Pam Herger
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- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
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- 1
wanted to know the basics of "dry" camping, such as a CA state park
first time dry camping in a class C
- Thread starter Pam Herger
- Start date
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ArdraF
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- Joined
- Feb 12, 2006
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- 10,695
The basics of dry camping are pretty much the same regardless of the type of RV. You go in with empty waste tanks and a full fresh water tank. Depending on the park, some have electricity. Some even have water but you have to pay attention to the waste tanks if you use it. Most have a dump station so you can dump your tanks on the way out - or earlier if necessary. Those are the real basics.
Then there are the other things we do to conserve battery power, keep our waste tanks from filling too fast, and keep our fresh water from going down too fast. For the batteries we pay attention to such things as turning off lights, not running too many high-energy-usage items simultaneously (air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer). Some people have solar panels on their roof which are enough to trickle charge the batteries. For water conservation we use a lot of paper plates, wash dishes as little as possible, turn off the water while brushing teeth, maybe take showers every other day, take "navy showers" (get wet, turn off water while soaping up, rinse off). To avoid filling the black tank too fast, maybe not flush every time. Use drought techniques the California school kids learn: If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." Conservation isn't rocket science but until you learn how, you have to think about what you're doing. Enjoy your first dry camping experience! Oh yes, and keep your eye on your gauges!
ArdraF
Then there are the other things we do to conserve battery power, keep our waste tanks from filling too fast, and keep our fresh water from going down too fast. For the batteries we pay attention to such things as turning off lights, not running too many high-energy-usage items simultaneously (air conditioner, microwave, hair dryer). Some people have solar panels on their roof which are enough to trickle charge the batteries. For water conservation we use a lot of paper plates, wash dishes as little as possible, turn off the water while brushing teeth, maybe take showers every other day, take "navy showers" (get wet, turn off water while soaping up, rinse off). To avoid filling the black tank too fast, maybe not flush every time. Use drought techniques the California school kids learn: If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." Conservation isn't rocket science but until you learn how, you have to think about what you're doing. Enjoy your first dry camping experience! Oh yes, and keep your eye on your gauges!
ArdraF
Kevin Means
Site Team
As usual, Ardra gave you good info, so I'll add just a bit. Boondocking takes some practice to do well. Power management, fresh water conservation and holding tank management are the key issues. In most RVs, the gray water tank is usually the first limiting factor. The capacities of your tanks and how fast you consume/flush/drain will determine how long you can stay. As I always say, the party is over when the black tank is full.
Other things you can do are, use the campground's pit toilets if they're available... and there's nothing wrong with boys using the little boy's bush when practical. You didn't mention if it was your RV, a loaner or a rental. If it's yours, I'd recommend swapping out incandescent bulbs with LEDs. LEDs consume about 1/8 to 1/10th the power, which is significant if the RV only has one or two lower capacity batteries.
If it's going to get cold, RV furnaces are fairly high consumers of battery power and propane. If you can get by with an extra blanket or two, you'll save a lot of both. There are a lot of tricks to successful boondocking. After you do it a few times, you'll realize what works well and what doesn't. It's our favorite type of camping.
Kev
Other things you can do are, use the campground's pit toilets if they're available... and there's nothing wrong with boys using the little boy's bush when practical. You didn't mention if it was your RV, a loaner or a rental. If it's yours, I'd recommend swapping out incandescent bulbs with LEDs. LEDs consume about 1/8 to 1/10th the power, which is significant if the RV only has one or two lower capacity batteries.
If it's going to get cold, RV furnaces are fairly high consumers of battery power and propane. If you can get by with an extra blanket or two, you'll save a lot of both. There are a lot of tricks to successful boondocking. After you do it a few times, you'll realize what works well and what doesn't. It's our favorite type of camping.
Kev
JudyJB
Well-known member
You might want to read RVSue's blog. She full-times while almost entirely dry-camping. http://rvsueandcrew.net/
There are other blogs about dry camping, as well, but I can't think of any right now.
There are other blogs about dry camping, as well, but I can't think of any right now.
WILDEBILL308
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum,Pam Herger said:
The basics are 1. pull in 2. camp 3. leave. Sorey couldn't resist. But that is the basics of dry camping. What area are you looking at. Many state parks have restrooms and showers. We were in Steckel Park, Santa Paula, CA 93060, venturaparks.org, (805) 654-3951. They had nice facilities.
You have gotten some great advice so far.
Bill
