I’m going off the grid! I’m heading out for a RV road trip adventure from Texas to Sedona, Grand Canyon, up the 101 to Portland, Seattle, and then down to Boise, Grand Teton, Colorado and back.
Here’s how I’m preparing for a long RV trip!
I’ll travel with no power, water, or sewer connection! In the RV world this is called boondocking or dry camping. Here’s my to-do list before hitting the road, from getting an oil change, to watching YouTube videos to perfect a bun (since I won’t have power to use my flat iron!).
First, for anyone not familiar with RV life let me clarify what exactly boondocking is and how going off the grid works. The Bureau of Land Management made developed dispersed land in natural forest free and open for camping.
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RV 101: Preparing for Water, Power, and Sewer
RV’s normally hookup directly to power, sewer, and water (like at a RV park). When RVing off the grid, instead you use your freshwater tank to fill up with water. Then you use water in your tank to shower, wash your hands, and flush the toilet. The water from your sink and shower runs to what’s called your gray water tank.
Then the water in your toilet stays in what’s called a black water tank.
Want to see what this looks like? Here’s a video of me showing the RV water hookups.
I’ll have running water, but obviously need to conserve the water to make it last before I reach a stop with a RV dump station to empty your tanks and refill water. Sites like Campendium list reviews of BLM camping spots and where dump stations are.
My water heater, refrigerator, and stove top get power from my propane.
What I won’t have power for:
- Air conditioning
- Charging electronics (phone, laptop, flat iron, microwave, etc.)
Basic RV Preparation
I want to have a spare water hose and sewer hose on hand! They both will be disconnected the entire trip except when I’m at a dump stations, so I need containers to store the hoses. Gloves, trash bags, and disinfecting spray are must-haves in my book!
Here’s What I Need to Buy:
- Propane tank refill
- Extra water hose
- Storage container for water hose
- Storage container for sewer hose
- Extra sewer hose
- Tank cleaner
- RV leveling Blocks
- Level (the fridge oddly needs to be super level to work!)
- Small trash bags
- Large trash bags
- 2 extra lighters
- Gloves
- Disinfecting Spray
- Extra water containers
- Cooler (if the fridge has issues!)
Road Trip Car Prep
I’m getting my car checked out and an oil change to be safe before they long road trip. I also will have on hand a basic car emergency kit with jumper cables, air pump, and a large roadside map. If the cell service is spotty, I’ll always have a paper map to get me from point A to B.
- 16. Get oil changed
- 17. Print current copy of car and rv insurance
- 18. Check tire treads
- 19. Buy air pump
- 20. Jump starter cables
- 21. Roadside warning flashers
- 22. Portable fuel tank
- 23. Roadside map
- 24. Navigation car mount
- 25. Flashlight
- 26. Extra batteries
- 27. Complete break check
Personal Safety Travel Preparation
I’m a solo female traveler (and have taken multiple solo trips since I was 16th!). I’ve found it highly beneficial to connect with a travel group. For around two weeks of the trip, I’ll be with a group of RVers, the Xscapers.
Here are other safety measures I’m taking:
- 28. Buying mace
- 29. Freshening up on my Krav Maga martial arts, kick-ass skills (you can watch me in action here)
- 30. Finalizing my itinerary with the exact Google Coordinates of my stays
- 31. Sharing itinerary with friends and family
Hiking Preparation
I’ll hit up Dollar Tree and thrift stores to get ready to be out in nature a lot and buy these items:
- 32. Bug spray
- 33. Sunscreen
- 34. Cases of water
- 35. Gatorade (a dozen bottles)
- 36. Sunglasses
- 37. 2-3 sports bras
- 38. 2 new running shorts
- 39. 5 new running shirts
- 40. 1 causal hat
- 41. 2 nicer hats
Beauty and Health Travel Prep
I’ll be testing out how to do no heat beach waves (like this one) and perfect the messy bun (like this) since I won’t have power! I’ll also be getting these other health and beauty items to get ready for my trip:
- 42. Flip flops
- 43. Dry shampoo- I won’t be washing my hair as much to conserve water!
- 44. Wipes- in case I’m in a bind with no water left to shower (ekk!)
- 45. Hair product for no heat beach waves
- 46. Refill current prescriptions
- 47. Benadryl (for an emergency!)
- 48. Watch- to depend less on my phone
- 49. Headbands
- 50. Small hair ties
- 51.Shampoo
- 52. Body wash
- 53. Vitamins
- 54. Cotton pads
- 55. Cleanser
Summer Wardrobe Update
Before my trip, I’m going to hit up garage sales, thrift stores, and shop discount to freshen up my summer wardrobe. Here’s what I want to find:
- 56. 2-3 shoes (Casual tennis shoes, sandals, heels)
- 57. Overalls
- 58. 2-3 one-piece jumpers
- 59. 2-3 pairs of high waist shorts, capris, or pants (yep, I’m jumping on the mom jean trend!)
- 60. 3-4 shirts
- 61. Swimsuit
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Preparing to Work Remote While RVing
I’ll still be working remotely on the road! I plan on having a routine and hitting up coffee shops or public libraries to get work (and internet!). For the rural areas, McDonald’s has surprisingly good and dependable internet.
My goals is to post THREE times a day to share my travel adventures and money tips! Follow my journey @bestmoneyclassever on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Here’s how I’m preparing to work remotely in my RV:
- 62. Upgrade cell phone plan with mobile hotspot
- 63. Extra wireless battery chargers
- 64. Buy new laptop
- 65. Additional laptop charger
- 66. Headphones
Other Errands Before Hitting the Road
Before I hit the road, I’ll do my regular weekly grocery shopping and be sure to have the basics on hand! Here what’s I’m buying and other misc. errands to prepare for a long RV road trip.
- 67. Paper towels
- 68. Toilet paper
- 69. Groceries for the first week on the road
- 70. Paper plates and utensils
- 71. Nonfiction books- for a non-electric entertainment before I go to bed
- 72. Yoga mat- to exercise outside
- 73. Notify post office for mail hold
- 74. Cancel services I won’t be using while on the road
Sidenote on my traveling expenses...
If you’re wondering how someone can afford to travel full-time for an extended period of time, then here’s some details. The only set fixed expenses I’ll have are my cell phone, health insurance, and car/rv insurance. That’s it! I have no debt. I bought my RV and SUV to pull it in cash. The RV Park I currently live in is month-to-month. I have the freedom to travel! This is the beauty of debt-free living.
RV Projects To-Do Prior to Leaving
Before hitting the road, I’ll mount as much as I possibly can to make traveling between spots as easy as I can and finish a few lingering remodel projects!
- 75. Paper towel mounted holder
- 76. Cabinet latches
- 77. Magnet for door
- 78. 2-inch nails
- 79. Mounting bracket to attach table to wall
- 80. Mounting bracket for slider
- 81. Wire cutter
- 82. Recycle bin to mount
- 83. Trash bin to mount
- 84. Soap/ hand sanitizer mount
- 85. Battery operated lights
- 86. Make vanity shelf
- 87. Buy peel and stick for kitchen
- 88. Repair broken drawer
- 89. Container to store winter clothes
- 90. Finish bed frame
- 91. Containers to organize pantry
- 92. Battery operating alarm clock
There’s a lot to plan for on any trip, but especially if you are RVING off the grid! If you’ve wondered what it takes to prepare for a long RV trip, these are the 92 things I’m preparing before my long RV Trip (off the grid).
You can never be too prepared!
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