This is my first post, go easy....The wife and I decided to ditch the rental and get a TT to live on our property while going through the building process. We currently have no utilities and expect to be a year to 18 months without any hookups. I'm opening myself up to a broad array of topics here, but looking for any advice I can get. A few things specifically:12341. As much as I wanted a metal shelter, it just isn't feasible for a temporary location, so we're planning to leave it out in the open with a metal carport serving as a patio. Are there extra maintenance steps I should take since the popout will be extended the entire time?2. Pest control - found a product called Mouse Free online and being in a wooded area I'm seriously considering applying it. Figure I'll thoroughly inspect the underside and plug any holes with steel wool and try to illuminate the outside somehow. Anyone ever have a problem with yellowjackets though?3. Thinking of pulling the toilet and placing a composting toilet in the bathroom. If anyone's ever done that I'd love to hear how it went. I really don't want to drag it into town every few weeks to dump the black tank and if I used a portable tank I'd have to get it up in the truck to use the nearest neighbor's septic. 4. For power I'm planning on a Champion dual fuel 3800 W generator and a small solar kit for the batteries (TT has a furrion outlet pre-wired) Noise isn't an issue and I figure the tv is the only thing I need to worry about "dirty" power with, hoping a UPS will prevent any damage the few times we watch tv. Any tips and advice or things I haven't thought of are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'd spend the money and install a septic tank to hook to. Figure out where your house will be and get a tank in the ground. Then you just need to deal with fresh water/propane/gas.Skirt the trailer with insulating material. When I lived in mine for two years (full hook ups), I skirted with thin OSB backed with 1" styrofoam sheets. Take it a couple inches into the ground and to the edges of the trailer to help eliminate rodents and bugs. Make a small access flap or door for draining your holding tanks. Have a lot of gas on hand for that generator for temperature extremes (hot or cold).

20acreheaven wrote:I really don't want to drag it into town every few weeks to dump the black tank and if I used a portable tank I'd have to get it up in the truck to use the nearest neighbor's septic. A macerator works well for pumping bw into the tank on the truck bed. Then all you need is a sewer hose long enough to reach the dump hole.You say this is on your property? Do your septic first and use that. Otherwise, dig a big hole.

Welcome to the Forum..I don't know the specifics of your particular situation, but since you are building a home on this property....why not get the infrastructure in first (water, power, septic) and then hook into that while you build...Doing this will eliminate the need for a generator, for hauling water in and hauling out sewer.....and will certainly make the construction of your new home easier...Anyway, good luck with your new adventure.

Up here you can’t build a house or cottage till the septic system is built and passed inspection.

boogie_4wheel wrote:I'd spend the money and install a septic tank to hook to. Figure out where your house will be and get a tank in the ground. Then you just need to deal with fresh water/propane/gas.Skirt the trailer with insulating material. When I lived in mine for two years (full hook ups), I skirted with thin OSB backed with 1" styrofoam sheets. Take it a couple inches into the ground and to the edges of the trailer to help eliminate rodents and bugs. Make a small access flap or door for draining your holding tanks. Have a lot of gas on hand for that generator for temperature extremes (hot or cold).I wish I could, but first we have to improve the driveway (running conduit for power at that time) then dig the well to prove we have adequate water before we can get a septic permit. In the meantime the cash savings pencil out significantly. I like the skirting idea, gonna use that!

Long term boon docking | Good Sam Community

ependydad
Explorer
Jul 26, 2018
Make sure you're even allowed to live in a camper there. You'd be amazed at the zoning rules if someone turns you in.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 26, 2018
Wow, sweet looking place. Nothin better than back i the woods!
20acreheaven
Explorer
Jul 25, 2018

Testing my photo posting....

Holy smokes that's huge!! sorry folks, if anyone can help me properly size my photo......

At any rate, this is where I'll be parking my trailer. Decided to use the dump tote and stick with the stock toilet. Got a propane guy coming out tomorrow (7/26) to see about getting a 120 gallon house tank brought out and hooked up to the trailer and dual feed genny. Then I'd just relocate it for the house when that time comes. For water I'm looking at a 65 gallon tank I can put in the back of the truck.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 15, 2018
^Both sides to the story above.
If in W WA, I'd make sure it's hid if you make your own septic, depending where you are. Too many leaf lickers and regulation on this side of the mtns.
Otherwise, no, it isn't going to hurt the environment to have 2 more animals cr@pping in the woods. Anyone who thinks it will, needs to either get out more or rethink their position on the subject.
FF286
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
I agree as I said not up to any code. But What’s the difference in a makeshift septic, and a permanent one? If your not able to spend the money or would need it in a different spot than where he plans on building later. Both would work the same way one is just temporary.
DrewE
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2018
FF286 wrote:
For septic you can bury a 55 gallon plastic drum in the ground. Either drill holes near the top or run a fill line from it. May not be up to any code but it will work and since it’s on your property who cares. You probably know this but just in case, be sure not to leave the tank valves open all the time.

This would certainly not be up to code in (most) places. In many areas, the state environmental protection agency would care very, very much, and show how much they care by imposing very substantial fines and penalties.
FF286
Explorer
Jul 14, 2018
For septic you can bury a 55 gallon plastic drum in the ground. Either drill holes near the top or run a fill line from it. May not be up to any code but it will work and since it’s on your property who cares. You probably know this but just in case, be sure not to leave the tank valves open all the time.
free_radical
Explorer
Jul 14, 2018
20acreheaven wrote:
This is my first post, go easy....

The wife and I decided to ditch the rental and get a TT to live on our property while going through the building process. We currently have no utilities and expect to be a year to 18 months without any hookups. I'm opening myself up to a broad array of topics here, but looking for any advice I can get. A few things specifically:

1
2
3
4
1. As much as I wanted a metal shelter, it just isn't feasible for a temporary location, so we're planning to leave it out in the open with a metal carport serving as a patio. Are there extra maintenance steps I should take since the popout will be extended the entire time?

2. Pest control - found a product called Mouse Free online and being in a wooded area I'm seriously considering applying it. Figure I'll thoroughly inspect the underside and plug any holes with steel wool and try to illuminate the outside somehow. Anyone ever have a problem with yellowjackets though?

3. Thinking of pulling the toilet and placing a composting toilet in the bathroom. If anyone's ever done that I'd love to hear how it went. I really don't want to drag it into town every few weeks to dump the black tank and if I used a portable tank I'd have to get it up in the truck to use the nearest neighbor's septic.

4. For power I'm planning on a Champion dual fuel 3800 W generator and a small solar kit for the batteries (TT has a furrion outlet pre-wired) Noise isn't an issue and I figure the tv is the only thing I need to worry about "dirty" power with, hoping a UPS will prevent any damage the few times we watch tv.

Any tips and advice or things I haven't thought of are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Been there done that
Bought 3 acress,,drilled a well,the old fashioned way,long hard proces
That includes pounding 3" galvanized pipe into the ground,,using huge heavy metal donut like shape driver,then using smaller holow pipe with chisel at the end and pumping water in you simply lift ram it down and turn until it drills thru the hard rock..

Borowed electric pump and power line from my neighbor who drilled his well this way also,long time back..

Was lucky to hit water 24 feet down..
Lived in a nearby farm house while cutting trees down and building my log structure,,actualy stackwall that can use any shape size logs about foot long set into cement,
leaving vertical space in the midle of the wall for insulation and electrical wire..
So the finished wall has concrete and logs facing inside and outside,
Lay stucco on the outside and inside too..later on to protect the logs from weather..
Had power conected when finished,,was using mostly woodstove for heat in winter as there was lots of trees around..
Built outhouse 100 feet away from the well,,
Did septic later,,had the permit for it before starting though,,
free_radical
Explorer
Jul 14, 2018
coolmom42 wrote:
..
Looks like the first order of business is to get a perc test, and decide on a house location. That will have to be done before you site the driveway. Get the driveway in next. After that, you should be able to get a temporary meter pretty quickly. That will reduce your generator/propane needs.

Find a shady spot. That will help.

Shady might not be such good idea IF he wanted to place solar panels on the roof at a later date..
20acreheaven
Explorer
Jul 12, 2018
Grit dog wrote:
If you're on the wet side of the mountains which it sounds like, go live in a RV. Sounds like fun actually! Especially with a new camper.
Heck it don't even get cold enough to freeze pipes but maybe a couple times a year.
Let's see some pics when you getter setup!

Figure out how to haul water easily, couple propane bottles, power drop would be nice though.

If I can figure out how to upload pictures I'll post some.

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