appliances. A solar generator is also reliable, quiet, and safe, making it perfect for you to use inside your RV. In this guide, you’ll learn about every aspect of living in an off-grid RV, from its benefits to how to choose an RV and the basics you’ll need to take care of.
Key Takeaways
- An off-grid RV is designed to ensure your self-sufficiency in terms of power supply.
- An off-grid RV offers you immense freedom and flexibility and also can help you save on costs when compared to living in a traditional home.
- You must check your local laws when you decide to camp somewhere in your RV.
- Jackery Solar Generators are a versatile and reliable battery backup option to power up your RV and run most of your appliances.
What is an Off-Grid RV?
An off-the-grid RV is a motorhome that’s specifically designed to ensure that you don’t have to rely on any traditional power sources and that you can be self-sufficient wherever you go. Here, the term “off-grid” means not relying on any electricity from the primary electric grid and instead using alternative means such as solar or wind energy to power up your home.
Off-grid RVs must have certain features on offer that can ensure your self-sufficiency and make your life comfortable. These features include:
- Appliances can run on 12-volt sockets or propane gas, including a stove, refrigerator, TV, etc.
- A large freshwater tank to ensure you have enough water for all your needs over extended durations away from populated areas with access to public utilities.
- A solar generator that can run most of your RV’s appliances and charge your essential devices on the go.
- Large gray water and black water tanks to store all your waste, especially if you aren't going to be camping out of private RV parks with all possible amenities.
- Raised axles and a tough chassis ensure your RV can handle rough terrains whenever needed.
Many people often need clarification on an off-grid RV and an off-road RV. While an off-road RV will typically have raised axles, all-terrain tires, and other off-road gear to take you over rough terrains, an off-grid trailer can simply be off the grid while you’re in the middle of a city.
Living off the grid, especially in urban areas, offers you access to utilities and other amenities. However, this can be a challenge if you’re truly going off-road in a rather remote place, especially during an emergency like the wildfires in Texas.
Benefits of an Off-Grid RV
Living in an off-grid RV can offer several benefits for those who have wanted to enjoy this lifestyle for a while and have an adventurous spirit. This section explores some of these benefits in greater detail.
Greater Freedom and Flexibility
The biggest benefit of an off-grid RV or a motorhome is that you can always find yourself living in a new place every few days. If you enjoy being on the move and exploring hidden gems and secluded spots, an off-grid RV is just your solution.
Fewer Crowds
The lack of crowds and the noise of bigger cities is among the biggest draws for those who want to live in an off-grid RV. It allows you to drive off to secluded or quieter places, where you can enjoy being in the midst of nature for as long as you please.
Cost Savings
Parking your traditional RV in campsites (especially private ones) can be expensive. On the flip side, public RV campgrounds don’t offer the same amenities private ones do. Living in an off-grid camper that’s completely self-sufficient means you can avoid the fees associated with booking a place at a campsite and all the other amenities associated with it.
What to Know Before Choosing Off-Grid RV
People often have several misconceptions about living off the grid in an RV or cabin. Some believe that living off the grid means they won’t have any electricity bills to pay or that it doesn’t require following too many laws and regulations. In this section, we list some of the key things you must know before you choose to live in an off-grid RV.
Living Off the Grid Can Be Physically Strenuous
If you’ve always lived a sedentary lifestyle with all your amenities, like electricity, water, and heating, taken care of, you’ll have to consider the effort it takes to live comfortably in an RV. From maintaining your RV to finding a source of water to refill your fresh water tanks and emptying out your gray water tanks, there’s a lot that you’ll have to do yourself.
The Cost of Entry Can be High
While living off the grid in an RV can be cheaper than living in a traditional home, it involves a high entry cost. You will need to save a reasonable amount of money, as building your RV from scratch or buying a new one will cost a lot.
You Must Be Aware of Your Local Laws
While it isn’t illegal to live off the grid, you will need to ensure you follow all the local regulations in the place you’re camping in to avoid paying unnecessary fees and fines. Some areas aren’t open to temporary dwellings, whereas others have provisions. Staying aware of these regulations can save you money and the hassle of dealing with the authorities.
You Should Be Prepared for Any Eventuality
Like any traditional home, your motorhome will be prone to mechanical or even logistical issues at some point. Your solar panels, for example, could stop working or your pressure pump might not be working as efficiently as it should. Knowing how to fix these issues can ensure you can get back up on your feet.
Additionally, having a backup ensures you’re not left without power, water, or any other resource or creature comfort in an emergency. You should also prepare an emergency action plan for such situations.
Off-Grid RV Basics
At this point, you’d have understood that there’s a lot to consider if you want to live off the grid in an RV.
This section takes you through five basics of living in an RV when you’re off the grid.
Water System
Water will be the most critical resource you’ll need in your RV, especially when you’re living off the grid. There are three main reasons why you’ll need water in your RV. The first is clean, drinking water that you can source from a well or any other natural resource like a river or a spring. This is usually stored in a freshwater tank.
The next is a gray water tank, which stores the water that’s been used to clean your dishes, wash clothes, or that comes out from the drain in your shower. This water can be repurposed to water any plants you may have or even for flushing your toilet.
The third is the black water tank, which stores waste from your flush toilets. This water is far too contaminated to be used for any other purpose and must be properly disposed of occasionally.
Waste System
How you manage the waste generated in your RV is another crucial aspect to consider. While wastewater is collected in your black water tank as mentioned earlier, your other solid waste (wet or dry) can be segregated and disposed of wherever you find public dustbins or compost pits in RV campgrounds or other places.
Energy System
Living off the grid in an RV means you’re not connected to the main electric grid, but you will need some power to run your appliances and charge all the devices you need daily. Buying batteries to support some of your critical appliances after the sun goes down is an option, but it can often be expensive. Additionally, traditional lead-acid batteries also require regular maintenance, which makes solar power batteries a better option.
This is where a Jackery solar generator can come in handy, especially if you’re primarily traveling around in warmer places that get a lot of sunlight. A solar generator combines solar panels that absorb solar energy from the sun’s rays and a portable power station to plug your appliances into and run them.
Land
If you plan on living off the grid on a piece of land of your own, you’ll have to consider the costs of purchasing the land itself. However, you’ll likely want to be on the move from time to time if you're living off the grid in an RV. In this case, you’ll have to ensure that the land on which you camp allows for RVs to legally park there for extended durations.
Besides these, you can also consider public or private RV campgrounds. Private campgrounds are more expensive, but they offer many more amenities, including proper disposal mechanisms for gray and black water. On the other hand, public campgrounds are cheaper but also offer fewer amenities.
Food
Food is another important aspect you’ll have to consider. This goes beyond how you’ll cook your meals but also how you’ll get the ingredients to feed yourself daily. If you’re living off the grid in an RV in an urban or semi-urban center, you’ll still be able to access grocery stores from where you can purchase your ingredients.
However, if you intend to camp out of remote locations for extended durations, you will have to stock up on non-perishable food items that can sustain you for the duration of your trip.
You'll also need to ensure that you have a reliable power supply option like a Jackery Solar Generator to run the appliances in your kitchen, such as your electric grill, kettle, coffee machine, and so on.
Jackery Solar Generators for Off-Grid RV
Jackery has been known as one of the most notable manufacturers of solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators seamlessly combine the Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.
When the solar panels are exposed to direct sunlight, they absorb solar energy from the sun’s rays and convert it into DC electricity. This is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station to convert it into AC electricity.
These solar generators are incredibly versatile and can be used as your primary power supply option for your RV or even if you plan on going away from your motorhome on a camping or overlanding trip.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator is an expandable solar generator with a decent capacity to run most of your RV's appliances. It offers ultra-fast charging for your devices and can also be charged via solar energy or a wall charger. If you need to increase the capacity of your solar generator, you can also add a battery pack or additional solar panels.
The solar panels can be folded so you can carry them wherever you go. Additionally, the portable power station has a handle and can be wheeled everywhere, so you can take the entire system with you even if you’re leaving your RV.
Appliances Running Time:
- Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W) = 1H
- Smartphone (29W) = 59.8H
- Portable Air Conditioner (1150W) = 1.5H
- TV (60W) = 28.9H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 3.3H
Customer Review:
“Amazing! I went off the grid with it, and we love it. We live in a camper and power up everything for at least 2 days without charging. We’ve never had a problem with power.” - Marcin.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is another expandable solar generator with a reasonably high capacity to run most RV appliances for longer durations. The system comes with foldable solar panels and a portable power station, making it easy to take with you anywhere.
Appliances Running Time:
- Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W) = 2H
- Smartphone (29W) = 119.7H
- Portable Air Conditioner (1150W) = 3H
- TV (60W) = 57.8H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 6.6H
Customer Review:
“The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus and Battery Pack with the 400W solar panels package is a great combination for home backup and RV usage. The 120VAC and RV receptacles and the others are great on the unit.” - Larry.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is the company’s large-capacity solar generator that offers you enough juice to run most of your RV’s appliances. Whether it’s an electric grill, a TV, or even a refrigerator, this solar generator will keep them running without a worry. The entire system is cold-friendly which makes it ideal for those looking to camp in cooler places.
With its quiet canyon cooling system, minimal noise, and no emissions, you can safely keep this inside your RV and plug your devices into it.
Appliances Running Time:
- Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W) = 1.5H
- Smartphone (29W) = 88.6H
- Portable Air Conditioner (1150W) = 2.2H
- TV (60W) = 42.8H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 4.9H
Customer Review:
“We took our Explorer 3000 Pro on a dry camping trip, which was a total success. Instead of having to rely on our generator like we normally do, the Jackery carried any load we needed it to, and the solar recharging was awesome!”—Andrew.
How to Choose the Best Off-Grid RV
While the power supply is one aspect, knowing how to choose the perfect off-grid RV for your and your family’s needs is just as critical a decision. You must consider a few factors when deciding, and this section explains them in detail.
RV Size
The first and most important factor to consider is the size of the RV. If you're single and plan on living in your RV alone, you can probably make do with a smaller motorhome. On the other hand, if you have a family, you will need a longer and more spacious RV.
Budget
Your budget will be key in dictating how big and luxurious an RV you can afford to build for yourself and your family. You’ll have to account for insulating and refurbishing your RV from start to finish, buying all the necessary appliances, obtaining the required licenses, and purchasing a suitable solar generator.
Adequate Storage for Water
As mentioned earlier, you will need three main water tanks: a freshwater tank, a gray water tank, and a black water tank. Incorporate all three and ensure that you choose a size big enough to cater to your needs. This will depend on your lifestyle and the number of family members living in the RV.
Electrical Supply
One of the most important questions you’ll have to ask yourself is how you run your appliances. A solar generator like the ones mentioned above offers more than adequate capacity and can safely be kept inside your RV.
Off-Road Ability
If you will be taking your RV off-road occasionally, you will have to design it accordingly. For starters, you will need slightly knobbier all-terrain tires and snow chains in case you’re ever caught in icy conditions. You’ll also need a reinforced axle and a winch to get yourself out of sticky situations.
While you’ll also find plenty of off-grid RV options in the market, there are a few that stand out for their features and versatility. These are discussed below:
- inTech O-V-R Expedition Off-Grid Travel Trailer: This family-friendly RV comes in three variants, which also come with an off-grid package that includes 400 watts of solar power, a 200-amp-hour lithium-ion battery, and a 2000-watt inverter charger.
- Lance Truck Camper: This is designed for short-bed, half-ton trucks. The standard model comes with a marine toilet, ducted heat, and pre-wiring for a solar panel. It also has a three-way refrigerator and multiple 12-volt, USB, and 110-volt sockets to run your key appliances and devices. It also comes with a 19-inch, 12-volt TV to make it much more comfortable to live in this camper.
- Airstream Basecamp:This trailer is designed to pair with midsize SUVs that many off-road enthusiasts already own. It has features like wheel flares, side skirts, and large wheels to protect it when going off-road on gravel-like surfaces. It comes in four sizes, from 16 to 20 feet in length, so you can choose the right model based on how much space you need.
Tips for Off-Grid Living in an RV
Living off the grid in an RV will be a huge departure for someone who's used to the creature comforts of a large, traditional home. Here are a few tips that can help you remain comfortable and well-prepared for any eventuality:
- If you ever go off-road, get your RV fitted with all-terrain tires to help you navigate wet road conditions.
- Ensure you choose a solar generator with adequate capacity to run most of your appliances.
- Use LED lighting in your RV, as it’s an energy-efficient option compared to traditional filament bulbs.
- Keep an adequate supply of essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, medicines, and other tools to help if you find yourself in a remote place or need to bug out during an emergency.
- Use a propane heater that can help warm up your space, particularly if you spend time in the mountains, where temperatures can drop quickly once the sun goes down.
Off Grid RV FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for my off-grid RV?
The right size of the solar generator you need for your off-grid RV will depend on how many appliances you need to run. For example, if you’re using the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus to run your refrigerator (520W) and your smartphone (29W), here’s how you can calculate the working hours:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliance = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 ÷ 549W = 3.1H
Note: The 0.85 is the power conversion factor multiplied by the battery capacity to account for power loss when charging the appliances.
Can you live in an RV off-grid?
Yes, you can live off the grid in an RV since it doesn’t require you to have a piece of land. You can choose where to park and be free to move around and travel wherever you want.
How do I make my RV fully off the grid?
The best way to make your RV fully off the grid is to use a solar generator to provide you with the power supply needed to run your appliances. You can also consider using wind turbines or hydroelectricity if you’re going to camp near running water sources.
Can you realistically live in an RV?
Yes, you can choose to live temporarily or even permanently in an RV. With the right power supply, adequate water, and other essentials, you can turn your RV into a comfortable home for yourself and your family.
How long can an RV run without being plugged in?
You can run your RV for several hours without it being plugged in. However, with a solar generator, you can ensure that the solar panels consistently charge the system, so you never have to worry about running out of your power supply.
Final Thoughts
Living in an off-grid RV is easier than ever, thanks to the many available options. You can convert a school bus into an RV or buy one off the market and customize it based on your needs. However, the entire process requires a lot of planning and budgeting, so you must factor each of these into your decision. You must also ensure your RV has a trustworthy power backup supply. A Jackery Solar Generator can be a reliable option, given its versatility, ease of use, and rugged build.
Are you planning on living off the grid in an RV? Do you plan on using a solar generator or a wind turbine to power up your RV? Tell us in the comments below!
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