Living off-grid isn’t easy — especially when essential equipment like your truck breaks down. For us, hauling water is critical, and when the truck is out of commission, it means no water at home. Recently, that meant relying on Planet Fitness in Los Lunas for showers. At first, showering at the gym seemed like a convenient solution. But there’s a catch: to get a hot shower, the water system requires another shower to be running or at least someone to wash their hands in the bathroom. These systems often share the same hot water source, so one running helps maintain the temperature.
However, this creates an awkward dilemma. It’s common to see extra showers running even if only one person is actually showering. Personally, I’m uncomfortable turning on another shower while I’m using mine — I worry someone might want to use it and assume it’s occupied. Here’s the thing — when the bathroom is busy, you expect people to wash their hands after using the toilet. I always do. But one Thursday, while I was the only person showering, I kept hearing toilets flushing but no handwashing. It wasn’t until I was nearly done with my chilly shower that someone finally washed their hands, and only then did I get some hot water.
This experience was surprising — and honestly, a bit unsettling — because it made me realize just how many people skip washing their hands even in public spaces where hygiene is critical. Living off-grid means adapting to challenges, big and small. From truck repairs impacting water hauling to navigating the quirks of public showers, it’s all part of the journey. If you’re considering off-grid life or are already living it, these moments remind us that patience, creativity, and a bit of humor go a long way.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #WaterChallenges #ShowerStruggles #KaHoonCampground
Tag: water hauling
Truck Brakes FAIL After Repair?! Could Be Costly Caliper! But We Got Water Delivered Anyway!
🚚 Truck Update: Brakes, Water Runs, and Salvage Yard Hopes
We finally got the parts in to repair the truck’s brakes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos of the parts or the guys doing the work. After the repairs, they took it for a test drive into town, and everything seemed fine… at first.
Feeling confident, they decided to take it on a **water run** — that’s when the trouble started. The brakes began acting up again, sometimes locking up, sometimes not working at all. Not exactly the kind of surprise you want when you’re hauling water through rough desert roads.
Today, they’re planning to take another look. The biggest concern? The **caliper** might be bad. From what I’ve been told, that’s a pricey repair. More than likely, we’ll be searching local **salvage yards** for the part instead of buying new.
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### The Silver Lining
On the bright side, they *were* able to haul out **one load of water** before the brakes started misbehaving again. We never run full loads — usually around **100–120 gallons at a time** — to protect the trailer on these bumpy roads. It usually takes two loads to fill up the IBC tote completely.
Since they managed to get that first load home, it means one very important thing… **the shower is functional again!**
Life off-grid is full of challenges, but every small win — even something as simple as a working shower — feels like a big victory out here.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #TruckRepair #WaterHaul #KeepItMoving
We Finally Solved the Off-Grid Shower Problem… But It Wasn’t Easy!
New Camper Shower Coming Soon at Ka-Hoon Campground**
We’re getting closer to having a working shower available for campers here at Ka-Hoon Campground! Like most off-grid projects, it’s taken some trial and error to figure out what works best.
One of our biggest challenges has been the **water pump**. We initially tried using a **small well pump** designed to run an entire household, but it turned out to be *too powerful* for our setup. It required priming every time, didn’t work well with flexible hoses, and created pressure issues. While we still plan to use it in future builds, it’s not the right fit for a simple shower system.
After some research, we chose a **diaphragm pump**, which is much more efficient and easier to operate. It’ll allow us to provide on-demand water for showers without the hassle of setting up and tearing down each time. Campers can just flip a switch and enjoy a hot rinse (once we finish setting up the privacy area — that’s coming soon!).
### Why There Will Be a Shower Fee
The shower won’t be included in the nightly camping fee because not everyone will need it. Instead, we’ll charge **\$10 for a 15-minute shower**, which helps cover:
* **Water hauling costs** – including fuel for the truck **and the cost of the water itself**
* **Propane** for heating water
* **System upkeep** and maintenance
Currently, it costs us about **\$30 to haul 150 gallons** of water, and to avoid excessive wear on the trailer and truck, we limit loads to that amount.
Like everything else out here, we’re building it slowly and sustainably. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we keep improving the off-grid experience at Ka-Hoon!
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#offgridliving, #desertlife, #kahooncampground, #offgridshower, #diaphragmpump, #waterhaul, #tinyhome, #offgridcamping, #newmexicodesert, #camplife, #propaneheat, #offgridcommunity, #diyshower, #offgridwater, #rvlife
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 