By Cheri Sicard
Chris and Lindsay, from the Called To Wander YouTube channel, share their best dry camping tips and tricks in the video below. The video title says there are 20 tips, but I counted 22.
If you’re an experienced boondocker, you probably know many of these tips already. But so many people are hesitant to try RV off-grid living, and these tips can help get them started.
Before they get into the dry camping tips, the video begins by defining dry camping so that everyone is on the same page. So, to be clear, dry camping is camping without hookups. You are self-contained with everything you need in your RV.
Boondocking is also dry camping, although we tend to think of boondocking as being out in the middle of nowhere, such as on BLM land. Dry camping can be done anywhere such as at a Harvest Hosts location, or in your friend’s driveway when moochdocking, or even in an overnight rest area.
Dry camping tips
#1 Water: You always want to make sure you are carrying as much water as you can before heading out to a dry camping location. Fill your tanks, carry extra, and even fill your water bottles.
#2 Empty tanks: Make sure you start dry camping with empty black and gray water tanks.
#3 Make sure your propane is filled: You will probably rely on propane for a lot while dry camping, so make sure you have plenty.
#4 Stock up on food: A well-stocked fridge and pantry will serve you well while boondocking.
#5 Prep food where practical: If you can prep food ahead of time, it will cut down on dishwashing and water use while dry camping.
#6 Water conservation: You will want to conserve water while dry camping. Watch the video for suggestions of how to use less and keep more out of your gray tank, too.
#7 Showers: You may not shower every day while dry camping, but wet wipes can help in between showers. If your rig has an outdoor shower, use this to keep water from going into your gray tank. Lastly, carrying an outdoor solar shower like this one can also make sense.
#8 Conserve power: In order to get as much use out of your batteries as possible, you will want to conserve power. Turn off things you aren’t using. Consider alternative lighting like lanterns and headlamps, use USB rechargeable fans, and take advantage of the shade and outdoor surroundings.
#9 Minimize waste: Be responsible with trash. Cart out everything and try to cut down on trash while dry camping as much as possible. The video shares some good tips on how to do this at about 8 minutes in.
11 things to bring when dry camping
The rest of the tips concern things you will want to bring along while dry camping.
#1 A cute, adorable puppy: Everyone might not agree with this tip, but it’s important to our host, and I personally can’t argue.
#2 Solar power: If you plan on dry camping for a day or two, you can get away without solar power as your batteries should suffice. Beyond that, whether it’s rooftop solar or a portable power station like I wrote about here, solar power will vastly improve your dry camping experiences.
#3 Generator: Again, if you are only dry camping for a day or two, you won’t need this either. Otherwise, being able to generate your own power while boondocking will prove invaluable, even if you do nothing more than recharge your batteries.
#4 Inverter: This allows you to run AC appliances from your generator or solar power.
#5 Cell booster: Some gadgets boost your cell signal so you can get farther off-grid.
#6 Jerry cans: Jerry cans carry extra water.
#7 Solar shower: As mentioned above, this helps you shower outside and keeps your gray water tank from filling up.
#8 Collapsible tub: Use in your sink when washing dishes to conserve water.
#9 Body wipes: Also mentioned above, these can help you stay clean and fresh between showers.
#10 Headlamp: Provides low-energy bright light at night.
#11 Small USB fans: These small fans increase ventilation and coolness while not depleting your RV’s batteries.
#12: LED lights: If your rig doesn’t have them, consider switching all your lights to LED lights. You will save HUGE amounts of battery power by doing so.
#13: Battery monitor: This will give you peace of mind as you will always know exactly how much battery power you have left. This was my favorite part of the lithium battery upgrade I did.
Do you have other dry camping tips or items you consider essential? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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- Yes, you CAN boondock in the Eastern U.S.
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