RV trips where you book a campsite and hook up your RV on a gravel lot surrounded by lots of other RVs and campers can be fun, but the noise and bustle of campsites can soon wear on you. If you weren’t aware, your RV is perfectly capable of providing you with a comfortable camping experience without the use of hookups or the need for dump sites, provided you do some planning ahead. This practice is referred to as dry camping or boondocking, and it means you can travel to whatever place you want (within reason), park your RV and simply camp, surrounded by nothing but nature if you so desire.
As your local RV dealership, RVs and Boats For Less in Chubbuck, Idaho, we wanted to offer some of our tips for successful dry camping so you can try something new this summer and avoid the crowded campsites of your past journeys.
Observe Local & Federal Regulations
Boondocking is legal on most public lands outside of national parks, and on private lands with prior permission of the landowner. You’ll want to ensure that you’re observing local, state and federal regulations when you dry camp, however. This means obeying fire bans particularly during summer and in heavily forested areas, and only setting fires in existing fire pits when a fire ban is not active. It also means paying heed to “no trespassing” signs. You can generally camp for up to two weeks in one spot, but you can move down the road about half a mile and continue your trip without penalty in most places. Practice “leave no trace” camping ethics and keep the campsite in as good or better condition than when you found it.
Choose An Energy Source: Solar Vs. Propane
Without power hookups, you’ll have two main options available to you for power while boondocking: solar panels and propane. Most RVs are already optimized to run using propane, which is plentiful, cheap and easily acquired at many gas stations and grocery stores. The only drawback is that you do have to replenish it on a regular basis, which means traveling back into a town, so if you don’t have enough for the length of your stay, you’ll have to interrupt your trip for fuel.
The other option is to install solar panels on your camper’s roof. Many of the more recent models of trailers and RVs are solar panel ready, meaning they have the required electric systems to make use of solar energy. The drawback here is that solar panels are a spendy investment, but once you have them on, they draw power ambiently in good weather, providing you with sustainable free energy so long as the sun shines. Most seasoned RVers switch between propane and solar energy, using propane for appliances and during rainy weather or at night, while they charge up everything during the day with solar energy. It’s up to you how you power your RV.
Install Useful Appliances
Certain appliances can make boondocking much more manageable by decreasing strain on your RV and reducing fuel expenditures. LED lighting is an easy switch to make, as it’s just as bright as incandescent lighting without requiring as much electricity or generating as much heat. LED lights also last much longer than traditional lighting. Microdistillers and water filters or pumps can provide you with extra fresh water for drinking, bathing and cooking so you can extend your stay by using local streams and lakes for water sources. A compost toilet will negate the need to use your blackwater tank at all, which can also extend your stay and spare you the labor of dumping it when you’re back in civilization.
Prepare For Emergencies
Because you’re likely going to be camping out of range of other humans and all the resources of a city or town, you’ll need to plan ahead so you can address emergencies without suffering from panic and despair.
First, you should entrust a neighbor, friend or family member back at home with the details of where you’re going, how long you intend to be there and the date of your expected return. This way, should they not hear from you, they know where to send rescue crews. Let them know everyone’s cell phone numbers and try to stay in touch, especially if your plans change.
Next, you should stock your RV with emergency and safety supplies, such as blankets, fire extinguishers, a first aid kit with bandages and medications for various ailments such as allergies, colds and stomach ailments, flashlights, a radio that has a charger or a hand crank, flares or other signaling devices and extra food and water. Fire-starting equipment and a hatchet could come in handy in more severe situations.
For a wide selection of new and used campers, trailers and RVs, come visit our Chubbuck dealership today to see what we’ve got in our inventory. RVs and Boats For Less serves the Idaho cities of Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, as well as the Utah cities of Logan and Salt Lake City to the south.
