THANK YOU for sharing your boondocking essentials with us... I love how you guys free camped from California to Florida! You both are an inspiration to me and I am grateful for our friendship. Love you too!
Thank you for sharing your #1 boondocking essential with us! It’s nice you have so many comforts of home with you while dry camping. Norm is sooo handy!
Great info! It took us a long time to learn these things. It would have been great to have this info when just starting out. We just found your channel and subscribed. Here's a list of our top 3 boondocking essentials. We're FTers who boondock most of the time (we boondocked for 8 months straight last year) in a class A MH. We have a little 4-cylinder 30 mpg toad to run errands, go sightseeing with, etc. as it's very economical and convenient. Our #1 limiting factor when boondocking is fresh water. We usually try to stretch 110 gallons to last the typical 2-week BLM and FS limit. If we run short, we carry 3, 5-gallon collapsible water jugs in our little toad to replenish our supply. We have occasionally had to get water from a water machine inside a grocery store, which we can do so with the 5-gallon jugs, but not with a big water bladder. Plus they take up less space when folded and are easier to lift than the blue Aquatainers we used to use. This makes these collapsible water jugs our #3 top boondocking essential. We love our Extend-a-stay propane kit. It lets us take a portable propane tank in our toad to get refilled or exchanged, saving us from being forced to break camp and move our MH to fill its large, permanently attached propane tank. The convenience this item provides makes it our #2 boondocking essential. Our large solar system is our #1 boondocking modification. Five years ago, we went FT and decided to build our solar/battery system in 2 phases, a 12v system for our basic 12v DC needs and a 48v system for our 110v A/C needs as we could afford to. We started by building a 620-watt liftable solar array on the side of our motorhome. We lift it to the optimal angle to boost its output 20-30% vs flat mounted panels, especially in the winter. It makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground. A year ago, we ditched our lead acid batteries and built a LiFePo-4 battery with 8, 280ah prismatic cells. It cost us less than $1,500 to build this 560ah 12v, 7.1 kwh battery, including a 330-amp BMS and 5-amp active balancer. It fits perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of GC-2 golf cart batteries used to reside. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a 1" hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging if they get too cold - or their life reduced from getting too hot. We use an 80A Progressive Dynamics LFP converter/charger, a 1,000w Renogy inverter, a 50a Epever MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This 12v system takes care of all of our basic off-grid needs except for air conditioning and microwave use. Mounting the solar array on the side of our coach left the roof free to rack 8, 550w solar panels (4,400 watts), 15" off our roof of our 35 ft Class A. This huge array covers our entire roof, providing some nice shade with plenty of cooling air underneath, improving their performance and reducing the heat load on the air conditioners too. We have a Sungold Power all-in-one 48V, 5,000W Inverter/100A charge controller/battery charger on our bedroom wall. Our 48v battery uses 16, 320ah prismatic cells and a 200amp BMS. This gives us a total of 23.5 kwh of batteries onboard - kept charged by 5,020 watts of solar. We removed the rooftop A/C we had in the bedroom and replaced it with an EG4 28.5 seer-2, 12k btu mini-split heat pump. It's super quiet and cools as well as the 14.5k btu rooftop A/C we have up front. This second phase provides 24/7 off-grid air conditioning and heat from the heat pump. We have a total of 6,000 watts of 120v inverted ac power on hand giving us off-grid electrical independence for a total budget of around $11,500. This allows us to keep our generator in reserve, for back-up use only. Take care, we hope to see you down the road!
You did such a great job on this video. Way to bring channels together. Wish more of this was available on YT. Super appreciate you inviting us to be part of this. Thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing your secret RV boondocking essential with us! I had tried using a WeBoost before without success and perhaps you solved my problem!
Such a great video!!! Love that you had me on your channel and that I could be associated with such great channels featured on your great channel. Thanks again, Pat
I was so thrilled these RV boondocking RUclipsrs shared their tips with us! Hearing their #1 essential item was beneficial for me and more importantly I hope for you. And yes, putting a name to their faces and channel is fun! :)
Wow!! This was fantastic for this beginner!!!! I’m learning so much from your videos. So many other good RUclips channels to explore!! Thank you! Thank you!!
Wasn’t everyone’s RV boondocking tips useful? I am so grateful they were willing to share their #1 boondocking essentials so we can all learn from them! 👍
A pendulum hanging from the rearview mirror a piece of cardboard underneath it. Put wheel blocks under one side. And so on so you know how many blocks you need to level your RV
Cool hack for leveling your RV - who needs fancy tools when you've got a pendulum and cardboard! Brilliant and thank you for sharing your insider wisdom!
I know, this may cause some disagreement. However, "boondocking" and "dry camping" are not the same. "Boondocking" and "dispersed camping" are the same. "Boondocking" is an american expression from the Tagalog (Filipino) word bundók ("mountain"). It originally referred to a remote rural area, but now, is often applied to an out-of-the-way area considered backward and unsophisticated by city-folk. Many outdoor backcountry sports were using the term boondocking long before the RV community. It meant to be out away from man made improvements and off established trail. The term "Dry Camping" signifies camping in an established state, federal or private campground that does not have any hookups, or, to park and stay the night at a rest stop or wal mart or cracker barrel, etc. A final term, "moochdocking" signifies camping/parking at a friend or relatives property that has at least electrical hookups which you are allowed to utilize for no charge: coming from the term to "mooch off a friend".
Great video Randi 👍 As a regular boondocker myself, these REALLY are the ones that top my list too 😉 I also love that you included so many of the OBliss group too 🤗
Thank you Randi for this great video. Great selection of RUclipsrs. Good job in putting this together. I wish the kings of boondocking (for me) would have joined : The RV geeks. Again, so interesting and well done! Thanks! Btw, You have a new subscriber : me.
We want to know YOUR #1 RV Boondocking essential or tip! Share it with us below... ⬇️ THANKS FOR WATCHING.... I will see you next Thursday. 💛 Randi
Cast iron cookware . You can cook on any source of heat . Electric, propane, direct on campfire .
Love that Annie! 😁 Cast iron cookware for boondock camping! 🥘
Thank you so much for including us in this video Randi. You’re our favorite RUclipsr. Love you💚
THANK YOU for sharing your boondocking essentials with us... I love how you guys free camped from California to Florida! You both are an inspiration to me and I am grateful for our friendship. Love you too!
The tailgate toilet seat! Love it!
Its a good one! 🤣
Thanks Randi for inviting me to join in. I also enjoyed seeing what others had to say. Keep up the geeat work!
I am thrilled you shared your heater with us, Brian! It’s great how it doesn’t create humidity! Thanks for sharing your #1 boondocking essential.
Great video Randi! Thank you so much for including us. Cheers and safe travels.
Thank you for sharing your #1 boondocking essential with us! It’s nice you have so many comforts of home with you while dry camping. Norm is sooo handy!
Great info! It took us a long time to learn these things. It would have been great to have this info when just starting out. We just found your channel and subscribed. Here's a list of our top 3 boondocking essentials.
We're FTers who boondock most of the time (we boondocked for 8 months straight last year) in a class A MH. We have a little 4-cylinder 30 mpg toad to run errands, go sightseeing with, etc. as it's very economical and convenient. Our #1 limiting factor when boondocking is fresh water. We usually try to stretch 110 gallons to last the typical 2-week BLM and FS limit. If we run short, we carry 3, 5-gallon collapsible water jugs in our little toad to replenish our supply. We have occasionally had to get water from a water machine inside a grocery store, which we can do so with the 5-gallon jugs, but not with a big water bladder. Plus they take up less space when folded and are easier to lift than the blue Aquatainers we used to use. This makes these collapsible water jugs our #3 top boondocking essential.
We love our Extend-a-stay propane kit. It lets us take a portable propane tank in our toad to get refilled or exchanged, saving us from being forced to break camp and move our MH to fill its large, permanently attached propane tank. The convenience this item provides makes it our #2 boondocking essential.
Our large solar system is our #1 boondocking modification. Five years ago, we went FT and decided to build our solar/battery system in 2 phases, a 12v system for our basic 12v DC needs and a 48v system for our 110v A/C needs as we could afford to. We started by building a 620-watt liftable solar array on the side of our motorhome. We lift it to the optimal angle to boost its output 20-30% vs flat mounted panels, especially in the winter. It makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground.
A year ago, we ditched our lead acid batteries and built a LiFePo-4 battery with 8, 280ah prismatic cells. It cost us less than $1,500 to build this 560ah 12v, 7.1 kwh battery, including a 330-amp BMS and 5-amp active balancer. It fits perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of GC-2 golf cart batteries used to reside. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a 1" hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging if they get too cold - or their life reduced from getting too hot. We use an 80A Progressive Dynamics LFP converter/charger, a 1,000w Renogy inverter, a 50a Epever MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This 12v system takes care of all of our basic off-grid needs except for air conditioning and microwave use.
Mounting the solar array on the side of our coach left the roof free to rack 8, 550w solar panels (4,400 watts), 15" off our roof of our 35 ft Class A. This huge array covers our entire roof, providing some nice shade with plenty of cooling air underneath, improving their performance and reducing the heat load on the air conditioners too. We have a Sungold Power all-in-one 48V, 5,000W Inverter/100A charge controller/battery charger on our bedroom wall. Our 48v battery uses 16, 320ah prismatic cells and a 200amp BMS. This gives us a total of 23.5 kwh of batteries onboard - kept charged by 5,020 watts of solar. We removed the rooftop A/C we had in the bedroom and replaced it with an EG4 28.5 seer-2, 12k btu mini-split heat pump. It's super quiet and cools as well as the 14.5k btu rooftop A/C we have up front. This second phase provides 24/7 off-grid air conditioning and heat from the heat pump. We have a total of 6,000 watts of 120v inverted ac power on hand giving us off-grid electrical independence for a total budget of around $11,500. This allows us to keep our generator in reserve, for back-up use only.
Take care, we hope to see you down the road!
Thanks for your detailed tips! Solar panels and lithium batteries rock!
The content on this video was so informative! Thank you!! Always look forward to you weekly.
You are awesome Dora!
Good idea
You did such a great job on this video. Way to bring channels together. Wish more of this was available on YT. Super appreciate you inviting us to be part of this. Thank you!!!
Thank you for sharing your secret RV boondocking essential with us! I had tried using a WeBoost before without success and perhaps you solved my problem!
Well done all of you. Great content. Enjoyed the video and all your friends. Take care. Stay warm. Going to get cold soon. Yup I'm up north too.
Thank you!!! 😊 The air has definitely got a raw cold feel now and I'm excited for the fall colors. 🍁
Such a great video!!! Love that you had me on your channel and that I could be associated with such great channels featured on your great channel. Thanks again,
Pat
Your tailgate toilet is sure to be a hit, Pat! Thanks for sharing your "innovative" RV bondocking potty solution with us all!
This was a great idea. I like that you brought others from other channels. Bravo!!!
Hey Mary! I am a new boondocker and I have so much to learn so I thought we could all learn from those more experienced. 😁
That was another great video. Fun to see all the faces with their 'names'. Thank you Randi and all the other contributors !
I was so thrilled these RV boondocking RUclipsrs shared their tips with us! Hearing their #1 essential item was beneficial for me and more importantly I hope for you. And yes, putting a name to their faces and channel is fun! :)
I boondock 90% of the time.....(the other 10% is when I met up with family). I’ve done it for years....love it.
That’s awesome! You MUST have a favorite RV boondocking essential item to share with us! 😁
@@RandisAdventures Well, after a long day of paddling a nice warm shower is awesome, so I created a solar shower in a bucket.
@@ADKMan Nice! Nothing better than a warm shower! 🚿
Absolutely love your channel
Thank you! ☺️
Omg! He could sell those tailgate toilet seats. For real.
So true!!! 🤣
Great to meet the others and their wonderful ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Joyce! Aren’t they all fabulous! I enjoyed each one of their boondocking ideas too!
@@RandisAdventures I am going to pass on the toilet seat though...lol
@@joycemoses2411 🤣
Excellent video. I’m a subscriber now !
I’m so glad you liked the video!
Wow!! This was fantastic for this beginner!!!! I’m learning so much from your videos. So many other good RUclips channels to explore!!
Thank you! Thank you!!
Wasn’t everyone’s RV boondocking tips useful? I am so grateful they were willing to share their #1 boondocking essentials so we can all learn from them! 👍
Love Love Love this video. Keep up the good work. I also learned of a couple more channels I need to follow.
Hey Selena! All of the RUclips channels are fantastic! I am so grateful for their willingness to help us learn how to boondock! 😁
Great stuff Randi!!! This was very helpful for my future RV and my Future Boondocking!!
Yay! I learned a lot of useful boondocking tips too from these pros!
Your are definitely my inspiration!!! 👍👍
You are the best Miss Roxanne! ☺️
Great informative video Randi. Thank you for sharing.
It was fun for me to hear what the pros use for boondocking and I am glad you found their info informative too!!!
This is so great! Thanks for compiling this!
I am so glad the info was helpful! Isn’t fun to learn about the gear the pros use for boondocking!
A pendulum hanging from the rearview mirror a piece of cardboard underneath it. Put wheel blocks under one side. And so on so you know how many blocks you need to level your RV
Cool hack for leveling your RV - who needs fancy tools when you've got a pendulum and cardboard! Brilliant and thank you for sharing your insider wisdom!
Great video Randi! We're going to boondock in April so this came at a great time. Happy travels😁
That’s fantastic news Liza! Happy boondocking!
I know, this may cause some disagreement. However, "boondocking" and "dry camping" are not the same. "Boondocking" and "dispersed camping" are the same.
"Boondocking" is an american expression from the Tagalog (Filipino) word bundók ("mountain"). It originally referred to a remote rural area, but now, is often applied to an out-of-the-way area considered backward and unsophisticated by city-folk.
Many outdoor backcountry sports were using the term boondocking long before the RV community. It meant to be out away from man made improvements and off established trail.
The term "Dry Camping" signifies camping in an established state, federal or private campground that does not have any hookups, or, to park and stay the night at a rest stop or wal mart or cracker barrel, etc.
A final term, "moochdocking" signifies camping/parking at a friend or relatives property that has at least electrical hookups which you are allowed to utilize for no charge: coming from the term to "mooch off a friend".
Good info! Boondocking, dispersed camping, and dry camping are oftentimes interchanged. Thanks for the details!
Great video Randi 👍 As a regular boondocker myself, these REALLY are the ones that top my list too 😉 I also love that you included so many of the OBliss group too 🤗
Hey Kim! I’d love to hear what your #1 boondocking essential or tip is!!!
Very helpful, thank you!
Great information.
I am glad this RV boondocking video was helpful!
Thank you Randi for this great video. Great selection of RUclipsrs. Good job in putting this together. I wish the kings of boondocking (for me) would have joined : The RV geeks. Again, so interesting and well done! Thanks! Btw, You have a new subscriber : me.
Great idea Myrna! I appreciate your feedback.
Thank you 👍
Your welcome! ☺️
Can you use the Jackery to power a cpap or is it only for charging devices?
Yes the Jackery can be used for Cpaps. Check out their website for how long it can power one... it varys between the different Jackeries.
Fun!
Thanks Marsha!
I'd rather a Webasto diesel furnace
Good info but the hand motions are very distracting...😑
Thanks for your feedback. ☺️