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First TT for Drycamping

chezmoose
Explorer
Explorer
The DH and I are hoping to replace our 40 year old PUP in the spring with a TT. The PUP is still in excellent condition for her age but seems we have to repair something after every trip lately. Plus we're hoping to cut down on set-up/tear-down time.

I've been lurking the forums for a while and we're starting to do our research and visit dealers to figure out what we like/don't like and what will fit within our weight requirements. We will most likely purchase something in the 18-20 ft range.

The majority of our camping is done in state/nat'l forest campgrounds with the occasional boondocking trip and maybe once a year at a campground with electricity.

Are there any special considerations we should take into account when purchasing? Since we're used to not having running water, lights, AC, etc., I imagine we can be pretty conservative. One of the salespeople said that most people run out of water before they run out of battery power. Is it possible to re-fill the fresh water tank from a jug?

What do you recommend for emptying the holding tanks after a dry camping trip? Visit a state park and use their pump station?

Any and all advice for dry camping will be appreciated.
DH, Me and 3 Australian Shepherds
2011 F150 EcoBoost Super Crew
"Elsa" - 2014 Skyline Eco Camp 19WQ
"Stella" - 1974 Starcraft Galaxy 6 PUP
32 REPLIES 32

ADK_Camper
Explorer
Explorer
We have a Fun Finder 210WBS that we like very much. I think the floor plan is practically perfect for a couple. We too boondock often and have found this camper to be very good. As to battery life: we initially had problems using a typical 75 AmpHour deep cycle battery. It would last only about 3 days even if we used no lights, radio, or water pump. Basically we just used the battery for the refrigerator control board (gas for actual cooling) and the CO/Propane sensor. It turns out the refrigerator was drawing significant power continously for a heater in the door frame to prevent condensation. Some refrigerators have a switch to turn this heater off; ours did not so I installed my own switch. With this heater off the battery lasted 7-8 days! If we use the radio occasionally and even the water pump we can still get about 6 days out of the battery, and there was no condensation problem around the refrigerator door.. We avoid using the campers lights using a couple of LED lanterns instead. I plan to upgrade the camper's lights with LED bulbs which should enable us to use them without reducing battery life very much.

DesertHawk
Explorer
Explorer
RV Dump Station Finders:
http://www.rvdumps.com/dumpstations/

and http://www.rvdumpstations.info/

One problem I have found is in what people mean when using the terms, "dry camping" and "boondocking".

Many seem to use them interchangeably. Others use boondocking to mean out in the boonies away from people as in "dispersed" camping in nat'l forests. And dry camping as just camping anywhere, state park or any park, without hookups of any kind.

If dry camping in nat'l forest or nat'l parks (as well as BLM or COE) campground, normally will have water close by, or at least they often do. As well as having a dumpsite close by. Not always but often.

When we have boondocked in the past, there was often water not far at a forest campground, etc.

Dry camping while traveling (more like dry overnighting), we have found water at service stations, welcome centers, Walmat/K-mart stores (garden centers), many other places.

Some town have dumpsites. Some service stations. Some rest areas (not in NM anymore).

To extend battery charge, Solar is pretty good. My son has two large panels on his TC in Alaska. We have a small one which helps. We both use Honda generators to keep them topped off as well.

Showering can take battery down. My CPAP machine does a job on it. May have to get a second battery to go with the single we have on the trailer. There is room on the tongue where the battery is. But haven't yet. Just run the generator a little, doesn't take too long each day.

Other folks are dead set against any generator use a all. Depends on your philosophy on generators.

If going to take rough backcountry roads, will take a different set up as compared to using small campground with small sites but easy to drive to them.

:EIt is always good to be able to get a vehicle and/or trailer out as well as into an place.

There may be exceptions, but the smaller a unit is, the smaller its holding tanks will be.

That is why we have a larger freshwater holding tank in our pickup.
Extra Water & How to Transfer It. an old post.

My son's Lance TC has a pretty large fresh water tank, but he also carries an auxiliary tank (can't member what size), which can be seen in this photo below:

It is on the ground here (empty). Carries it empty, then goes to get water when needed.
:CDesertHawk- Las Cruces, NM USA
*2015 Lance 1985~Casita de Campo~23' 4" Tongue to Bumper, Dinette Slide
160 watt Solar Panel/GoPower! Solar Controller
*2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab
Long Bed with A.R.E. Molded Fiberglass Topper
*Previously~ 2005 16' Scamp

rfryer
Explorer
Explorer
It sounds like are camping styles are somewhat similar. Most of my camping is in national forests and I opted for a 16’ to get as far back in as possible. And I graduated from a PU, too. Coming from a PU I imagine you’re pretty frugal with your lights and water.

My thoughts would be stick with your sub 20’ idea if you want to get well off the beaten path. The biggest tanks you can get, LED lights, and as much ground clearance as possible would all be advantageous, too. Also two true deep cycle batteries. I use one group 27 marine battery and can manage to get the best part of a week out of it. Generators are an option, but I like to camp in natural setting and motors running seem out of place there. So I don’t have one. I camp in the forest so solar isn’t a good option for me or I’d have it. If you have the option of open meadows it might work for you, though.

I carry extra water in 5 gallon cans if I’m boondocking and just refill as needed. In a cg with water I just fill there and carry it back to the TT and refill. It’s just a matter of having something to funnel the water in the fresh water tank, basically a two person job with one holding the funnel. As far as dumping goes, just pay attention to what’s in the area you’re camping in and you’re almost sure to find a dump site. You may have to pay a small fee, but I don’t recall ever having to do that.

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
Chezmoose, all of your questions are good ones -- and there are lots of answers! Over on the Boondocking and Dry Camping forum, there are discussions about fresh water, about batteries, about lighting, about dealing with gray and black water, and so forth.

If you want to get way back into the woods, a truck camper is the best option -- but it is too cramped for me. So we have opted for a little trailer. My advice is to get the smallest trailer you can stand to be in (and can stand up in). I really like the Casita and the Scamp, but most models do not have enough headroom for me.

The other issue is ground clearance -- not every trailer can be modified with an "axle flip." Trailers with torsion bar suspensions can be raised, but not a whole lot. Clearance is important on rocky roads. (But even if you have a lot of clearance, take it real slow to avoid damage.)

You want a good match between your tow vehicle and your trailer -- a trailer that is too long or too heavy will wag the dog. Coming from a PUP, you will notice a steep decline in mpg. There is no cure for that -- even a small TT creates a lot of air drag.

Be sure to take it slowly, one step at a time. Boondocking is tremendously rewarding, but there is a learning curve. Start small -- a couple of nights. Monitor battery usage. Measure water usage. None of this is rocket science.

In terms of which rig to buy, there are a lot to choose from. This is our second Fun Finder, and we are happy with it, but some other folks have had quality control issues. (There are two Fun Finder forums or clubs online -- almost every make has its own user group, somewhere.) Lance now makes a new line of small trailers -- that firm has a great reputation for building strong truck campers, so I have hopes for their trailers!

Most crucially, keep asking questions!
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

69_Avion
Explorer
Explorer
The largest power usage on a typical boondocking TT will be the furnace fan in the winter time. The pump doesn't use much power because you aren't using it that much. Obviously, I'm not including things like AC, television, microwave, etc. I can go two days with the furnace running most of the night, on one deep cycle battery. In the summer, I run a Yamaha 1000 watt generator to run my AC for about 6-7 hours which also charges the batteries and lets me charge phones, watch telvision etc. if I want to. If I didn't need the AC or the furnace, I could easily get by with two batteries for close to a week without any issues. Keep in mind, all of my lights are LEDs.
The biggest learning curve that I had was that I need a shower tent and outside shower water heater (like a Camp Chef) and then all will be great. This way I won't fill the gray water tank and I don't need to shower in the cramped wet bath. We were able to get by for over two weeks this summer, but 3 days had power in a campground and many days were were pulling the trailer. I never refilled the 80 gallons of water over these two weeks and I never filled up the black water tank. I did dump it once in the middle of the trip and once near the end.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper

corgi-traveler
Explorer
Explorer
I have little to offer in terms of advice, but will be following this thread with interest since we are in the market for a trailer of roughly the same size, though we may need to go up to about 24 feet before it's all said and done. We did some hard shopping yesterday, seems that at our size point most of the fresh tanks are around 27 gal, with a few models having 40 gallons.

Most of our camping is sort of a midway between true boondocking and campground facilities. We tend to camp at events where sometimes there is power (for a charge), but almost never any water or sewer hookups. We typically only camp for a weekend, 3-4 days max. When we had the old Bounder, it had a 60 gal fresh water tank, but for most trips I only filled it half full (OK, mostly because I was afraid the tank might fall off onto the highway, but point stands: two adults got on just fine on 30 gallons of water for a long weekend)

Someone posted a web guide to dump stations earlier, use that to help plan. Just about any private campground you would pass on your route will let you dump for a small fee. Another source we have used a lot are some of the bigger RV dealerships have dump stations. Some free, some a small charge.

One holding tank tip is to divert gray water from showers, dish-washing, and such into the black tank. You typically don't use anywhere near as much capacity in the black, and the extra water helps at dump time. We keep a small bucket in the shower to catch as much shower run-off as possible, especially those first couple of minutes when the water is getting up to temperature. Then the bucket is poured into the toilet. After washing dishes, the dishpan is also emptied into the toilet. Saves space in the gray tank, and puts soapy water in the black.
Samantha (the poster)
Tim, DH and driver of the CorgiMobile
Dexter and Dora - Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Gone but never forgotten -
Beth 1/11/94-6/3/09
Pippin 3/16/05-11/4/15
Buddy 11/7/05-10/24/16
Diva 1/9/09 - 8/20/20

chezmoose
Explorer
Explorer
I am really intrigued by the possibility of using solar energy to recharge our batteries. I realize that camping in Michigan won't always offer the most sunlight but if the panel(s) are movable I'd think you may be able to capture enough sunlight.

We go on a fly-in fishing trip to Ontario every year and they have installed solar panels in their bush cabins. They just use one deep-cycle 12-volt battery and always provide enough power run the CFL lights for a couple hours in the evening plus recharge small electronics (GPS, camera batteries, etc.)

I'm assuming that the water pump would be the main energy usage in a travel trailer(?) Any idea how long a deep-cycle battery might last with conservative water usage? Are there other power-users I'm not yet aware of?

Right now, a *long* trip for us would be 9-10 days. Due to work schedules we more commonly camp 3-4 days at a time.
DH, Me and 3 Australian Shepherds
2011 F150 EcoBoost Super Crew
"Elsa" - 2014 Skyline Eco Camp 19WQ
"Stella" - 1974 Starcraft Galaxy 6 PUP

69_Avion
Explorer
Explorer
It is really hard to find a nice boondocking TT. I have a 34' Avion and it is just way to large to get back where we want to camp. My wife gave me a choice, fix our old Avion C-11 camper or buy her an Airstream Bambi. I looked at the Airstream and it is nice, but it won't do the kind of boondocking that I wanted to do, especially since it held only 23 gallons of fresh water and less than 500# after it was wet. Since I couldn't find anything to fit my needs, I decided to put the C-11 on a trailer.

My specs, or wish list were:

Under 20' in length,
80 gallons of fresh water minimum,
100# of propane,
20 gallons of gasoline,
2 batteries minimum, I now can take 7 batteries,
Minimum of 1000# capacity after wet, mine will carry 1500#,
Capacity to take an extra quad,

After doing some extensive camping, the only thing that I need to do, besides mounting the TorkLift Power Max box (capacity of 5 more batteries), is to set it up for an outside shower. All this will require is a Camp Chef hot water heater hooked up to another LP tee, and an outside shower tent. I already have an external water pump with hose bibs.

Except for the extra quad, I would think that someone makes something close in specs. Boondocking RVs seem to be somewhat rare here in the US.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper

DesertHawk
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, one may add water to the holding tank. We have used 'jugs' or jerry cans. We have a 26 gal. holding tank in the back of the pickup which we use to fill our 14 gal. fresh water tank in the Scamp. We use a 12v pump to transfer the water, at times we can use gravity, etc.

We use the Shower in ours (if none around) each day & use a 6 gal. jerry can for taking off the grey water from showers each day.

We a 16' Scamp, we started towing it with a Ford Ranger V6, no problems (3 yrs). Towed it in the NM & CO mountains, up to ND many times.

Scamp TTs have R-15 insulation in the walls & ceiling & one could add insulation under them quite easily.

Going Small

A new make called the "Lil' Snoozy" seems to not be too too small & should be sturdy. It seems to be all electric as well, but a very nice design, good sized bed. Depending on were you "camp", this would be a really nice trailer if you primary or only stay at campgrounds/RV parks with hookups. This would apply to the EggCamper as well. I have read reports about them; a very roomy small trailer. I've read the Snoozy people can sent it to a nearby company to have gas lines, etc. installed & appliances. I can't remember about insulation on them.

Escape Trailers out of BC, Canada will add heated tanks and double pane windows and extra insulation. R-15 seems it similar if not the same as used by Scamp. I believe they have 15', 17' & 19' TT.

I just happened to have email them asking them about insulation, "Our standard insulation offers an R5 Insulation value and we offer the Extra Insulation with thermal Windows. The extra insulation is an RV/Marine foil insulation and has an R15 insulation value." -Escape Trailer Industries Ltd

There are molded fiberglass TTs made in Colorado as well, small units for sure, but seem to be neat: Weis Craft Trailer - Henderson, Colorado .

The small Fun Finder 189 FBS'sFloor Plans seems to be pretty neat one. Or the Fun Finder F-189 FDS, which is similar. Both Exterior Length - 18' 9" & Exterior Width - 7'.

Fun Finder 189 FBS is a nice little trailer as seen on this YouTube Video & quite a bit larger than our Scamp. I wouldn't mind having one.

Might be neat one: Takena 2265 by Chalet RV.

:R The Teardrops normally have an outside kitchen.
Bed Size 4"x59"x78"
http://www.socalteardrops.com/page.php?p=20

A somewhat new molded fiberglass Teardrop TT made in Elkhart, IN.

Many small TTs out there to choose from, here's a link to one discussion concerning some of them: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread Small TTs.

^ In the Link Above ^

Another option, an Aliner or Chalet hard sided folding trailers. Beds are wide in them, with plenty of head room. One can get a shower as well. Costly new, but might find a used one. Aliner Folding Trailers and Chalet Folding Trailers

Check the Little Joe & Ponderosa TTs. Very small, yet large beds; made in Colorado. Interior height is at 6'.

:C
Two other makers of Aliner-Like hard sided folding trailer: Rockwood A124, I didn't know they had one until recently. Seems neat from the video.

Likewise, I didn't know about the Flagstaff T12sc.
:CDesertHawk- Las Cruces, NM USA
*2015 Lance 1985~Casita de Campo~23' 4" Tongue to Bumper, Dinette Slide
160 watt Solar Panel/GoPower! Solar Controller
*2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab
Long Bed with A.R.E. Molded Fiberglass Topper
*Previously~ 2005 16' Scamp

chezmoose
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the great responses so far! The dump station link will come in handy. I guess it does make sense to go to the station closest to your camping location rather than the one closest to home. (Sometimes that will be the same but not always!)

dadmomh, we've gone back and forth regarding hardside or HTT but are currently leaning toward hardside. We're trying to simplify and speed up the process of setup/teardown. Not to mention, whatever we buy will likely not fit in our pole barn so it won't be as easy to dry out as the popup. I really do like the thought of sleeping in the exterior bunks of the HTTs but haven't been overly impressed with the ones we've looked at so far.

We do currently carry a 6 gal water jug with spigot that we set on the table under our awning. We use that for coffee, dish water, dog dishes, etc. I can envision using that same set-up with a new rig. Most of the SF campgrounds have a hand pump that we can refill with. We also carry a 7 gal jug when boondocking.

High on my list right now (but subject to change) is the Skyline Eco Camp 19WQ.

I will definitely check out ProfDan's blogs.

Thanks for the tips, handye9, I think those are precisely the kind of things we need to consider!
DH, Me and 3 Australian Shepherds
2011 F150 EcoBoost Super Crew
"Elsa" - 2014 Skyline Eco Camp 19WQ
"Stella" - 1974 Starcraft Galaxy 6 PUP

handye9
Explorer II
Explorer II
chezmoose wrote:
Any and all advice for dry camping will be appreciated.


In your shopping, check some of the following items:

Look at the trailer's battery storage capability. Some trailers, only have room for one battery. Two, or more, batteries will extend your camp stay.

Look at possibility of adding solar power. Depending on roof space and floor plan, some trailers will be easier to wire than others. You'll have less voltage loss, with shorter wire length.


Check location of fresh water fill. Some are higher than others. A six or seven gallon jug, gets a bit heavy when you need to hold it up while filling the tank.

Possibly, find out where the water pump is located. I saw a trailer, that had the water pump accessable from an outside storage door, which, was also within two feet from the fresh water fill and outside shower. The owner installed a water pump winterizing kit (with extra long intake tube) and uses the onboard pump to pull water from his water jug along with the outside shower to spray that water into the fresh water fill.
18 Nissan Titan XD
12 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Wife and I
Retired Navy Master Chief (retired since 1995)

gmw_photos
Explorer
Explorer
Lowsuv wrote:
ProfDanT is your man for this .
He tows a trailer that size with a Tacoma V6 pickup.


And I don't think Dan will mind if we post links to his blogs:

http://lookmomimcamping.blogspot.com/

http://danschechter.blogspot.com/

Lowsuv
Explorer
Explorer
ProfDanT is your man for this .
He tows a trailer that size with a Tacoma V6 pickup.
We dry camp 70 % with a 2002 21T Komfort pulled by a 2002 gmc diesel , both ordered new for that specific type of camping.
21T has 50 fresh , 45 gray , 45 black .
7280# GVW on the axles but only 4800 # advertized empty .
We use 1000 # tongue with the 50 gallons full in the front.
Shock absorbers
we upgraded the tires a load range and 20 cm in width .
we use 12 foot long HEAVY DUTY long jumper cables to run from all 4 batteries.
we park the trailer then turn the duramax around to jump.
we do not need solar or a genny .
the pickup gets driven every 2nd or 3rd day and when we return we just hook up the jumpers .
the 4 batteries equalize and we do not run the pickup with the jumpers trying to charge the rv batts .
we carry 3 of the ubiquitous 5 gallon coleman jugs and refill fresh .
we camp with other boondocking friends , all of which frown on generators .
For the rig itself I would wait for ProfDanT as he has a lighter weight setup.

_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
Explorer II
chezmoose wrote:
We will most likely purchase something in the 18-20 ft range. The majority of our camping is done in state/nat'l forest campgrounds with the occasional boondocking trip and maybe once a year at a campground with electricity.

Penny and I had the same discussion. I'd give strong consideration to an R-Pod. It is a true "camping" trailer.

Teach
Wright and Penny
2010 Tundra 4X4
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
"Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows."

dadmomh
Explorer
Explorer
Some of the rest stops on the interstates have dump stations. Don't know if they charge, but at least they're available here and there. Also, the travel centers such as Pilot, Loves, Flying J often have them. If you go in, buy a drink and a snack or such, then ask about the charge for using the dump station, the answer is usually no charge. Also, if you need to weigh your tow vehicle/camper, that's another good reason for stopping.

Coming from a PUP, are you thinking a standard hardside TT or possibly a HTT??
Trailerless but still have the spirit

2013 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 - new family
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