My wife and I have been looking for a used class A to snowbird when we retire in a year or so. Lately, we've been getting real nervous about things going on here in the US and in our world. For example, the escalation of cyber attacks of countries against each other, and more and more crazy people being selected to lead their countries. I work in IT security and know fully well that more than one country has the ability to turn our lights off (the US does as well), meaning the electrical grid. If we buy something, like the 2014 Newmar Bay Star 2903 we're looking at, which has a 600W inverter and generator, what would we need to do to be able to live off the grid for a more extended period of time? I'm guessing we'd need to install solar panels on the roof, maybe lithium ion batteries, etc? (and of course, need a good supply of water from somewhere, maybe an upgraded filtration or purifying system?). Has anyone explored or researched this and know what mods and expense we would be getting into?

Your problem is, you have a job that gives you MORE things to worry about. My take on this when people like you express concerns, is this, IF there is a complete shutdown, where you feel YOU will be in a superior position to weather the catastrophe. What about the REST of the Area you will be in? That means YOUR water supply (maybe 50 gallons) will be gone in less than a week as well as Food and fuel(LP for the refer and heat). ALL other people and stores will be at the mercy of the catastrophe. They will also be CLOSER to all methods of Fuel and Food and Water. That means they will deplete any available supplies BEFORE you can take advantage of re-supply. So, while it is a scary thought, to think planning for it will put you in a better position. I think NOT. You may just weather it for a few weeks longer and then you will be at the mercy as everyone else. DougPS, Not a real good way to contemplate life at retirement or ANY way to live your life. Besides, what makes you think the Bad Guys will wait for you to retire:h

Without a working fuel pump and water supply not much else matters after a short time.+1 to Doug

I guess my title gave it more drama than intended, it was somewhat tongue in cheek, and if (when) it happens it will likely be a temporary situation until we mitigate it. Perhaps days though. I've had to live in my class C for a few days in my driveway due to catastrophic weather, and it wasn't fun running the generator 24/7 and depending on filling up the tanks. So to calm things down about, I'm talking about a configuration that would allow living off grid for a day or two, or worst case long enough to get to Canada or Mexico, assuming my tank is full and there is some fuel available and power to pump it along the way.

Mr. Divers4242, just keep in mind, that you can't just drop in Lithium Ion batteries. There is a system involved with it.We have three LI batteries and the appropriate charging system, etc. There are a lot of interesting reading of people converting to LI and the procedures involved. The cost seems to come down every year. Our three LI batteries are replacing at least 10 AGM's, so the weight reduction is significant. It is expected that our batteries will last at least 10 yrs. and can be rebuilt at a much cheaper price vs. replacement. Currently, our batteries are about $7,000 each and will cost about $2,000 each for a rebuild. In 8 years when the actual replacement might come due, the cost could be half that.Also, Mexico doesn't sell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel or DEF (my understanding). I was just in Puerto Vallarta for a week with friends and didn't notice any signage. Oh, and I can read at least three languages from the following countries (USA, United Kingdom and Canada) :pGood luck,MM.

At least zombies are not real. When you can't count on fuel resupply, you want to live on 12V and forget about power-sucking inverters.

Apocalypse Now: Living Off Grid? | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2016
DutchmenSport wrote:
Anyone alive shortly before January 1, 2000 well remember the doomsday fear of total computer shutdown and chaos. Jan 1, 2000 was one of the most peaceful days and completely uneventful.

Most people do not know this but the Y2K fears were indeed justified, There were many people who were indeed affected, starting back as far as 1996. Now, you did not hear about it because of folks such as myself who used our brains to override the computers (By the way there are thousands of folks like me out there,, Though I'm now retired in 1996 I was a Police Dispatcher)

Michigan, being a leader in police software had already upgraded the Department of Motor Vehicles (Secretary of State) Computer system to a 4 Digit date system so we had no problem but when I ran drivers from Ohio, a mere 50 miles distant. I started seeing "License expired 2000" in 1996.. This was because "00" was smaller than "96".. now I read that and said "AH, Y2K issue" but I suspect a few tickets did get issued.. and dismissed.

But the problems were real.. Just not as bad as predicted and for the most part hidden by human brains "fixing" it in real time.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2016
roam1 wrote:
I could easily last 30 days in a fueled and provisioned RV
Isn't that what the OP wanted to know?

X2..Piece of cake..
roam1
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
I could easily last 30 days in a fueled and provisioned RV
Isn't that what the OP wanted to know?
Diver4242
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
"To be self sufficient for any length of time you really need 'land'. Rolling in an RV won't work."

Agreed, but if you don't want to take it to the extent that you live like that, 24x7, *now*, you need to get to the land somehow (hence the rig). I admit if the worst happens, it's better to be there, be prepared, and already acclimated to living that way, with all systems thoroughly tested and functional.

Enjoying the discussion, it's very informative and entertaining. I keep envisioning the naysayers "oh nothing happened before" who use that argument as "nothing will happen in the future" (silly) as being the ones we have to defend ourselves against :-)

I always thought the whole prepper thing was overblown paranoia. Now, every day, it seems more viable to me. We're talking more nuclear proliferation, breaking down the few agreements that have kept the peace, things are unraveling rather quickly.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
Actually I'm thinking things have improved now and I am not oncerned
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
mike brez wrote:
2oldman wrote:
I can't imagine the scenario described... but, if you must plan for that, bring guns. It would likely be a lawless land with every man for himself.

Already got that covered. I won't go outside my house without one.

X2
Madmax of Thunderdome was not that far off. People shooting each other for fuel.

I have friends up in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. They say there are a TON of people moving there and going 'professionally' off the grid.

These are Not homeless living in the woods, I'm talking big houses that can run completely without public power, installing water tanks, drilling several wells all over the property covertly, cellars filled with food and gardens to provide them to sustain life. Making sure they start with 'heritage' seeds to continue providing them with food. As many hybrid seeds don't reproduce. (I didn't even think about that).

These are upper middle income people preparing for the worst case scenario right here and now.

To be self sufficient for any length of time you really need 'land'. Rolling in an RV won't work.
southernsky
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
I'd find Mad Max, he'd know what to do...
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2016
Buy the complete series of FoxFire books and you will have all that you need to survive with what is left.
FoxFire
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2016
2gypsies wrote:
You do realize than there are many RVers who live off the grid by their own choice. This isn't something new. I'd suggest you move to Quartzsite now and get your preparing done. There are thousands arriving daily that can give you 'how to' hints. :)

This is the way it is in these parts also.Very few actually RV as the majority here does.Most everyone hunts/fishes and spends alot of time in the mountains and have more guns and ammo than they will ever need,myself included.Most have a RV of some sort that they use just for hunting or camping,not traveling.

Putting a wood stove in your RV solves all your problems with longevity in the RV.I have seen many many put wood stoves in there RV including newer motorhomes to make it much easier and cheaper to survive the winters we have in central Idaho.

I new a guy that got to be a very good friend that lived in a lean-to in two feet of snow in the mountains near Cascade Idaho who worked logging with us(bad times for him in Vietnam)..After his second pay check he went and bought a 16 ft Shasta travel trailer and put a sheepherders wood stove in it with a genuine oven built in.He thought he died and went to heaven with this setup and easily made it through the winter of over four feet of snow and temps way below zero.

As with most threads on this forum,it depends on where you live and how you grew up as to how you use your RV.While I am setup to stay for long periods of time in mine because of my past work, miles away from any town,the first thing I would do is put my tent woodstove/with oven in my larger RV solving any need for propane or gas and use the porta-potti in the warm RV (grin)..

While living in a small town with only one stop light and 200 miles from the nearest freeway in Idahos central mountains has some disadvantages,it has alot of advantages for living off the grid in a crisis..My biggest worry would be all the city folk coming to try and take what we have after they went mad,as mentioned earlier.I think most local folks are setup to take care of that problem if needed,unfortunately..

As long as you have (Sammy Kershaw song) Beer, Bait, And Ammo,you'll survive.:B
path1
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
Kiss your elec goodies good by, EMB

Once upon a time there was a large Hosp in a large city in the US. After 911 the city, county, state and fed made us jump thru many hoops. Bottom line, plans are in place. How good are the plans? You're guess is as good as anybody's.

One thing that got me thinking about what might happen was a term called "goodwill of the community" that means in everyday terms ....If the planning fails for one reason or another, it neighbor helping neighbor. Or could be just the opposite of neighbor against neighbor.

Our RV has about 2 weeks worth of food in it. Water is about 1/2 miles away. And our "off grid" place is probably going to be our driveway. In a major earthquake I think about 1/2 of our bridges are going to be gone. I've got enough propane to empty the freezer in the house and make it into jerky.

Here is a very good but old article I had saved for long time. A lot to think about. But overall depends if you're worry is. As a side note, I help out with a boys group sometimes. Couple weekends ago I learned how to start a fire with a shoe lace wrapped around a stick that drills into wood, creating enough friction to start a fire.

http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-preparedness/a-survival-q-a-living-through-shtf-in-the-middle-of-a-war-zone_10252011#