RV Boondocking for Beginners: 6 Must-Have Essentials for Off-Grid Living

RV boondocking for beginners – the very phrase might send shivers down your spine if you’re new to the world of off-grid RV living. But trust us, once you experience the freedom, tranquility, and cost-savings that come with boondocking, you’ll never want to go back to crowded campgrounds. As full-time RVers and boondocking enthusiasts, we’ve mastered the art of dry camping in our 44ft Alliance Valor Toy Hauler, and we’re here to share our 6 must-have essentials that make RV boondocking for beginners (or anyone wanting fresh ideas) a breeze.

 

What is RV Boondocking, and Why Should Beginners Consider IT?

RV boondocking, also known as dry camping or dispersed camping, is the practice of camping without hookups to water, electricity, or sewer. This means relying on your RV’s onboard systems and resources to sustain yourself while enjoying the freedom and beauty of remote locations.

As seasoned RVers and boondocking enthusiasts, we believe that boondocking is an incredible way to experience the great outdoors and discover hidden gems away from crowded campgrounds. Some of the main reasons beginners should consider RV boondocking include:

  • Cost savings: Boondocking is often free or significantly cheaper than staying at developed campgrounds, allowing you to stretch your travel budget further.
  • Solitude and tranquility: By camping in remote areas, you can escape the noise and crowds of campgrounds and enjoy the peace and privacy of nature.
  • Flexibility and spontaneity: Boondocking allows you to camp wherever it’s allowed, giving you the freedom to change plans and explore new destinations on a whim.
  • Connection with nature: Immersing yourself in the wilderness, far from the distractions of modern life, can be a deeply rejuvenating and rewarding experience.

Essential Power Solution for RV Boondocking: Solar, Batteries, and Generators.

Maintain

ing a reliable power supply is crucial for successful RV boondocking, especially if you rely on electricity to work remotely or enjoy modern conveniences. In our experience, a combination of solar panels, lithium batteries, and a backup generator has proven to be the most effective setup for off-grid living.

We equipped our 44ft Alliance Valor Toy Hauler with 1,500 watts of solar panels and 800 amp hours of lithium batteries, which provide enough power to run our essential appliances, computers, and even our microwave without issue. In 2023, using mobile solar techs, our install cost of the whole system was about 5K. The parts and supplies about 9K.

Here are the batteries we prefer – Redodo 12V 20Ah Battery

However, we still use a generator to top off our batteries at night, ensuring we start each day with a full charge. When choosing a generator, consider factors such as fuel type, noise level, and output to find the best fit for your needs.

NOTE AND UPDATE: We just purchased the Cummins Onan P4500I, as it has a dual fuel source and remote start. We’ll report back on how we like it soon. 

 

Water Management 101: How to Conserve and Refill Your Tanks while RV Boondocking.

Proper water management is key to extending your boondocking stays and avoiding frequent trips to refill your tanks. Start by filling your fresh water tank to capacity before heading out – our 100-gallon tank usually lasts us about 6-8 days with mindful usage.

To conserve water, we recommend the following tips:

  • Use a water-saving showerhead and take quick, military-style showers This is our favorite one.
  • Collect shower warm-up water in a basin for other uses like flushing the toilet or washing dishes
  • Use paper plates and bowls to minimize dishwashing
  • Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or washing your hands

When it’s time to refill, we use a 60-gallon water bladder that fits in the back of our truck. We’ll drive to a nearby water source, fill up the bladder, and then use a small pump to transfer the water into our RV’s fresh water tank.

Waste Management Strategies for RV Boondocking Beginners.

Managing your waste is another important aspect of RV boondocking, as you’ll need to be mindful of your black and gray tank capacities. To extend our boondocking stays, we implemented a few strategies that might be controversial but have worked well for us.

Firstly, we use doggy poo bags to dispose of our toilet paper instead of flushing it down the toilet. This helps prevent our black tank from filling up too quickly and saves us from making frequent trips to dump stations. We store the used bags in an airtight container and dispose of them in trash receptacles when necessary.

When it’s time to dump our tanks, we use a macerator pump to transfer the waste into a portable waste tote in the back of our truck. This allows us to transport the waste to a dump station without moving our entire rig.

 

 

Beginner-Friendly Kitchen Hacks for Easier RB Boondocking.

Cooking and cleaning in an RV kitchen while boondocking presents some unique challenges. You want to conserve water, minimize dish washing, and reduce overall kitchen cleanup. Here are some simple but effective kitchen hacks we’ve found incredibly useful:

Ditch the dishes – Use disposable paper plates, bowls, and utensils as much as possible to cut down on washing up. We really like these parchment paper sheets which are great for lining baking trays or wrapping food without needing disposal plates.

Go baggie – Do your meal prep like marinating meats or mixing ingredients in re-sealable plastic baggies. Less bowl cleanup!

One-pot wonders – Cook one-pot meals or use aluminum foil packets to contain the mess to just one pot or pan.

Pour-over coffee – Start your day with a camper’s best friend, a pour-over coffee maker. No electricity needed for great coffee.

Collapsible clean-up – Keep a collapsible wash tub handy for easy dishwashing when needed. The tubs collapse flat for storage.

With a little preparation and some clever camping hacks, you can really minimize kitchen duties and water usage while still enjoying delicious meals off-grid. Making simple swaps like these allow you to spend more time outdoors and less time scrubbing away in the RV’s tiny kitchen!

Now, Get out there and go!

Embracing the boondocking lifestyle has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our full-time RV journey. With the right gear, mindset, and preparation, you too can unlock the joys of off-grid living and explore the great outdoors on your own terms. We hope our 6 must-have essentials for RV boondocking for beginners have inspired you to take the leap and embark on your own boondocking adventures. Remember, the freedom and serenity of the open road are waiting for you, so pack up your rig, and let the journey begin!

Here are a couple of fun videos about our boondocking adventures in Utah!
UTAH FREE RV CAMPING | Zion National Park Hikes | Secret Scenic Drive | Boondocking Fail | RV Life
BOONDOCKING BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK: Hiking and dog-friendly trails

 


 

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