NL
A journey starts with good preparation, especially when it comes to off-grid camping. Travelling completely self-sufficiently with your motorhome or caravan is perfectly possible, provided you make the right choices in terms of equipment and planning. Discover how to put independence into practice and what you need to consider for a comfortable experience.
What is off-grid camping?
Off-grid camping, also known as free camping or wild camping, means staying in locations without external facilities. You are not connected to a campsite power hook-up, you have no access to central sanitary facilities and you are entirely dependent on your own supplies of water, electricity and gas. This way of travelling offers a great deal of freedom and flexibility. You can spend the night in places surrounded by nature, far away from the crowds.
However, it does require a well-thought-out approach. You need to provide your own power supply, usually via solar panels, and manage your water and energy consumption carefully. Modern caravans and motorhomes are increasingly being equipped with technology that makes self-sufficient travel easier, such as efficient batteries, solar panels and large water tanks. Good planning and the right equipment are essential for a successful off-grid experience.
‘ Besides power, water is a basic necessity of life. ’
The equipment for self-sufficient camping
To be able to travel independently, you need reliable equipment. The basics consist of your own power supply, an adequate water supply and sanitary solutions. Without these elements you will still be dependent on external facilities.
Power supply: solar panels and batteries
Solar panels together with a leisure battery form the core of your electrical independence. Solar panels on the roof of your motorhome or caravan capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. A charge controller ensures that the battery is charged correctly, which benefits the battery’s lifespan.
- Solar panels: For average consumption we recommend a capacity of 100 to 300 watts. This is usually sufficient to recharge your battery for using lighting, a water pump and charging small devices.
- Charge controller: An MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller is the most efficient choice for motorhomes and caravans. It extracts the maximum output from your solar panels, even in less-than-ideal light conditions.
- Battery: A powerful battery is indispensable. An AGM battery of around 280 Ah or a lithium battery of 180 Ah can usually provide you with power for several days, even without sunlight. Lithium batteries are lighter, have a longer lifespan and can be discharged more deeply, but are more expensive to buy.
- Power station: A portable power station can serve as a backup. You can charge it via a solar panel or while driving and use it for devices that require more power, such as laptops.
Water and sanitation
Besides power, water is a basic necessity of life. A large, clean water tank of at least 100 litres is recommended. With a water filter you can safely draw drinking water in many places. For your sanitation you can choose between a chemical toilet and a composting toilet. Both have pros and cons in terms of use, maintenance and emptying the tanks. Also make sure you have enough gas, preferably propane, as it does not freeze at lower temperatures. Two gas bottles give you the certainty that you will not run out while cooking or heating.
How do you install solar panels on a caravan or motorhome?
Installing a solar panel system is a precise job. You mount the panels on the roof of the vehicle. The cables run through a watertight roof entry to the interior, where you connect them to the charge controller. You then connect this controller to the leisure battery. It is important to use the correct cable thickness to prevent overheating and fire risk. A thicker cable results in less voltage loss and a safer system. The charge controller protects the battery against overcharging and deep discharge. The system works fully automatically: as soon as daylight hits the panels, the charging process starts.
Advantages and challenges of off-grid travel
Self-sufficient travel offers many advantages. You are not tied to the opening hours or availability of campsites and you can stay overnight in the most beautiful places. It often results in lower costs, as you save on campsite fees. In addition, you travel more sustainably by generating your own energy.
There are also challenges. You need to monitor your water and energy consumption closely. On several consecutive cloudy days, power generation can be disappointing. It is also important to familiarise yourself with local regulations. Wild camping is not allowed everywhere. In countries such as the Netherlands, possibilities are limited, whereas France and Spain are more tolerant, especially outside the high season. Scandinavian countries have the “right to roam” (Allemansrätten), which allows you to camp freely for one night, provided you respect nature.
‘ It allows you to travel in a different way, closer to nature and with more attention to your surroundings. ’
Tips for saving water and energy
Using your supplies consciously extends the period in which you can remain self-sufficient. With a few simple changes in your behaviour, you can significantly reduce consumption.
- Saving power: Use LED lighting, switch off the inverter when you are not using it and charge phones and tablets with a power bank. Set the fridge to a lower setting and use the sun’s warmth to heat your vehicle during the day.
- Saving water: Use the water pump as little as possible. Collect water while you wait for it to heat up and use it for another purpose. For washing up, use two bowls: one for washing and one for rinsing.
- Smart planning: Use apps such as Park4Night or IOverlander to find locations where you can refill water, empty your toilet and stay overnight safely. Start with short trips of a few days to get to know your own consumption and to test your equipment.
By preparing your trip well and using your resources wisely, you can make the most of the freedom of off-grid camping. It allows you to travel in a different way, closer to nature and with more attention to your surroundings.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find more articles to help you prepare for your trip. Discover our in-depth guides on motorhome routes, travel planning and the best destinations for a road trip. Get inspired and plan your next journey more cleverly and consciously.
Frequently asked questions
To plan an off-grid camping route that fits your road trip and still provides comfort, start by using apps such as Park4Night or IOverlander to find suitable spots and water points. Carefully determine your daily power and water consumption and pack extra supplies, such as bottles of water, gas bottles and a spare battery. Arrange a powerful power supply with solar panels and a good leisure battery (lithium or AGM) and minimise your consumption by using electricity and water smartly. Take local wild camping regulations into account and adapt your equipment for optimal comfort, for example with a large water tank and possibly a power station as a backup.
For comfortable and safe off-grid camping, solar panels (100–300 W), an MPPT charge controller and a powerful battery (lithium or AGM) are essential for your power supply, optionally supplemented by a power station. A water tank of at least 100 litres and a water filter, together with a pump, provide your water supply. For cooking you need gas bottles, and a chemical or composting toilet completes the basic equipment.
To find legal and responsible off-grid camping spots with a unique experience, plan your route carefully with apps such as Park4Night or IOverlander, which show locations for off-grid spots, water points and filling stations. Check the local laws for each country, as wild camping may be prohibited in many nature reserves, and always respect the Leave No Trace principles. Scandinavia, for example, is more tolerant with the “Allemansrätten” right to roam for one night, while France and Spain may be more relaxed at beaches and in the mountains, but always check this locally. Start with shorter trips to test your consumption and make sure you have enough power (solar panels, powerful battery) and water (large tank, filter) to be fully self-sufficient.
To minimise your environmental impact while off-grid camping, you can save power by turning lights off and putting on an extra jumper instead of using the heater, and reduce water use by pumping as little as possible and refilling at taps. Choose gas instead of electric cooking and use propane in colder conditions. Apply the Leave No Trace principles and avoid campfires without explicit permission in order to protect nature.
Dealing with unexpected situations or emergencies while off-grid camping requires thorough preparation. Make sure you have extra supplies such as bottles of water, gas bottles and a spare battery, and test all your equipment at home in advance. Plan your route carefully using apps for water points and off-grid spots, and be aware of local legislation. Minimise your use of power and water, and consider a portable power station as a back-up for electricity.
