I'm just curious. Can someone please explain to me what boondocking is? Thanks.
bjoyce said
10:13 AM Jun 12, 2017
Also called "dry camping", it is camping without hookups, no electric, water or sewer hookup. Some people's RV dream, other's RV nightmare.
The Bear II said
11:24 AM Jun 12, 2017
For my wife it's camping without Air Conditioning....
Like Bill indicated "dry camping"
LarryW21 said
06:20 PM Jun 12, 2017
I agree with Bill. Regarding the bear ii's spouse..if you need AC I dont want to be camping in that location.
Stargazing25 said
12:00 PM Jun 20, 2017
Okay. I get it now. I don't know if I could camp without hookups! That sounds like an RV nightmare to me.
LarryW21 said
07:42 PM Jun 20, 2017
Star, what scares you about not having hook ups?
Someday said
01:06 AM Jun 21, 2017
Just came back 2nd June, from a 32 night trip boondocking/dry camping at zero O/N costs, all but 1 night at Antelope Island State Park with no hook ups, and 1 night at Lost Dutchman State Park. FWIW: On way South, dry camped at back of Ballys/Paris Hotels on Las Vegas Strip with their blessing, on way back stayed 2 nights at Las Vegas RV Resort to get caught up on laundry, cleaning and swim lengths around the pool, we had all to ourselves both nights . Nice pleasant place as are the staff, but just not our cup of tea, we'd rather be off grid as is our norm for many years.
Can't think what makes you think it's a nightmare to not be hooked up, with a little forethought and a little planning it's the most rewarding way to roll we find, and we are far from alone in that regards. Oh and yes, we have a residential fridge not propane and only put the generator on a handful of times for a few minutes when we needed a little air con to cool off the rig a bit on the hottest days. Mr Buddy Heater was used for two early mornings for a few minutes, to take the chill off in the North when heading down south.
Stargazing25, if your addy is your passion, you'll love being out in the boonies!
bjoyce said
09:32 AM Jun 21, 2017
I find that longer term fulltimers end up boondocking more over time or less over time. For us, less. We used to go sit somewhere without hookups a week or two, now we occasionally stop for one night at a casino. We like having electric hookups and have little need or desire to be off on our own somewhere. Others really get into boondocking, not just to save money, and can't understand why some of us don't share their passion. Kind of like fulltiming, it is not for everyone.
LarryW21 said
12:09 PM Jun 21, 2017
Star, hopefully you will never say "what a beautiful place but too bad I can't stay here a day or two since there are no hookups."
Barbaraok said
01:19 PM Jun 21, 2017
Why is everyone picking upon a person who doesn't fully understand what boondocking is and might not realize what the capabilities of their rig is. Wouldn't it be wiser to give some info on HOW to boondock, how to determine how long batteries will last, how to use generator, etc?
-- Edited by Barbaraok on Wednesday 21st of June 2017 01:20:04 PM
The Bear II said
02:15 PM Jun 21, 2017
Having no hookups (boondocking) is actually about the same as having hookups if your RV is properly setup for boondocking and the systems are maintained properly.
Here's my explanation:
When boondocking you choose a spot to camp. Level the RV if you need or want to. Start camping. After 3 to 7 days you'll need to dump the holding tanks and fill the freshwater. This will require breaking camp and moving to the dump station. You'll need some way to charge your batteries...generator, solar or wind if you plan to stay in one spot for a few days or more.
With hookups you are usually assigned a spot to park in. Once parked you level the RV if you need or want to. Then you hook up the electric cord, freshwater hose and sewer hose(s). Start Camping. After 3 to 7 days you'll need to dump the holding tanks (no need to break camp). No need to charge batteries.
Most RV'ers I've talked with choose boondocking to get away from the crowds, save money, go to very remote location, overnight stay while travelling, no other option....and more.
carolinakids said
10:17 PM Jun 21, 2017
Getting out there off grid, and enjoying the beauty.
.
Gpndavid said
08:37 PM Jun 25, 2017
Howard and Linda held a Boondock Rally about 18 months ago at the Tallahassee fairgrounds. We were a bit nervous about boondocking, so we went to the rally. They taught us classes on how to boondock safely and comfortably. A lot of it centered around really knowing how the systems in your RV work and how to efficiently manage them. They also gave us good info on places to boondock.
Today, we arrived at a campground in the Hiawatha National Forest in upper Michigan. Most of the campgrounds with hook-ups are all reserved for the coming holiday weekend. No problem. We took a Boondock site right on the lake and will live comfortably for the next 10 days using what we learned at the rally. My recommendation is to learn how to do it so you have it as an option and to really understand how to efficiently use your systems.
Terry and Jo said
03:23 PM Jul 1, 2017
I'm undecided on this, but since Stargazing has a link to what looks like a commercial site in his signature, I think he is posting just to get that link out there.
Time will tell whether he stays active and shows to be an RV'er, or whether it is decided that he is a spammer and is banned.
I'm just curious. Can someone please explain to me what boondocking is? Thanks.
Like Bill indicated "dry camping"
Can't think what makes you think it's a nightmare to not be hooked up, with a little forethought and a little planning it's the most rewarding way to roll we find, and we are far from alone in that regards. Oh and yes, we have a residential fridge not propane and only put the generator on a handful of times for a few minutes when we needed a little air con to cool off the rig a bit on the hottest days. Mr Buddy Heater was used for two early mornings for a few minutes, to take the chill off in the North when heading down south.
Stargazing25, if your addy is your passion, you'll love being out in the boonies!
Why is everyone picking upon a person who doesn't fully understand what boondocking is and might not realize what the capabilities of their rig is. Wouldn't it be wiser to give some info on HOW to boondock, how to determine how long batteries will last, how to use generator, etc?
-- Edited by Barbaraok on Wednesday 21st of June 2017 01:20:04 PM
Here's my explanation:
When boondocking you choose a spot to camp. Level the RV if you need or want to. Start camping. After 3 to 7 days you'll need to dump the holding tanks and fill the freshwater. This will require breaking camp and moving to the dump station. You'll need some way to charge your batteries...generator, solar or wind if you plan to stay in one spot for a few days or more.
With hookups you are usually assigned a spot to park in. Once parked you level the RV if you need or want to. Then you hook up the electric cord, freshwater hose and sewer hose(s). Start Camping. After 3 to 7 days you'll need to dump the holding tanks (no need to break camp). No need to charge batteries.
Most RV'ers I've talked with choose boondocking to get away from the crowds, save money, go to very remote location, overnight stay while travelling, no other option....and more.
.
Today, we arrived at a campground in the Hiawatha National Forest in upper Michigan. Most of the campgrounds with hook-ups are all reserved for the coming holiday weekend. No problem. We took a Boondock site right on the lake and will live comfortably for the next 10 days using what we learned at the rally. My recommendation is to learn how to do it so you have it as an option and to really understand how to efficiently use your systems.
I'm undecided on this, but since Stargazing has a link to what looks like a commercial site in his signature, I think he is posting just to get that link out there.
Time will tell whether he stays active and shows to be an RV'er, or whether it is decided that he is a spammer and is banned.
Terry