Here are some things to consider :
Power
We can run our van on a 30-amp outlet . If the electricity goes out , that big cord is useless . So we revert to alternative methods of powering up our devices . We never missed a beat with work through the entire Texas winter storm , often surprising our colleagues who assumed we had to shut down .
Our van has an onboard generator -- a 2,800 watt Cummins Onan that runs on gasoline from our van ’ s main tank . The generator allows us to keep the batteries in great shape . Plus , we can run an electric heater in the winter or our air conditioner in the summer . Additionally , we can use our kitchen appliances for cooking . Because it runs off the van ’ s tank , it means we have an ample supply of gasoline available , and the generator burns very little gasoline per hour . Being prepared means we try to arrive at our destination with at least three-quarters of a tank of gas .
We also have a sizeable portable power bank and numerous small
battery blocks . When electricity isn ’ t available , we generally use these to power up our phones and laptops and then use the generator or solar power to recharge those when they get low .
We carry a 100-watt briefcase solar panel that we deploy to help keep our batteries topped off and smaller solar panels that recharge the portable battery blocks . Although we didn ’ t use solar during the Texas winter storm , it has come in handy when dealing with power needs in the summer .
Water
The bare necessities of life include water and food , in that order . When the RV park in Galveston lost electricity , they lost their water pumps . Then the city shut down the water supply as things started to warm up and water pipes around the city burst . Once the city restored electricity and water pressure , they issued a boil-water advisory for about 72 hours .
We have relatively small freshwater tanks in our van with a capacity of 31 gallons . During the Texas winter storm , our external tank froze , and then the pipes connecting the inside tank froze , too . So our onboard tanks were out of commission for a few days .
Because we boondock a lot and don ’ t always know when the next water source will be handy , we travel with numerous bottles and containers to store water inside the van . Being in a small space , we use multiple sizes and styles to help expand storage possibilities . If you have a larger rig , you could consider larger water jugs to streamline the filling process .
And don ’ t assume that winter is the only time you ’ ll lose a city ’ s water source . Water main breaks and other miscellaneous problems can occur , resulting in either a loss of water or a boil-water advisory for a few days , when having your own supply is helpful .
Food
If we dream about having anything while sitting in our van , it ’ s more pantry space and a larger refrigerator for food , but we make due .
Our refrigerator is an older absorption model . It ’ s a three-way unit , meaning it can run on electricity , battery , or propane . We do fine with propane and have no concerns
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