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Boondocking-Cutting the Cords

Part of the allure of camping by recreational vehicle, is the self-sufficiency offered thereof. As the years go by, the self-contained aspects built into the modern RV, allow one to easily camp away from hookups with minimal fuss. Those who become serious about pursuing this style of camping will invest in extra gear to make their stays both longer and more comfortable. Boondocking by definition is the art of camping without hookups of any kind.

A stock recreational vehicle often comes with many of the items that make easy Boondocking possible. Onboard propane systems for heating, refrigeration, cooking, and water heating supply the basics for bathing, eating and staying warm. Onboard batteries supply electricity for lighting, running water pumps and for those units with an inverter, normal household electricity. A water tank supplies fresh water, while graywater holding tanks catch water from the shower and the sinks, and the blackwater tank holds waste from the toilet.

For those that become serious about Boondocking, purchasing and installing additional gear will extend and magnify the possibilities afforded to the camper. Solar panels provide additional battery charging, which provides 12 Volt electricity, and which can be turned into normal household current, by use of an inverter. Of course, additional batteries will be added to build up the bank of electricity storage that the solar panels will supply, to carry one through cloudy or inclement weather. As mentioned earlier, the installation of an inverter, will convert battery stored 12 Volt electricity into normal AC current to power all the luxuries one is used to while living in a conventional home.

Another addition worth looking into would be off grid refrigeration. There are a number of super-efficient refrigerators on the market made to run on 12 Volt current. Especially popular in the boating world, they are readily available in all shapes and sizes to fit your particular coach. These special refrigerators sport highly efficient compressors that sip on 12 Volt power, yet perform as well as conventional refrigerators, though using a fraction of the power.

As water is the lifeline to a comfortable, healthy life, the RV Boondocker will want to invest in gear to both haul fresh water, and dispose of waste water. Many will mount extra tanks for storing and getting fresh water in their truck beds. At the same token, many will mount an extra graywater tank so they can dispose of their gray water, when their main tank becomes full. Those in the know will wire in pumps, and oftentimes a macerator, to allow easy transfer of fresh and wastewater, to and from the rig to the tow vehicle. Those with vans, SUVs and similar tow rigs, can look into mounting extra tankage underneath the vehicle.

The most dreaded chore of RV life would probably be the dumping of the black waste tank. The Boondocker will often carry the infamous blue dumping tank to haul the black water waste to a proper dumping facility. This is mostly a concern for those who plan to boondock for extended periods of time in one location. Those who do this often will usually invest in a macerator, a device that grinds waste into a slurry, and will pump it through a standard garden hose. This allows easy transfer of waste to a transfer tank with minimal spilling or mess. Those who want to take it up a notch further, will invest in a compost toilet system to eliminate this chore, and the hassle that goes with it, altogether.

Once the Boondocker is equipped with the basic systems we have described, extended periods of camping in splendid self-sufficiency is possible. This allows one to live where ever they would like, for as long as they would like, within the confines and rules of the terrain they happen to travel and camp in. The degree of freedom afforded by these extra add-on systems, on top of the base systems available on any standard, modern recreational vehicle, will open up new horizons to the modern Explorer and Boondocker.

About the Author

Paul Ames has been pursuing the freedom of the RV lifestyle, for most of his adult life. He is allergic to fixed housing of any kind.

Come visit him at his latest RV related site at Small RVs, where he has posted his latest gem on his newest passion Intro To Small Rv's

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