Boon-docking question

[Foodsman]

Hi folks,

When you’re boon-docking where do you go to dump the black and gray tanks and refill the fresh water supply?

Thank you,

Harry

[georgelesley]

Quality Johnson wrote:
Here in Minnesota, you can buy a State Park Annual permit, and use the state park dump stations and water hoses all year. Quite the bargain. No idea if other states have similar deals.

Thanks! We live in MN as well but didn't know that.

[Quality_Johnson]

Here in Minnesota, you can buy a State Park Annual permit, and use the state park dump stations and water hoses all year. Quite the bargain. No idea if other states have similar deals.

[64thunderbolt]

I take bottled water for drinking. The on board 122 gal is for toilet, shower and washing very few dishes. 15 yrs and only in a cg 2 times. Here in Az it's legal to dump grey in the forest. Just dig a hole and let it trickle. While on long interstate trips all Pilot & Loves truck Stops have free dumps. The newer ones are by the pumps so you can dump while fueling.

[96Bounder30E]

Moved from General RVing

[Handbasket]

If a National Forest campground or other facility has a dump station, it'll probably have a modest fee attached. Lake Powhatan CG & Rec Area near Asheville NC used to charge $5 to dump, but they went up to $10 a few years back. I dunno if it still applies, but that used to include their day use fee, so you could use the other facilities (lake, picnic area, etc.) and stay all day if you wanted.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

[dave54]

Most ranger station have a dump around back. Usually official use only. You can ask, though, and they may let you.

[dave54]

Foodsman wrote:
Hi folks,

When you’re boon-docking where do you go to dump the black and gray tanks and refill the fresh water supply?

Thank you,

Harry

We seldom stay in one spot more than 4-5 days, then move again. Never pass by a dump station without stopping to empty the waste tanks, even if only partly full.

We also do not stay in camp. We are usually out and about, driving to local places to see and do. We bring a couple 5 gal jugs with us and fill them every time we pass by a potable water source. Then pour them in our fresh tank upon returning to our boondocking site.

DW hates to use public toilets, so she holds it until we return to camp. I cannot convince her to use the public facilities and save the space in our black tank. Being male, I have no problem using the woods...

[Tystevens]

Many public rest areas in the West also have free dump stations. Most RV dealers, trailer supply stores and like also do. Usually not too hard to find, especially with a smart phone and an internet connection.

Good luck!

[Redsky]

Many gas stations on the interstates have dump stations as a way to attract RV's with their thirsty engines and large fuel tanks. Many campgrounds and all private RV parks have dump stations.

As part of my trip planning I check whether or not a camping spot has a dump station. 90% of the time one is available. When we are at a place with a dump station we use it regardless of how much is in the waste tanks so we have the full tanks' capacity available. Fresh water we get at our destination rather than haul around the extra weight.

[Foodsman]

My thanks to all of you for the help... I'm trying to know as much as I can in advance to getting on the road...

[helperzack]

Don't forget that some RV dealers have dumps. Seems I saw a billboard once that stated that they had a free dump. I guess getting new customers to the lot is half the battle.

[Golden_HVAC]

I would usually budget a night in a campground every couple of weeks, then dump, do laundry and go out someplace nice for another 2 weeks.

My 100 gallon fresh water tank and 59 gallon black tank allowed for very extended dry camping.

Fred.

[old_guy]

our city sewer people are very tight lips about letting people dump here. the guy who runs the place told me that there are a lot of people our there who do not have the faintest clue what non potable water means. seems the city here only has non potable water faucets near the dump station and he has seen people filling up there fresh water tanks with the water. and he has had to stop them many times and then they get mad at him for not telling them the water is not safe. he points to the big sign he has and they just scratch their heads like so what's that mean. it is not just here in my town, I saw it with my own eyes at an Oregon state park one year. big sign "Non potable water", and a MH guy was filling his tank with it. My friend went over to tell him and he got a mind your own business talk. so my friend told him enjoy your diarrhea trip.

[Tiger4x4RV]

I look in Sanidumps and Allstays, mentioned above. Both have excellent data.