Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” The truth is that life, as fleeting as it may seem, can feel as though it lasts forever when doing something you love. Although it can often be difficult to grab onto the adventure in your own life at times, this desire to do more and be more will forever call to you—the only question is whether or not you will answer.
For some, the idea of answering alone can be terrifying but, for others, it can be the best decision they ever make—and for these select few, the idea of a fully nomadic lifestyle calls them forward on journeys they will never forget or regret.
However, a life of adventure is far from the only reason why individuals choose lives on the road rather than ordinary lives in the suburbs. In fact, with a massive transition toward a greener tomorrow from our younger generations, the nomadic lifestyle – a lifestyle detached from the accumulation of material goods – seems a simpler and more exciting way to live.
So if you’re committed to a green nomadic adventure, here are some tips to help you get started on your journey.
Choose your form of nomadism: RV, travel trailer or van
The first step to any eco-friendly nomadic adventure is to choose your new home. There are many options out there but the most popular comes in the form of the traditional Class A, B, or C motorhomes. However, there are many other things to consider besides the actual home itself, especially if going as green as possible is the ultimate goal. We recommend RVs with solar power which can be far more cost effective and has lower carbon footprint than generator-reliant counterparts.
Furthermore, many RVs are gas guzzlers meaning that your fuel economy will be less efficient and you’ll be producing loads more carbon emissions. In fact, the average Class C RV (the most popular motorhome in the United States which sleeps anywhere from 3 to 6 people) emits thousands of pounds of carbon each and every year. On top of all of this, RVs are also known for succumbing to common transmission problems, such as leaking fluids and slipping gears, which could very quickly turn your fun adventure into a nightmare for bank account as well as your health (carbon monoxide poisoning and dangerous leaking fluids are also quite common).
If you don’t want the stress, choose a van. It’s smaller, more compact and more fuel efficient. However, vans offer far less space and if it breaks down, there is no backup mode of transportation on board. Furthermore, most vans don’t provide green energy alternatives and consumes large amounts of gas.
For many fully nomadic individuals, neither of these options are ideal and is why the travel trailer and truck combo is the preferred option for the serious nomad. When combined with a solar-powered travel trailer, this mode of transportation provides the user with fuel economy, and extra space, and green energy alternatives and a setup that allows you to hook up to RV spots and still be able to sightsee and tour cities using the unattached truck as transport.
Greening your new nomadic home
Once you choose which option is right for you, the next step is to actually green your mobile home to make it feel like less of a transportation vehicle and more of a sanctuary.
There are many easy tips to make a stationary home more sustainable, but mobile homes are all too often lost in the mix. But there are ways to make your it more sustainable after purchase, such as installing extra solar panels and educing the amount of frozen items you have on board which decreases energy consumption.
And while you may not be able to cultivate a garden whilst on the road, you can still grow herbs which can help to purify the indoor air as well as lower the cost of weekly groceries.
Selecting an eco-friendly secondary mode of transportation
The most effective way to reduce carbon emissions whilst on your nomadic adventure is by reducing the amount of vehicle travel you do outside of getting from point A to point B. By choosing greener secondary modes of transportation, such as a bicycle, electric mountain bikes or scooters, you can reduce your carbon emissions significantly.
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There are quality electric mountain bike alternatives such as the E-Zip 2008 Trailz bike and the Mongoose 26” Electric bike if you’re needing something with a bit more oomph.
Furthermore, you can also find electric bike conversion kits, which can transform any mountain bike into an electric marvel, in little to no time at all. The best part about them, however, is that the average mileage of these electric bikes is anywhere between 20 to 60 miles, which means that even some of the farthest locations from a hookup site can easily be reached without wasting any gas or money in the process. Add eco-friendly gear such as the Tree Hugger gear supply, you can also explore campgrounds and nature trails without being forced to return to your RV every few hours to fetch bits and pieces you’ve forgotten to take with you whilst hiking.
There are countless ways to grab life by the horns and hold on, but travel is one of the few that actually pays off in full over time through memories and experiences alone. It’s no surprise that hundreds of young individuals are choosing a nomadic life over the traditional lifestyles their parents led before them. Besides, life is short — why be in mountains of consumer and mortgage debt when the nomadic lifestyle offers much more freedom and adventure?
