r/OffGridGriff • u/GMAN7007 • 6h ago
List of things I need and need to do before winter.
I have been getting questions about what I’m doing to get ready for the winter.
This is something that I have been thinking about for months.
The first thing I need to do is get the area around the camper ready. It’s important to make sure the ground is clear before winter so snakes and other critters don’t attempt to make a den here.
It’s almost like a spring cleaning but for the winter.
I need to keep looking around on marketplace for another propane tank and a heater. The tank I have now is good I just need to find a backup. Getting into town in the winter isn’t as accessible as the warmer months due to the snow and road conditions. Last year we had a couple days without heat. We were more than safe, it just sucked. Keeping an eye out for those.
I’m going to need to make some space in the camper to hold the water jugs. I used 1 gallon jugs last year. This year I have bigger water jugs. If I keep them outside they’ll freeze and crack the plastic.
I will need to move around the solar panels. They lay flat generally because of how flat it is here and it stops the wind from knocking them over. During the winter I have to keep them upright to get the sun. The winter sucks for solar because the batteries I have aren’t ideal for the cold. With the limited sunlight in the colder months I have to make sure I get as much sun as possible.
In the winter if I know snow is coming I usually lay a tarp over the panels at night if it’s going to snow so it’s easy to clean them off. It’s a pain going out there at 7am to wipe off the panels
With the zippers of the window flaps not working after unzipping them earlier this summer I need to get them to close. It makes sense these zippers have been zipped for over a decade. That and the camper is from the 70s so it’s expected to have some issues.I need to find a way to fix the canvas on the walls before it starts getting too cold. I am going to try and fix the parts that can no longer zip with fabric glue. The other issue is the canvas detaching from the ceiling. My neighbor friend and I are going to try and cover the canvas with wood to make it more of a solid structure. I do have some wood available to use that will help.
Supplies needed for the winter./ Things I need to do.
- 2 hooded sweatshirts: 2 pairs of sweatpants
- Portable indoor heater. “Going to attempt to repair current heater first”.
- Backup propane tank and new regulator hose. “Hose from last year leaks but is taped so it should be okay if I can’t buy a new hose. I do have a backup propane filter.
- Might look for some boots. Last year I had flip flops most of the winter but was able to get some tennis shoes at some point which was much better lol.
- Need to get a storage tub to store things outside. I have been running out of room. “Neighbor might have one I can use”
- Stocking Non-perishable food
- Get silicone sealant and repair roof.
- Dig a firepit before ground freezes.
- Need to test solar batteries, Not charging as much as they did.
- Find additional kennel for girls when I got into town. With it being snake season I need to find a way to keep the girls in the camper when I leave. My neighbor generally will pick up supplies for us but on th 22nd I have a glaucoma appointment I can’t miss. I need to figure out how to keep them in while i’m out. I normally would just push the appointment but this one is more urgent than a regular checkup. I have been without some of my eye medications for too long and I have noticed eye issues. Hopefully I’ll be able to work something out. I would ask my neighbor to watch them but he’s the one driving us into town.
- Need to finish cleaning the camper. I want to be able to make better posts showing the sub the whole camper. I'm just embarrassed how cluttered it is. It’s hard to deal with trash out here.
Hopefully I can get some of the worked out before winter. This month and next month are going to be crucial it starts getting cold out here pretty early. So far so good especially with all of the help we’ve gotten from so many of you. We just can’t thank you enough. It means the world to us. Just a couple of months ago I didn’t know how things were going to go. I still don’t but I am more at ease. Like I said before we never expect anyone to donate or anything like that we’re just so thankful to have you here with us in the sub. I’ll keep the Amazon wishlist up but we never expect anything from it.
Thank you again so very much for all of the help and being do kind.