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!

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JaxDad
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2018
I wouldn’t worry about a septic system, especially if you’re not even started building, but a buried holding tank and a ‘honey wagon’ to pump it out every couple months is pretty cheap.

I’ve never seen a place where they wouldn’t stick a pole in the ground and give you a temporary service panel. The construction folks will need electricity too.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 09, 2018
It kinda seems like your concentrating on some of the wrong things (patio, pest control).

You need:

Electricity. This is the one thing that can make an RV habitable long term. Also, in order to build anything, you need a temporary electrical post.

Water. You will need a constant source of water whether you haul it or what ever.

Sanitation. You need a way to get rid of your sewage. You may be able to get a "Porta-potty" type service to come by at regular times to empty your tank. Or, you can use a tote if there's someplace near by to dump it.
Doubt you would like a composting toilet..

Don't even try to live in your RV without some way of covering these needs.
mockturtle
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2018
Did you say what your water source is?
old_guy
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
well if it were me I don't think I would give up the place I am living in now before I get into living in a TT without a few things like sewer or electricity or water. get those three things in then think about moving into a TT long term
20acreheaven
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
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!
Fizz
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
Up here you can’t build a house or cottage till the septic system is built and passed inspection.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
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.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2018
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.
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Jul 09, 2018
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).

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