RVING OFF THE BEATEN PATH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Lambert Preston
5 years ago
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1 RVING OFF THE BEATEN PATH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2 What attracted you to RV camping in the first place? It could be the flexibility and relative affordability of this unique means of travel. Maybe you ve stood in one too many airport security lines and decided you needed a different way to vacation. Maybe it s a simple thirst for the open road. But for many campers, the siren song of RV travel is all about getting off the grid, back to nature, and as far away from everyday life as possible. And while campgrounds full of amenities are fun and convenient, they can leave something to be desired when it comes to unplugging. (Literally.) But RVing off the beaten path is a different animal, and if you ve never done it before, there are a few things you need to know before you head out into the wild. That s why we ve compiled this guide to help get you started on your road-less-taken journey. Of course, it can t cover everything -- part of the reason you re attracted to the back road in the first place is the spontaneity, right? But reviewing this information will help you avoid some common inconveniences and mistakes, and ensure you have a safe and relaxing journey away from it all. GETTING STARTED: WHAT IS BOONDOCKING? If you ve been looking into getting away from it all, you ve probably heard campers talking about boondocking. This is a slang term for dry camping -- that is, RV camping in an area with limited or no amenities.

3 Boondocking grants you access to some of the most stunning RV campsites out there, some of which you might even discover yourself! Plus, these sites are often free to stay in, or carry very minimal fees. Best of all, you ll get some much-needed peace and quiet, and wake up every morning to a beautiful view. However, dry camping comes with some unique challenges you may not expect if you ve only ever camped in a fully-equipped resort. For instance, when you re boondocking, there s likely not a nearby dump station to drain your wastewater tanks, and you might also be unable to fill up on potable water if you run out. And if you want electricity -- to run your air conditioning unit, for example -- you ll need to have some sort of self-contained power source, like a generator. (Not to mention the fuel to run it!) Don t worry: It s not half as scary as it sounds. In fact, most RVs make boondocking pretty darn easy. They are called campers, after all! BOONDOCKING BASICS So, what do you need to know in order to go on your own boondocking adventure? Here are a few fundamentals.

But when it comes to boondocking, it isn t just drinking water you need to worry about. Do you want to wash dishes and take showers while you camp? How often do you flush the toilet?

4 But when it comes to boondocking, it isn t just drinking water you need to worry about. Do you want to wash dishes and take showers while you camp? How often do you flush the toilet? All of these factors will affect how quickly you go through your water supply -- which, in turn, will determine how long you can stay at your destination. Fill up your water tank to capacity before you head out, making sure you re hooking up to a city or otherwise filtered water source with a certified potable water hose. (They re easy to identify since they re always white in color!) You should also empty your fresh water tank entirely between each trip. You don t want to use and drink water that s been sitting under your rig for who knows how long. Then, make a concerted effort to conserve your water supply during your stay. For example, you may decide to forego full-on showers and take sponge baths instead, or rely on one-pot meals that don t require a lot of dishwashing. (As a bonus, these easy meals will also help you preserve generator fuel and battery power, which we ll get to in a second not to mention the time you spend cleaning up.) It s not a bad idea to bring along some extra potable drinking water in containers, which you can keep in the coach itself. You never know what can happen out there -- better safe than sorry!

5 POWER Depending on where you re headed and how willing you are to rough it, power could be an indulgent luxury or an absolute necessity. (Case in point: There s no way you re living without air conditioner if you re camping in a hot, Floridian summer!) Most motorhomes and large travel trailers come equipped with power generators, which generally run on LP (liquid propane), gas or diesel. However, it s not as simple as filling up your fuel tank and striking out on the road. You ll also need to keep an eye on your battery level, as many smaller features in your coach, like your overhead lights, water pump and furnace fan, are powered in part by a 12-volt DC coach battery supply. This battery charges when you run your generator -- but unless you re using your rooftop air conditioner or microwave, it s likely you won t need to start it up at all. In short, the longevity of your dry-camping electricity is likely more dependent on the strength of your battery than the capacity of your generator, especially if you re doing what you can to conserve energy (which you should). To make the most of your boondocking adventure, choose a site that s temperate enough to avoid using the air conditioner, and stay away from microwaved meals. (Bonus: you ll probably eat better, and you ll avoid the noise created by the generator. Quiet is what you re after on this backwoods adventure, right?)

6 Another option to consider: solar panels, which allow you to use high-powered appliances while still foregoing the noisy, gassy generator. However, a full roof setup can be expensive, and smaller single panels might not power very much. But if you find yourself completely in love with dry camping, solar might be a worthwhile investment for you. FOOD Since we live in an age with ample nonperishables, food could technically be a non-issue if you were willing to survive on granola, jerky and cold Chef Boyardee from the can. Let s upgrade the menu, shall we? Although it s a good idea to keep dry-packaged snacks stocked, you can still take advantage of your RV s refrigerator to make fresh meals while you re boondocked. You will, however, have to keep a few things in mind. Most RV refrigerators can run either on AC power -- that is, the electricity hookup you won t have out in the wild -- or liquid propane gas. In many cases, it s as simple as pressing a button to get your fridge to switch over. However, you ll still need that 12-volt DC battery power mentioned above, as it helps power the fridge; the propane only powers the internal heating element that works to create a cooling reaction. Also keep in mind that RV refrigerators in LP mode only keep cool when absolutely level, and that your gas lines might be empty when you first switch over. Give your fridge ample time to cool!

7 The microwave, again, will require you to switch on your generator, which can be wasteful (and kind of a pain) to set up just for this! Better to stick with meals you can cook over your RV s propane-powered stove -- or, better yet, outside over an open fire. Serious dry campers who go out for long-term trips might also consider a solar-powered oven, which harnesses the sun itself to cook your food! WASTE AND GARBAGE Now for the down and dirty. Crap happens -- literally. And when you re out in some idyllic paradise, miles from a dump station, you re going to have to keep it in your holding tank. In case you don t already know, your RV s wastewater system is divided into two categories. Gray water is the runoff from the kitchen and bathroom sinks, as well as the shower. Black water is what you flush down the toilet. In neither case is it a good thing for these tanks to overfill. Although in some states it s actually legal to dump gray water directly onto the ground, it s never really advisable -- there s soap in that! -- and black water, of course, absolutely must be dumped into a sewer connection. Some RVs have water tanks with less capacity than either waste tank in order to automatically avoid this problem, but no matter what, it s smart thinking to keep a close eye on your tanks fill levels.

8 The best way to keep them low? Again, go easy on the showers and dishwashing. Flushing the toilet is less avoidable, obviously. Speaking of which: You may need to use more of your approved, flushable chemicals than normal to help control odor and break down solids. Since you ll likely be using less water, the waste will be more concentrated, which could make for a smelly situation. You ll also need to figure out what to do with your garbage. This might be a non-issue or a challenging puzzle, depending on the length of your trip. Simply using a covered garbage can will likely work for a long weekend, but if you re on a two-week-long trek, you might find yourself facing an overflow -- not to mention odors. And simply leaving it outside isn t an option, since it might attract unwanted attention from wildlife (i.e., bears). Some advice? Double-bag your garbage, in any case, and dump it at your earliest convenience. You might also consider getting a large rubbermaid or other secure box to keep the smell down, or even placing full bags of garbage in your tow vehicle. Outside of city dumps, you can also ask to use the dumpster at gas stations while you re filling up. After you spend a hundred dollars on fuel, they re likely to say Yes!

9 STAYING CONNECTED If you re trying to get off the beaten path, it s likely that an internet connection is the last thing you want. But if you re a digital nomad or working remotely, staying connected to some extent might not be negotiable. And it s always a good idea to have some communicative failsafe, especially if you re traveling alone. Although it won t work everywhere, you can consider purchasing an external hot spot, or looking into your mobile device s tethering capacities. And if you want to turn your cell phone off altogether, consider purchasing a GPS tracking device, personal locator beacon or satellite messenger, which can comfort worried loved ones -- or save your life in an emergency situation. STAYING SAFE Even though you might be nervous about camping in a remote area, RV boondocking can be a very safe way to travel, as long as you make some smart precautions. When you leave your rig or go to sleep, make sure to lock up; leave valuables at home, or at least hide them. It s not common for thieves to target lone RVers out in the wilderness. First of all, it tends not to be a very lucrative type of theft, considering the time and energy investment necessary to find and break into a boondocked rig in the first place. Secondly, distance from other people is usually one deciding factor when boondockers choose their campsites -- and if thieves aren t around, they can t rob you!

10 As mentioned above, you ll also want to ensure your safety from local wildlife. It might be cool to see a bear while you re out in the wilderness, but it s less fun to be trapped inside your rig by a hungry one who won t leave you alone! So long as you properly put away your food and garbage, however, this shouldn t be an issue. TRY OUT BOONDOCKING BEFORE YOU GO Dry camping isn t that complicated, but it s a good idea to get a sense of your tanks capacities and make sure you know how to operate all your RV s equipment before you head out into the woods. Consider doing a dry run of sorts at home, or make a weekend of it at a local park. That way, you can get comfortable with the experience before you re totally stranded. WHERE TO GO Now that you have the basics of boondocking down, it s time for the fun part: Where to?

Figuring it out is one of the best parts of RVing off the beaten path. The best way is to simply get out there and explore, and hopefully discover your own perfect camping paradise.

11 Figuring it out is one of the best parts of RVing off the beaten path. The best way is to simply get out there and explore, and hopefully discover your own perfect camping paradise. This works especially well if you re out west, where you can easily stumble upon endless roads to nowhere -- or to the most beautiful spot no one s ever heard of. However, taking this route often means you ll set out on your trip without knowing where you ll be staying until the late afternoon, which requires admirable flexibility and might not be enjoyable for everyone. If you want to have a general sense of where you re going, you can turn to the camping community. Many campers share some of their favorite sites on blogs, discussion forums, and podcasts. (Though you may find that many experienced boondockers are hesitant to give you exact directions because if the word gets out, their prized site might end up a crowded mess!) Another important note: While a lot of beautiful American land is set aside for public use and managed by bureaus like the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, it s easy to accidentally wander onto private property. When in doubt, give the local public lands office a call to ensure you re in an approved location. Most U.S. national parks don t allow boondocking, or dispersed camping.

12 Even if you re in a public spot, there are certain rules you need to follow. For instance, in most places, you can t camp in one site for longer than 14 days, and you need to pack out whatever garbage and other materials you packed in in the first place. There may also be restrictions on when, where and whether or not you can light fires. The public lands office will be able to give you the full rundown on the regulations in your area. And when you re excitedly scoping out some prime property, keep in mind how the elements might affect your stay. Is there shade, or is the site in full sun? If so, is the weather cool enough to compensate, or will your sunny spot necessitate running the air conditioner? Don t forget to check the quality of the ground -- you don t want to get stuck in the mud. (Trust me on this.) No matter where the road takes you, boondocking is some of the very best camping available, and it ll completely transform your understanding of the RVing experience. We can t wait to hear about your next adventure off the beaten path!

RV TRIPPING 101 THE BEGINNER S GUIDE TO RVING

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