Wolfpup 17jwbl- dry camping question

[KiwiCamper]

Hello!
We’re totally new to RV camping, and are wondering how to dry camp with our new camper. It currently just has a 12V battery and 1 solar panel. We are going to purchase a generator as well but don’t want to have to run it continuously in order to use the heat, fridge, lights, water heater…. We know we have to be cautious how much we use each item while dry camping but with that in mind how do we do it and how long can we last? There’s 2 adults 2 kids!

[TacomaJoe]

Welcome, you're at the start of your learning curve.

I'm thinking that you have a 12V powered refrigerator and it is use up your battery pretty fast (not really dry camping friendly). A single panel won't keep up with the refrigerator.

LP for the furnace, stove and water heater will be good. Carry a spare tank and swap when needed.

Water will be the limiter. When you fill your black tank the trip is over. You can get a portable tank but you still need a place to dump it.

If can do a test run in your driveway, you will learn a lot about your systems.

[Tlmgcamp]

A check of the website for the unit found a 12v residential style refrigerator. That style fridge is not nearly as "boondok friendly" as a 120v/propane refrigerator. If you are set on boondock you are looking at a substantial investment in batteries, likely lithium as a sufficient lead acid battery bank would get pretty heavy. If you are camping in the woods, getting enough solar to recharge the batteries could be a challenge. With respect to generator, that is another potential weight concern and may be subject to hours of use restrictions by some camping areas.

[Reverse_snowbird]

^^^ All of the above suggestions are good.

Dry camping with your rv will be a challenge. Not everything in your rig operates on batteries (ie. wall outlets, air conditioning, possibly television), so you need to try dry camping in your driveway to familiarize yourself with what works and for how long without modifications. The longer you intend to dry camp, the more difficult the challenges.

Find what you can't live without. Gallons of frozen water in the fridge will help keep it cold and give you cold drinking water when it starts to unfreeze. Sleeping bags will help with cold temperature. Battery operated fans will help cool down the rig. If you're camping in the woods, portable solar will help you 'chase the sun'.

It really depends on how long you intend to camp. With 2 adults and 2 kids, if you can't driveway camp, start with a weekend campout at a park near you.