Learn – Think – Survive
EV4U Off-Grid helps you design and build systems that allow you to ditch the grid and produce your own power.
How-to Setup Off-Grid Power for a Trailer/RV or Cabin. Information about battery systems, solar, general electrical (AC & DC), Trailer Conversions, and being off-grid in general. Grid down survival and much more. Plus wind and hydro-electric power.
Check out our eBook, “How to Convert a Cargo Trailer to a Self-Contained Travel Trailer”
A Big Picture overview of How to Convert a Cargo Trailer to a Self-Contained Travel Trailer or Toy Hauler. All aspects are covered from buying a trailer (new or used), the tow vehicle considerations, electrical systems, plumbing, suspension systems, exterior and interior modifications, ventilation, heating and cooling, and much more. Information on all the systems with a focus on the big picture, so that the reader understands the sequence, compatibility, and relationship of all the components involved. Safety is forefront, and there are highlighted reminders of potential issues. Rules of thumb are also listed and highlighted. There are over 100 photos, 33 diagrams, plus a bonus section. Designed to help you get it right the first time, thus saving you time and money.
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Save Time Looking For Off-Grid Products
Scroll down to check products used in our Cargo Trailer to a Self-Contained Travel Trailer Build
Click on Photo or Description for More Information
WattCycle 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
BCI Group 24, 15000 Cycles, Built-in 100A BMS, Low-Temperature Protection Ideal for RVs, Golf Cart, Home Energy Storage, Boats and Marine Applications
23.2 Pounds – 1,280 Wh
Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries aka LiFePO4 or LFP
Weight: 61.7 Pounds Dimensions (D x W x H): 17.83″D x 9.37″ x 8.7″H – 3,584 Wh
Battery Storage is rated in Watt Hours
102.5 Pounds – 5,120 Wh
Watt Hours = The Nominal Battery Voltage times the Battery Amp Hour Rating
100 Pounds – 5,120 Wh
Storage Capacity Example – 51.2 volts x 100 Ah = 5,120 Wh or 5.1 kilo watt-hours (kWh)
50 Pounds – 2,637 Wh
Make your own battery pack.
CALB LiFePO4 Cells – Available in different capacities. These are the same cells EV4U Custom Conversions has used in EV Conversions for many years. These cells are tried and true. Email us for more information and current pricing. info@EV4Unow.com
Recharge your battery pack using solar.
We use Renogy Solar Panels on most of our projects, and find that they out produce other panels we have used.
Dimensions: 34.1″L x 22.8″W x 1.2″H
Weight: 26 Pounds
Portable and Light Weight
Open Dimensions: 23.72″L x 1.97″W x 22.99″H, Folded Dimensions: 23.72″ x 22.99″ x 1.97″, 13.9 Pounds
400 Watts of Solar with an MPPT Charge Controller
Smaller, Lighter, and More Power
Personally own several of these. Never an issue, they work perfectly.
Victron Energy, the gold standard of the solar industry.
This is the unit on my Cargo Trailer Conversion. Inverter with Built-in Charger.
All-In-One, just add solar panels. Expandable, power an RV, Cabin, or your whole house.
Recharge your battery pack while you drive, with a DC/DC Converter.
Popular in areas with high humidity.
Versatile 4-in-1 Mini Split: All-season solution with air conditioning, heat pump (functional up to 5F/-15C), dehumidifier, fan, and turbo function. Includes a DC Inverter that’s UL Listed, AHRI Certified, and works with Alexa.
Package Included: Includes indoor air handler, outdoor condenser, remote control, and installation kit with a 16ft. line set and communication wire. Pre-loaded with refrigerant for up to 25 ft.
5 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty: Includes 5 years on parts replacement and 5 years on the compressor. Senville offers complimentary technical assistance. Labor not included.
Popular in colder climates.
Highly Efficient: Features a precision oil pump and ceramic glow plug for near-complete fuel combustion, consuming only 0.09-0.225 gallons per hour (just 1 gallon for an entire night of use). It reduces fuel consumption by over 39% compared to traditional heaters. A full tank supports 10-12 hours of full-power operation, balancing energy efficiency and long-lasting heating to avoid frequent refueling.
Popular in windy areas.
Wind Blade: 37.4 inch longer blade will generate more power. Nylon carbon fiber blade special on waterproof, corrosion resistant, lightweight. ★Wind Generator: Three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor. Efficient and compact ac generator with high performance NdFeB permanent magnet. ★Rotating Aluminum Alloy Body: With yaw adjustment system, the rotor position is adjusted auto to capture the maximum wind energy. The tail fin is designed according to the aerodynamic principle.
Great addition to solar.
Vertical Wind Turbine, crafted to capture energy from all directions without the need for tracking. This advanced design enhances Wind Energy Efficiency, providing reliable performance across different wind speeds. Ideal for both residential and commercial use, it’s a sustainable solution for your energy needs.
This Vertical Wind Turbine features a state-of-the-art Permanent Magnet Suspension Generator, optimizing internal design and rotor configuration to minimize resistance torque. The wind wheel and generator are well-matched, enhancing unit reliability and performance. Featuring a maximum power tracking intelligent microprocessor, it optimally adjusts current and voltage for maximum efficiency. Initial Wind Speed: 2M/S – Rated Wind Speed: 12M/S – Maximum Wind Speed: 45M/S Package Includes: – 1 x Wind Turbine – 1 x Charge Controller – 1 x Set of Bolts and Nuts – 1 x Nylon Blade – Assembly Instructions
In the right setting, hydroelectric is the best way to go.
Safety Features: The generator includes automatic voltage regulation and leakage protection, ensuring safe usage at all times. These features protect both the equipment and the users, making it a secure option for various applications, from home use to outdoor adventures.
342 Pounds – Dimensions: 33.5″L x 21.3″W x 28.7″H
Hopefully you never need it, but if you do…
Dual fuel engine with electronic fuel injection for higher fuel efficiency and lower maintenance. Runs on gasoline or propane (LPG) for flexible operation with up to 5000 peak watts, 3900 running watts. Runs up to 12 hours (25% load) on a 3.17 gallon gas tank Compact User-friendly Design: Features telescoping handle and never-flat wheels for easy portability at 111 lb. Remote start (key fob) and push button start make this generator convenient to operate. Digital display keeps you up to date with real-time usage information. Safely powers sensitive electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones and more. Also designed to be super quiet – as low as 61 dBA with double-insulated acoustic enclosure, asymmetrical cooling fans, and low tone mufflers to reduce operating noise
If you are plugged into Shore Power or a Generator
The package comes with all accessories including a convenient drilling guide with easy to follow steps. Reusable filter and detachable design. Heating Coverage: Heat source for 200 sq. ft. areas, or up to 750 sq. ft. as a supplementary source.
The heater comes with a simple template for easy wall mounting. Just follow the guide to drill the correct holes. 70.8″ Power Cord. Heating Coverage: As a primary heat source for 150 square feet area, or up to 750 square feet as a supplementary source.
Products used in our Cargo Trailer to a Self-Contained Travel Trailer Build
We love our Laveo Dry Flush Toilet.
Laveo by Dry-Flush 3-pack Cartridge Refill Set
Don’t forget the Pee Powder.
Scroll down for more shower accessories.
Personally Own and Use – Great Item
Another great item. So much better than a standard shower door or a curtain.
We have the EcoFlow Wave 2, it works great. This just the latest version.
We have two of these. One is used as a refrigerator and the other as a freezer. They work great. Recommend the insulated cover option.
I own two of these, one on the Cargo Trailer Conversion and another on one of my car trailers. They work great, and are just part of my security system.
This is a well made hitch lock. However, I did upgrade the puck lock.
Click Here to watch a video on How to Protect your Puck Lock from the beer can hack.
Class A Customs | T-5000 | 50 Gallon Fresh Water Holding Tank RV and Concession
50 Gallon Fresh or Gray Water Holding Tank Manufactured by Class A Customs – Made from NSF Approved Materials – Fresh & Drinking Water Safe – Can be used for Fresh or Gray Water Storage WATER TANK MEASUREMENTS: 38.25” Longest Length (not including fittings) x 14.25” x 22.25”- Tank can sit on any side – rotate tank to change height or width Average Thickness 7/32” +/-
- Vertical half vent with a screen. Sliding/Removable screen
- Includes Black stainless steel mounting screws
- Complete Trim kit for every window ordered
Blue Sea Systems 8027 Traditional Metal Panel, AC Main + 6 Positions, 5-1/4 W x 7-1/2 H
AC Distribution Panel, MFG# 8027, White toggle switch breakers. No meter. One 30 Amp Main, 3ea 15 Amp branch breakers, and 3 open positions. 120 VAC, with Neutral and Ground buses. Power on and reverse polarity LED indicators.
We have two of these in our trailer, and they work very well.
12V RV Roof Fan Vent 14” Multi-Speed Reversible Manual Lift
- An extra screen frame is included, so you have a ready replacement when the original becomes dirty or damaged.
- 10-Speed and Reversible — The high-quality UV-resistant PC cover ensures long-term durability against sun.
- Max Airflow & Fantastic Efficient– Experience the power of super-strong airflow! The RV roof fan delivers a massive 1000 CFM, significantly higher than many standard models. It quickly expels hot, stuffy air, odors, and moisture from your RV, camper, or trailer bathroom, creating a fresh and comfortable living space within minutes.
- Ultra-Quiet– Enjoy powerful ventilation without the noise. The Fantastic motor runs exceptionally quietly at only 22W low power consumption. It’s perfect for use during sleep or relaxation, ensuring efficient air exchange without disturbing your peace on the road.
- Easy 14×14” Installation– Designed to fit the standard 14×14-inch roof opening, installation is straightforward for replacement or upgrade. This 12-volt RV ventilation fan is an ideal solution for overall cooling, bathroom humidity control, kitchen odor removal, or preventing condensation in your trailer.
Blue Sea Systems 3000 HD-Series Heavy Duty On-Off Battery Switch Grey
- Switches a single battery to a single load group Ignition protected – safe for installation aboard gasoline powered boats
- IP66 waterproof, ISO 8846 and meets ABYC requirements
- Accepts two 4/0 AWG (95mm²) battery cables.
- Terminal Stud Size: 1/2″
- Continuous Rating: 600A, Max Voltage: 32VDC
Easy To read: Renogy battery monitor displays multiple electronic parameters, including Voltage, Current, Consumed Power, Battery Capacity, and battery degradation rate with a customized brightness high-definition Backlight Display.
MADE IN THE USA: We take pride in building our American economy. Our products are only developed and produced in the US, and every unit is calibrated by our internal engineers’ hands to ensure that it functions in all different types of climates.
Safety First
Premium Trailer Hitch: The Weigh Safe Aluminum Adjustable Trailer Hitch provides reliable and sturdy towing performance for any adventure; it also has a built-in scale so you can safely load and tow Versatile Ball Hitch: Our tow hitch comes with two stainless steel tow balls in sizes 2″ and 2-5/16″
Safety First – Ditch the cheap Chinese tires your trailer came with.
Goodyear Endurance – 205/75R15 107N All Season Trailer Tire
he Goodyear Endurance is a special purpose trailer tire developed specifically for use on travel trailers, pop up campers, boat trailers, toy haulers and fifth wheels. Endurance trailer tires are designed with durability in mind to help make towing a trailer less stressful by reducing impact related failures experienced during use.
Goodyear Endurance tires, made right here in the USA.
When you want to best!
The most complete 50-Amp power protection system, combining massive Surge Protection with patented Voltage Boosting Technology to safeguard your RV from dangerously low (brownout) and high voltage spikes at any campground. AUTOMATIC LOW-VOLTAGE BOOSTING: Protect your critical A/C and appliances from burnout! This system automatically senses low park voltage and boosts power back to a safe operating level, ensuring your electronics run efficiently and last longer, even in peak summer demand. SMART MONITORING & REMOTE CONTROL: Featuring built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Monitor real-time current draw, voltage displays, and park circuit analysis from anywhere in the world using the mobile app, plus use the app for Remote Power Control (On/Off). EMERGENCY POWER OFF (EPO) & AUTO-RESTORE: Instantly shuts off power upon fault detection (e.g., Open Neutral/Ground) with EPO, protecting your coach. Power is automatically restored after a safe 90-second delay once the fault clears—no need for a manual reset. Also includes an Energy Use Meter to track kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage and full fault history logs.
Power Watchdog Smart RV Portable Surge Protector 30 Amp – Patented Bluetooth Connectivity – Monitor Voltage/Amperage/Wattage – Replaceable Module – IP65 Water-Resistant
- Offers 3,000 Joules of advanced surge protection for your coach. It features advanced circuit analysis to automatically shut off power in an emergency
- Smart Circuit Analyzer will shut down power to RV if a dangerous event occurs. An alert will be sent to your smartphone. Wirelessly Monitor Voltage and Current Draw (amps) on your Smartphone in Real Time.
- Built-in 90-second Power-on delay after a fault to protect your AC unit.Complete LED Park Power Diagnostics with Wireless Fault Alerts – Open Ground, Open Neutral, Reverse Polarity, Open Circuit, and Miss-Wired. Plug-n-play – only 4-second delay power on after plugging in (other brands are up to 2 mins).
- The app features a power monitor, see your Kilowatt Hour usage. Replaceable Surge / Spike Module – Should you get hit by a large spike, simply order a new surge module. No need to order a whole new unit.
- Heavy Duty, weather-resistant/outdoor. Easy pull plug handles.
Personally Own and Use – Great Item
DUAL HEATING ZONES: This professional digital countertop induction cooktop by Duxtop is equipped with two independent heating zones that allow you to set each one separately using the LCD display screen.
Security Related Products
As inventors of the rv keyless entry door lock, our handle has been protecting hundreds of thousands of Americans on the road. Our RV door lock is built to protect what matters most and is crafted with high grade metal alloys for durability and safety. The RVLock is packed with features to make your life easier—including a simple-to-program keypad, convenient key fobs, a weatherproof exterior, 6-9 months of battery life, and a quick 10-minute installation. FITS MOST TRAILERS: We have designed our RV Lock keyless entry technology to fit most RVs including trailer, 5th wheel, bumper-pull, camper, horse, and cargo trailers. WHAT IS INCLUDED: RV Door Lock, (2) remote control fobs with a range over 100 feet, (2) X-series keys, installation hardware, 4AA batteries, user manual, and support from our Utah, USA customer support team.
Alarm System, Security Anti-theft Alarm System with Keyless Entry, Microwave & Shock Sensors
5-buttons transmitter with metal frame. Basic keyless entry system. Shock sensor & microwave sensor detecting. 6 tone – 125dB siren alarming. Package Includes：Main unit, Remote ×2, Siren, Shock sensor, Microwave sensor, Relay, LED indicator, Installation Wiring.
Compact, covert, and IP67 waterproof, the Oyster3 installs easily with screws, bolts, or zip ties—no wiring or external antenna needed. Built to withstand weather, impacts, and heavy use, it’s a perfect GPS tracker for cars, trucks, and trailers.
4 Button FOB, Back-Lit Keypad, One-Touch Lock, Silent Mode, Waterproof & Fully Sealed – MANUALLY lock/unlock both the deadbolt and the latch bolt, keys and cylinders are unique to the Carmtek Brand.
Personally own and like these lights.
Wide-reaching lighting solar lights, which include 100 super-bright LEDs for 270° wide-angle coverage. The advanced PIR motion sensor activates the lights within a 16.4 ft (5 m) range, providing efficient and responsive lighting when you need it. Many great features included.
Highly Recommend a TPMS
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors up to 22 tires on one page and offers 6 alarm modes for high & low tire pressure alerts, high-temperature alerts, fast leak alerts, missing sensor signal alerts, and low sensor battery alerts to cover each of the parameters you need to be aware of while driving. The TPMS sends visual and audio warning alarms immediately when data deviates from the preset safety parameters.
Cooks Faster and is Safer than Propane
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Black
Duxtop induction cooktop uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet–standard in all North American homes. Lightweight induction cook-top makes handling and storage easy. Choose from 20 preset power levels (100 to 1800 W) and 20 preset temperature settings (100 °F to 460 °F). With an 83% energy efficiency rating, induction burner is more efficient than traditional stoves yet provides quick heat-up and faster cooking times. With no open flame, food does not burn on the oversized glass cook-top, making the induction burner easy to clean—just wipe with a damp towel. The control panel with a large display screen, providing easy viewing Induction stoves rely on cookware to heat, so it’s essential to choose magnetic bottom cookware with a minimum diameter of 5 inches. Auto-pan detection will shut off automatically after 60 seconds if no cookware is present.
7” Touch Screen: Enjoy a smooth and responsive touch experience with the 2.5D curved glass screen. Built-in recorder: Real time recording, video playback, 1080P Video Recording Resolution: Seamless recording events with 1080P@30fps FHD Resolution Lens. Support 4 wireless camera input, 120° wide viewing angle. Wireless Line of Sight Range Up to 984 feet. Automatically dims the display in low-light conditions to reduce eye strain. Low Latency: New-gen wireless technology ensures less lag & interference-free signal. Supports installation on vehicles up to 65ft.
PROTECTION AGAINST VIRUSES, BACTERIA, AND CYSTS. Our top-of-the-line Ultra systems with Clearsource-exclusive VirusGuard filters that use NASA-developed technology to remove or reduce not just bacteria and cysts, but viruses. No other RV water filter on the market provides anything close to that level of protection. Our exclusive VirusGuard technology traps even the smallest viruses using an electrically charged coating. 0.2 micron filters are effective only against rare, larger size viruses and allow the vast majority to pass. Unless rated “absolute” like those in our Premier systems, only some of the pores are the rated size and do not provide even the limited protection claimed. THREE-STAGE FILTERING. Our top-of-the-line Ultra water filter system filters your water three separate times. Our 5-micron filter removes or reduces rust and sediment. Our 0.5-micron coconut shell carbon block filter improves taste, and removes or reduces chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and other contaminants. Our third stage VirusGuard filter removes or reduces bacteria like e. coli, cysts like Giardia, and – unique to Clearsource – all types of viruses. BULLET-PROOF CONSTRUCTION. We build our Ultra systems with a rugged, industry-exclusive powder-coated metal chassis and stainless steel fittings.
One pair ( 1 black + 1 red ) 30 feet (each)solar panel extension cable. Made with copper. Designed for outdoor use and is moisture, high/low temperature, UV and corrosion resistant, waterproof/IP67.
- The wiring is weatherproof and designed to withstand extreme heat and cold.
- Stable self-locking system which is easy to lock and open.
- This extension cable runs between the solar panel and charge controller or between two solar panels, allowing for greater space between both items.
The Most Complete & Effective Playbook for Off-Grid Living and Crisis Survival.
30+ Powerful Guides. 70+ hands-on DIY projects. Achieve 100% self-sufficiency.
Check out our FREE eBook
Email info@EV4Unow.com for your free copy.
Off-Grid Power Systems Explained
Off-Grid Power for Cabins, RVs, Trailers, or Vans
Off-Grid – not connected to or served by publicly or privately managed utilities.
The objective of this book is to share the Big Picture fundamentals and principals necessary to provide off-grid power for mobile and stationary applications. We will discuss the components used and the circuits needed to connect them together. The focus will be on how you can do-it-yourself with the information provided. Remember, products change, but the principals and fundamental do not.