Ridiculously extreme boondocking tips
If you have both unlimited power and water, stop reading -- you don’t need these tips. And if you are still reading, you already know the obvious things -- switch to LED lights, use paper plates ...
Forum Discussion
Dan,
Since adding solar, LED lights, and more batteries, I am no longer accused of being a power Nazi. And we have more than enough propane even for our winter outings.
Water usage and waste tank capacity is different though. Here are some of our tricks:
- Fill up water heater, accumulator tank, and put a gallon or two in the black tank before disconnecting from the source. Doing this nets me about 10 extra gallons.
- Bring along extra in 5 gallon containers.
- Collect warm-up water and shower water by showering over a large shallow tray. Save water for toilet flushing.
- Brush teeth with water from a cup.
- If camped by a river or lake, use a solar shower.....or just go for a swim. Our 4 gallon solar shower will provide enough water for 3 to 4 showers (including hair washings).
- Install a shut-of valve on the toilet supply line and pee outside.
- We don't do the paper plate trick because I don't like fires when camping (or all the trash they make). Dog "pre-soaks" dishes, then we wash and rinse in two shallow trays. After we get "disgusted" with the wash water, it can be strained and used for toilet flushing if needed. The original rinse water then gets used for washing and new rinse water gets drawn from the tank.
- If all else fails know that we still have 7 gallons of water in the tank (that I can drain into a container and bring inside) after the pump stops pumping water.
I look forward to learning what other people do.
Steve
Since adding solar, LED lights, and more batteries, I am no longer accused of being a power Nazi. And we have more than enough propane even for our winter outings.
Water usage and waste tank capacity is different though. Here are some of our tricks:
- Fill up water heater, accumulator tank, and put a gallon or two in the black tank before disconnecting from the source. Doing this nets me about 10 extra gallons.
- Bring along extra in 5 gallon containers.
- Collect warm-up water and shower water by showering over a large shallow tray. Save water for toilet flushing.
- Brush teeth with water from a cup.
- If camped by a river or lake, use a solar shower.....or just go for a swim. Our 4 gallon solar shower will provide enough water for 3 to 4 showers (including hair washings).
- Install a shut-of valve on the toilet supply line and pee outside.
- We don't do the paper plate trick because I don't like fires when camping (or all the trash they make). Dog "pre-soaks" dishes, then we wash and rinse in two shallow trays. After we get "disgusted" with the wash water, it can be strained and used for toilet flushing if needed. The original rinse water then gets used for washing and new rinse water gets drawn from the tank.
- If all else fails know that we still have 7 gallons of water in the tank (that I can drain into a container and bring inside) after the pump stops pumping water.
I look forward to learning what other people do.
Steve
