<p>In the last year, the way we recreate as a global population has changed. Mass tourism to crowded hotspots is no longer in-vogue. Instead, families and individuals are rediscovering the joys of remote camping in isolated places. Explore the beauty of nature, discovering terrains you've never seen before. Enjoy running and climbing and building while miles from another group of people.</p>If your family is getting a little stir-crazy staying indoors this year, your own camper or RV is the ideal way to transport your homestead practicality to new vistas and natural wonders through which to stretch your eyes and legs.
Let’s dive into a few practical tips for choosing the right camper for your family’s wilderness road trips.
1) Large, Well-Balanced Water Tanks
When you plan to camp far from other people, the supplies you bring with you is essential. Maybe there’s a water hookup at your isolated destination, but most likely not. You will want some water carried with the camper, but you also don’t want to carry unnecessary weight or unbalance your vehicle when on the road. All that water sloshing around can throw off your balance and can even make tipping over more likely.
For the best experience, look for campers and RVs with larger water tanks designed to be well-balanced when traveling. These tanks are designed on either side of the vehicle or along the center so there is no weight to throw off. Balanced tanks may also be designed to transfer from the clean to gray and black tanks without becoming unbalanced along the way.
With the right camper water tanks, you can top up and enjoy several days or even a conservative two weeks out there with your camper.
2) Good Suspension for Rocky Camp Trails
The best-isolated spots are hard to get to. That’s part of what makes them isolated. Of course, these isolated spots are also behind bumpy, steep, and uneven roads. Sometimes these roads have deep ruts in the mud, or have turned back into creek beds in the last heavy rain. Other times, you’ll be contending with road-rocks of all sizes or the steep switchback of a mountain path.
This means you’ll want a camper that’s rigged for forging less-traveled trails. These might be trails that are narrower, more tightly curved, or rockier. Good suspension makes it possible to navigate rutted or poorly cut roads without concern. Look for a camper ready to be equipped with heavy-duty tires and good soft-bounce suspension that will keep you from experiencing an ‘earthquake’ every time you roll over a rut or rock.
3) Antenna, Satellite, and Signal Boosters
It’s great to go online for fun, but in an emergency, signal is everything. Look for campers that already have an antenna, satellite, or cell signal boosters installed. If there are no good local deals, look for models where your own antenna or satellite could be installed. You will need extra power, ports, and a plan for placing your long-distance antenna. Some campers or RVs even install a satellite dish to get strong signal when the sky is clear.
Whether you’re calling the park rangers or doing a little remote work surrounded by nature, signal can make your isolated camping trip into safe, modernized paradise. It can transform risky isolation into a beautiful and carefree retreat.
4) Features You Can Repair
Another important element of isolation camping is self-independence. Every system in that camper, you need to be able to repair yourself or do without. The plumbing might back up, the auxiliary battery might die, or the lights might go out. If you know how to fix it, you can roam further from civilization safely.
We recommend combining your efforts both to learn basic camper systems and choose a camper that’s easy to repair. Fancy features, for example, might be easier to pass on if you’re certain that you can repair a simpler model. Look for simple systems that work and that you can learn to use quickly. Color-code your water system and learn the ins-and-outs of camper utilities before taking your family out on the road where things can break down with you as the only nearby handy-person available.
5) Strong Hitch and Good Maneuverability
Remember those bumpy campground trails we mentioned? Another important feature for good maneuverability is the quality of your hitch. That hitch controls how much the camper can bounce and torque, and at what angles it can be pulled. Make sure your camper’s hitching piece is in good condition and that it is compatible with your towing vehicle’s primary hitch. Test the wheels with their turning radius and weight load when empty to learn how easily you can maneuver each camper on tough trails.
6) Indoor-Outdoor Washable
A great camper is easy to clean, even when you’re out in the wilderness. Look for designs that can be swept or hosed out without doing damage to the features. This gives you the freedom to get muddy, clean up, and get messy again. Inside and outside the camper, a washable design doesn’t need to be kept carefully pristine inside while you enjoy the great outdoors. It’ll be easier to sweep out during camping trips and easier to scrub when you return home.
7) Solar-Powered Systems
Lastly, consider solar. Solar is free energy when you are camping so makes sense to take advantage of. Use a solar backup or charging solution for your batteries, solar water heating, and solar lights are a practical addition to any often-used camper. A solar-powered camper, or even just a solar charger for your battery when stationary, can completely change your options when it comes to camping in the beautiful isolated wilderness.
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Finding the right camper is a great addition to any homestead because it brings mobility to your self-sufficiency plan. The more efficient and mobile your camper is, the more fun you can have both at home and away from home. Even when your camper isn’t in transport, it can serve as a clubhouse for the kids, a guest apartment for relatives, and a portable getaway that can be aimed at your property’s best view. Contact us today for more great insights on choosing an RV or camper.
