#Boondocking tips manual#

Tank Capacityīoth fresh water and gray tank capacity is important when it comes to dry camping. While it’s true that any RV can dry camp, it all comes down to how you intend to dry camp and what you need to accomplish it. In addition to practicing good conservation techniques, it’s important to pick an RV that’s suitable for boondocking if it’s something you plan to do. Picking the Right Trailer Mattersĭry camping is all about having the right resources for your expedition. For watching movies, playing games, or reading, stick to a tablet. While a tablet won’t be able to do everything a laptop can, if it does the things you need, it’s the better option. Moreover, they’ll take up less space on your RV, which is just as precious a resource as energy. They use less energy and can be charged without using an inverter.

If you need to pack some tech, consider a tablet instead of a laptop. Remember that trailers heat up quickly, and overusing any energy source will mean a quicker end to your boondocking experience. If you absolutely have to, make sure to only use as much heat as you need. Keep wrapped up instead of trying to heat the whole trailer. When it’s cold, remember to pack blankets and dress in layers. It’s much easier to find ways to stay cool outdoors, and then vent the trailer quickly when you return. Trying to cool the trailer for long stretches of a hot day will significantly hurt your energy efficiency. If it’s exceptionally hot, do your best to stay out of the trailer during the day to enjoy the area you’re camping. Don’t Rely on the Trailer for Temperature Control Try to avoid using inverters when you can. If you need to push 80 watts of power through an inverter, it will take about 100 watts to do it. One crucial RV boondocking tip to remember is that inverters aren’t 100% efficient. When you’re boondocking, every watt counts. Inverters use standby power, sometimes known as “vampire draw” or “phantom load.” That means even if it’s not in use, but it’s plugged in, it’s drawing power. Using an Inverter? Turn It Off When If You Aren’t Using It Any device that’s running on replaceable batteries will save your primary batteries for more important jobs. Put them in areas where you need a small amount of light and use them whenever necessary. These tend to have strong adhesives that let you stick them wherever you like. Consider buying a few cheap LED touch lights – they cost a few dollars at most. If the whole family is coming along, you may want to plan for some fun RV activities for your child that doesn’t involve a gadget too! Battery Operated Tools Helpīattery operated clocks will let you keep track of time without plugging in more unnecessary tools. There are always some things your family might not want to do without, such as a tablet or computer, but for anything else, it’s worth focusing on conserving energy. It’s worth looking into what you use often, and trying to find out if there’s a way to accomplish the same tasks without using electricity.

#Boondocking tips manual#

Kitchen tools like manual coffee grinders or egg beaters can save you a lot of power in the long run. Tips for Conserving Power Find Alternatives to Electronic DevicesĪny device that can be replaced with a manual version is energy you won’t be wasting. A higher-quality water pump can improve water pressure even with lower water flow, and can ultimately let you do more with less – which should be your boondocking motto. While your standard RV water pump may work just fine for typical usage, you may benefit from a higher-grade pump for dry camping. You can drastically minimize the amount of water you use to shower this way – especially if you’re quick. Turn it on for a quick rinse, then turn it off to soap and scrub.

Don’t leave the water running if it doesn’t need to be. When water is scarce, showers can be a huge waste.

You can also let soapy dishes drain briefly to reduce the amount of rinsing required to get them spotless. Use these to clean your dishes so that you can get them all done with a small amount of water. Make sure to bring some containers that fit in your sink that you can fill with soapy water and rinse water. Don’t Use Running Water for Washing Dishes Instead of running water to get it warmed up, collect the initial running water in a pot to heat up on your stove.

If you’re running water, make sure it goes to good use. Read our RV boondocking tips to learn great ways to maximize your dry camping outing. Without the amenities of the campground, it’s important to know how best to conserve your water and electricity to fully enjoy your trip without running into problems, especially if you’re traveling with pets. Also called “boondocking,” dry camping is when you take your RV somewhere away from the typical stations and hook-ups of designated campgrounds. When you really want to disconnect, the best way to do it is dry camping. Camping is all about enjoying the outdoors and finding time to relax away from our typically busy lives.