What it actually costs
Budget
Real numbers from building out Pearl — what I actually paid, not ballparks. A few future items are marked separately. I'll keep this updated as the list grows.
Acquisition
Buying Pearl and getting her road-legal
Found her on Facebook Marketplace. Solid build quality for the price — already had the basics done. Saved a lot compared to buying new.
One-time cost to register and get the title transferred. Varies by state and declared value.
Tow Setup
Hitch, safety, and trailer-specific gear
Professional install including the receiver hitch and wiring harness. Worth paying for — the wiring in particular is easy to get wrong on a first tow.
Wireless camera that clips to the trailer and shows the feed in the car. Backing into a campsite solo without one is genuinely stressful. This removes that completely.
Theft deterrent for the hitch coupler. Lock it whenever you leave Pearl unattended.
Required for towing at night. Clean install.
Insurance
Coverage on Pearl
Full coverage on Pearl through Progressive. Remarkably affordable — trailer insurance is much cheaper than vehicle insurance since it's not self-propelled.
Gear
Everything bought for Pearl and for camping
Dabbsson 2kWh power station ($515), Renogy 200W solar panel ($200), BougeRV fridge ($202), roof mount ($80), charging cord ($23), string lights ($14), side light ($9), XT60 solar cable ($16), wall socket ($20), XT60 panel cable ($15), DC Starlink cord ($15). The highest-impact category — this is what makes off-grid camping actually comfortable.
Portable Ninja Blender ($60), Temu kitchen & interior bundle ($130), water dispenser ($18), collapsible sink ($20), drying mat ($7), mini dustpan ($6).
BougeRV Awning ($135), Geyser portable shower ($160), BougeRV shower tent ($153), Porta Potti ($50), camping mat ($17), Naturehike table ($33), folding table ($9), step stool ($11), smokeless fire pit ($30), wood pellets ($10).
Sheet set ($20), portable fan ($23), pillows ($15), desk lamp ($22), iPad mount ($22), cell phone holder ($7), makeup mirror ($9), resistance bands ($20).
Backup camera ($95), fire extinguisher ($14), thermometer ($10), coupler lock ($13), spare tire mount ($17), LED plate ($14), battery charger ($17).
DCA cordless drill ($33), Sikaflex sealant ($13), hole saw kit ($10), XT60 cables ($31), Titebond wood glue ($4), misc hardware.
Connectivity
Internet, maps, and passes on the road
One-time hardware cost for the Starlink dish. Real internet anywhere in the backcountry. The final piece of a truly off-grid setup.
The Roam plan — can be paused when not in use, which keeps the annual cost manageable. Only pay for the months you're actually traveling.
Starlink Mini Travel Case ($33) and DC power cord ($15) for running Starlink directly from the power station.
Worth it for offline maps and the trail database. Useful for finding hikes near any campsite.
Covers entrance fees to all national parks and federal recreation areas. Pays for itself in a single trip if you hit more than 1–2 parks. Absolute no-brainer.
Campsites
Nightly fees — or lack thereof
Most BLM land allows free dispersed camping. The American West has an enormous amount of it. 14-day limit per spot, pack everything out.
State parks and National Forest developed sites. Electric hookups cost more and are rarely needed — the power station + solar handles most situations.