How long can you realistically dry camp?

pnichols wrote:

bka0721 wrote:
But, the longest I have gone, recorded, without refilling, after the original start, the fuel tank/s/fuel jugs, water tanks, groceries, propane, traveled through a town that has a traffic signal/stop sign, and never stayed in one spot more than 10 days, was 8 1/2 weeks. (I could have stayed longer but needed to pick up my mail packet)

Obviously 8 1/2 continuous weeks from "base camp" while drycamping in an RV is outstanding! :C

I have only one personal red flag on this ... you (probably?) had to tow something along to do it ... which I don't care to do. I prefer all "provisions" to be carried in/on a single integrated vehicle, with that vehicle also being not too large. Actually the later model Earthroamers are even too huge for my liking. I liked the size of the earlier F450 based models. They were about my size limit for an integrated on-road/off-road RV.

I like the Tiger type and size of vehicle, assuming the truck underneath has a wheel base no longer than that of an extended cab to keep any risk of high-centering to a minimum. The chassis mounted type of Tiger structure allows all heavy items to be down as low as possible to keep the center of gravity low. Of course one main drawback of the Tiger design is the difficulty and expense of adequately isolating the coach box from the end-to-end twisting of the chassis frame on rough surfaces.

Some expedition vehicles come close to my "impossible dream RV" ideal, but of course I can't afford to buy one initially or maintain one long term. Probably none of them could match your 8 1/2 weeks of drycamping without provisioning, anyway.

P.S. I'm curious ..... what is your refrigeration setup that you could carry enough chilled and/or frozen provisions to last that long?

My RV is a normal Truck Camper and Motorcycle trailer. I identified long time ago what factors are and have been, important for long term stays without provisioning. Water, Fuel, Power and Food. From there I expanded on the capabilities of my rig to accommodate this theme. Thus the reasons I post here in this forum and publish articles on how to do extended periods in your vehicle/RV/camper. You go from you biggest limiting factor, Thus the reason I use the term, TP Factor. In the wintertime, your limiting factor would be; Propane, for most in the smallest vehicle can carry enough water to outlast their typical 2X30# or 20# propane tanks. In the warmer months it would be you ability to carry water. The RVs I am familiar with can all carry enough food for 4 people to outlast water or propane that most RVs carry. You just need to think and plan differently than you might if you were living in a stick and motor home.

pianotuna wrote:
Must have been using lots of canned goods.

Pianotuna, no. Generally no more can goods than I can carry in two hands. 3 to 5 cans.

To me, food is not the limiting factor for my extended periods of boondocking (rather than drycamping as the OP titled this thread.)


Many have met me out in remote areas to check out and find ways that will work for them. Including the Moderator of this forum. At various times I host classes on some of these techniques and write about them in different publications, like Truck Camper Magazine. Tomorrow I am teaching a class at a Motorcycle Adventure EXPO on the subject of Basecamping for extended periods. So there is a lot to learn and share on this subject, alone.

b