Recreational Vans
A strong plan starts with a clear purpose. Decide what you want more of on this route, quiet camps, long hikes, or time on the bike. Pick a region, note road conditions, and mark legal camping zones on public land. Check current land use rules, seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and local water availability. Build an A plan, a B plan, and a bail out route that returns you to paved access and fuel.
Study maps at two levels. Use a high level overview to space out driving days, then zoom in to evaluate grade, surface, and low clearance obstacles. If you will cross passes, watch snowpack, wind forecasts, and storm tracks. Save ranger station numbers and gate hours. Download weather for nearby towns as a proxy for your camps.
Aim for conservative daily distances so you arrive with daylight to spare. Cluster layover days near water, trailheads, or scenic zones. Tag resupply towns outside the ten day window in case you need an early exit. Leave margin for a zero day if weather stalls your plan.
Verify dispersed camping rules for the agency that manages your area. Some forests allow limited nights per site or specific distances from water. Record fire ring guidelines and current burn status. If you need permits for popular trailheads, apply well in advance and store them offline.
Heat impacts water use and fridge load. Cold drives battery demand from heaters and fans. Wind can limit ridge camps. Pick a season that matches your skills and gear. Keep one camp option below treeline if conditions shift.
Start with water. Baseline consumption is one gallon per person per day for drinking, but plan closer to one and a half to two gallons per person per day when you include cooking and basic hygiene. For two adults over ten days, that is roughly thirty to forty gallons. If you will refill from surface water, bring a gravity filter and pre filter for silty sources, plus a backup chemical treatment.
For power, list every device and its daily draw. A 12 volt fridge often uses 40 to 60 amp hours per day depending on ambient temperature and how often it is opened. Add lighting, fans, heater control boards, laptops, cameras, and charge cycles for phones. Size your battery bank to cover at least two cloudy days without solar input. As a rough guide, 200 to 400 watts of rooftop solar paired with a quality charge controller and alternator charging covers many two person setups if managed well.
Food planning favors density and stable storage. Pre cook proteins, freeze flat, and rotate meals that use the same base ingredients to limit waste. Use vacuum bags to save cooler space and reduce smell. Pack quick carbs for trail days and a few high morale meals for cold or long weather holds. Keep a clean cold chain by grouping foods by day and minimizing open fridge time.
Store trash and recyclables in sealed containers, and carry robust bags for pack out. Manage grey water according to local rules, never dump near surface water, and use biodegradable soap sparingly. Follow Leave No Trace for human waste with a trowel or carry a certified waste bag system where required.
Carry a complete first aid kit you know how to use, a spare tire in good condition, and a basic tool roll with fuses, belts, fluids, and tire repair. Recovery gear should match your vehicle weight, including rated points, a quality strap, soft shackles, and traction boards if terrain suggests it. Secure heavy items so they do not become projectiles off pavement.
Navigation works best with redundancy. Download offline maps for your main app and keep a second app as backup. Save waypoints for camp options, water, and hazards. A paper atlas rides along in case electronics fail. For communications, a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon covers check ins and emergencies where phones do not connect. If your work requires bandwidth, a mobile satellite internet system can bridge the gap, but plan power around that draw.
Inspect brakes, fluids, filters, belts, hoses, and suspension. Match tire type and pressure to your terrain and weight. Know your true fuel range with the loaded vehicle and carry approved extra fuel if distances demand it. Test your rig on a two day shakedown before the ten day push.
Arrive early, level the vehicle, and open vents to help the fridge. Cook once, eat twice to save fuel. Place solar in full sun and manage shade with camp placement. Track battery state of charge nightly and adjust loads.
Clarity on route, water, power, and safety turns uncertainty into simple daily habits. You move with intention, enjoy longer stays, and protect wild places while you explore.
Thoughtful systems transform a long off grid loop from stressful to smooth. Reliable solar and batteries, smart water storage, efficient galley layouts, secure gear mounts, and strong lighting all reduce friction on the road. If you want a vehicle built around your mileage, hobbies, and off grid goals, OZK Customs designs and builds complete adventure vans and partial upfits that handle real ten day routes without compromise. From integrated power and water to satellite internet installation, suspension, racks, and storage, we outfit rigs that match the way you travel.
Ready to turn your ten day plan into a rig that just works. Explore options and start a simple build conversation today.
At OZK Customs we craft recreational adventure vans and overland upfits for travelers who value reliable power, smart storage, and real world comfort away from hookups. We build complete custom vans or targeted upgrades to support long routes, remote work, and family travel. Tell us where you want to go, and we will build the vehicle that gets you there and back.
Ready to simplify a ten day off grid trip with real range, real storage, and stress free power. Tell us how you travel, and we will blueprint a van that fits your miles, meals, and terrain. Start your build plan now and we will map power, water, and storage around your itinerary.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com