Hello everyone! I thought I should introduce myself before I start posting questions.
I'm a country girl but I married a man whose career requires him to be in Houston (fer cryin out loud). Being in this big city drives me crazy and breaks my heart, so I've recently come up with a plan to help me cope. I'm going to go on extended camping trips so my dogs and I can get away.
Aside from marrying a city slicker, I also have a really bad back. I can't just pack up a tent and go camping anymore. Motorhomes and the like are not my style. Truck campers are ok for a few days or a week but not longer, not the way I want to camp.
My family is all 1400 miles away in Michigan so I'll definately be spending time there. I also want to travel the country, camping out in the middle of nowhere at every opportunity. Alaska is way up on my list! I need something that will suit me for extended trips in all sorts of environments and weather and what's on the market doesn't work for me.
I've come up with a camper plan to suit my needs and I'm quite excited about it! It's a cross between a truck camper and a wall tent. Sorta. Click on the following links to see proposed pictures of my camper.
Here's the camper driving down the road:
* http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Miztiki/Copy3of73123096.jpg
Here's the camper set up for short term or fair weather camping:
* http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Miztiki/Copyofpopupcamperbox.jpg
In that picture the camper is still up on the truck.
Here's the camper set up for long term or winter camping:
* http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Miztiki/popupcamperbox.jpg
In that picture the camper is off the truck and lowered to the ground.
Lastly, here's the camper set up on both sides for really extended camping (like when visiting family) or for when hubby can join me:
* http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Miztiki/totalsetup.jpg
The camper will be about 6x6x8 and it's purpose is to store and transport my stuff (all the way up to the ceiling). That should hold alot of stuff! I'll spend my time in the tent(s), not the camper, so there will be no bed or kitchen table set up in there.
The wall on either side of the camper will fold down and become the floor of the tents. The (custom) canvas will extend out from there, like a pop-up or hybrid camper. The camper can stay up on the truck or be lowered via jacks, like a truck camper.
All of this will make it possible for me to get out of this city and go "tent" camping without having to unload and load all of my gear (thus saving my back). Clever, eh?
The reason I joined this site is because I'm looking for energy options and an understanding of how they work. I can't start building my camper until I know how I'm going to power everything. I don't know anything at all about generators or batteries or solar energy but I'm trying to learn.
I'm a pretty simple person and am happy as long as my basic needs are met. I need a way to cook food, and also keep it cool/frozen. I need to wash dishes. I need to take a shower. I need to stay warm in the winter. I need a light source...
I've been exploring my energy options for a few weeks now but it's overwhelming because I don't have even a basic understanding of how stuff works. I could sure use some help!
I'd like to have various sources of energy available on the camper so that I don't have to rely too much on noisy generators and trips to town. I'm also a bit cheap and can't see paying out the nose for a little fridge when I could probably make one myself, if I only understood how they work that is.
I can see how a black plastic shower bag can be heated in the sun, and I can see how a solar cooker can heat up certain foods. My dogs will learn how to earn their keep wherever possible too. I hope y'all will be able to help me explore the options available so that I'm able to get back in the country where I belong, if even for a short while. My dogs and I do not like living in the city, so any help in getting us closer to the road outta here is welcomed!
I'll have many questions over the coming months. I look forward to meeting you all and learning from you!
Miz