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Old 07-25-2008, 02:00 PM   #1
w6pea
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Default Boondocking

Okay guys how many of you have been boondocking.

The yl and myself go to a lot of places that have no hook-ups,
Endurance rides (equestrian).....
We have a large battery bank so we can stay in the boondocks for a week or more at a time.
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Old 07-25-2008, 02:05 PM   #2
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Now that I actually HAVE a 5th wheel, it's on my list of things to do!
I had the dealer install extra battery capacity as part of the deal.
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Old 07-25-2008, 02:26 PM   #3
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I am, as I type this "Boondocking" some 100 feet from the nearest (And alas occupied) power outlet.
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Old 07-25-2008, 02:46 PM   #4
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Not currently but we are awaiting the sale of our home to full time it.
We have had lots of rigs in the past and we have enjoyed being off by ourselves.
I have recharged my batteries via the truck or gensets with the later being favored. I liked a small economical genset and hooked a charger to it.
My new rig has solar panels on it but I am not sure yet just how much of a charge I will get from them so I will not count on them.
The best genset I ever had was the little EU 2000i by Honda. It would run a 20 amp charger and provide minimal AC to my unit to use it's charger in parallel at near idle. I could also get some 13 amps of AC power should I need it. Very light to handle and very quiet too.
Boondocking will be in our plans at least part of the time as full timers.
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Old 07-25-2008, 10:13 PM   #5
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To me Boondocking is when you don't camp in a campground, just find a place in the forest and start camping. This is what we did when I was a kid, we would find a old logging road find a clearing and set up camp but we used a tent didn't have a RV. Now what I do now is dry camp, no hook ups but I do use a generator to put the batteries back up sense we are power hogs.
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Old 07-26-2008, 10:08 AM   #6
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One thing to consider if you have a trailer.. The person parked next to me was telling me how how quiet his honda powered 3500 watt "Open frame" (Contractor's) type generator was... Sure it's quiet. In fact you can hardly hear the honda motor over the noise of the generator.

So when I have my generator running I'm feeding him power for a stand alone automatic battery charger.. As I told him.. That's my generator you are hearing... Or are you?

(I got to listen to his all night last night.. Thankfully.. I'm used to noise
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Old 07-26-2008, 11:29 AM   #7
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His contractor style genset was not most likely very quiet.
Our EU-2000 could run at idle or full throttle producing 13+ amps and we could talk at a normal level with it less than 10' away.
My Onan makes more noise that it did.
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Old 07-27-2008, 08:45 AM   #8
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I have to admit, we've not done any boondocking. We're as close to boondocking as you get right now. We've ONLY got the water and power connected. I've not hooked up the sewer line yet. Sounds like it might be fun though. I may have to give it a try. Location is Pelham, AL currently.



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Old 07-27-2008, 04:03 PM   #9
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Many areas of the National Forests are open to use.
Learn how to manage your batteries, your water and such and have fun.
You don't need to camp on cement and baclktop to have fun.
And sometimes not having neighbors is a good thing.
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Old 07-28-2008, 06:47 PM   #10
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I guess that I am spoiled to having the air on when we camp...need that hook up
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Old 07-28-2008, 08:51 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k3mp View Post
I guess that I am spoiled to having the air on when we camp...need that hook up
I enjoy a cool evening, too. That's why God gave us fall, winter and spring!

Cool weather camping, aside from the short days, is the very best, especially fall and late winter, before the pollen, when the air is crisp and clean. And to do it somewhere with the deafening sound-yet-quiet of the outdoor night...man what a great nights sleep!!
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Old 07-30-2008, 11:50 AM   #12
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When we get back from this coming up trip in August be gone three weeks we are going to put the solar panels on the RV
I will be a little costly, being as I am unable to install it myself. But we will be able to dry camp for longer periods of time and am looking forward to using the RV a lot more this next year. The wife works for the schools and will go on the sublist next school year.
Have to save a little more and not having to pay campground fee's is one way.
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Old 07-31-2008, 09:19 AM   #13
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I can see where "boondocking" could be a lot of fun. Especially after Radio mentioned the deafening quietness. It may be something we would like to try in the cooler months. The humidity is more the problem here in the south than the temperature.



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Old 08-02-2008, 11:13 AM   #14
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Never boondocked, but the feeling of peace and quiet sounds great. What type of battery system for recharging do you use to keep things running. Do you have a generator and is it quiet or do you just hookup to the Tow vehicle. All suggestions would be appreciated...I love camping and when I can get to a quiet place it would be great...
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Old 08-02-2008, 02:23 PM   #15
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Boondocking if defined as a non-camping area....well, not yet, but it's been a long time since we car-camped and we are still learning our way around.

But dry camps? Yea, although it's important for us to have water because the Camp-inn tank is 8 gallons, just enough for one camping day, two if you really work it, so I at least like a water source.

We only use power for lighting or a laptop to watch DVD's, so 72 amp-hours is quite a bit, at least if you don't watch movies anyway.

I'm hoping to get a solar package installed at some point. If I could get two or three amps, maybe 4 amps I would be golden even if I was using the HF radio.

For our uses, unless we are staying for several days or temps are really high [meaning we want the A/C], power is a luxury.

I'd like to do more boondocking, but in CA these days it's difficult - sites are not as easy to get to as when I was backpacking!
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Old 08-04-2008, 01:05 AM   #16
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I have two 130 watt solar panels, with the charge controller, has a booster in it so it should put out about 17 amps. I will see how that works and maybe add 2 more panels.
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Old 08-04-2008, 08:54 PM   #17
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Default La Paz County, AZ

In the past we have boondocked in La Paz County, Arizona in the winter. (Mucho hot summers require power for the A/C.) A close friend was the resident deputy sheriff in the Bouse area so security was never a problem.

Had easy access to a 2 meter repeater in the area tied to the ZIA system that I was able to full quiet with a homebrew J-pole antenna and a HT.

Haven't been back there for several years as my friend retired and moved to Pahrump, NV. We enjoy visiting those parts these days.
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Old 08-04-2008, 10:53 PM   #18
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Hey Jim, welcome to ORR.net. Feel free to jump right in the frey and make yourself at home.
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Old 08-13-2008, 06:16 PM   #19
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Well we left Chula Vista, Ca. on the 6th of August. Stayed in Lone Pine Ca. on the night of the 6th. Stayed at Diaz Lake. We got into Bridgeport on the afternoon of the7th. Stayed in the National Forrest until 10th. Went to Minden Nv. stayed overnight at the Carson Valley Inn Casino RV Park. Really nice campground only $28.00 . We left NV. took NV 207 to US 50, took US 50 to I-5 Took I-5 south to I-205W to I-680 to I-280 to CA-17 to Santa Cruz. Took Hwy 1 south to the KOA in La Selva Beach, Ca. [what a rip $71.00 a day for a dirt spot] {fee Wi-Fi}
Tomorrow we go to Davenport Ca. To another Endurance ride. No hook ups at all. Be there until Sunday then we go to Washoe Valley Nv. For another Endurance Ride Be there from Tuesday until Sunday. We will go into Minden Nv. again and then start for home in Mexifornia

I finally got a good nights sleep in this RV we go a foam mattress topp for the bed. and it wa only 53 degrees last night felt good to be out of that heat, will be back in it next week in Neavada.

Will let everyone know how the trip turns out when we get home.

73 de w6pea and w6ome
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Old 08-19-2008, 10:20 PM   #20
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Well we left Davenport, Ca. on Sunday. We we t to San Marten, Ca. (Don't drive Ca-152 in any RV) Went out of our way looking for Campingworld, they were closed. We went on to Lodi, Ca. We have been staying a really nice and quiet campground. Except for the Union Pacific Train that goes by every hour on the half hour. Amtrak goes by at 0715 hrs pdt. and again at 2245 hrs pdt. (you can set your watch by them). Will leave here on Thursday, go to Virginia City Nv. Stay there for about 4 days, then go home to Mexifornia. I foung gasoline for less than 4 bucks in Capitola, Ca. $3.83 a gal. what a deal!!

73 de w6pea & w6ome
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