Configuring for dry camping?

[Cyn61]

After having just learned about difficulties of reserving at premium camping destinations it was suggested that I configure for dry camping to expand opportunities. Looking for suggestions on how to do that. We do have a generator, but beyond that we should ...?

[KyDan]

Hi Cynthia! You don't give us much to go on.

What type trailer you have matters.
Also will you be camping in hot, muggy weather or is sleeping with open
windows an option?
Do you have kids, want to watch TV, have to use a microwave, can't live without
a blow-drier etc etc...?

Start here-- Boondocking - Forest River Forums
We actually have a forum for boondocking which is another term for dry camping.
Some folks say boondocking is all alone out by yourself and dry camping is any camping
where you don't have electric or water hookup. In this forum boondocking is all the
above.

Word up there and then come back here for specific suggestions!

That forum is fairly new and there were many discussions before it's premiere.
You can use google search. See the little box at the top of the page
that says Search? Be sure the dot is next to FRF and search
boondocking and dry camping
You will turn up many other discussions about these that are not in the
new boondocking forum.

[Cyn61]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Hi Cynthia! You don't give us much to go on.

What type trailer you have matters.
Also will you be camping in hot, muggy weather or is sleeping with open
windows an option?
Do you have kids, want to watch TV, have to use a microwave, can't live without
a blow-drier etc etc...?

Start here-- Boondocking - Forest River Forums
We actually have a forum for boondocking which is another term for dry camping.
Some folks say boondocking is all alone out by yourself and dry camping is any camping
where you don't have electric or water hookup. In this forum boondocking is all the
above.

Word up there and then come back here for specific suggestions!

That forum is fairly new and there were many discussions before it's premiere.
You can use google search. See the little box at the top of the page
that says Search? Be sure the dot is next to FRF and search
boondocking and dry camping
You will turn up many other discussions about these that are not in the
new boondocking forum.

Thanks, I will do that! We have a Sunseeker and live at the Jersey Shore. Planning to take shorter "long weekend" trips to PA, MD, VA, NY.

[Cyn61]

I see the whole boondocking forumnow! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

[Herk7769]

We are right across the river; just north of Philadelphia.
If you have any questions about how to make "off the grid" camping more enjoyable, PM me.
Herk

[Cyn61]

Originally Posted by herk7769

We are right across the river; just north of Philadelphia.
If you have any questions about how to make "off the grid" camping more enjoyable, PM me.
Herk

Awww thanks Herk! Will do that after doing some research on this (and maybe doing a little camping)!

[Triguy]

Hi Cyn61,

As KyDan said, try and narrow down the exact kind of dry camping you intend to do. Its all over the board as far as what campers consider "dry". Your shorter long weekends might not require much at all.

It all boils down to conservation of power, water, propane and tank capacity.

Power can be increased by either adding additional batteries, replenishing used amps via a generator or solar and extending your current capacity by just forgoing some of the power hungry needs in your RV (e.g., TV, heater, etc). Be aware that generator usage can vary by campground. For example, we often camp in State Parks that will not allow any generators ever. Most other CGs have set periods and there is also the noise factor.

Water can be carried with you and I recommend an additional container to allow you to hand-fill. If you intend to dry camp at a state or municipal park, there are usually wells you can use for more water. Conservation here means taking navy showers or using the CG facilities for showers.

The gray tank(s) can fill up quickly and depends on how many people you have and how much water you use. There are things you can do to extend its capacity such as dumping your dish water down the toilet. Of course, showers will quickly fill up your gray water tank, but Navy showers take care of that.

Portable containers can be bought that allow you to empty your black and gray water tanks and tow the container (they have wheels) to the dumping area, which allows you to extend your capacity without having to move. I mention this but don't think its needed for you if you only intend to have extended weekend stays.

Propane is generally not a problem until you are camping in extremely cold weather where the heat is always on.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

[Pipeman]

Boondocking to me is, if you want it, you have to bring it cause there isn't anything but trees, birds and nature. It's not camping in a campground at all but in the bush where if you like the spot and can get in with your rig, that's where you plunk yourself down. We've been doing that for about 34 years now. We have a 35 ft. 5er, a 4000 watt genny, 165 watts of solar panel to keep up with parasitic drain on the 2 batteries, an extra 50 gallon fresh water tank that's kept in the bed of the 1 ton LB dually. A 35 gallon blue tote for black water to go to a dump site at a local gas station that's a few miles away. You can run the genny anytime you want and not worry about other people hearing it. We do this in lower northern Michigan and in the Rocky Mountains. There are other things that we have to do this but too many to mention now. It took a lot of years to get where we are now in terms of gear to use etc. Actually we do camp in campgrounds but only when in transit from here to the west and back. We've boondocked for up to a month, most recently this past summer in the Rockies. Just a wee look at boondocking as I do it. Stay safe.

[Herk7769]

I got the impression that Cindy wanted to know how to get set up her camper for "no hook up" camping. Whether that is in the deep woods or the parking lot at Wal-mart is moot.

Any modification that limits generator run time; yet maximizes camping time is more like what she is asking.

Typically, that is more battery power; less electric use; some way to recharge your batteries quickly; some way to create 120 volt AC when the generator is not running or allowed to run; less water use and a way to deal with full holding tanks.

[ependydad]

Plus, on the east coast, true boonies/boondocking isn't something you ind out here- not like I read out west is.

[Cyn61]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I got the impression that Cindy wanted to know how to get set up her camper for "no hook up" camping. Whether that is in the deep woods or the parking lot at Wal-mart is moot.

Any modification that limits generator run time; yet maximizes camping time is more like what she is asking.

Typically, that is more battery power; less electric use; some way to recharge your batteries quickly; some way to create 120 volt AC when the generator is not running or allowed to run; less water use and a way to deal with full holding tanks.

Agreed! Not aware of any real wilderness camping here...just want to learn the basics to expand opportunities for camping in some high traffic spots. Plus, something about being off the grid appeals to my "green" side. However, at this point my ignorance on the subject is infinite! For instance, I believe our Sunseeker has 2 batteries, but I don't really even know what that means (do you use up one then switch to the other, or do you just have double the battery life.). Also saw that blue boy gadget, but wondering if that is even necessary to use for a 3 day weekend with just adults? Figuring some actual camping time will probably help

[KyDan]

Lights are one of your biggest battery hogs. Consider purchasing a few LED
replacements. Often in the evening we leave one on just for "move around
inside" light. A LED will use just a fraction of a typical 2 bulb incandescent
fixture.
We added a thin florescent over our dinette table because it uses less
power than the aforementioned 2 bulb incandescent and it's where we do
most of our reading.

We can camp 5 days on 2 normal 12v batteries. This includes a few hours
of ceiling exhaust fan on low, an hour of a small LCD TV per day and close to
a full tank of water pumped. Also minimal lighting as mentioned and some time
with the MP3 player on for "mood music".
Lately my mood music puts me in the mood for a nap!
We power our little LCD TV with a cheap cigarette socket plug in
inverter.
This does not include use of the LP furnace which is a battery hog.

(Teachable moment-- an INverter changes 12v DC battery power into
120v AC household power)
You can get a small cigarette socket inverter for $30.

Here's one from WallyWorld
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schumacher...erter/15140199

Here's another from Amazon-
Amazon.com: BESTEK 150w power inverter car dc 12v to 110v ac inverter dc adapter laptop charger notebook adapter dc charger ac adapter usb charger Dual USB 3.1A MRI1511U: Electronics

[Janet H]

My DH and I often camp in our tiny vintage camper for 4 or 5 days at a time and boondock. Our tank capacities are the limiting factor but even then, we've learned some tricks to cope.

We have 35 gals of fresh water, 11 gal black and an appalling 9 gals of gray storage.

Assuming navy showers: 35 gals of fresh is plenty for flushing, cooking and cleaning. 11 gal black tank is sufficient as well. The grey tank is the problem. I've found that with careful use (and cooking 3 meals a day) it has to be drained on day 3. A blue tote or even a bucket and a discreet bush alleviate this issue. (note that I camp out west where the bush solution is often permissible).

Power issues are solved in one of several ways. We added a second battery and use a solar panel when we can but frankly often this just isn't a good option (rain). Our go to solution has been a Honda 1000 generator to recharge batteries and even in places where there is a no noise policy, tucking it under the trailer and shielding with a cooler makes it undetectable.

Learning to use electricity sparingly is key to not needing a generator. We don't use much electricity - no TVs, etc. Instead we bring guitars, books and hammocks. We avoid using the furnace as the blower sucks batteries down and last year swapped out for a ducted catalytic heater - all the heat, no fan needed.

[bikendan]

first, read this, both parts 1 and 2:

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

this is a good place to learn how your batteries work and what they work.

i'm assuming your Sunseeker didn't come with a generator.
and that of the two batteries, one is for the engine and the other for the house.

then the ways to extend your battery's power are see if you can add a second house battery. LED's will definitely help but the biggest power drain will be the furnace.
getting solar panels or a generator will be the next thing.

for us, a Honda 2000 was better, since we almost always dry camp in forested campgrounds and we can run everything except the a/c with it.

remember, solar and batteries will NOT run the a/c or the microwave or the 110v outlets. you'll need a generator for that. and you'll need a more powerful generator if you want to run the a/c.

lastly, the best choice for a generator, are the much quieter inverter generators, such as Honda, Yamaha, Kipor and others.

[SimchaSabre]

I can relate to your real problem which deals with campsite availability. I'm a native Jerseyite myself now living in MI. The Michigan State Park system is great with over 140 Campgrounds but the more popular ones will fill up with in a few seconds of the sites becoming available. (6 months in advance.) ... very frustrating. But if we want to be in a certain area and can't get into a SP, we can usually find a private family owned CG that is available.

We've also camped in a number of very nice family owned campgrounds in PA on our way back to the Garden State for visits. The other campers typically have been very nice and were usually from Jersey.

We also do a lot a more spring and fall camping when there is far less demand for the best locations and far fewer people.

Remember! It dosen't matter where you camp or even how you camp as long as you camp. We love going to a pristine statepark in northern michigan, but boondocking in a casino rv parking lot while taking in a dinner and a show is also good!

[fritz_monroe]

That link to the page on the 12 volt side of life is a great resource. What we did in the pop up is put in LEDs and limit pump use. This allowed us to last over a week on a type 29 battery. I'll do some of that when we get the 233S. I will also put in some toggle switches to take care of parasitic drain from stuff like the radio. But like others said, not a lot of true boondocking in the mid Atlantic area.