The off-grid reader: An occasional column on off-grid news and views

Off-grid homes made of garbage, Basecamp trailers, and more

The Airstream Basecamp trailer: I’m never coming home.

The ultimate off-grid trailer? I want one….

The iconic trailer company, Airstream - you know, the one who manufactures the silver, sleek, Art Deco trailers that almost resemble a train observation car - have a trailer dubbed the Basecamp.

I’m in love.

I don’t know if these are relatively new, but I was immediately smitten when I stumbled across them while researching this column.

Look: What’s not to love about these? They’re cute as a button, rugged for back-country travel, sleep up to four people, and come loaded with a ton of features. The latter include a solar pre-wire kit to stay off-grid, multiple charging stations, and an outdoor shower.

They include an onboard furnace and hot water system, an attachable tent to extend your living space, and an extremely train-like U-shaped dinette.

Prices start at $43,900, so they aren’t cheap, but frankly if I got one of these I might never come home again.

An off-grid home in New Mexico. Courtesy Washington Post.

Off-grid garbage homes

Your off-grid home is garbage - literally.

A succinct story originally published in the Washington Post but reprinted in the Philadelphia Inquirer, lays out living in Earthships, defining them as “off-grid, self-reliant houses built from tires, dirt and garbage.”

Mmmm…garbage. I love your house; it’s funky - the smell, I mean.

Earthships are one of the more curious branches of off-grid living. “Earthships operate using six green-building principles governing heating and cooling, solar electricity, water collection, sewage treatment, food production, and the use of natural and recycled materials,” according to the Post story.

This particular story focuses on Mike Reynolds, 76, who began building Earthships in New Mexico in the early 1970s after graduating from the University of Cincinnati.

‘“They were talking about a freak on the mesa in New Mexico building buildings out of garbage. That was scandalous,”’ Reynolds said.”

Almost as freaky as all those freaky off-grid people building their dream homes across the country.

But as the story notes Earthships can be difficult to build, adding: “There are also stories of failed builds and abandoned projects, sometimes after tens of thousands of dollars have been spent, and Reynolds has faced lawsuits from unsatisfied buyers.”

Still, any visionary idea throws up obstacles. As Journey sings: Don’t Stop Believin’.

Shop until you drop at the off-grid store

I’m going to the store, hon. Do you need some lithium ion batteries, or a composting toilet?

A store in North Carolina is specializing in off-grid products, and from the looks of things, it appears to be doing well. The Modern Off Grid Store is out of stock on most items or lists its inventory as low stock.

A story in the Madison Citizen Times reports that the story not only sells off-grid products, but offers installations, and workshops as well.

One of the store’s owners, Samantha Flake, told The Citizen Times: "There aren't any real retail environments with these kinds of products. It's an online business for most."

Before they opened their off-grid store, Samantha and her husband Jeff, specialized in converting vans and school buses into tiny homes.

In their off-grid store, items are listed under such categories as power, sanitation, heaters, and more.