Off-grid planning
Plan off-grid stays around your next service stop
Off-grid is a description of how you expect to use the van, not a guarantee that a particular battery or tank will keep you going. Start with the time until the next reliable service stop. That turns an overwhelming systems question into a few manageable planning choices.
Separate the holiday length from the service gap
A three-week holiday does not automatically require three weeks of stored water and electricity. Sketch a repeatable route between places where you can refill, dispose of waste appropriately and charge reliably. Enter those gaps in the personal planner and keep the overall trip length as a separate reminder.
For a remote section, consider what happens if a planned service is closed or a charging opportunity falls through. Give yourself an alternative stop or a way to shorten that section.
Choose the everyday habits before the equipment
Think about phones, laptops, a fridge, lighting, cooking and any heating. A USB power bank intended for small devices does not become a full leisure electrical system. The battery estimate is an energy starting range, with no solar production credited during the selected gap; it does not check appliance starting peaks or approve installation.
Water needs depend on who is travelling, cooking, washing and any onboard shower. Include waste storage and toilet service as well as fresh water. Water also adds weight, so keep actual vehicle and axle limits in the build review.
Keep permission and equipment suitability in the plan
Check permission for each overnight stop and the facilities you expect to use. An attractive parking place is not a substitute for checking the rules and permissions that apply there.
Use portable cooking equipment only in the conditions its manufacturer permits. Never take a barbecue inside the van or awning, and have fitted fuel-burning systems assessed by a competent specialist.
Take this with you
Plan a realistic service gap, enter your habits, allow for uncertainty and choose equipment only after its complete capacity, compatibility, installation and costs have been checked.
Plan your van and trip →