Essentials for 3 Kinds of Boondocking


We are planning to be snowbirds this coming winter and we are doing it on a budget. In our case, we are from Canada and are planning to go south to the US for the winter, like the birds. Since we haven’t done this before, we did some research about what essentials we needed for our trip. This is what we found.

The essentials for boondocking will depend on whether you plan to boondock in a parking lot, in the wilderness, or somewhere in between. We look at each below.

If you are interested in the 3 kinds of boondocking we found, and the essentials we found we needed, read on.

Three Kinds of Boondocking

When I started investigating what was essential for Boondocking, I found some people staying overnight in a Walmart parking lot. Boondocking in a parking lot is possible because some merchants will allow you to park your RV there. They are hoping that you shop at their business before or after your overnight stay.

I found other people living off the grid for weeks at a time. Wilderness Boondocking will require much more preparation and supplies. You will probably be staying longer so you will need more to make your stay comfortable.

There were others that were somewhere in between, often staying for more than a night but less than a week. They were in a less urban setting but not in the wilderness. Often they were part of a membership group like Boondockers Welcome or Harvest Hosts.

As I researched, I found differences between the three groups and what was essential for each.

Essentials for Parking Lot Boondocking

In that article, I mentioned that businesses like truck stops, Walmarts, and others allow RVers to park in their parking lots and sleep overnight.

If we are going to park in a parking lot, we’re not there for the ambience and we probably won’t stay very long. If we’re traveling somewhere, we might stay in a couple of different parking lots along the way. If we’re still not at our destination, we will probably pay to park where we have services.

If that’s what you’re planning to do, this is what you’re likely to need:

Water

  • The water in your freshwater tank should be enough for an overnight stay.
  • You might consider saving water by eating on paper plates.

Food

  • Bring foods that are pre-cooked or that you cook inside. You don’t want to be setting up your grill in the parking lot. More importantly, the businesses that are letting you stay don’t want you to either.

Power

  • Make sure you have enough charge in your batteries for DC power.
  • If you have solar panels attached to your roof, they can supplement DC power.
  • Your business hosts probably don’t want you to put out portable solar panels.
  • Find out the rules before you use your generator. It may not be allowed.

Heat

  • Use your propane heat if the evenings are cold.
  • If you are allowed to use your generator, you can supplement propane heat with electricity.

Waste

  • Make sure you know the rules for trash. Some locations may allow you to leave household trash in their garbage bins or dumpsters. Others may not, so be prepared to take it with you.
  • Never dump grey or black water tanks in a parking lot.

Internet

  • You might consider a Wi-Fi booster if you are able to use the business’s Wi-Fi. Make sure you have permission.

Essentials for Wilderness Boondocking

If you are planning to boondock in the wilderness, you will have more extensive needs.

Water

  • Jerry cans allow you to bring more water with you.
  • Filter cans let you filter the water you find in the wilderness.
  • Another solution is a bladder and a pump. The bladder folds up for carrying. When you need water, they let you haul water in your tow vehicle to pump it into your freshwater tanks.
  • You can conserve water by cooking on the grill and using dry shampoo, wet wipes, and paper plates.
  • You might choose a cooler climate so you can shower less often and save water that way.

Food

  • To boondock in the wilderness, you probably want to bring as much food as you can carry and keep.
  • Consider acquiring a bear box, where you can store food safe from bears.

Power

  • In the wilderness, you will have to provide your own electricity.
  • You probably want to limit using your generator to preserve the quiet of your surroundings.
  • You might want to consider a propane-powered generator to limit the number of types of fuel you carry.
  • Solar panels built onto the roof of your unit can help.
  • Folding solar panels, often sold with separate battery packs and converters, help keep things charged.
  • Solar lights also help save your RV’s batteries.
  • For wilderness boondocking, consider upgrading your RVs batteries from lead-acid to lithium-ion for light weight and longer life.

Heat

  • Most RVs come equipped with propane tanks and appliances that work with propane for heat and refrigeration.
  • Electricity is sometimes used to provide additional heat, but given the challenges of electricity when Boondocking, it’s probably not the best solution.
  • Dressing for the weather can help reduce your need for propane electric heat.
  • Some people recommend heat-holder socks.
  • Warm bedding can also help.

Waste Removal

  • Another important consideration, when Boondocking in the wilderness, is the removal of waste.
  • Most places where you can Boondock require that you carry out anything that you brought in and leave no sign of your presence.
  • This means you have to have a way to collect your trash and carry it out.
  • You will only be able to stay till your black water tank is full.
  • In some wilderness Boondocking situations, you are allowed to dispose of grey water. Make sure you know the rules and use biodegradable, earth-friendly soaps.

Internet and Communication

  • Access to the Internet can also be an issue for wilderness boondocking.
  • Your cellular phone might not work.
  • Mobile hotspots and cellular routers with large antennas can help.
  • Consider a ham radio. You need to be licensed to broadcast on the ham radio bands, but not to listen and not in emergency situations.
  • Walkie-talkies can also provide communication between members of your group.

Essentials for In Between Boondocking

There were others that were somewhere in between, often staying for more than a night but less than a week. They were in a less urban setting but not in the wilderness. Often they were part of a membership group like Boondockers Welcome or Harvest Hosts.

Like parking lots, some of them have things that they hope you will purchase while you’re there.

If this is the kind of boondocking you plan to do, here are some things you might need.

Water

  • For this kind of Boondocking, you probably won’t need more than your freshwater tanks to supply water.
  • Before you decide to conserve water by cooking on the grill, make sure you know what the rules are where you are staying.

Food

  • The food you bring will probably depend on what the rules are for how you can cook it. If outdoor cooking is not allowed, you need to be prepared for indoor cooking.

Power

  • Don’t assume that power will be available, but some Boondockers Welcome sites do offer power for a fee.
  • Make sure you know whether a generator is allowed before you use one.
  • A propane-powered generator will allow you to not carry many kinds of fuel.
  • If you have solar panels attached to your roof, they can supplement DC power.
  • You probably shouldn’t put out portable solar panels.

Heat

  • Use your propane heat if the evenings are cold.
  • If you are allowed to use your generator, you might be able to supplement propane heat with electricity.

Waste

  • Different sites may allow you to dispose of your waste on-site but be prepared to take it with you if they don’t allow it.
  • Know the rules for dumping liquids.

Internet

  • Some of these sites might have Wi-Fi access but you should probably not assume that they will.

In a previous article about How to Find Free Places to Sleep in Your RV, I mentioned apps that help you find free places to park.

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