What's
NOT inside
and ...
why it 'taint

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Battery Charging

Alternative Fixtures

1 | 2 | 3

Easy Conservation and boosting methods

Remembering how it used to be...and realizing it wasn't actually bad!

Things your accountant (spousal unit) will want to know

Fun Toys!

Non Gi-hugey Trailer Links

Fiberglass RV

 

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What you WON'T find in here:

  • Judgment

    No one is here to tell you what is or is not "real" camping. This is an individual choice. Camping is supposed to be enjoyed by anyone that does it, and if your preference is to have all the bells and whistles to make it within your realm of enjoyment, so be it. If it isn't fun, then why do it?

    It isn't up to me (or anyone else) to dictate what activities and how you indulge in them constitute an appropriate use of your time out.

    As long as what you are doing stays in your campsite, and noise or smells or lights don't spill into my enjoyment.. go for it!

    My personal philosophy: No pain = No pain.
     

  • Ways to power your Heavy Duty items without a Power Cord

    Some things just require a generator or other reliable steady source of 120v AC. or high capacity battery over what a normal camping trailer usually has. Microwaves, forced air heaters, cube heaters and air conditioners are the first things to come to mind, followed by certain medical equipment that is, these days, becoming more commonly portable.

    120v CPAP machines are a good example.

    If you have a CPAP, I am sure the medical pros already gave you instructions on how to run them without a power cord. I am no expert on them, they are a better source than I for that info. I do know it can be done, I often camp with folks that use them. They have whole systems and back up systems set up for them. They have extra batteries and high powered ways to charge them. Like Generators.

    The idea behind this page is to let you know how I run basic everyday items like lights, water pumps, TVs and heaters etc, without great use of power.
     

  • Highly Detailed Geekazoid info

    I don't know how many times I have been turned off from a webpage that contains endless reams of both important and unimportant technical info. This type of info is indeed good and needed when one wants to get down to the nitty gritty of DOING certain things, but is also often times hard to weed through when you are just formulating ideas or doing basic research. The word "Layman" never occurs to some writers.

    As a Geekazoid myself, I often forget that MOST folks are not as passionate as I may be about the fine details of the nuts and bolts of HOW something works. They only want to know what it is, what it can do for them, and how to use it. And how much its going to cost them. *smile*.

    You are reading this on the internet. Most likely you know about Google. If you require engineering details, do a search on whatever item or subject you see here. You will be blessed with more technical info than you could ever dream of.

    These pages here are for the non technically inclined. The Layman. For those that are just starting and only want the bottom line.
     

  • About my motivations ... for Me and My needs. (Your mileage may vary!)

    I am not a radical environmentalist, though I have a deep respect for nature and keeping it as clean and undisturbed as possible. Being raised in Oregon, with the traditional environmental values held by most native Oregonians, "Green" is part of our constitution.

    Introducing a travel trailer to the environment is obviously going to have some impact. I would be a total hypocrite to say I am totally "Green". The materials used in the trailer had to be manufactured, and I am sure it wasn't by old hippies using organic hand tools who totally recycle their waste.

    (By the Way, I AM an old hippie. I can make fun of us.)
     

  • My trailer is 100% fiberglass. THAT is not necessarily a green and friendly manufacturing method. And when the trailer finally dies, it isn't going to break down easily. Cockroaches left over from the fallout will appreciate having it as some sort of shelter. It will even outlive them.

    Some of the methods I will present ARE considered green, however. Nothing wrong with that! I use them for that when practical, and so I will have some needed, and admittedly ... desired comforts.

    However, strictly for environmental reasons, and to respect my camping neighbors quiet environment, I do not rely on a generator.

    I do own one, and have used it as a last resort. My genset is more often used at home for the frequent power outages we experience in my neck of the woods. It only goes with me in the camper if I know I will be in an area where it is appropriate to use (Noise reasons) or where I might think an emergency is likely to happen. I have a favorite dispersed site that is way far away from others, and that sucker runs all day if I want.

    I have done the 45 lb back pack, hike into the wilderness and stay for days on end with no modern comforts thing.  I have even built and stayed in igloos on the side of Mount Hood. (I stopped short of chasing bears naked in the woods to get breakfast meat, however.)

    And one of my favorite TV shows is Survivor man on the Discovery Channel.

    Those were fun and satisfying times, both physically and spiritually. However, at age 47, with some health issues, I ain't gonna do that anymore! But I do want to stay as close to it as possible. At least in geographic fashion.
     

  • Green can also be free. Or at least help you not incur recurring costs. Yeah, I am a cheap old hippie!
     

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