Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > CAMPING, TRAVEL and TRIP PLANNING > Boondocking
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-21-2012, 09:18 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
okmunky's Avatar
 
Solo Rvers Club
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yuma County, AZ
Posts: 10,868
The reasons why I prefer to boondock

This month, due to circumstances beyond my control, I spent 12 nights at the Lake Mead campground and then 4 nights at the Zion NP campgound -- which is infested by tent caterpillars. FINALLY, I am now spending my 2nd night in the peace and quiet of the Dixie National Forest near Bryce Canyon.

As I was getting the furkids settled, I started reflecting on WHY I prefer boondocking and decided to start a list.

1. Quiet
2. I can run my generator anytime I want. I hated that I could only heat food at Zion between 8-10 am and 6-8 pm. I did cheat a time or two.
3. I don't need curtains to have privacy.
4. The price is right...FREE
5. No reservations required.
6. I can face my RV in any direction.
7. There is a HUGE selection of sites to choose from
8. The view is wonderful

I really feel sorry for those who think RVing means campgrounds
__________________
Barb (RVM18) with Morkies Lily & Bebe RIP Sena FMCA#F466348
"Homer" ‘11 Shasta Cynara, pulling "Ranger" '97 Ford Ranger toad
The Journey is Our Destination. Full-timer May 2011 - July 2021
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
okmunky is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-21-2012, 09:22 PM   #2
laj
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,415
Ok curious
Why only able to heat food at those times in a campground
laj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2012, 09:26 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
I agree with you 100%. I have been to a lot of campgrounds that I have enjoyed, especially in Europe and Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
John Hilley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2012, 10:27 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
okmunky's Avatar
 
Solo Rvers Club
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yuma County, AZ
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by laj View Post
Ok curious
Why only able to heat food at those times in a campground
Because I share my RV with a capuchin monkey, an open flame propane burner is dangerous, so I rarely use the cooktop. The campground is no hookups so I had to run the generator in order to power the microwave. I should have made that more clear.

Don't you know you are supposed to read what I mean, not just what I type?
__________________
Barb (RVM18) with Morkies Lily & Bebe RIP Sena FMCA#F466348
"Homer" ‘11 Shasta Cynara, pulling "Ranger" '97 Ford Ranger toad
The Journey is Our Destination. Full-timer May 2011 - July 2021
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
okmunky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2012, 10:36 PM   #5
laj
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,415
Rofl I apologies I will see that I improve in that area. I am beginning to agree with you and boondocking. My problem is mine isn't the best size. Wish I had a little smaller one just because of that.
laj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2012, 10:44 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 735
Quote:
Originally Posted by okmunky View Post

I really feel sorry for those who think RVing means campgrounds

This is where we disagree, I consider the amenity-less places you go to be camping, not RVing.
Where as I go to RV parks and resorts, where only having 30amp is considered an inconvience, that is RVing.

You camp, I RV.

You may think I'm wrong, but that would only make you wrong........again.


.
Sequim Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 06:19 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
MRBB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 468
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sequim Guy View Post
This is where we disagree, I consider the amenity-less places you go to be camping, not RVing.
Where as I go to RV parks and resorts, where only having 30amp is considered an inconvience, that is RVing.

You camp, I RV.

You may think I'm wrong, but that would only make you wrong........again.


.
My wife thinks "ruffing it" is staying at a hotel with no room service!

Love the forests and remote camping but I also like the company in a RV park so to each his own. Have fun!
__________________
Bill & Linda. If it doesn't move and should, WD-40 it. If it moves and shouldn't, duct tape it. F-350 dually, 40' Sunnybrook Titan toy hauler and custom Harley
MRBB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 06:29 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
danf7's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ma
Posts: 407
Don't you know you are supposed to read what I mean, not just what I type?[/QUOTE]

Been married for almost 37 years ( just seems like 60! )
so I am well versed in this skill!


Dan
__________________
Dan 2008 Allegro 32 BA FRED, Honda Fit
There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
danf7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 09:05 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: somewhere in the west
Posts: 1,168
I agree, I have been in an RV park only twice since 2002. My list would be a little different than yours. I use one of those infra-red/hot air cookers a lot, like the frozen to cooked food feature and prefer to do it outside with the (quiet) generator.

And the number one reason, to me anyway, is that the older I get, the more boring others become, I can only take very short idle conversation periods. In boondocking, neighbors that just want to shoot the bull (?) is nonexistent, at least at the places I go to do my own thing.

And by the way, to camp, you need a tent huh?


Ed
U.S. Navy Retired
Ed-Sommers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 09:26 AM   #10
Senior Dude
 
Dogpatch's Avatar


 
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Somewhere, BC.
Posts: 5,613
Blog Entries: 8
The way we live and think is, if it doesn't equal or improve on how we live at home, what's the point in doing it?

I'm with others, full hook ups with all the amenities or you are "Ruffin It".

That's not to say we wouldn't boondock a day or two at a nice spot. I've set up our RV to run everything we have, hookups or not.

Everyone has their own thing. No right or wrong, just preference.

Although, if my wife saw there wasn't a spa within walking distance, it would definately be "Wrong" LOL. (ouch, I can feel the lump already)
__________________
Les (RVM12), Bonnie and 4 leggers Shelby and Tea Cup
Triple E Empress A3802FW Diesel Pusher 330 Cat
FMCA-420438 Good Sam
Dogpatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 11:18 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Wanabee FTer's Avatar
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Golden Village Palms, CA
Posts: 1,988
Blog Entries: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by okmunky View Post
This month, due to circumstances beyond my control, I spent 12 nights at the Lake Mead campground and then 4 nights at the Zion NP campgound -- which is infested by tent caterpillars. FINALLY, I am now spending my 2nd night in the peace and quiet of the Dixie National Forest near Bryce Canyon.
I saw the tent caterpillars in PNW last summer, did not know they are a problem at Zion NP. I thought all the tree's were full of thick cobwebs until someone told me what they are.

I like a mix of boondocking and amenity filled CG's. I understand what you mean by QT being a pain. Have you thought of going to a larger inverter to go along with your solar aray?
__________________
John
'98 Gulf Stream Sunsport 325, 7.5L Banks Power Pack, Koni FSD's, Air Bags, ReadyBrute Elite,
2000 Honda Accord

Wanabee FTer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 11:35 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Senior Chief's Avatar


 
Vintage RV Owners Club
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere in the woods in Belfair, WA, WA
Posts: 1,250
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer View Post

I like a mix of boondocking and amenity filled CG's.
This.



But maybe add in a few lovely state parks, some municipal parks in charming little towns in out-of-the-way nooks and crannies of our country, a rough COE campground every so often, some military FamCamps, maybe a fairgrounds or two...

All that to say we have found some wonderful spots to stay in unexpected places- we hardly rule ANYTHING out anymore.

Well, maybe Disneyland.
__________________
Life rocks when your house rolls
Senior Chief
& the Cheese Queen


Senior Chief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 11:43 AM   #13
Senior Dude
 
Dogpatch's Avatar


 
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Somewhere, BC.
Posts: 5,613
Blog Entries: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by Senior Chief View Post
This.



But maybe add in a few lovely state parks, some municipal parks in charming little towns in out-of-the-way nooks and crannies of our country, a rough COE campground every so often, some military FamCamps, maybe a fairgrounds or two...

All that to say we have found some wonderful spots to stay in unexpected places- we hardly rule ANYTHING out anymore.

Well, maybe Disneyland.
OMG....you said the dreaded "D" word. (Disney).
Glad we got both parks out of our system!
__________________
Les (RVM12), Bonnie and 4 leggers Shelby and Tea Cup
Triple E Empress A3802FW Diesel Pusher 330 Cat
FMCA-420438 Good Sam
Dogpatch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2012, 11:43 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
okmunky's Avatar
 
Solo Rvers Club
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yuma County, AZ
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer View Post
I understand what you mean by QT being a pain. Have you thought of going to a larger inverter to go along with your solar aray?
Any idea what it would cost to add a built in inverter big enough to run a microwave? I am going broke $100 at a time with this coach. Does upgrading ever end? Oh yeah, then there's the $100 a hit for maintanence, too. It's hard for us early retirees to keep up. One more year until social security starts helping to support my lifestyle. Not that I ever regret quitting work at age 60.
__________________
Barb (RVM18) with Morkies Lily & Bebe RIP Sena FMCA#F466348
"Homer" ‘11 Shasta Cynara, pulling "Ranger" '97 Ford Ranger toad
The Journey is Our Destination. Full-timer May 2011 - July 2021
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
okmunky is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.