THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BOONDOCKING

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Emmeline Hester Atkins
5 years ago
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1 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BOONDOCKING

2 Boondocking is arguably one of the best aspects of RVing. Hardly considered roughing it, boondocking gives you the freedom to camp under the stars, free of campground crowds, while still having the comforts of home surrounding you. No matter if you boondock for a weekend or have a specially-designed RV to boondock for longer periods of time, you ll enjoy the peace and solitude of being one with nature. However, boondocking isn t for the faint of heart. Dry camping is about simplicity, to be sure, but the skills you need to do it aren t as simple as they seem. It s a balance between conservation, adaptability, and compromise. Think you have what it takes to boondock at a remote campsite? This guide will help you find out. WHAT EXACTLY IS BOONDOCKING? The word boondocking comes from an old Filipino word, bundok, which is used as slang to refer to people living in remote areas, usually near the mountains. It became an Americanized word in the early 1900 s, and soon became a popular phrase to imply areas of remote wilderness. From that, the term boondocking emerged, which of course means to camp in any such remote area. Today, boondocking doesn t necessarily have to mean camping in the woods; you can boondock anywhere the camping is free and there are no hookups. From parking lots to meadows to ghost towns, the broader definition of boondocking encompasses all types of situations. Though, we still think boondocking in a rural, wooded area, is the best way to do it.

3 WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE BOONDOCKING SO MUCH? Why would someone want to boondock? Camping in your RV without hookups for electricity and water kind of defeats the purpose, right? Still, the majority of RVers will tell you that boondocking is an experience like no other. There are a number of reasons people enjoy boondocking: It s free! Or at least, very cheap. If you re trying to avoid paying overnight campground fees, dry camp! Depending on the size of your RV, you ll have access to places you d otherwise never be able to camp. Dense national forests, eerie southern swamps, urban parking lots in the heart of the city the opportunities are endless when you know how to boondock. One of the biggest benefits is that you don t have to deal with the crowds of a packed campground or RV park. Even if you encounter another boondocker in the wilderness, they ll offer you the same respect, because they re there for the same reasons you are. You get to experience living simply in nature, but you still have the safety and shelter of an RV. Plus, you ll have some of the best views imaginable! CAMPING WITHOUT HOOKUPS? HOW DOES THAT WORK? If you re an adventurer at heart, you re going to be drawn to the idea of boondocking. After all, it s an ability test with the ultimate reward. Conservation is the name of the game here, and you ll constantly need to be aware of how much energy and water you re using. Here s how all the systems work together: Standard Electric and Gas Systems In an RV, you can generate electricity in three ways: your batteries, shore power, and your generator. When you re not plugged into shore power, you get all your electricity from your batteries and your generator. Your batteries store energy to power lights and small appliances in your RV. Your generator powers the energy-sapping appliances, like your air conditioner. When the batteries run out, you use your generator to recharge them. Why wouldn t I just run the generator the whole time? you ask? The problem is that your generator runs of the fuel in your gas tank. If you don t keep an eye on your usage, you could end up stranded. While most RVs automatically shut the generator off at ¼ tank, that might not be enough to get to a gas station if you re in the boonies.

4 RV refrigerators, heating/ hot water systems, and stoves run on propane. Once the propane is gone, you ll have no way to keep your food cold, no way to keep yourself warm, and you ll be limited to cooking over a fire. Standard Water Systems You re just as reliant on your water systems as you are on your electrical systems. Your RV has three tanks: the fresh water tank, the gray tank, and the black tank. Your fresh water is used for drinking, doing dishes, showering, and flushing the toilet. This is the largest tank and varies depending on RV size. The average person will use about 20 gallons of fresh water in a week. Your gray water tank holds any water that went down the kitchen sink or shower drain. Gray water tanks tend to fill up faster than the black water tanks, so this is yet another challenge with boondocking. If you re taking longer showers and doing lots of dishes, your gray tank will fill up in just a few days. Your gray water tank holds any water that went down the kitchen sink or shower drain. Gray water tanks tend to fill up faster than the black water tanks, so this is yet another challenge with boondocking. If you re taking longer showers and doing lots of dishes, your gray tank will fill up in just a few days. The black water tank is the gross one; it contains waste water from the toilet. This is the smallest tank and takes the longest to fill. Once it s full, though, you need to get to the nearest dump station ASAP. As you can see, there are a lot of parts that work together in your home on wheels, which means you have a lot you need to be conscious of while you re boondocking. Boondocking for a day or two shouldn t be too difficult, but if you want to boondock for weeks at a time, you ll need to make some serious modifications.

5 STRETCHING OUT YOUR BOONDOCKING TIME WITH MODS RVs are a DIYers dream. You can customize anything in an RV, from floor to ceiling and everything in between. Some of the most impressive customizations, however, are boondocking mods. If you enjoy customization, these modifications will stretch your boondocking time substantially: Solar Power One of the most rewarding mods is solar power. You can boondock almost indefinitely with the right solar power hookup. Plus, you won t have to run a noisy, smelly generator to recharge your batteries. It s also one of the easier mods; simply stick a few panels on your roof, connect to the batteries and inverter, and you re done. You can use a portable solar power setup if you want to test it out first, or for supplemental power. A Bada$$ Inverter No matter how beefed up your solar power or battery setup is, you won t get anywhere without a good inverter. The inverter converts DC power to AC power, AKA, it takes the stored DC power in your batteries and turns it into AC power for anything you plug into the wall. Most RVs come with a standard 1500-watt modified sine wave inverter. They ll power basic appliances, but the power isn t as isn t as pure. In fact, over time, modified sine inverters can even damage newer electronics. Pure sine inverters can run anything effortlessly and they re more efficient. Plus, if you get a higher wattage, you ll be able to run several appliances at once without tripping the breaker. Composting Toilet Say goodbye to having to clean out nasty black tanks! Composting toilets separate the liquid and solid waste into two separate compartments within the toilet system itself. This eliminates the need for a black tank and greatly reduces odor (because the chemicals never interact with one another). When you flush, the waste is mixed with a medium of either coconut coir or peat moss. You need to clean the liquids every few days, but the solid tank lasts a few weeks! You can learn how they work here. Expanded Holding Tanks Now that you ve gotten rid of your black tank, you have room for more water! Whether you want to carry more fresh water or gray water is your choice. Most people find they fill their gray water tanks faster than they drain their fresh water tanks. Or, you can simply ditch the black tank and enjoy the extra weight capacity you ve gained. LED Lights Let s face it, standard RV light bulbs are energy-suckers, not to mention you have to replace them every 200 hours or so. LED lights use far less energy and last up to 60,000 hours. If you can afford it, you should replace all your lights with LED counterparts. Just make sure to research which light temperature and brightness you want, so you don t end up with blinding interior lights.

Better Batteries Standard RV batteries are those of the flooded lead-acid (FLA) variety. They re the least expensive of the bunch, but they also require a lot of maintenance.

6 Better Batteries Standard RV batteries are those of the flooded lead-acid (FLA) variety. They re the least expensive of the bunch, but they also require a lot of maintenance. They need regular testing, filling, and replacement. Even with proper maintenance, they degrade quickly. On the other hand, absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries are maintenance-free and charge 20% faster than FLA batteries. However, they cost about twice as much. If you re really looking to splurge, you might want to research lithium batteries, which weigh half as much and last up to 15 years. A Vent Fan One of the cheapest and easiest mods, the Fantastic Vent Fan offers a slew of benefits. It s a powerful little two-way fan that runs on a mere 2-3 amps. You can leave it on all day and avoid using your air conditioner or turn it on when you re cooking. Certain models have temperature sensors and will turn on when it gets hot in the RV, and rain sensors that will close the vent if it starts to rain. A Water-Efficient Shower Head Using as little water as possible is key while boondocking. And where do we all waste the most water? The shower. A waterefficient showerhead (the Oxygenics brand is an RV-crowd favorite) aerates the water while simultaneously reducing flow. You ll use about 30% less water without even noticing the difference! Of course, the possibilities are infinite when it comes to modding your RV. It seems like every year there s an emerging technology that makes boondocking easier and more comfortable. Whether you re boondocking in a winter wonderland or want to camp in the hot southern summer, you can bet there s a way to customize your RV for any climate. Check out Do It Yourself RV for a wealth of modification ideas and guides.

7 OKAY, I M READY FOR BOONDOCKING BUT WHERE DO I GO? Ah, the question on everyone s mind: where is it okay to boondock? The answer is not always so simple. There are several ways to camp for free: In recognized, free, public camping areas. These are places like National Forests and Grasslands, areas controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, and other federal or state-owned lands with dispersed camping. You can use the US Public Lands app to find such areas and contact information. In unofficial camping places where it s recognized. Walmart parking lots, rest stops, truck stops, and other parking lots tend to fall under this category. Keep in mind that although people probably camp there all the time, it s still a good idea to ask permission. The Walmart Overnight Parking Locator app is handy for finding parking in a pinch if you don t mind waking up to a view of concrete. In a private lot with permission. Do you have a friend with extra space on their property? Why not ask them if you can park overnight! You can also check out Harvest Hosts or Boondockers Welcome (both are paid memberships) for a network of private boondocking locations. Harvest Hosts, in particular, is an interesting concept; most of the hosts are farms and wineries. You can enjoy free camping, a beautiful view, and fun activities, all in one place. In unrecognized or prohibited areas, where you ll be camping at your own risk. Also known as stealth camping, this basically entails parking in a hidden area and being very, very quiet. Many people do this when they simply cannot drive one more minute, as a last-ditch effort. However, it can be extremely risky. At the mildest, a cop may come by and tell you to move; at the worst, you could find yourself in physical danger should you park in a bad area. Aside from free camping, there are also hundreds of campsites throughout the U.S. that offer discounted primitive camping. You ll pay a small fee (usually around $10, give or take) to park overnight without hookups. The Allstays app is one of the best ways to find paid and free camping by state. You can see which campgrounds in the area offer cheap, primitive camping, if any.

DON T BE A JERK BOONDOCKING RULES & ETIQUETTE Boondocking is for people who want to save money, true, but also for people who want to enjoy the simplicity and natural beauty of camping off-grid.

8 DON T BE A JERK BOONDOCKING RULES & ETIQUETTE Boondocking is for people who want to save money, true, but also for people who want to enjoy the simplicity and natural beauty of camping off-grid. As such, there are a number of unspoken rules that all boondockers are expected to follow, regardless of where you camp. Respecting one another and respecting the environment are the foundation of these rules: Only use existing roads and spots, particularly when camping in National Forests. We must all try to keep our impact to a minimum. Try to camp on bare soil so you don t damage plants and grasses. Always follow the leave no trace policy, regardless of where you camp. That means everything you brought onto the campsite leaves with you. Clean up after yourself! Never camp within 100 feet of a water source; it s damaging to the wildlife and plant life that lives there. Be courteous to your neighbors; they want peace and quiet too! Give them as much space as possible. If you have neighbors, please be aware of your noise level. Don t let your kids or pets make a raucous, and try to avoid running your generator at night. Likewise, don t obstruct your neighbor s view. They re just as entitled to a scenic vista as you are! At night, use a few lights as possible (preferably none). Be extremely mindful about campfires! Many wildfires happen because of campfires getting out of hand. Try to use existing fire rings if they re around. Otherwise, look for an area that s away from vegetation and low-hanging trees.

9 Use common sense when it comes to being social. Most RVers are friendly and have no problem chatting with passersby and making friends. Some, however, prefer to be left alone. Either way, it s not hard to pick up on the vibe, so respect it. Don t overstay your welcome. Public lands usually have stay limits posted throughout the area, anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Of course, there are exceptions, and some places in the U.S. don t have any restrictions at all. It s always best to call ahead and find out. If you camped in a business parking lot or campsite, buy something from them to show your appreciation. When camping in parking lots or rest areas, leave as early as possible the next morning. SEASONED TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BOONDOCKING Now that you know how and where to boondock, you re almost a pro! However, this wouldn t be a very thorough guide if we didn t include some sage advice from experienced RVers. These tips will make your boondocking experience more comfortable and enjoyable: When parking, try to orient your RV so the bigger windows are facing away from the midday sun. If possible, look for shaded areas surrounded by trees (but no low-hanging branches!). If you re going to be camping in cooler areas, bring along a portable ceramic heater. It s more energy-efficient than using your RV heating system. Create a meal plan that minimizes energy usage and dishes. Make frozen meals ahead of time and use a skillet or tin foil to reheat them over a campfire. You ll save on electricity, water, and propane and you ll save money, too! Buy jugs of drinking water at the store to cut down on your fresh water usage. You can use jugs of water for drinking, doing the dishes, brushing your teeth, and washing your hands. Try to recapture as much gray water as possible to use elsewhere. You might want to keep a bucket in the shower to catch excess water, which you can then use to flush your toilet. This saves fresh water while reducing how quickly you fill your gray water tank. Take shorter showers by keeping a timer nearby. Or, take a Navy shower: hop in, turn off the water while you lather, then turn it back on to rinse. Never trust a natural water source. No matter how clean it looks, there are just way too many contaminants these days. You ll need to either boil your water or treat it with water tablets.

10 Keep an emergency kit in your RV at all times. Include hand tools and items to make small repairs, a flashlight and batteries, first aid supplies, a weather radio, bear spray, and something to arm yourself with. If you re boondocking in the winter, invest in some Reflectix insulation for your windows. Here s a tutorial on how to get the best insulation using Reflectix, a pillow, and some cardboard. While you re at it, you might want to pick up some heat tape for your plumbing as well. Lastly, unplug and get outside! You ll get to camp in some of the most beautiful places in the country, so make sure you experience it! Don t forget to stay safe: bring along a walkie talkie if you re out of cellular range, and always carry some bear spray for protection. WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL OF THE WILD? Now that you re prepped in all things boondocking, you re ready to hit the road (erm, trail?) and find some remote camping spots! Don t worry if you have some setbacks the first few times; learning to boondock is an experience in and of itself, and it takes some practice before you get the hang of it. Always remember to leave no trace, be respectful of your neighbors, and stay safe.

RVING OFF THE BEATEN PATH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

RVING OFF THE BEATEN PATH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 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