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

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2016
Now we have gone from fantasy to bigotry to crazy!
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
Me, I've always been a little concerned about 'who' owns all the gas stations nowadays and 'why' this anomaly has happened.

They could all get one phone call and band together one day and just turn one key and bam we would have no fuel across the entire USA and that would be the end of it. Quite simple don't you think? And I do believe it will happen some day.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Dec 23, 2016
sonora wrote:
The original poster is not alone. CLICKY

Too bad that most of them live in areas where they are not allowed to own guns for self defense. :B
sonora
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
The original poster is not alone. CLICKY
Mile_High
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
korbe wrote:
2oldman wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
Most people do not know this but the Y2K fears were indeed justified,
Some were, just not the ones about buying a generator and heading for the hills due to fears of mass power outages and chaos.

My neighbor, in fear of the Y2K, filled a portable swimming pool in his back yard with fresh water in case we lost power or something so he would still have water. A couple days before the new year, I saw his pool and asked what was up. After he told me his concern, I mentioned that our city water system was completely gravity and the tank up out of town was gravity fed by a spring - no electrical power needed.

:) Ya, my mother in low did the same thing, filled the bathtubs and sinks. I showed her the elevated tank on the hill.
korbe
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
2oldman wrote:
wa8yxm wrote:
Most people do not know this but the Y2K fears were indeed justified,
Some were, just not the ones about buying a generator and heading for the hills due to fears of mass power outages and chaos.

My neighbor, in fear of the Y2K, filled a portable swimming pool in his back yard with fresh water in case we lost power or something so he would still have water. A couple days before the new year, I saw his pool and asked what was up. After he told me his concern, I mentioned that our city water system was completely gravity and the tank up out of town was gravity fed by a spring - no electrical power needed.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2016
wa8yxm wrote:
Most people do not know this but the Y2K fears were indeed justified,
Some were, just not the ones about buying a generator and heading for the hills due to fears of mass power outages and chaos.
John___Angela
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
doc brown wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Diver4242 wrote:
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..
bad-mouthing companies and individuals on Twitter, making foreign policy on Twitter, ignoring global warming...

In the late 1980's I believe the sky is falling people said the earth would be frozen by the year 2000. Since that didn't happen it seems the obvious, to them, was global warming. Since that concept is weak they now say climate change. Well of course climate changes. The earth is 4.6 billion years old, 4 ice ages were ended by global warming. Can 100+\- years of weather data really tell us about climate modifications over 4.6 billion years?

I'm not sure I am a suporter of the global changing thing but pollution is pollution. The two are connected though and it was nice to see the world come together to recognize our planet needs attention. So weird that people consider that political. Anyway, I would say that is over for at least the next decade. Kinda sad.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2016
doc brown wrote:
Can 100+\- years of weather data really tell us about climate modifications over 4.6 billion years?
No, but 800,000 years can. I'm not going any farther with this. Do your own research.
doc_brown
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016
2oldman wrote:
Diver4242 wrote:
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..
bad-mouthing companies and individuals on Twitter, making foreign policy on Twitter, ignoring global warming...

In the late 1980's I believe the sky is falling people said the earth would be frozen by the year 2000. Since that didn't happen it seems the obvious, to them, was global warming. Since that concept is weak they now say climate change. Well of course climate changes. The earth is 4.6 billion years old, 4 ice ages were ended by global warming. Can 100+\- years of weather data really tell us about climate modifications over 4.6 billion years?