Boondocking, also called dry camping, simply means using your RV somewhere without any water or power hookups available. Instead of reserving a spot for your rig at a potentially crowded RV park during the busy summer months, with a little planning ahead, you can camp in a number of places without the need for anything but propane and a full water tank. With several Colorado dealership locations, Trailer Source is your local RV dealer, so we’re able to answer any questions you might have about taking your RV off the grid for a change of pace. Read on for a little more information about boondocking!
Observe Local, State & Federal Regulations
Boondocking is legal on public lands throughout the United States, so long as they’re not National Park lands. You’re permitted to dry camp on private lands with permission of the landowner, too. Some regulations exist for boondocking, such as obeying fire restrictions and fire bans and not camping in one place for longer than two weeks. It’s important to take all your trash with you and leave the campsite in better condition than you found it. If you don’t use your blackwater tanks, you’ll want to bury all your waste at least six inches deep. Obey all “no overnight parking” and “no trespassing” signs. Your particular region may have more rules for dry camping, so be sure to research those before you head out.
Energy Options: Solar & Propane
When you’re running your RV without a power hookup, you have two main options for sourcing electricity. The default for most RVs is propane, which is fairly inexpensive, readily available and easily replenished. Most RV appliances are geared to run on propane, too, which helps, and you can use it day or night, no matter the weather. However, if you’re looking to camp very far off-grid, having to drive either your entire rig or a towing vehicle into town to find more propane can interrupt an otherwise pleasant time spent avoiding the world.
Another option for power on your rig when you’re not hooked up at a campsite is solar power. More and more RVs are being designed with the ability to have solar panels easily attached. While the initial investment in solar panels is somewhat pricey, once you have them on your RV’s roof, you’ll have a perpetual source of renewable energy that’s good for the environment and free to generate. The main drawback of solar power is that you can’t generate it at night or in cloudy conditions. Most seasoned boondockers use a mixture of solar power and propane, swapping between them as necessary.
Install Helpful Appliances
Certain appliances and fixtures can be particularly useful on an RV rig that’s geared towards dry camping. Installing a compost toilet allows you to use less water and not generate any waste in your blackwater tank. LED lights will save on energy expenditure. Propane-fueled water heaters and refrigerators mean that you can use your solar power to charge devices and split your energy needs. If you need more clean water while camping for drinking or cleaning purposes, filtration systems like micro-distillers are available that will allow you to source water from lakes, streams and even puddles.
Plan Ahead For Emergencies
One final note we’ll give you is that, before you head off-the-grid, whether it’s for a week or for a season, you should let someone at home know where you’re going, how long you plan to be there and when you plan to return. Keep them updated via phone or the internet of any changes in your plans so that they know where to send rescue services if they don’t hear from you.
Your rig should also have some safety equipment aboard at all times. Keep a few fire extinguishers, a first-aid kit, flares and signals, a radio, extra food, a hatchet and fire-starting materials somewhere easily accessible on your RV and make sure everyone knows where these supplies are. Having the materials you need for an emergency won’t prevent problems, but it’ll make your life a lot easier if something goes wrong.
If you find that your RV needs parts or service before you head out on your boondocking adventure, bring it into our mechanics so we can get it in perfect working order. We also carry a great variety of new and used RVs in many styles at all our dealership locations. Trailer Source serves the greater Denver metro area as well as the cities of Colorado Springs, Littleton, Wheat Ridge and Erie, Colorado.
