Boondocking at a National Forest

A way to warm up the trailer quickly is to out a pot of water on the stove and heat it up.The water will put humidity into the air which will make you feel warmer than the dry air from the furnace will.And,you won't run down your battery when the fan runs.Make sure you crack a window some where to bring in fresh air.

You asked about what kind of food to bring.My wife make food before we leave and then freezes it.Food like chilli,pot pie,shepard's pie,egg casserole,hamburger barbq,meatloaf etc. Then just put it in the oven or microwave and heat it. You can also buy bisquick pancake mix. Before you take off, turn on the fridge the might before to get it cold.We freeze gallon milk jugs full of water and put one in the fridge and one in the freezer to keep the food cold while traveling. Then you can use it for drinking water when it thaws out.

I agree with others is that you should go where there's hookups if you've never done it before. As far as the cost of running the generator, I would not be concerned about that. If you ran it nonstop for the five days, it would only cost you around 42 bucks.

Are you talking dry camping in one of the forest service campgrounds, or dispersed camping at the gravel road pulloffs? Boondocking does not mean the same thing to all folks. If you haven't scoped out the dispersed sites before you go I'd echo what Huachuca says and try one of the campground first. This also gives you the option of asking someone for help if you have questions.

From what I've seen, most folks with onboard generators run them for a couple hours in the morning and again for a couple around dinner time. Pisgah's campgrounds allow 4 hours of generator time a day between 8am and 8pm, as long as you are in a generator allowed loop, at least that's what recreation.gov states.

2gypsies has the best advice. You should really think about having electric/facilities first if you've never RV'd before. Most people spend at least a few days "camping" in their own backyard, or a local campground while they "shakedown" any RV they own... even experienced people like to make sure everything works before they head out on a trip in a new to them RV.

Enjoy it however you decide to go - it will be a very exciting trip! Have fun.

You said you'd like to boondock first and then go to a hookup campground. Since you're new at RVing and the fact that this is November, you might think about reversing your plan...go to the hookup campground first and leave the electric off for two days and see how you and your batteries do. In a panic you can always plug in. If you feel good about it, then go boondocking. Boondocking is great in perfect weather and if you're comfortable doing so but for newbies in November it could turn you off of this great experience. Fill your tank with fresh water when you leave the hookup campground and dump your tanks. When you're finished boondocking perhaps allow one more night for a hookup campground to empty your tanks and take a long hot shower and clean up the place a bit. :)

If you are or intend to become an outdoors family, I recommend investing in synthetic thermal underwear. We own it for skiing but have used it while dry camping in our popup in near freezing temps. Avoid cotton. And absolutely have some type cap as already noted. Of course I'm bald so I have a bigger problem with heat loss through my head. :B

Good advice in the replies here regarding battery usage and staying warm.

Are you planning on staying in the developed campgrounds (no hookups and what I would term 'dry camping') or truly boondocking in a dispersed site off a USFS road? To the best of my knowledge, only the North Mills River and Davidson River Campgrounds are open year round; the others close on or before October 31.

If you're thinking of dispersed sites, running the genny whenever its needed shouldn't be a problem (assuming you don't have neighbors) so even at ten hours per day for five days, you're under $20 total - take along a small electric heater and you should be good. You didn't mention what type RV you're renting or how familiar you are with the Pisgah area but most of the FS roads are not what I'd call 'RV friendly'. Also, five days may stretch your limits of your holding tanks unless you find somewhere to dump/refill and freezing temps could be an issue with these as well.

With this being your first trip, my suggestion would be to stay in FS or NPS campgrounds for your dry camping experience. You'll have access to water and toilet facilities and, this time of year, you'll likely be able to find a site far enough away from other campers to get a 'wilderness' experience. In addition to the two Pisgah facilities I mentioned above, Smokemont and Cades Cove are two NPS campgrounds in that area that I'd recommend.

The NPS Cataloochee campground isn't open but well worth a day trip. Go in late afternoon and there's a good chance you'll see elk and hear the bulls bugling.

Have fun and please post back with pictures and a trip report.

+111 on the sweatpants/jacket. Cheap poly pile sweats are remarkably useful when daytime temps are not cooperating.

IMO, plan on keeping a window or two cracked open and wearing more clothes. Ixnay on the bubble wrap--the windows are going to be a source of cold but with extra clothes on you'll be fine.

Bring a supply of blankets--or even better--sleeping bags unzipped. Some here believe the RV should stay a steady 72 degrees all night, while others prefer a cold RV (me, for example) and simply adding or subtracting blankets.

If there's room inside the RV for an ice chest, bring one. Lunch meats, salame, etc will keep cold for days. I use an ice chest for frozen pizzas, because I can't be far away from pizza and beer for very long.

As said, you'll be running the gennie daily so just budget for it. And have fun!

Yeah, your biggest problem is going to be keeping warm at night. Believe me, RV's are not insulated and if you keep the propane heater on you will soon use all your propane. So, bring lots of blankets, and this might sound silly but long-johns or sweats to sleep in. Also if you have a knit hat for your head it might be good to keep in the heat. You also may want to get some bubble wrap for the windows, cut to size and use a little sprayed water to attach. Also plug the vents at night with some throw pillows if you have any old ones. I would also suggest a Lit' Buddy portable propane heater and about 6 small jugs of propane.
Spread as many old towels on the floor to insulate it some.
You will need to have something to make coffee in or tea or cocoa to warm you up so don't forget that.
And I would really suggest that the first night, you camp in your back yard your going to forget stuff and it will be great to just run to the house to get the salt and pepper, the can opener, the extra blankets, or things you forgot or just found you need. Once you get to your final destination, going back just isn't an option.
Have a great time and any questions just send any one of us a private message. Warning: RVing might can be addictive and you might just find yourself joining our world.