Mobile homesteading is the perfect solution for people who dream of going off the grid yet still get to travel and see different places.
The first thing you need to make mobile homesteading possible is to have a means of transportation you can turn into your new home. This is different than just living in your car. Mobile offgriding requires a huge enough space in your vehicle to keep all the necessities.
Choosing the right vehicle for mobile homesteading
As mentioned, you need a vehicle with ample space for all your stuff, which is quite few since most people who live off the grid usually have few belongings. The space is more for the necessities such as a bed, bathroom, table, kitchen, fridge, sink and other important parts or items in the house that you can squeeze inside your mobile homestead.
Some people living off the grid started their journey having their own place and properties, a good paying job, money in the bank, and a car. If you plan on shifting to mobile homesteading, you can sell your assets and use the money to buy a mobile home, RV, an old bus, a van, a truck with cargo trailer, or any vehicle that fits the bill. Alternatively, you can build a tiny house with wheels and hook it up to your truck when you travel.
Ideally, you’ll want a comfortable bed where you can lie down and doze off. If you’re going with a truck and trailer, however, you’ll need a large tent to serve as your bedroom. A sleeping bag will also help make your nights more comfortable. This set-up is ideal if you’re not permanently going off the grid or if you’re in a dystopian future where you have to keep moving to scavenge for food and supplies.
Water
You’ll need a source of water to survive our mobile homesteading adventure. Fortunately, being mobile means you can go around and find a suitable place, like one near a lake or river, to stop for a time. Another option is to purchase or rent property near a water source or one with a well.
There’s always a risk that you won’t find a place near a source of water. You have to stock up on drinking water. You also have to be ready with different ways of procuring clean water.
Food
To be completely self-sufficient, you need your own food source. This basically means you grow your own crops and raise your own animals for meat and other by-products. This is not possible if you’re mobile homesteading.
Nevertheless, you still have to be prepared for the possibility. Keep packets of seeds in your mobile home. You should also have a guidebook on raising and slaughtering animals in case you decide to settle somewhere.
For mobile homesteading, it’s better if you stock up on food including spices and condiments. Dry goods and canned food are always safe bets along with MREs. If you have a mini refrigerator in your home, you can purchase meat as you go along. You also need can and bottle openers, eating utensils, pots and pans, and an oven to cook food and boil water.
Source of energy
Solar energy is the go-to energy source of homesteaders. For mobile homesteading, you can have solar panels on your vehicle or trailer. Another option is to have a portable solar generator with you, which you can take out when you stop during the day.
Having your own energy source is essential if you want to keep warm during cold nights or use the A/C when the weather is hot.
For cooking, you can also use propane tanks tough you have to extra careful when using this. Another option is to build a fire (not inside your mobile homestead, of course) and cook your food the old-fashioned way.
Entertainment and Communication
Whether or not you’re mobile homesteading, you need some way to communicate with others and to entertain yourself. With a source of energy such as solar panels, you can jack your mobile home with a TV and radio. You can also use your phone and laptop for work, communicating and other tasks. Of course,you can stock up on old school entertainment such as crossword puzzles, game cards, books, and magazines.
Your phone should not be the your only form of communication. In the event of a societal breakdown, you can still keep tabs on your loved ones using old school communication tools such as a CB radio, HAM radio or walkie talkies.
Survival gear
Homesteading is surviving on your own without depending too much on establishments. To do so, you need stockpiles of food and water, supplies, and the right gear.
You’ll also be depending a lot on your vehicle. Keep it in tiptop shape and have a road emergency kit and the right tools for repairs.
When your home is compromised or when you get into an accident, you must be ready to ditch it. That’s why you should have a bug out bag. As all preppers know by heart, your BOB should contain all the essentials for you to survive for at least a few days before you reach safety.
Always assume that you may encounter threats while you’re mobile homesteading. You don’t have to be paranoid but you do have to be ready to defend yourself, your family, and your mobile home when the need arises.
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