In RV parlance, to “boondock” is to camp without water and electricity hookups. It’s also called “dry camping.” Boondocking presents a few logistical questions, the most important of which is, “How can we avoid being driven insane by this relentless summer heat?”
Water is relatively easy. Our Airstream has a 60-gallon fresh water tank. This provides enough water to last anywhere from a day to several days -- depending on how stingy one becomes with water. You have to be careful with showers; no long, hot soaking showers are allowed. But the classic “RV shower” really isn’t too bad. It’s probably similar to what they do in the military: you only run water when getting wet, or rinsing.
The bigger problem is electricity. Although our RV has two big batteries, they don’t provide enough power to run the A/C. That why we have a generator. Our choice is the Yamaha EF3000iSEB. The “B” stands for “boost” -- it’s got some gee-whiz technology that boosts power to help air-conditioning units start with ease. Plus, it’s quiet, only delivering the amount of power we actually need.
The upside of boondocking is that it’s usually FREE. This is among the most liberating aspects of RV life. An RV offers the ability to travel anywhere around the nation, carrying your own stuff, and you can stop pretty much anywhere you damn well please (assuming it’s kosher with the local authorities).
While we certainly won’t boondock our entire trip, I’m sure we will do so several times along the way.
2 comments:
I've already learned more about RVing than I've ever known before reading your blog. I feel like we've been boondocking in B'ham with the drought. I use the the shower water only to rinse and recycle my 3-year old's bathwater for the shrubs. It's probably better than MiracleGro. Hope the trip is off to a grand start. -moe.
Thanks Jason! I will try to cover all aspects of RV-ing, good bad & ugly. We are learning a lot every day, as we've only had the Airstream a few months. The trip is going great so far. We've been enjoying seeing family in Kansas City, but tomorrow we are continuing west to Yellowstone.
Post a Comment