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Full-Time RV’ing in the Boonies on a Shoestring
Full-Time RV’ing
By Ghislaine Pedican
My vagabond lifestyle began at retirement. I suspect that many of us retirees, especially
those on a tight budget as I am, who are drawn to adventure or yearning for an
uncomplicated lifestyle, take up RV’ing full-time. My primary motivation was seeing
all the natural sites that I had wanted to visit but had not been able to in my working
life. This meant a steady life on the road but I had been looking forward to it. I suppose
that I suffered from the ultimate “ants in the pants” syndrome.
Research on the internet for all kinds of tips on the lifestyle led me to camping sites
that were different from those frequented on the well traveled paths. I wanted to embrace
solitude, a more meditative way of life away from RV
parks with the full hook-ups, the recreation hall, the pool, the playground, the
organized activities, and the many regulations. Actually it was almost essential since I
was traveling with my two dogs, one a Rottweiler and the other an Alsatian mix. I had
found out that sometimes my little menagerie would be viewed with a bit of a jaundiced
eye.
The sites that looked best suited for my purpose were advertised as free or next to free
on the internet and in book form. The list is way too long to put it up here. A Google
search will lead you to them. I had discovered, to my delight, that many consumer outlets
such as Wal-Mart, Flying J, Cracker Barrel, etc. allowed free overnight parking. That took
care of the getting there and overnight parking safety . Destinations were an altogether
different kettle of fish. Finding out where potable water, dumping, propane, trash were
available meant more research and I didn’t have the internet when I started out. Plus
I considered my RV as a house on wheels and had to figure out how to secure a minimum of
amenities. I read books and articles, my head swimming in a stew of overload information.
Picking up full-timers’ brains turned out to be the best school for learning. Please
bear in mind that my technical knowhow is quite rudimentary. As a translator, I dealt with
words, not technology. Books that explained boondocking necessities were, for the most
part, way beyond my comprehension. My needs were immediate, my learning curve was taking
much longer. . .
My 28 foot Class C Minnie Winnie had been designed to accommodate up to six people.
Clearly, I had to redesign it as living quarters for a single woman rather than a
recreational vehicle for a family. The details of my handiwork are explained on my blog,
at http://www.boondockingblogger.blogspot.com
.
The amenities I wanted for myself were a source of electrical power that would allow me
to use my computer and printer, watch the occasional TV show, heating when and where
required, and minimizing the trips to get water, propane, dump and get rid of trash.
Here is how I tackled these one by one. First, the ELECTRICAL. I got two solar panels
installed on the RV roof for a total of 200 watts. A regulator monitors and regulates the
amount of voltage that charges the four 6 volt deep-cycle batteries, which in turn are
connected to a power inverter (1200 watts was enough for my needs). The inverter converts
the DC to AC and that lets me use the PC and TV, a food processor or blender, even a juice
extractor. But it is NOT sufficient for any appliance that produces heat, such as an
electric coffee maker, a microwave, a hair dryer, a toaster oven, or even an ordinary
toaster. I tried to use a stick vacuum cleaner off the inverter but it was too much of a
load. So I use my generator, an older 3600W Honda that starts at the push of a button
installed inside. Gas is drawn directly from the tank; the generator also has its own
exhaust and conforms to National Parks noise standards. The generator is a multi-tasking
gizmo. It lets me use the vacuum, the air conditioner or a quickie run of the microwave,
all the while charging the coach batteries, even the one used for driving. It’s very
convenient on severely overcast days. I also use it when I run the hair dryer for a fast
defrosting of the refrigerator and freezer.
The refrigerator can run on either electricity or propane. I leave it on propane at all
times when I am stationary. When driving, I switch it to electrical as the batteries are
being constantly charged from the engine and the solar panels. It eliminates the risk of
fire. Also, I fire up the water heater only when stationary. Now, speaking of PROPANE. . .
Winnebago designed my “rig” for a family and relatively short stays. The propane
tank has an approximate volume of one and a half to two 20 pound bottles. And it can be
filled only at 80% capacity. I have failed to find out its exact capacity, so my estimate
in based on eye-balling the tank. Again, full-timers had an answer for that, the
Extend-a-Stay connection. A hose such as those used on barbecues connected to a 20 pound
bottle is installed on a brass fitting that sits between the valve and the regulator on
the rig tank. I alternate between two 20 pound bottles, using the rig’s propane when
I switch from the empty bottle to the full one. Therefore, I use the rig’s propane
only if I run out of bottled propane, I seldom let this happen, or during overnight stays.
I do however, make sure that my portable bottles are empty when I travel.
Heating was from a forced air furnace run via a thermostat. When nights got cold, I would
be awakened by noise of the furnace and fan located right next to my bedroom. Besides,
since it ran mostly at night, the charge in my batteries would plunge to an extremely low
point. Since I spend months in the Desert Southwest, a heater is a must as the temperature
drops suddenly and drastically when the sun goes down. I got a propane heater that has two
settings for its ceramic plates, Low or High. It is totally silent. Also, it is connected
to the main propane network and was installed by a certified technician –this to
conform to insurance policies and for safety. I could have had a heater with thermostat
but it would not work properly at higher elevations in the Rockies. My, my, the things one
must learn to live as a boondocking
vagabond!
Water, water. It seems that everything that deals with water, either getting it or
disposing of it, is the constant that is totally dependent on how many people live in the
rig, how close water can be found, and how far one must drive to dump. There are a few
shortcuts but not too many. A little creativity is necessary here. The grey water tank
(water from dishwashing, shower, etc.) has a capacity of 45 US gallons. So does the sewage
(or black water) tank. The fresh water tank’s capacity is only 36 US gallons. (A US
gallon is about 3,75 liters, an Imperial gallon is approximately 4,56 liters). Although
the fresh water tank is filled with potable water, I do get my drinking water in 5 gallon
bottles, mostly through Reverse Osmosis. When I’m on the road for a few days, just
overnighting on the way, I buy smaller disposable bottles to save time and frequent stops
for a drink of water. Many experts advise to dump only when the tanks are full. Problem is
that the fullness does not always coincide with a dump site. For my part, regardless of
whether my tanks are full, I dump at the same time as I get my fresh water tank filled.
Usually, where potable water is available, so are dumping facilities. I avoid washing more
dishes than necessary. I find that I can extend my fresh water tank load to a good 10 days
by using paper plates and bowls. These in turn are a good way to start a campfire at
night. I wash and rinse pots, pans, and utensils in square bowls that fit nicely in my
kitchen sink. I had to buy tall containers and trim them to size. No proper dishwashing
bowl would fit in my small sinks. I dump the soapy dishwater in the kitchen sink and the
one used for rinsing in the toilet. This makes for my tanks filling at a more equal rate
and saves me a dumping trip.
Lastly, I do recognize that all this extra equipment needed for my rig cost money. But the
initial outlay paid off handsomely. In the end, it is really a choice of how money will be
spent (it will be!) and how this will have a direct bearing upon one’s lifestyle. RV campground fees can run quite high. Some require
reservations. All must make maximum use of the land and limit space used for each camping
site. For me, the choice was a non-debatable issue. When I turned 65, I knew that I wanted
freedom and independence over any other consideration. And the great outdoors. And a dog.
Sadly my two dogs passed away two years ago and the grief was so intense that I could not
take to the road for many months. But in the spring of 2008, I adopted a 6 year old
English Mastiff and was ready to hit the road again. Even in the Desert Southwest one can
get broadband internet. A Verizon air card and monthly fee later, I have been able to set
up my blog, send email, surf the net and view videos on my PC.
I use Skype on my internet connection for $2.95 a month. My expenses for communications
are eminently reasonable. Primitive sites in National Parks, State Parks, Forestry roads,
National Forests, BLM, Corps of Engineers, and too many more to list here are accessible
in comfort. Again, I suggest a Google search. Answers will be either available on websites
or in books. I am quite satisfied with my choice. I get to enjoy the great outdoors and
its many wild creatures in delicious freedom, at a more than reasonable cost, and last but
not least, the comfort of home and all in one spot. Basically, home is where I am at any
given time. I turned 70 years old on April 2, I am self-sufficient and independent on a
minimal pension income. Life is sweet.
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