BOONDOCKING

Page Updated: February 2, 2018

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ENERGY      WATER      WASTE      SECURITY

' Boondocking (wild camping) is essentially camping without electrical, water or sewer hookups. 

A good analogy would be, an off-grid home; that does not rely on municipal water supply, sewer, natural gas, the electrical power grid, or similar utility services. '
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As North American travellers and road trippers, we are all fortunate to be able to choose camping in government or privately operated campgrounds. These locations, provide all the amenities that most RV'ers would ever want, just by plugging in ... but, with a little creativity and a willingness to modify some of our rig's systems ... 

... we don't always have to stay in those places. 

We've always been somewhat adverse to 'car camping'. We've been spoiled! We come from a background of back-country wilderness camping where privacy, peace, quiet and solitude are the standard ... the high density, noisy, parking lot styled sites that RV campgrounds typically feature can be unappealing. Boondocking is as close as you'll ever get to back-country camping while travelling in an RV. 
Canoe Trip: Mountain River YT 

To boondock efficiently, we need to recognize and adapt to, Our Rig's off-grid limitations and capabilities; restrict the consumption of our energy and water resources more effectively and minimize our daily waste output. 

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ENERGY 

Primary ENERGY Sources

Propane
Description
Our propane system provides a third energy source for our refrigerator and a second for our hw tank. Our furnace, stove and oven will only operate on propane.

Components
(2) 5 gal / 18.3 pound tanks (w. inline gas gauge)
two stage regulator
exterior propane utility connection for bbq
(2) carbon monoxide & propane leak detectors (hard wired and battery)
gas wand sniffer

Electrical 120v (Shore Power)
Description
Municipal and campground electrical services can suffer from fluctuating voltages and inadequate grounding.

Components
extension power cords
step  up/down plugs
SURGE GUARD model 44260 by TRC, 30 amp 120 volt

Solar 12v (House Power)
Description
This system provides power for: the electric stabilizer jacks, interior LED/exterior lighting, water pump, power range hood, furnace blower, refrigerator (maintains temp only), water heater ignition, stereo/CD/DVD/TV/sat, systems panel monitor, fantastic fan, power vent, slideout room, 12 v outlets. It does not provide power for the range, microwave, a/c unit or exterior camper turn signals and brake lights. 

We are able to supplement the charge to our campers' solar battery bank simultaneously with our trucks' alternator, as we drive.

Components
Truck
Alternator: 157 amps, 2100 watts 
Battery: DIEHARD 7000, 875 cca

Camper
Batteries: (2) EXIDE XMC-31C group, model AGM 
Each battery - 100 amp hours, megacycle 200, 925 cca, 1100 marine crank amps, 200 min reserve capacity
Battery Separator: replaces battery isolater
Inverter (#2): MOTOMASTER Eliminator 500 watts (small electronics, 12v to 120v)
Solar Motion Detector Light: SUNFORCE model 82081, 80 led
Solar Panel: (1) 95 watt JIAWEI
Solar Regulator: GOPOWER GP-PWM-30
Solar Power System: Including - BLUE SEA SYSTEMS SI series Automatic Relay model                                                PN7610, Power Converter 120v to 12v

ENERGY Sources and Applications



Cook
Light
Heat
Cool
Fridge
Boondock
Description









Primary
Propane
y

y

y

No A/C

Elec 120v
y
y
y
y
y
no
No boondock

Solar 12v

y


y

No A/C  or microwave









Secondary
Battery

y




Emergency lighting

Butane
y





Camp stove

Candle

y
y



Some light and heat

Electric


y


no
750/1500 watt space heater

Ice-pack




y

Secondary fridge cooling

Naphtha
y





Camp stove

Propane
y

y



BBQ, space heater

Solar

y




Exterior motion detector

Wood
y





Campfire


Our ELECTRICAL Use Survey

Typical Loads
The table lists the appliances, HVAC, mechanical and electronics equipment currently used in our camper.

Note: The furnace blower value of 26.6 ah is an estimate. Our highest usage would be in the coldest temperatures, when keeping the basement tanks from freezing is important.

Item
(* boondocking)
Load (watts)
Load
(amps)
x hr/day (=)
Amp Hours (ah)
Description






Air conditioner
1400-2000
12-17
10.0
170.0
Atwood
Computer *
50-100
.05-.9
2.0
1.8

Converter *
300-350
2-3
10.0
30.0

Fantastic fan *
36
1.8-3
5.0
9.0
Fantastic fan
Furnace blower *

7.6
3.5
26.6
Atwood 8500-IV
LED lights *





Microwave
1000-1500
8-13
0.25
3.25

Power vent *

2
0.25
0.5

Range hood fan *

2
0.25
0.5

Refrigerator
600-1000
5-8
24.0
192.0
Atwood 1500 btu
Slide-out *

6.3
0.08
0.5
Lance 855s
Stabiliser jacks *

30
0.08
2.5
Atwood
Television
200-600
1.5-4
2.0
8.0
Jensen
Water pump *

7.5
0.2
1.5
Shurflo 4008
VCR/DVD player *
150-200
1-1.5
2.0
3.0
Jensen






Maximums

63.8* - 105.8

76.0* - 449.15


Some TERMINOLOGY

Battery Capacity: 200 amp-hours
Batteries are specified with an amp hour rating; the amount of energy charge in a battery that will allow one ampere of current to flow for one hour. A 2 amp appliance used for for 5 hours would require 10 ah to operate. The (2) EXIDE's on board, have a combined rating of 200 amp-hours. 

The rule of thumb for a battery bank is 100 to 150 watts of solar panels for every 100 amp-hours of battery reserve. Our battery bank could support as much as 300 watts of solar panels. 

Battery Discharge Rate
This means that a battery has a 100 ah capacity, if it is discharged over 20 hours, or at about 5 amps/hour (100 ah /20 hours = 5 amps dc). However, this same battery would last only 1 hour if the discharge rate was 50 amps/hour (50 amps dc x 1 hour = 50 ah ) because of the high rate of discharge.

Battery Bank Requirement: 114 - 152 amp-hours
Based on our Electrical Use Survey, we would need a battery bank capable of generating 76 amp-hours of electricity, while boondocking. However, batteries should not be continuously drained much lower than 50% of their full charge; it greatly shortens their lifespan. Therefore, based on that characteristic, a more realistic estimate of minimum size battery bank for us would be (1.5 - 2) x 76 (daily ah requirement) = 114 - 152 amp-hours. 

Solar Energy Produced: 38 amp-hours
A solar panels power generation is commonly given in watts. To calculate the energy it can supply the battery with, divide the watts by the voltage of the solar panel. In our case, the single 95 watts / 17.5 volt JIAWEI panel now installed will produce 5.43 amps / hour.

Solar panels only produce their maximum output at noon, with the panel pointed directly at the sun.  They also produce less output in the winter, and farther North.  For this reason, we have to consider the time of year and whether panels will be tilted to calculate typical output. A 95 watt panel will produce between 30 and 45 amp hours (38 ah average) of power each day.

A 95 watt solar panel will not provide 950 watts of power over the course of a 10 hour day of sunlight. Most solar panels only deliver about 60%, or less, of their advertised wattage on a daily basis, which in this case would be a maximum of 570 watts.

Solar Panel Requirement: 190 - 285 watts
Take that average value of 38 amp-hours produced daily by our present system and based on our usage estimate of 114 - 152 amp-hours required daily ... we would need to install an additional 190 - 285 watts of panels if we want a robust solar energy system that is able to consistently provide our boondocking energy requirements.

Resources
For information on designing truck camper solar systems, click here.
For information on truck camper electrical systems, click here.
For a solar glossary, click here.

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WATER

Fresh
Description 
This campers' system provides fresh water for a toilet, bathroom sink, shower, exterior wash station and kitchen sink. We always discharge a small amount of municipal water prior to connecting in order to clear the lines of any sediment. 

We replace the carbon filter every few months. We periodically, add brightener/sterilizer (bleach) to the fresh water tank.

We also carry backcountry water filters that allow us to pump clean water from fresh water streams or lakes.

Components
30 gal fresh water tank
municipal water connection (if available)
hoses for fresh and a utility hose incl. y-fitting
in-line carbon water filter
water pump: Shure-Flo 3 gal/min, 12 vdc (in-line filter)
water filters: Katadyn, PUR, others (incl. repair kits)


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WASTE

Gray Water
Description
Waste water is collected from the sinks. We maintain the health of our gray tank by using Dawn dish soap. It contains no phosphates, is biodegradable and cuts through grease. We keep a container under the kitchen sink to drain any cans (tuna, beans etc) and wipe out dishes before washing. 

Components
20 gal holding tank

Black Water
Description
For the black tank, we ensure that we flush plenty of water through the system, so that solids do not build up. For odour control we add a pod of Cascade (with Dawn) dishwasher soap after dumping. To keep the tank sides lubricated (so debris does not adhere) we add some Calgon water softener after dumping and only if we are going to be moving. To keep the sensors clear and prevent scale building up we use RV DigestIt. More importantly, we are careful about what we add to the tank.  We use septic safe toilet paper and are careful about the amount we flush. We only ever use liquid soaps (solid soaps want to return to the solid form after use and will clog up sensors and stick to the sides of the tank).

Components
25 gal holding tank
toilet
double dump valve (knife style)
sewer hose (bumper storage)





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How We BOONDOCK

... how do we live when wild camping, what modifications or changes have we made to the way we use the truck camper's systems, what tricks have we adopted, what tips can we suggest, what alternatives to our standard systems do we use, what do we do to minimize the drain on our solar batteries?

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ENERGY Conservation

 ' Overland To The Rock '  Camped next to a small lake along the Trans-Labrador Highway NL

  • Use the TV, water pump, fans, and lights only when needed. 
  • Replace higher wattage incandescent light bulbs with lower wattage LED lights. 
  • In cool weather, if we need heat during waking hours we use a small, very efficient portable propane radiant heater.  By using it instead of the larger, less efficient propane furnace we save both money and battery life. 
  • When boondocking in cold weather, avoid using the power hungry propane furnace to keep warm and instead use either a 0-degree-rated sleeping blanket or a catalytic heater (catalytic heaters use propane only, no electricity). There are fewer combustion by-products with a catalytic heater but they should still be vented.
  • Purchase a battery monitor, like the Morningstar Remote Meter or Xantrex LinkLITE. They take the guesswork out of the condition of your batteries.
  • Cook outside as often as possible. We use a small propane fuelled barbecue, multi-fuelled camp-stoves or campfires.
  • Use manual gadgets or devices when possible; coffee grinder, toaster, toothbrush.
  • We do use the campers' LED lighting but not consistently ... even though these lights use a very small amount of energy, it all adds up. Our truck camper is small inside and we find that, strategically located battery powered LED lights are all we seem to need in most locations. 
  • We also use, battery powered head lamps and flashlights and sometimes, candles.
  • Installed exterior utility/security lighting - consisting of a 3"x 4" solar panel and a 60 lumens light.
    • Charge small electronics items like toothbrushes, laptops, phones, camera batteries etc. by drawing from the trucks' alternator while driving. We use a XANTREX 300 watt inverter for this. We also use a MOTOMASTER Eliminator 500 watt inverter in the camper for the same devices; this one draws from the 12v solar.
    • Appliances or systems that are in standby mode still use a small amount of energy. If not being used, they are deactivated by powering off or removing fuses ... water pump, CD/DVD player, TV.
    • We use insulated covers for the ceiling windows, fleece blankets and sleeping bags, a bed mattress insulator, hot water bottles, warm clothing and park in the sun on cool days. 
    • For cooling we cover all windows or close blinds, use the rooftop fantastic fan, deploy the rear awning and park in the shade on hot days. 
    • We also carry extra tarps that can be rigged to the slide-out to provide additional shade on that side. 
    • Open windows for a breeze instead of relying on the 12v fantastic fan. 
    • A small battery operated dehumidifier helps control humidity.
      • We sometimes use icepacks / frozen water bottles to supplement fridge cooling.

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      WATER Usage


      ' Boondocking and Getting Clean ' 1988 with Earl and Mae, Engineer's Creek, Dempster Highway YT

      • Never leave the faucet running while using the tap. 
      • Use a small amount of water (< 1/2 cup) or bottled water to brush your teeth.  
        • Use baby wipes for personal hygiene. 
        • For meals, use paper plates and plastic cups, bowls, and eating utensils; no dishes to do, no water or energy used. Items can be burned or recycled. 
          • Keep in mind that limiting the amount of fresh water you use also limits the amount of gray and black waste water that you generate.
          • For additional water capacity, bring along extra 5 gallon water containers and / or bottled water. 
          • Water can also be obtained from natural sources like lakes and streams, of course, but make sure to filter out sediments and purify first before you drink it. We also carry portable MSR, PUR or Katadyn water pump/filters with us, that get used on our canoe trips.
          • Use a solar shower bag and the exterior wash station. 
          • We don't use the kitchen sink to clean dishes or drain waste water. Instead, we use fully bio-degradable soaps and camp sinks, often do dishes outside. We dispose of gray water in dry wells. It's also acceptable to drain small amounts from the gray water tank and sprinkle on the ground. We would not dump the gray tank entirely at once. We sometimes save the dish water for flushing the toilet. 
          • The camper has a 30 gal freshwater tank that we keep sanitized. 
          • We seldom use the propane to heat water, but when we do we turn off/on as needed. Hot water is often heated over a campfire. A solar shower bag hung outside will warm water for dish washing.

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          WASTE Disposal


          • Dealing with waste water is perhaps the biggest challenge when boondocking. The black water tank is limited in size, so minimize toilet use. 
          • Use rest stops, restaurants, gas stations, and pit toilets as much as possible. 
          • Never fill the toilet bowl with water after flushing; use just enough water to cover the rubber seal in your toilet. The opposite is often true when not boondocking; then it's always best to add a good quantity of water when flushing solids.
            • Dumping black water in the wild is illegal. Locate a site on your return home; campgrounds, some Walmart's and service centres, municipalities sometimes provide facilities for RV's.
            • We keep a bag handy and collect anything that can be recycled locally. We dispose of it and recycle whenever the local municipality supports it.
            • A simple way to limit trash, is to eat fresh, whole foods that come with the least amount of packaging. Not only is this good for us nutritionally, it's also good for planet Earth. 
            • We also burn off organic or burnable products in campfires when we can. 
            • Garbage is kept inside (often in the trucks crew seat) until we can dispose of it properly ... keeps any curious critters away. 

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              SECURITY


              • You'll often be beyond cell phone range and emergency help while boondocking; be prepared for all kinds of contingencies. 
              • Have preparedness items for your rig: an emergency vehicle recovery kit, shovel, flares, a good set of hand tools, a well-stocked first aid kit, a portable air compressor, a water purification device an axe or a saw to cut firewood etc. Keep a small roll of Eternabond tape on-hand to fix tears in the roof or to repair cracked roof vents or skylights. 
                  • We use hotspots to connect to the internet. They provide the strongest service in urban areas, but are limited in some rural or more remote areas.  
                  • We carry a DeLorme InReach. It gives us, 2-way text communication via satellite, from anywhere in the world and allows us to update social media.
                  • Use common sense about wild camping in any area. If it doesn't feel right it probably isn't and you should move on. You may be alone, but if there are others there, speak to some and get a feel for the neighbourhood culture. If you leave the camper for any reason, stick a 'Beware of Dog' sign in a window. 
                  • We cable lock boats to our roof racks, use a lockable gas cap on the fuel tank, fold our rear wall ladder up and cable lock it in place. 
                  • We don't carry firearms. I have mounted a can of bear spray just over the rear door but I'd be willing to use it against a human if I had to ... a nearby fire extinguisher would also work well. 
                  • A couple of window exits are available to escape the camper in case of fire or other emergency. 
                  • Our current location is always registered on our blog and family and friends know that.

                  ' We Boondock ... because, a willingness to do so, gets us to places like this! '



                    Crusty ... singing ' Down In The Boondocks, Down In The Boondocks '
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