we left for california a week ago and tried both dry camping and boondocking. first, a dry camp in the back of a sam's club in sacramento--very nice--no other units, quiet, cool, slept like a rock--no disturbances in the night and we were a stones throw from hwy 99! boondocking outside of burns OR on the way home--perfect location, more level than some rv parks we've stayed in--more stars than i've ever seen. satellite TV worked, tho it'd be nice if we could figure out how to switch to the other satellite for the "rest" of the channels. the coyotes setting up a howl in the middle of the night was interesting, but our winnie worked so well and was so comfortable we've gotten downright bold and have decided to set a goal of dry camping and boondocking our way to our son's new house in indiana in sept. assuming that's successful, we will probably try and do the same on the way home. i think we figured it'd cost 16 hrs on the generator to burn the same bucks burned on a park in one night. i doubt we ran the gen set 4 hrs. this could work.
wee3-gin, clyde & the bichon frise 2003 Minnie Winnie 30V - "The Frosty Hauler"
May the Angels guide your wheels and ride on your shoulder.
I have a friend who has done just that, He and his wife travel across America every year or so and just pull over when they get the bug. With the price of gas and diesel now, this is the way to see America on a shoe string budget. You will see more of this as this unfolds. A lot of people have used Wal Mart parking lots for years. some frown on it but that's because they haven't tried it.
We never use a campground while in transit. As mentioned Wal MArt, Flying J, and many areas along the road are available. Saving the cost of camping fees helps ease the added fuel cost, and we find is much easier than pulling into a campsite for a night. Dump stations and water can be found along the way.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
We've done the same for the last few years traveling from Maine to Sturgis and back. We normally only stop one night at a CG just to break out the grill, use their swimming pool and other facilities, sit ouside and be able to enjoy a couple of beers in the great outdoors. I think the only major problem seem to have with this is when a camper sets up for more then one night, puts out the slide and makes it look like they set up home and just generally takes advantage of a good thing.
We full time and dry camp or boon dock most of the time. We just came up through central Oregon and found wonderful boondocking spots in the national forests too, some of the best in the country.
If you haven't discovered the site , check it out. http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
Many of the small towns in mid western states have nice little campgrounds that are free , some even supply electrical hook ups for no charge.
And an alternative to Walmart and Sams Club. http://www.casinocamper.com/States.htm
We Boondock most of the time, and will only stay in a private CG if we need to replenish the tanks Etc, and we cant find a truck stop or suitable gas station.
You payed for a self contained RV, use it, that's our way of looking at it, and if we wanted to stay with a lot of people will stay in a motel/resort.
We have the Free camp ground books and use them all the time, you will find some vary interesting places, for us its the only was to travel.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
We just don't know where we're going to be from one night to the next when we take a trip, so don't have any way to make reservations at a campground. So, we spend a lot of time stopping at Wal-Marts, etc. If I tried to make plans where I'd be each night, I'd just be out my reservation money anyway, as I have a bad habit of seeing a road that looks good, and "off we go" whether it's on the way to our destination or not!
Were with MommaJo, we have a destination, but never know where were staying, and dont make reservation, just keep our tanks full or empty as needed, and hit the road.
This type of travel makes every day an adventure, if you look around there are lots of places to stay, small county parks, ACOEngineers, NF, BLM Etc, get the book "free camping or lass than $15." Western or Eastern edition. We dont use it just to save money, we like the out of the way places you can find.
We may look for a full hookup every 3 or 4 days to replenish our tanks etc, but then its back to boondocking.
And we try to stay on the Red roads, that's what we call the secondary roads, because on most maps there in red, unlike the freeways that are often in blue. But sometimes if we want to get from one place to another fast, its use the freeways, but if you want to take your time, and see the country, use the red roads.
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