Camping beneath the stars surrounded by rustling pines, hooting owls, and crashing waves is the stuff RV dreams are made of. It’s also the stuff of RV images we fall in love with. What you don’t see in these picture-perfect set-ups are the surrounds of a crowded campground, like a power pedestal and sewer hose running to your dumpsite.
If you’ve fallen in love with the off-the-grid kind of camping that skips these campground sites, you’re in love with the idyllic RV experience called “boondocking.”
But, boondocking, also known as “dry camping,” can be intimidating for beginner RVers. It can also feel a bit daunting for more experienced RVers who are used to having the conveniences of a campground with full-hookups. The good news is, like many things in life, all you need is a little bit of practice to boondock comfortably and confidently. Take boondocking one small step at a time and you’ll find you’ll want to do it again and again.
Let’s go through some tips to help you get comfortable with boondocking little by little. In no time, you’ll be ready to camp off-grid, whether that’s nestled among mountains or following your favorite college football team around the country.
1. Check the Weather
Avoid boondocking for the first time in frigid or sweltering conditions. Extreme weather just complicates matters. If it’s sticky and hot you’re going to need to rely on your AC to stay comfortable. Being mindful of your power consumption is key to boondocking. Needing to run your AC adds an extra challenge you don’t need when you’re learning. Likewise, if it’s cold, you need to run your furnace. Although your furnace likely runs on LP, the fan draws power. When you’re first learning about power consumption, this rookie mistake could put you in a position where you wake up to find your battery is drained.

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