5 Essentials for Living Off-Grid in a Scamp Trailer

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As soon as we started off-grid living in our 13ft Scamp Trailer full-time, we quickly realized that

there were a lot of things people said that we needed, but we never ended up using them!

Living in our Scamp, there are only a few things we truly couldn’t maintain our lifestyle without.

If you’re considering living in a Scamp trailer or any other tiny camper, here are five essential items we highly recommend purchasing, how we use them, and why. I’ve also included our favorite and least favorite things about each product to help you decide if it’s right for you.

The Essentials

BPA Free Collapsible Water Storage Carriers with Spigot

Our collapsible water jugs are a life-saver. Living off-grid, we regularly camp at locations without a water spigot available. Being a collapsible water jug, they minimize space. They’re 5.3 gallons each, which isn’t too heavy for me to carry when they’re filled. Four water jugs lasts us about two days off-grid without refilling (two people drinking, taking navy showers and washing dishes 2x a day).

PROS:

• Collapsible/space saving
• BPA free
• Not too heavy (filled or unfilled)
• Easy to refill

CONS:

• You may need to purchase several depending on how long you intend to off-grid at a time
• May not be easy to clean after years of use due to the small opening
• May puncture easily (ours haven’t yet)

You can purchase these water jugs through Amazon here.

Moisture Absorber Boxes

Our Moisture Absorber Boxes aren’t a particularly sexy product, but if you live in an area with any humidity at all, it’s a non-negotiable for living in a camper. Our very first month in our Scamp, our linens we kept in our small cabinet were quickly riddled with mildew and I knew we needed a simple solution, fast. These boxes are economical and get the job done. This particular set of 6 was just the amount we needed for our cabinets.

Pros:

• Compact/fits in all cabinets without using up much space
• Simple to use (by comparison to electric dehumidifiers)
• No electricity required
• No leakage (I’ve never seen it drip, not even in transit)
• Economical
• Leave it and forget about it
• Scent isn’t noticeable (maybe a con, depending on how you feel about scents!)

Cons:

• Not aesthetically pleasing (I keep one on our floor; it’s not the prettiest)
• Expect to repurchase every 3-6 months (depending on humidity levels; we’re primarily in Florida)
• Probably not advisable to keep around animals or small children

You can purchase these moisture absorbers through Amazon here.

Camco Rhino 15-Gallon Portable RV Tote Tank

If you’re planning on living off-grid in your tiny camper, one thing you must confront is how you plan on dealing with your “dirty deeds”. If you have a built-in bathroom and plan to live off-grid like we do, don’t expect to have sewage readily available everywhere for you to dump your black and gray water tanks. This portable rolling tank allows you to empty your camper and cart the tank to the nearest dumpsite by hand, truck bed or vehicle hitch.

Pros:

• Extremely tough and durable body
• Multiple options for transporting (includes tow adapter)
• Includes everything you need (hose, elbow and all)
• Easy to use
• Easy to keep clean

Cons:

• Hose is somewhat flimsy in comparison to the rest
• Extremely heavy when full (my husband and I both have to lift it)

You can purchase this rolling tank through Amazon here.

Propane Tank Gauges

In our Scamp trailer, we depend on propane for cooking, warm showers and heat in the winter months. With how important those things are to us, being able to keep an eye on our propane levels is a must. These simple Propane Tank Gauges couldn’t be easier to install and keep an eye on. Never get caught without hot water!

Pros:

• Simple screw-on install
• Easy to read
• Includes two gauges
• Install it and leave it
• High quality

Cons:

• Only really gives you a rough idea of your levels (don’t expect exact accuracy)

You can purchase these propane gauges through Amazon here.

Bluetooth Battery Monitor

We charge our Scamp trailer with an inverter generator, but staying in some State and National Parks, there are “quiet hours” where we can’t use it. There’s nothing worse than realizing that your camper battery died while you’re in the middle of showering and can’t run your generator again to recharge. That’s where the Bluetooth Battery Monitor steps in. It allows us to keep an eye on the status of our camper battery 24/7 from our phones.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Durable and weather safe (we’ve had it on through several storms)
• Install it and leave it (shouldn’t require taking it off or any maintenance)
• Simple and readable app
• Doesn’t require cell reception or WiFi
• Sends battery updates if it’s running low

Cons:

• Built for vehicles, so there are some unnecessary in-app features for campers

You can purchase the Bluetooth battery monitor on Amazon here.