Boondocking in an RV can be an incredibly liberating experience. It represents an opportunity to camp out in the middle of nowhere without having to live in a tent. And yet, RV boondocking does come with its pesky little problems. One of them is having no access to hookups.
On first thought, a lack of hookups may seem like no big deal. After all, you wouldn’t even be considering boondocking if having hookups was non-negotiable. But before you dismiss the implications completely, stop and think about what you are getting yourself into.
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1. Limited Potable Water
Your RV’s potable water tank is only so big. It can only hold so much. Do you know how much water you use in a day between cooking, washing dishes, showering, etc.? Depending on the length of your stay and your daily water usage, you may have to carry extra water.
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2. Dealing with Waste Water
The other side of the potable water coin is your black and gray waste water. Again, your tanks will only hold so much. Do you have enough capacity to remain in the middle of nowhere for more than a few days? Could you make it for a couple of weeks?
Bear in mind that it is illegal to dump waste water straight on the ground. You are not allowed to dump it into waterways or send it down storm sewers. That means you have to think things through when you are planning your trip. Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Dump Stations – Search online for free and low-priced dump stations anywhere near your boondocking destination. Then choose your actual camping spot based on proximity. If you have to make a quick trip to empty your tanks, it is no big deal.
- Portable Waste Totes – If you can’t find any dumping stations within a reasonable distance, you could carry portable waste totes with you. They give you a little extra room in your tanks by drawing some of the volume off. Just remember that you have to carry the full totes with you when you eventually do make your way to a dumping station.
Waste is always an issue when boondocking. It is something you really have to think about. And for the record, the waste issue goes beyond your black and gray water tanks. You have to think about the trash you generate as well.
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3. Relying on Propane
Boondocking obviously prevents you from utilizing electrical hookups. That means you will be using a lot more propane. It is always a good idea to take extra propane tanks on your boondocking trips, but it’s also smart to find ways to reduce propane consumption.
For example, AirSkirts inflatable RV skirting can help reduce the amount of propane you consume to keep your RV warm. RV skirting cuts down on cold air circulating underneath your rig to help conserve valuable heat and prevent frozen plumbing.
Another thing to think about is using gas- or solar-powered camping lanterns so as to avoid running down your batteries by turning on all the lights at night. You might need that battery power for something more important. As an added bonus, camping lanterns just add to the ambiance of boondocking.
Boondocking can make for a fantastic camping adventure. But it is not without its challenges. Without hookups, boondocking is a far cry from pulling into a public campground with all the creature comforts. If you can live without your hookups for a week or two, give boondocking a try. You just might find that going without hookups isn’t really a big deal after all.
