Life While Boondocking (at least, for us)

Some of the most beautiful places we have stayed at were boondocking spots. If you don’t know what boondocking is, it is camping without hookups, so completely self-contained. This can include public lands, businesses, or private property that allow RVers to use their space.

Whether you are looking to boondock all the time or just once in awhile makes a difference in what you need, but you don’t have to do everything all at once.

Life goes on like normal, we just pay more attention

We still work, watch movies, use lights, charge phones–all the normal life stuff. We just make sure it’s all intentional. Charging in the morning and not leaving the TV on for background noise helps. Our generator is a back up to top off batteries or run the AC to cool off before bedtime.

If we need to get a lot of work/school done, we prefer boondocking so we aren’t paying money for a spot when we only need a parking space and time.

We pay a lot of attention to temperature, wind and direction

If you can, pay attention to the direction and location you park. Trees can add shade, but block solar. A door or windows facing north or into the cross breeze can help keep things cooler naturally.

If it’s cold, propane heat is our primary off grid (we use electric when we have hook ups). We also have extra blankets. Small fans can use less power than the AC, and electric blankets on low mean the heat doesn’t run as high.

Seventy degrees feels very different depending on cloud cover, wind and humidity, as does 50 degrees. An RV can get hot inside in direct sunlight even when it’s only 65 degrees outside.

We have several sensors to help us pay attention, including using a few different weather apps.

Food and water for daily life

A gallon of water weighs 8 pounds. A gallon of water per person, per day for consumption is the guideline. Then factor in washing dishes, hands, or maybe showers. That can be a lot of water. You will need to conserve a bit if you plan on more than a day. Trickles of water for hands and dishes.

“Navy showers” are the super short get wet, wash, rinse and done. Before instant water heaters, you could turn off the water between, but with most water heaters so far from the shower, for us it wastes the same amount if you have to wait on hot water as to leave it run. Or opt for a sink bath or body wipes.

Toilets can use a lot of water, so be mindful of how often/long you flush. If there’s a public toilet, use that. If you’re going to boondock a lot, consider a composting or cassette toilet that doesn’t use water.

Carrying tank water for cleaning/bathing/toilets and gallon bottles for drinking/cooking works well for us. We can then fill the bottles either at a grocery store water fill or at the campground before.

Precooked food and opt for simpler meals means using fewer dishes, too. We like to meal prep during travel seasons, anyway, so having 3-5 meals ready to heat and eat helps. Disposable dishes save on water, but trash can quickly become an issue.

If you have laundry machines in your rig, either wait until you are leaving to use it, based on tank availability, visit a laundromat, or rotate full hook up stops in your travels to get it done there.

Your trash, your responsibility

Horror stories of trashed BLM land or dispersed campsites, even trash in fire rings are easy to find. Remember to pack out what you pack in and don’t burn trash in fire rings since many people cook over them. Gas stations and rest areas have signs for no household trash, so opting for smaller shopping bags cuts the volume if that is your only option. If you stop for groceries or supplies, ask the cashier when you are checking out (i.e., have spent money there) if they have a dumpster you can use. As a last resort, have a tote to put it in and you can dispose of it at the dump station or campground you pay to use.

A full solar set up is nice, but do you need it all now?

We have a full solar set up, but we did ours gradually over a few years. We waited until we saw a need to use it that season and had the cash for it. Start with a generator, then upgraded batteries, then add panels, then you can add all the other features.

Talking to a professional installer can help find what you need, costs and steps to take. BJ is a Level 2 RV tech and has been a mobile solar installer for several years, so if you have questions, complete the inquiry form here to set up a call with him to answer them.

As full-timers, our preference is a blend of options

We spend time with friends and family on their property and adapt for what resources are available, especially if spending time with them is our reason to be there. When we can find great boondocking spots, we grab them and plan around weather and resources. If it’s better on the budget, we’ll opt for partial hookups if we don’t need everything. Full hook up campgrounds are when we find membership campgrounds, weekly rates or a need a full service stop–dump, laundry and water can add up to a night’s stay, and it’s convenient to do it all in one place.

So what’s stopping you? Let us know here in the comments, or visit us on social media and ask there where you’ll get answers from us and other followers that may have had the same questions!

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