We like to boondock and know how to be conservative with our resources. We carry 100 gal of water and have approx 65 grey & 45 black holding tanks. We also changed our batteries (3) to AGM type. They charge way faster than lead acid so that means less generator time. We also have a small solar system of 150 watts and a 1500 watt inverter. We run the genset about 30-45 minutes a day (while making coffee and using the toaster) and get the rest of our power from solar. We are usually very comfortable, and mostly quiet, when dry camped.
Much easier to do in a large class A due to the size of the inverter, batteries, fresh water, grey tank, black tank, etc. Site size is insignificant in most places(although I guess California has a lot of small state park sites).
We boondocked most of the time in our 25' Flair. It has a relatively short wheel base and low height which made it very versatile. After some suspension modifications (shocks, tires, airbags) it handled great. It has 70 gals of water which was usually enough for about 4-5 days for two of us. Bigger issue was grey water as it only has a 40 gal grey water tank. Since we seldom watched TV and there is no inverter the batteries would last for 3, sometimes 4 days without running the generator. It was a great coach for that kind of RVing and just the right size - there were few places we couldn't go. I hate to sell it for that reason but don't need two motorhomes.
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Ron
N6QL
2002 36' Country Coach Allure 350HP Cummins
2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
1978 Cessna T210M My Flying My website
My 32 footer's maneuverability always surprises me when I easily get her out of another tight jam. Trying to be quiet and hit the road at 4 AM can sometimes be tough when a gal is expecting you for breakfast.
Where I boondock signs are everywhere that read "no alcoholic beverages allowed." Who would think that an old duff in a class A has it stacked wall to wall?
Big or small class A, you cannot pick up women with a Pabst Blue Ribbon in your hand.
07' Coachmen Mirada 300QB F53 V10
"USING THIS MH TO PRODUCE AN AMBULANCE VOIDS WARRANTY"
Where I boondock signs are everywhere that read "no alcoholic beverages allowed." Who would think that an old duff in a class A has it stacked wall to wall?
HUH??? never saw even ONE sign like this while boondocking.
If you plan to go anywhere off the main road always think ahead. Ground clearance (when I did I had a 30' gas Hurricane, which had a long overhang in the rear which was a problem once) and if in the desert make sure the ground is solid. Desert terrain can be deceiving, it may look solid till your in it and find you've sunk in past the lower edge of your rims.
As many posted try to find a coach with a large fresh water holding tank (my hurricane had a small tank 30 gal, I carried an additional 20 gals with me). If camping in an area that is hot make sure you top off the gas tank in the rig since you'll be running the genset to use the A/C.
Also if camping in the Mojave or similar terrain try to avoid the temptation of extending the awning. Reason is the wind may be calm, but you have to watch out for the dust devils (little tornados). If it hits your rig with the awning extended it will fold it over your rig in a blink of an eye.
It happened to me and I told a friend to be careful, in fact best not to extend it, then guess what? His awning tore half way off and bend everything. He said "but, there wasn't any wind when I extended the awning!" Oh well...
Have fun!!!
Captain: Pops
Ist Mate: Harlee "Vicious Attack Dog" only if you try to move her when she's sleeping...
Besides water, and battery capacity, don't forget about LP capacity. While you can extend you boondocking with "extended stay" kits from Marshall you still need to carry a 20 to 40 lbs cylinder with you in case you run out. Toad selection is also a consideration. Can you use a macerator pump and "blue boy" tanks to haul out the waste. and water judges to haul in fresh water? Maybe a used mini pickup is a better toad choice even if it does get 19 mpg.
TV 02' Chevy Silverado 3500 8.1 liter 4X4, Rancho 9000, Airlift Airbags 2 Honda EU3000,plus paralleling kit (6000 Watts peak!)
Old Rig (03' Lance 1161) Boy I missed it!
New Rig (05' Cedar Creek 37RDQS)
Second new Rig 1996 Damon Intruder 325B
West Coast FT wrote: Besides water, and battery capacity, don't forget about LP capacity. While you can extend you boondocking with "extended stay" kits from Marshall you still need to carry a 20 to 40 lbs cylinder with you in case you run out. Toad selection is also a consideration. Can you use a macerator pump and "blue boy" tanks to haul out the waste. and water judges to haul in fresh water? Maybe a used mini pickup is a better toad choice even if it does get 19 mpg.
Good points. We generally found that our LPG lasted for several trips because it was primarily used for the reefer. Everything else, furnace, stove, water heater was very infrequent and we do most of our cooking on an outdoor portable BBQ.
Definitely agree on the toad. We tow a Jeep Wrangler and it's especially great for boondocking because after you unhook you can go exploring in all kinds of neat places plus it tows really well.
Never had much problem filling up our black water unless we were in one spot for more than 5 days or so since it was just the three(now two) of us. A larger family - especially with small children - would fill things up faster.
One last comment, someone mentioned something about watching where you drive. I've always been very careful and never scraped or got stuck - until last summer. We say a bunch of fivers parked right at the waters edge of a lake and decided that would be a great place to have lunch. We got about 100 feet out onto the beach and the sand was so soft we dug in. I shutdown before we dug in deeply but it was a bear to get out. Had to use the Jeep to pull the coach and when it didn't have enough traction (cool to see all four tires kicking up rooster tails!) a guy in a big diesel 4WD pickup with duals on the back pulled us the last 20 feet. No damage done but wasted 3 hours and sweated a lot!
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