Wednesday 25 September 2013

How to Live Green & Economically in a Travel Trailer

Travel-trailer life gives you the chance to pick and move any time you please and never be far from home. With this freeing lifestyle come new necessities: storage, sewage and economy. While there are many large travel-trailer models, they are still much smaller than the average home. The travel trailer's size lends itself to living green and economically, not necessarily out of environmental concern but as a way of life. Living green in your travel trailer can also be economical and better for you.

Instructions

    1

    Install a solar panel system to power your appliances. Rather than propane or kerosene appliances, a permanent or mobile solar panel system can easily power your travel trailer. You'll need solar panels, an electrical conversion box and deep-cycle marine batteries for storage. There are many do-it-yourself kits as well as companies that will install the systems for you.

    2

    Minimize energy usage. Keep lights off unless you need them and turn off radios, computers or other energy-sapping devices when not in use. Unless you have a large solar array, saving electricity will help you avoid using alternate fuel sources.

    3

    Minimize bathroom waste and sewage pumping. Use low-fiber or biodegradable toilet paper that will break down easily and keep your sewage system unclogged. Use public restrooms when possible to save money you would spend on having your system pumped.

    4

    Park in 24-hour-store lots or in free public parking, whenever possible, to avoid paying parking fees. Check with property owners or local officials before embarking on an extended stay in these spaces.

    5

    Plan trips and stops carefully to avoid wasting fuel. While your travel trailer does not use gasoline or diesel, the vehicle you pull it with does. Check your owner's manual to make sure your vehicle has the appropriate towing capacity for your travel trailer.

    6

    Convert your diesel engine to biodiesel or vegetable oil to burn cleaner and potentially cheaper.

    7

    Buy necessities in bulk and resist purchasing unnecessary items. The more you buy, the more you'll have to store. Also, as you fill your trailer with stuff, you reduce your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

0 comments:

Post a Comment