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simon
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 12:22pm
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Well, the time is near.
To build our cabin, and accomplish our dream, and goal, we will need to move closer to the site, and find steady work. We've already started looking for work in the area.
But the real questions are..
How to make this move, do we run an RV out to our land, and "boondock" while we build our cabin or.. Do we just find us an old house trailer in a park somewhere, and pay lot rent while we build a cabin on our land. I'd rather do a trailer park than an apartment or rental house.
If we boondock on our land in an RV, we wouldn't have lot rent, BUT, we would need a compost toilet, genset, batteries, and solar panels, and would have to haul in water..
Which way would you all go?
Any advice on off gridding in an RV while building?
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MJW
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:08pm
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Why don't you just find a RV park close by you can park your rv in?
That is what we are going to do when we are ready.
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VTweekender
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:11pm
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First off congrats on nearing your dream! I would go the RV route. You could be right there on site when working on building your cabin. If you pick up an older motorhome that everything works (fridge, stove,bath etc..) and register it minimum insurance then you could drive it to the local wastewater station and dump the grey and black water when full for like 5 bucks. I would set up a smaller solar system for it, especially if your doing solar at the cabin later, use it for that, keep in mind the components your going to need for the cabin and buy those now and use them. The type of weather your in could be a factor, they aren't made for real cold weather, but do have propane heaters. You could then sell it when not needed any longer and get close to your money back anyhow, or all of it.
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TomChum
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:22pm - Edited by: TomChum
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You wrote "we", which might suggest you have another person's concerns to consider.
I actually envy your situation. A change to the daily grind, and also creating, is very satisfying. I would boondock on-site, and be looking forward to waking up with the birds, learning where the sun comes up, developing a preference which way to orient the cabin, etc. Reading books (pioneer stories) in the evening will convince you that an RV (if it has heat) has far more luxury than you need.
Quoting: simon If we boondock on our land in an RV, we wouldn't have lot rent, BUT, we would need a compost toilet, genset, batteries, and solar panels, and would have to haul in water.
Use rent money to buy these items. You can either continue to use them or sell when done, but rent money is just "gone". Hauling water is pretty easy if you have a car. You don't have to arrange all these things before the move, you can figure them out as you go. Use the RV toilet for nighttime, and dig an outhouse for daytime, use this while you get your compost toilet squared away.
Watch out that neighbors might object, and cause trouble, so be discrete. Let "Out of sight out of mind" be your guide. Plus being on-site you can guard your tools and materials, and learn better what kind of folks wander around there.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:27pm
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On june 2 2000 i set up this tent .four weeks later i moved into the dry of the cabin .my wife and family would come up on the weekends and stay in a nearby motel and i could have a hot shower [the rest of the time it was lake huron, brrrrrr]. the cabin is a 24 x 24 two bedroom with a loft. I gess my point is you can get a lot done in a hurry if you are living on sight!!
good luck
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simon
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:37pm
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Quoting: MJW Why don't you just find a RV park close by you can park your rv in? That is what we are going to do when we are ready.
This is on my mind too..
Maybe rent a lot for the season, for like $1500 April-Oct, and that would buy some time to assess the situation.
Quoting: TomChum You wrote "we", which might suggest you have another person's concerns to consider.
Yes, my equally as crazy as I am wife and two teenagers lol :D
It's time to get started, get the equipment we need, and get going when the snow melts. Just a few weeks to a month away.
Thanks guys, keep the thoughts coming, we really apreciate your help, and advice. This CAN be done, with hard work, and determination.
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simon
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 03:37pm
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I am also fighting with the idea of just setting a prefab shed/cabin out there, and camp in it till it's finished. Problem is.. It;s 4 of us, and it'll take all summer to finish, and it's not a "legal" residence, AND my cash budget is 10,000 but I already have a lot of things, like wood stove with cook top etc..
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Hick
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 04:52pm
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Simon,
Check on cragslist. You can find good deals on some of the stuff you will need. Propane tanks, wood stove and other building supplies.
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naturelover66
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2012 08:53pm
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I would definitely purchase an RV...stay on the property with your family and work together to make your dreams come true.
Good luck ! ..Please keep us posted.
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simon
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 01:32am
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Thanks,
Will do.. I've been lurking around the forum for over a year now, patiently waiting, and day dreaming.. Post back when things get started.
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spicyacres
Member
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# Posted: 14 Feb 2012 09:21am
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That's what we're doing. Just purchased a 70's vintage travel trailer which we'll "boondock" in while building the cabin. Older trailers are really inexpensive because alot of campgrounds don't allow them.
And when your cabin is built, you can resell the trailer and probably recoup most of your $, or you can salvage the appliances out of it for use in your cabin.
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