tips for 1st timer

We dry camp on a regular basis. Our battery easily lasts a weekend... by thinking of the camper as a big tent. Do not use camper lights at all - use battery lanterns and flashlights. Save the camper lights for the midnight bathroom use. Do not use the camper's propane heater if the night is cool - the blower fan uses more energy than you might think. Avoid using the vent fan(s) if possible... but sometimes you have to!

Making morning coffee on the stove top with a percolator will usually easily warm up the camper. Always remember to open windows and ceiling vent, at least a little bit, for fresh air.

Showers are no problem. Turn on the propane water heater about 20 minutes before your shower. Just turn on the water pump when you need it, off when you are finished. Learn how to do a "Navy" shower - very quick wet down, turn water off, shampoo and soap, turn water on to rinse off as FAST as possible. You might be impressed at how little water you will actually use when you get used to it. I then turn off the water heater - it actually uses very little power, but it is one more thing to save energy by doing.

We've gotten to the point where we kind of prefer dry camping, especially in the Spring and Fall (mid summer I am willing to give in and use an air conditioner... lol!). A lot of dry campgrounds have larger campsites, or are nearer to beautiful places to hike and bike. In my state, Connecticut, most state parks do not have hook ups, so dry camping is usual here (this is changing, and the state is adding hookups, and I have mixed feelings about that!).

As for your generator, if use the tips mentioned in this thread, you will probably find that you simply will not need to use it.

If possible, 'camp' in your driveway or yard for a couple nights.
You will quickly learn what you need or don't need and, how to manage your electric/propane/water.

Keep your trash secured at night so that animals can't get into it or you'll spend most of your morning picking it up.

If you must #2 in the woods, be considerate of your neighbors and keep it downwind PLEASE. Thank you.:B

With a full charge on the battery on Friday you should be fine, simply conserve the resources you have, the gen/set is a good idea, as is solar, extra water jug is handy. In cool weather we carried a extra propane bottle that fit the trailer's connection. of all the trips we carried it, I think we only used it once.

First and foremost: You're CAMPING!

Keep it simple! Spend your days playing on/in the lake and the evenings outside watching the stars. You're used to camping (scouts), so keep to that as much as possible and leave civilization (and all the gadgets) at home.

Propane will be fine for 3 days - don't worry about that at all.

Electrical - supplement RV lights with LED puck lights, lanterns, etc. Skip the electrical appliances. Try to go without the generator as much as possible - the less you're dependent upon it, the easier camping will be. I have a group 31 AGM battery and can go 4 days without putting a dent in the power - and that's with the water pump on 24/7.

Water - use the campground bathrooms when convenient and RV bathroom during the night, etc. Skip the showers, it's less than 3 full days, use baby wipes and the lake instead.

Really, Friday night to Sunday morning is only 1-1/2 days. You should be fine without much effort as long as you don't bring the hair dryers, coffee makers, etc.

Once you get used to dry camping (campground no hookups), you will be more comfortable boondocking (no campground no hookups). Remember, if you're in a campground, there is someone around who can help you out if something happens - no biggie.

Go easy on water usage. Don't let the faucet run for showers, washing hands, brushing teeth.

Since you're just going for a couple days use paper plates and if you have enough silverware, don't even wash dishes until the last day. Wipe the pots out good with a damp paper towel and you can re-use the pot. Grill outside.

Lights at night? If you're not using them, turn them off.

A furnace can drain the battery fast. Hopefully, you won't need it. Or else, sleep in the cool temps and run it to warm up in the morning.

Toast? Butter bread and use the frying pan.
Coffee? Use a perculator on the stove. It makes excellent coffee.

You'll be amazed at how well you can do! You'll be back for more of the same.