I have received a lot of questions about my change in lifestyle and what it is like living out of a camper. There is a movement taking place across the US where many folks both young and old are finding it better suited for them to live out of a mobile vehicle. The reasons are varied. Many are for the economics of not having to pay rent per se, (there are some that only stay at areas that have per night charges) or a mortgage. It gives them the freedom to move about and be cut off of things like cable, electric, gas and water. Many folks live in converted vans small campers or even their cars, while others opt for very large RVs with all sorts of accessories. Many of these are essentially rolling apartments and I have found a lot of retirees have sold there homes and become “snowbirds” traveling to one location in the winter months and another towards summer. I find that many of the younger people who have opted for this lifestyle tend to live in smaller vehicles and have adopted more of a minimalist lifestyle that ties in, living with the freedom while minimizing what they actually own. In any case those I have met, that do live full time “mobile” have all had an adventurous spirit and a dedicated purpose. I have yet to hear anyone complain, but I know firsthand that it is a challenge, and living without the conveniences and amenities that a home offers requires both patience and additional work. And while I have only been doing this a short time, I will fill you in on my current situation.

I purchased and renovated a small, 13ft lightweight (fiberglass) 1977 Trillium camper about three years ago. At the moment, this is my only home. It is basically a hard shell tent on wheels. It does not have running water and the heater is basically too old to use. I purchase a little buddy propane heater, which helps when it gets really cold. (It has been dropping into the 20s and 30s currently in Yellowstone) This uses 1lb propane which can get very expensive, so I have a 20lber that I use to refill these canisters. (But only in the states where it’s legal 😉 It does have a two burner range inside, but I primarily cook outside on a Coleman propane stove. (Again using refills) There is no refrigeration but I do use a small yeti type cooler to keep food refrigerated as needed. There are led lights in the camper that run off the battery which I can charge with a built in converter when I have power access. I have a solar set up which consists of a 100 watt panel and a 400 watt lithium generator. I have found this can last easily 4-5 days “off grid” to power a small light for a few hours per day, a small fan as needed, and to recharge all my electronics. It does not have a bathroom but I do have a hospital urine container that closes right and I can use for any middle of the night wee wee dance. There are pretty much always toilets available where you stay or on the road. Showering is another thing and when they are not available you learn to take sponge baths (heating water, soap, wash cloth) or you can definitely go a day or two on the baby wipe program.

The space inside is very small. This definitely takes some adjustment but more importantly, organization. It takes some time to see what you use on a regular, which should be key accessible, and those things you rarely use and those you never use (which I found, should not even be with me). You learn to adapt and use what you have. I am still working on the organization as I realize more and more that you really do not need much. I am adjusting to taking a 5 bedroom 3000 sf home and cramming what I thought I would need into a short bed pickup and a 13’ camper. By the way the inside dimensions are actually about 6.5’ by 10’ so there is an ongoing shifting of “stuff” primarily clothes, guitar and cooler. But that is my most recent adaptation to road life. I am going to spend a full day today (my last day at Yellowstone) purging, cleaning and organizing before taking off for Utah in the AM.