One of the main element benefits of RV travel is that all it takes to technically start camping is to throw the motorhome or tow vehicle into "Park." With most vehicles being highly self-sufficient - even from the energy grid and water hookups of one's average campground - any stretch of land can become an impromptu campsite for the night time. A secluded spot next to a stream. A clear field or perhaps a deserted parking lot. Yes, even Aunt Edna's driveway, if you're so inclined.
Such features being an onboard generator and/or inverter, LP tank(s), fresh water supply, and holding tanks make this type of reality possible. That's, assuming guess what happens you're doing. Surely, the temptation to dry camp or boondock, where travelers camp in one way or another away from standard campsites and hookups, appeals to the gypsy spirit in lots of of us at some point and time. And you can find other reasons, too.
Me, Myself, and I
A sense of community is always nice, but sometimes being thrown into the mix at the neighborhood campground isn't just what you're looking for. Larger campgrounds may swell to a large number of campers on a busy weekend; poorly laid out parks stack RVs one directly on top of each other. Where did all these people come from? While no-one can deny the advantages of full hookups, hot showers, game room, and mini-mart, frankly, established campgrounds aren't for everybody. Even the five-star RV resorts that do everything from back your RV to massage the feet might sometimes miss the point. You wish to get away from everything, and that means blazing your personal trail. Establishing the travel trailer at the secluded fishing hole. Maneuvering the motorhome through the deepest reaches of the dense forest and soon you discover the perfect spot. Ah, now that's similar to it. No sounds of idling diesels next-door, no kids playing Frisbee during your campsite. Just you, your crew, and nature. Isn't this just how it was said to be?
Location, Location, Location
An RV trip isn't always to popular destinations, where campsites are plentiful. Some people, who take the second-home concept seriously, choose to setup their rig for a protracted stay in a location where a recognised campground might not be found. For instance, that fold-down camper of yours my work admirably in grandma's backyard throughout your lengthy visit. Best of all, the grandkids are nice and close. Or perhaps it is the part-time job that has you working at the Christmas tree lot, volunteering at that State Park, or selling your wares at a regional art show that will require on-site living sans hookups? Patient's families have been known to "camp out" at a healthcare facility, to become close to someone you care about during a time of crisis. Furthermore, those whose hobbies take them remote the highways - such as motor sports enthusiasts, rock climbers, or boaters - often won't find better nightly accommodations than their RVs. Different situations demand different accommodations, as well as your RV is ready for any of it.
Drastic Times Demand...
The couple was absolutely dumbfounded by the no vacancy signs up and down Pennsylvania's Interstate-80. They looked everywhere, by the finish of the night time just hoping for any campsite, anywhere. Unfortunately, it had been fall foliage season and every single place was booked. Sound familiar? It's getting late and everyone's exhausted? Somebody forgot to help make the reservations and things are looking just a little grim. Any RV maverick who heads for a prime tourist spot in-season knows full well how quickly campgrounds can fill, often forcing a decision of where you can beach the rig for the night time. Facts are, sometimes boondocking is a necessity - although you may don't particularly just like the notion of bunking down in a Wal-Mart parking lot or deserted field. If you are not going to be considered a stickler about making reservations, you need to work out dry camping skills beforehand - before you have to use them.
Money Woes
Compared to a good moderately priced motel, most RV parks, campgrounds - even plush RV resorts - are terrific deals. A night spent at a state or national park is cheaper still, bolstered by the forms of bedazzling views one won't find just any old place. However, there are those of the RVing sect who say hooey to the complete notion of paying to camp. After read more , they already ponied up $100,000 for the motorhome, that is the premier full-time camping machine. By their thinking, every night spent parked in the woods or at a friend's house or catching zzz's at the truck stop is profit the bank. Of course, campground owners don't similar to this free-wheelin' philosophy, but you can't beat the price tag on a night of dry camping.
The Can-Do Spirit
Many RVers started as tent campers, so we're used to the thought of roughin' it. And because we made the transformation from soggy sleeping bag to comfy digs doesn't mean we no longer embrace - or at the very least pine for - the pioneering spirit. Many of us still cuddle our inner explorer and we get yourself a thunderous sense of pride from outdoor camping where few motorhome tires have tread before. We're talking about a spot so rustic that not the pricey satellite dish works. Generating your personal power, carrying your personal water, feasting on fresh trout or perhaps a pantry full of canned goods is a sure-fire way to restore one's swagger - whether or not it's in a $5,000 truck camper or $500,000 diesel-pusher. Free camping can be found throughout most of the million acres governed of the Bureau of Land Management and National Wildlife Refugees.
Before You Go...
However, contrary to popular belief, the world isn't your oyster. One cannot simply park their vehicle anywhere they please and throw out the welcome mat. There are laws to consider, etiquette to follow, and safety concerns to factor. Furthermore, different RVs offer different capabilities so far as boondocking is concerned. Many smaller towables lack the ability to generate their very own power, lacking an onboard generator, inverter, and even solar powered energy applications. Smaller fresh water tanks will limit the duration of the trip - and length of shower, for that matter - of any off-roading adventure. Can be your RV up to the challenge? Are you? Here's a few things to consider before camping without a net.
Safety First
The problem with camping in Parts Unknown is merely that - you just don't know. Is it safe or not? While each campground isn't necessarily Fort Knox, the reputable ones are well-lit, fenced-in, and provide the safety-in-numbers reassurance you won't get bunking at the truck stop or deepest, darkest woods. For me personally, every snap of a tree branch sends me right into a deep, paranoid panic when parked in isolation. For others, it's all part of the natural experience. Still, one must never compromise the safety factor. Whether it's just a matter of spending the night before moving on each morning, gravitate towards spots which are well-lit, fairly busy, and ideally located close to the communal bond of another RV or two. Parked under a streetlight might not make for the very best night's sleep you've ever endured, but it does provide some assurances of safety. Moreover, make sure windows and doors are locked, possession brought inside for the night time, and you know where the keys come in the case of a much-needed quick getaway. That, and a Louisville Slugger in case things ever get, ahem, interesting.
Legal Matters
While Wal-Mart has managed to get well-known how much they just love harboring RVers for the night, many potential landlords aren't so giving. Nor are some towns, which feel squatters might not be the great thing for the community - or the local businesses that profit from overnight guests. The truth is the land you're looking to camp on - be it in the back of a mall lot or next to a woodland stream - belongs to somebody. And that somebody probably isn't you. At the very least, one should always make an effort to get the owner's okay before activating the slide-out and sending up the TV antennae for the big game. Otherwise, that tapping you hear on the side of the window at 4 a.m. could just be Officer Friendly looking to point you back on the highway. Generally of etiquette, it certainly is nice to support a small business that has allowed one to camp over for the night.
Is Your Rig Worthy?
The axiom is painful yet true: Small the RV, the less stuff it offers. Smaller fresh water tanks mean less aqua for drinking and washing, while minuscule holding tanks dictate fewer days spent in the wild before needing to purge. Keep this in mind before scheduling a two-week odyssey a long way away from civilization. As we mentioned, your automobile may or might not have means to create electricity onboard, forcing owners to invest in a portable generator or inverter to accomplish the work. On the flip side, a smaller unit is way better when it comes to maneuvering you as well as your crew to more reclusive places. A camper van or truck camper is really a superior off-road machine, with the capacity of squeezing through the tight passages that a 40' motorhome or 60' worth of trailer and tow vehicle can only dream about. In a nutshell, don't write checks your RV can't cash. Know and respect your RV's limits, and plan accordingly. Moreover, what's the health of the RV? Is everything working okay? Better be sure before you're 20 miles away from a paved road with a set tire or a dead battery. As you would before any trip, fully inspect the machine and stick to top of any preventative maintenance and routine service.
Ready, Set, Camp
In case you never intend to spend one single, solitary moment camping from full hookups and the predictable fun of a campground, it's still a good idea to at least know how what your RV is capable of - just in case. The best advice is to test your dry-camping skills in a protected climate. The smartest way is to get yourself a no-hookup campsite (or get full hookups and do not use them the initial night or two) to see how you do. Or simply try things out in the driveway. You'll learn all-too-quickly you as well as your RV's learning curve. How fast does your loved ones go through water? How much LP do you need for a weekend or more? How adept are you currently at cooking over a campfire if the LP gas runs out? Just how much can your generator handle at once - or how good are you at conserving electricity? Ah, yes, conservation, the backbone of the dry camping experience. Here's some methods for getting the most out of less.
Restore Power
If you run out of electricity, you run out of a whole lot. Fortunately, there are methods to keep that from happening, namely through the use of a generator or inverter to keep the batteries surging. Portable models aren't cheap, but are available to prolong your stays in the great outdoors. Otherwise, you will have to adopt an extremely disciplined approach to squeeze just of juice from your batteries. Switch off all unnecessary lights and appliances when not in use. Several guilty parities will be the water pump, electric step, or exterior lights, which all subtly consume the amps. Forgo the hair dryer and air conditioning equipment, which are big electricity-users. Park in the shade, on hot days, to help keep the refrigerator from overworking, but still keeping things cool onboard. Don't keep using the slide-outs or spend the complete afternoon watching TV. Keep an eye on that monitor panel. You don't want the batteries to drain to zero. Remember: In a pinch, a decent-length drive can partially recharge your coach battery when readings begin to wane.
Water World
Not everyone includes a 100-gallon water tank. For everyone who doesn't, it's time to conserve, considering that water is crucial for cooking, cleaning, and hydrating the crew. How else will you make Kool-Aid? Thankfully, fresh water is pretty easy to maintain and re-supply if you should run out (Quick Mart, anyone?) Still, shorter showers (remember the in-and-out style of the "Navy" shower) and minimizing hand washing (use hand sanitizers when possible) should maintain water levels. Don't leave the water on when brushing teeth or washing dishes, either. If you can find facilities nearby for showering and such, utilize them. And consider - the less water you use, the less goes into the holding tanks. It is a win-win. Your final thought: Just because no one might be able to see you doesn't provide you with the to dump the tanks during your boondocking adventures. We're on our best behavior, right? Fifty gallons worth of spewing gray and black water is no solution to repay someone for using his / her property.
Pro-Propane
LP gas is a pretty hardy resource, meaning it's tough to perform out when you have any decent-size tanks. However, our conservative approach should be employed here as well. The ultimate way to stretch the propane supply is to cook outdoors. A campfire continues to be the most fun and flavorful solution to prepare a meal, a way that simply can not be replicated in the RV's oven no matter the method that you try. Snuffing out pilot light's you should definitely used will stretch your supply even further. Otherwise, go easy on the furnace and hot water heater.
Provisions
Overloading the RV is really a bad thing. Running out of Mac N' Cheese 30 miles from the nearest town isn't too good, either. Dry-campers must walk the line between loading up and overloading, that is hopefully something that includes experience. Spare canned goods, firewood, and portable cooking devices can go a long way when roughin' it - provided they don't tilt your vehicle in to the overweight condition. If boondocking plans simply call for a night here and a night there, you almost certainly won't run out of food or supplies. However, if the campout is of the epic variety, be realistic about how exactly much of everything you might need and how easy it will be to get more. Bring extra food and water, if you need to, since a hungry group quickly falls into mutiny mode. A few other possible what to include: portable grill/cooking grate, charcoal, fishing poles and tackle box, extra blankets, alkaline batteries, cellular phone, first aid kit, tool kits, hatchet/saw, manual can opener, cooking tools, and bug spray. And don't head into the woods with the fuel tank on "E." Chances are your generator will chew on some of the fuel and dry camping is not any time to run out of gas.