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Friday, November 11, 2011

Let's Discuss: Dry Camping (By Request)


Dry camping: To camp without power or water hook-ups; also known as 'boondocking' (e.g., camping out in the boondocks--can be applied to parking-lot camping as well).

We've had a request to offer some tips on how to camp comfortably in your travel trailer when no power or water hook-ups are offered.

This practice, known as 'dry camping,' may be called for when...you're traveling, and not able to stop for the night at a full-service RV park; you take your trailer out to the boonies for a period of getting away from it all; you attend a trailer-camping event at a venue that offers parking only, no hook-up amenities.

Ironically, the majority of vintage travel trailers were designed, to large degree, FOR dry camping. The whole idea of having one was to be able to go anywhere, anytime, with complete self-sufficiencey.

Lights, stove, and heater all ran on propane carried in a tank on the trailer. Showers and plumbed toilets weren't included so didn't need water or power. If a trailer did have a water tank, it was small, with just enough water for sponge baths and washing a few dishes. People did not have, nor rely on electrical appliances to the extent that they do now. (Which is why your typical small vintage trailer came with one electrical outlet, if that.)

But today...


* Many old trailers have had their propane systems removed, and been re-wired to all-electric.
* Quite a few women whose trailers still have a propane system are afraid to use it.
* Later and larger trailers were made more for comfort in an RV park than for boondocking on your own.
* And let's face it--we've let ourselves become dependent on the electricity that runs everything from our hairdo appliances to our toothbrushes and cell-phone chargers.

What to do, what you need, and where to get it:


* Pare down to basic needs--which amount to warmth, a nighttime light source, and (speaking for Self here) a way to make coffee. Bring more blankets, get an alternative-power lantern, skip the electrically-enhanced hairdo and wear a hat instead.

* Picture your trailer as a tent. Then visit a camping store. You'll be amazed by the variety of camping items made to run on solar, battery, or gas-canister power. We'll leave it up to you and your budget on whether to buy or borrow, once you pinpoint a useful item (battery-operated fan, let's say, or a single-burner backpacking stove that'll heat coffee/tea water and one-dish meals).

* Ask more experienced dry campers to share their tips and favorite gadgets with you. With as many camping/glamping groups and social-media sites as there are, you'll readily get some answers.

Speaking of which...


The Comments floor is now open for your own great tips. Girl Campers do share, and lots of the Newgals (we like that better than Newbies) will really appreciate the additional advice.






19 comments:

  1. thanks.....and I like being called a newgal!

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  2. I think baby wipes are great to have on hand. A really big container of them!! Make your food simple things to prepare.

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  3. Baby wipes--wouldn't be without 'em! Great thing to mention.

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  4. I luv the 'pop' lights,,, battery operated, I leave one by the door, one by the bed & one in the closet for mid-nite porta-potty visits.... lol! and yep, lot's of 'handi wipes'
    Happy Trails!

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  5. For night time, I have an LED light that clips onto the bill of a ballcap. It's enough light to read by, and lets you find things, hands-free.

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  6. I got a cheap (under $10) battery operated clamp on silver BBQ light with a gooseneck from Target. Great for reading, for getting extra light in the kitchen or bathroom, or taking outside for the grill.

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  7. I am a bit more restrained on space, since I have a little teardrop with the galley under the 'boot' outside. I love the little single burner butane gas powered stoves, lots of 'pop' lights, collapsible 5 gal. water jug w/spigot, and my fave...a privacy tent with a 'luggable loo' inside for those middle of the night potty trips and no time to run to the nearest restroom, plus it's roomy enough for getting dressed! Of course, baby wipes are a must!

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. I take the large distilled waters with the spigot, as many as you think you will need, and set them on the counter where the sink is, so it's just like having a faucet! My water tank is so small it is not worth using! I also use LED lanterns from the camping section, one for the inside, and one to hang outside like a porchlight. And of course I would not be without my 2 burner campstove with the instastart feature!

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  10. Great ideas! Love all the comments too! Thanks!!! I've been dry camping for years but haven't thought of a few of these!

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  11. I don't personally use one any longer but Braun makes a line of butane powered hair implements such as a curling iron... They work really well, hotter than their electric cousins.

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  12. I don't personally use one any longer but Braun makes a line of butane powered hair implements such as a curling iron... They work really well, hotter than their electric cousins.

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    1. Thank you Heather - I used to use a butane curler, but at the time I could only find the smaller diameter - your post reminded me to look for the large barrel, and I found one on amazon.....good news for me!!!

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  13. I've got some nice vintage oil lamps that come camping with me - nice for around the campfire even when you have an electrical hookup. You can get nice new ones to use, too. Lehman's Non-Electric mail order company is a great place to find stuff for dry camping. They cater to the Amish community in their Kidron, Ohio neighborhood.

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  14. Really interesting, thanks for sharing. I am in charge of camp catering this year and I think it would be cool to do something like this.

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  15. As for a portable potty, here is our idea. My husband took a 5 gallon round plastic bucket and attached a real toilet seat w1/ lid. We then line it w1/2 small garbage bags and fill 1/3 with saw dust. I then 'dressed' it with a gathered drawstring skirt. It sits in the camper closet for night time use.

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    1. Your system reminds me of the time our city (Ashland, Oregon) had a flood that knocked out the water system for the entire population of 20,000. I used the bucket system with kitty litter and it worked great.

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  16. All these are important steps for going on RVs for trip. The RV Should be the size that can accommodate all people who wants to go on.

    Zion National Park Camping

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