Self Sufficent for freedom camping, what do I need?

[T1 Terry]

Bruce suggested this topic so blame him if you don't like it
It is a question often asked on many forum, the answers are usually vague at best and end up going off topic very quickly. To me the essentials are water, food and cooking facilities, everything else is a luxury add on.... if you want the better half to join you to even try it you best be prepared for a few luxury add ons
Basics now step up to a fridge, cooking facilities more advanced than the open fire and lights and water in some form of device with a tap. At this level a day or two freedom camping can still be achieved on a limited budget. A 3 way fridge on LPG, a gas stove using refill gas bottles or the disposable type, a few LED lights on AA batteries and a water jug or 20ltr plastic container, a few saucepans and a kettle, plates and cutlery and away you go.

For more than a week end every 6 mths or so you need to get a little more serious in how you set up your vehicle for freedom camping, hot water will go a long way towards a happy wife for starters, something better than a birdbath wash such as a shower tent or a built in shower and a minimum 2 burner stove and possibly a TV depending on the wife's preferences...... now you need to work out the energy requirements to make this work for more than a day or so, I'll make this the starting point for tomorrow's post.

T1 Terry

[dapope]

not just the wife likes the soft stuff either...

[Shirley]

Although heaps of people seem to prefer to use public toilets, l reckon our toilet is great & wouldn't be without it, IMO definitely on the must have list.

[bagmaker]

Hardly free camping if you take the wife...............
More like brow beaten camping
nagged camping
do the chores camping

[native pepper]

Been free camping for more than 40 years, including kids and having had 5 buses and a couple of big vans, have a bit of an idea if what is required, so here are my suggestions above what has been suggested. I class free camping as being off the beaten track and away from others most of the time, but others would have different ideas.

Depending on the size and configuration of your vehicle, extra fuel storage, spares like engine cooling system hoses, fan belts, multimeter or test light, electrical wire, fuses, spare globes, tyre repair kits and pump.

Depending on what type of vehicle you have, at least one jack twice the weight of your vehicle, a snatch rope and full set of tools. It is also good to carry a few tubes or containers of specialty sealing glues, so you can make temporary repairs to keep going.

You can add, cordless chainsaw and other cordless tools, very comprehensive first aid kits, fire extinguishers and blankets if you are using gas and good dash and rear view cameras. There are lots of other things we carry, but for the majority not necessary.

[pet-els]

The main thing you need is a good bed.

PeterH

[Busman]

After our week or so at Elphinstone I have decided on some changes.
It seems many places, including CP's when used, will accept fresh grey water on the ground so am changing a bit of plumbing to be able to do that without it going through the tank, that tank could then also be used for black water
Not carrying a second spare for VP, will put a bladder in that space instead for extra water, or washing machine water.
Will also buy a bladder for the Suzy as we have found fresh water is a limiter.
Have invested in a sat dish, this would have happened at some time but the Olympics have brought it forward, no terrestial reception where we are
Agree with some of the above such as a good bed, already have, own bathroom is a must for us as well.
Baggie, I guess your other half does not read this forum ?

[T1 Terry]

Certainly requires a good bed for more than a few days, water seems to be the limiting factor so some form of portable water carrying device and water transfer is a must for extended stays, a toilet is a definite that I missed in the first post.
Not everything is required by everyone so a basic list of essentials to get started, then the luxuries can come later.... to me a coffee machine for that first thing cuppa is a must so a battery/solar system capable of powering it is a must, but I'd imagine that is not high on everyone's priority list

[bagmaker]

Ha, no she doesn't read us, she is too young to be worried about us lot. She has facetube and instapain or some such to look at.
I was referring in general to the style of the first wife, total pain. New wife is a significant upgrade with better memory, smoother operation and pleasant interface. Improved memory too.

I would add to the mix that supplies of general hardware are invaluable. Nuts, bolts, tube bits, zip ties etc. Stuff required to fix things, invent things, etc. The ability to understand boredom is of utmost importance. Boredom is the thing we get between hard work and real relaxation. Its REALLY hard to relax properly after 40 years of work in a western society, many never actually acheive it in later life. They THINK they do -but they dont. "you cannot teach old dogs new tricks". There is something to be said for meditation. Books, fishing, nature observance etc can help ease you into relaxation.

So to be self sufficient in free camping you need to learn how to relax.
properly, like a 2 year old kid just after they have eaten.

[T1 Terry]

I gotta big man shed to help me slide into that relaxed life style...... there appears to be a flaw in my plan there I think if ever I get relaxed enough to enjoy fishing with a rod just sitting on a river bank.... I'd probably be found totally shut down still sitting in the same spot, but who knows, I'll work on the slowing down part just as soon as I find the time