Trailer Homesteading
Homesteading is attractive because it represents a self-sufficient, agrarian lifestyle. Many of us dream of a place in the country that is off the grid--and where we don't rely on the county to supply our water, power, gas and sewer. If you have deep pockets, this dream is within reach. But what if you don't? It is possible to homestead on a budget.
Buying Land and a Trailer
The first questions you should ask yourself are, where would I like to live and where can I afford to live? Begin your property search at the location that strikes the best balance between these concerns. You should also consider zoning, property taxes, distance to the nearest town, how well maintained the roads are, accessibility during winter, climate, water table depth and sources of water, availability of firewood, septic system suitability, and local work and recreational opportunities. Make sure you have a clear title by doing a search at the county courthouse.
Travel trailers are ideal for budget homesteading because they're cheap, well-equipped and easy to move. Always check them for water damage. A leaky trailer is a deal killer. Look for a stove, sink and propane fridge in the kitchen, a toilet, shower and vanity in the bathroom, a comfortable bed, a water and holding tank, a water heater and propane furnace, and 12-volt lighting. Pay attention to the floor plan and think about where you might put a wood stove. Everything should work or be easy to fix.
Situating and Modifying Your Trailer
Before parking the trailer on your land, choose a spot that has the best balance of scenic views, accessibility, shelter from prevailing winds and sun exposure. To avoid dry-rot, put treated wood planks in front of the tires and drive onto them. Put additional squares of treated wood under the trailer's adjustable stands and use a level on the inside floor as a reference for adjusting them. Use trailer tie-downs if you're in a windy location. Skirt the bottom of your trailer with galvanized metal to keep out pests, bugs and wind, and to insulate the floor, plumbing and holding tank, while providing additional storage.
Putting In Utilities
Install a septic system using 55-gallon plastic drums for solid and liquid waste, one for each. Use PVC plastic pipe and make sure the plumbing slopes one-quarter inch per foot as it runs downhill away from the trailer. Your trailer's holding tank will empty into the PVC pipe, which flows to the solid-waste barrel first, then the liquid-waste barrel. Run a perforated leach line from the second barrel. Fill in your ditches with gravel and cover them with plastic sheeting, then dirt. The plumbing vents in the trailer's roof will provide venting for your septic system.
Your electricity needs can be met by solar panels running through a controller and into 12-volt deep-cycle batteries connected in parallel. Add a wind generator if sunshine is unreliable. Get a 250- to 500-gallon propane tank to supply your gas furnace, water heater, refrigerator, oven and stove. Rain barrels, connected to your trailer's water tank, and a submersible, on-demand RV pump can meet your water needs. Add a wood-burning stove, with the flue routed out a window, if wood is readily available.
Tags: holding tank, septic system, best balance, treated wood, water heater