First time camping with no hookups

[Wolverine 1945]

We do very little boon docking,,, but I learn it is good to use generator if you have slids !

[oxcamper]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

Isn't bleach a known carcinogen?

Bleach is Chlorine
-- it's what municipalities use to treat water, pools, etc. it's what is used in hot tubs. It is safe in the right quantities, less is better than more, it doesn't take much to get rid of bacteria.

[Wolverine 1945]

If you live in most city's,,, there is some chlorine in your water supply !!!
I used to work in an apartment complex where @ times you could even smell it !!!
And no I did not drink there water !!!

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Depending on your fridge model, you -might- have a "environmental" heater
in your fridge. If you do, it's job is to warm that little strip of metal
that's between the freezer and fresh food doors to keep it from gathering
condensation.
The problem is that heater is a battery HOG. Some have a switch to
shut off the heater.
Others of us have disconnected the heater just so we can camp off
the grid and not have dead batteries in a day or 2.
There has been much discussion here about this heater.
I disconnected mine and we never miss it, off the grid or on.
IF all your camping was in Florida you might need it. Me, not so much...

Great tip! I will look into that!

Thanks!

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by CP3

Make sure you're very conservative with your water usage. I don't know the size of your tank but my wife and daughters managed to go thru 46 gallons in two days our first time out, after I repeatedly warned them about it. Now that we have some experience with it, we can go 4-5 before running out.

I'm going to use disposable stuff for eating so I won't have to wash dishes. I will have separate drinking water, so I will only use the water tanks for the toilet (basically once a day) and washing hands and minor stuff.

Thanks!

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Off the grid can provide some great camping with little or no inconvenience from what you are used to. Start out with empty waste tanks, at home put 3-5 gals down your back tank so you don't waste your on board water. Fill potable water full, ensure propane is full, turn lights off when not in use, use paper plates. No need to shower every day.

I will have access to showers and drinking water. I just cannot hook up to anything.

Thanks!

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by debit

I would add: use a voltage meter to accurately measure the health of your batteries. I installed a permanent meter next to my switches for easy reading.

---------------
Ram2500 diesel, 4x4, 6 speed manual tranny
FR251RKS

I just got a new battery because my old one was trash.

Thanks!

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

When was the last time you SANITIZED your water system?

I never used it before. I had left the drain open so it was dry. I am just using it for the toilet and do you think that would be ok for hand washing? I could go ahead and sanitize it, but I won't be drinking it.

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by lacamastraveler

As a long-time and avid boondocker (dry camper) I will tell you the responses you've received are excellent. Because I boondock a lot I also carry a portable jump starter (charges at home on AC) just in case. I've never had to use it for myself but have made more than one stranger happy that I had one.

If you find you enjoy it, and believe me, it is much more relaxing than an RV park or campground you should consider solar. Mine keeps my batteries at full charge all day and gives me adequate reserve to run the propane furnace on those cold nights in some of the places we camp.

You just made me want to jump in the RV and take off for a week! Enjoy.

I think I will pack the jumper cables, just in case. I had not thought of that...

Thanks!

[SeaDog]

TLM if you have never used the potable water tank a little bleach in the tank before you use won't hurt (a little not allot). Test your water pump with a full tank of water before leaving home. OK now just go do it, adapt and adjust as necessary and enjoy the experience of being unhooked.

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

TLM if you have never used the potable water tank a little bleach in the tank before you use won't hurt (a little not allot). Test your water pump with a full tank of water before leaving home. OK now just go do it, adapt and adjust as necessary and enjoy the experience of being unhooked.

Yes I tested the water pump and it works fine. Seems like it would drain the battery so I will try to limit usage unless I'm on the generator.

[SeaDog]

I forgot to add when you get back and have time let the forum know how your first unhooked camping went. just a side note its your thread no need to quote each reply you make those following know why you are talking about. have fun

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

I forgot to add when you get back and have time let the forum know how your first unhooked camping went. just a side note its your thread no need to quote each reply you make those following know why you are talking about. have fun

Oh yes, I will be sure and report when I get back. About the quoting, I just think it is a good practice to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. That way, hopefully people will know the specific statement to which I am responding. Thanks for the feedback!

[Tonylmiller]

I am planning to use the refrigerator in the camper. Here is my plan:

*Cool the refrigerator while I'm at home on 110 V.
*Run the refrigerator while in transit to the campsite (2 hrs.) on propane (is this a good idea?).
*Run the refrigerator all weekend on propane (does it use a lot of propane?).
*Run the refrigerator while in transit to my home.

Do these types of refrigerators require 12V while they are operating on propane? I'm thinking of disconnecting my battery (via switch) while I am gone during the day.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Tonylmiller

I am planning to use the refrigerator in the camper. Here is my plan:

*Cool the refrigerator while I'm at home on 110 V.
*Run the refrigerator while in transit to the campsite (2 hrs.) on propane (is this a good idea?).
*Run the refrigerator all weekend on propane (does it use a lot of propane?).
*Run the refrigerator while in transit to my home.

Do these types of refrigerators require 12V while they are operating on propane? I'm thinking of disconnecting my battery (via switch) while I am gone during the day.

Yes, they require 12v on propane. But they don't draw much battery and don't use much propane. No worries, leave it on.

[Wolverine 1945]

There is a product you can add to your clean fresh water,,,
Taste Pure,,, I think Wally World has it ???

[Tonylmiller]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

There is a product you can add to your clean fresh water,,,
Taste Pure,,, I think Wally World has it ???

Do you recommend this product even if I won't be drinking the water?

Incidentally, I can fill the water tank after I arrive at my destination so I won't need to tow the camper with a full tank. Good news. 45 gallons x 8.3 lb/gal is almost 400 lbs of water.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by Tonylmiller

Do you recommend this product even if I won't be drinking the water?

Incidentally, I can fill the water tank after I arrive at my destination so I won't need to tow the camper with a full tank. Good news. 45 gallons x 8.3 lb/gal is almost 400 lbs of water.

I use it every time I fill the tank,,, even tho we do not drink the water either,,, we use our melted Ice water to make coffee,,, Taste Pure is probably just a very weak mixture of water & Chlorine ???

[510Rick]

Ok so I know I'm late to the conversation but I'll chime in too . We actually prefer boondocking . I just got this trailer but we used it a few times before I bought it . (was my dads) We camped for 10 days straight 2 different times with no hookups what so ever . We almost always camp at a lake so we do a lot of lake bathing . Momma will take maybe 2 actual showers during that time, shes got a lot of hair and it needs maintenance the lake cant help with after a few days lol . She uses the commode and I will sometimes to go #2 but other then that me and my son pee out side like men . We all brush our teeth outside as well thats whats great 40 bottles of water for $3 at Costco is for . We are really conservative with the fresh water I also bring a 35 gallon plastic barrel of water for washing the non disposable dishes in a out door sink I fabbed up out of pvc and a 2 dollar storage tub . We have 2 small Honda 2000 generators and we will use the AC on hot days to get the baby to take naps . The trailer is also equipped with a nice solar set up that charges the battery rather quickly so even if momma leaves a light on all night its almost never a problem .

I'm sure I'll ruffle some feathers saying this but having full hookups is definitely NOT camping lol ..When people live in a trailer park they LIVE there not CAMP there pretty much the same thing right ...just saying hahaha
Don't get me wrong full hookups is nice sometimes to us too but the great outdoors is where I like to be .

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Depending on your fridge model, you -might- have a "environmental" heater
in your fridge. If you do, it's job is to warm that little strip of metal
that's between the freezer and fresh food doors to keep it from gathering
condensation.
The problem is that heater is a battery HOG. Some have a switch to
shut off the heater.
Others of us have disconnected the heater just so we can camp off
the grid and not have dead batteries in a day or 2.
There has been much discussion here about this heater.
I disconnected mine and we never miss it, off the grid or on.
IF all your camping was in Florida you might need it. Me, not so much...

Originally Posted by Tonylmiller

Great tip! I will look into that!

Thanks!

Open the outside panel to your fridge and look at the wiring diagram. The door heater, if you have one, will be in parallel with the inside fridge light. Item K is the heater and item G is the fridge light in my pic below.

I've attached a doc on how to disconnect the heater. If you don't mind not having the inside fridge light, you can just pull the wire off pin J2.