How long can you boondock?

[limbery]

I know everyone's capacity and needs are different, but how long can you go without more water or a charge to your battery?
I have a small TT w/25gal fresh water tank and a single 12v. battery...

[JiminDenver]

It also depends on comfort level. Early in the thread I stated 2 weeks and that's without conserving anything. The water would go a lot farther with sponge baths instead of daily showers, propane can be stretched by cooking over the fire or via solar cooking although we could do a hot plate off of the batteries and solar.

That leaves food. The fridge is too small to hold more than a few weeks of fresh food and after that amount of time it isn't so fresh. Some can go in the freezer but not much. that leaves dry and canned goods for the long term.

As mentioned there is a two week limit on the federal land we use so if we stayed out longer we'd replenish while we moved. We have gotten away from the conserving thing.

[jaycocreek]

I guess I should have added (if I had to) to indefinitely. Yes, I come out or my wife does every couple weeks to get mail/get gas and more pop or beer.

My trailer has a 60 gallon water tank plus I have several Sawyer water filters that are good to 1 million gallons each for creek water, if needed.

The boys go potti outside which saves allot of space in the holding tanks. Using a porta potti leaves the rv holding tanks empty. Using a catalytic heater in the winter saves propane and battery power.

Plus the dreaded once a month to pay bills.

[atreis]

I'm skeptical of "indefinitely". You gotta get drinking water (or replacement filter media if you make your own), propane, and fuel for the generator (if applicable) eventually.

We can go about a week before needing water. We use solar, so unless we're in the shade we get plenty of electric without need for a generator. Two 20 lb bottles of propane last about 2 months (running the fridge and water heater). An 11 lb bottle of propane lasts about the same used just for cooking.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

And how long is it before you have to "resupply". In the summer time I run out of fresh water sooner or later.

jaycocreek wrote:
Indefinitely... My job required me to be out in the boonies for long periods and now I get firewood to sell to keep me busy. I spend months at a time out.....

Several 50 gallon water barrels/two 100lb or 25 gallon propane tanks/porta potti and 35 gallon tote and 5 different generators/a couple inverters and lots of DVD's and 3 power boosters for cell service and the Yagi antenna.....

If a town has more than one stop light, it's too big for me.:B

[jaycocreek]

Indefinitely... My job required me to be out in the boonies for long periods and now I get firewood to sell to keep me busy. I spend months at a time out.....

Several 50 gallon water barrels/two 100lb or 25 gallon propane tanks/porta potti and 35 gallon tote and 5 different generators/a couple inverters and lots of DVD's and 3 power boosters for cell service and the Yagi antenna.....

If a town has more than one stop light, it's too big for me.:B

[PAThwacker]

:SI have had weeklong boondocking without power at our house. Bought 2 generators, (4) 7 gallon aquatainers, and other off the grid needs. When camping its electric or full hookups.

[PAThwacker]

I have had weeklong boondocking without power at our house. Bought 2 generators, (4) 7 gallon aquatainers, and other off the grid needs. When camping its electric or full hookups.

[Idahoan]

Me and my 2 kids do a 7-9 day trip every year. I start running the generator to charge batteries usually at day 4. Have not had an issue with any tank capacities. I have 100 fresh 40 grey 40 black. Me and the son due use the woods for #1. We do wach cloth baths but wash hair with sprayer in tub. Always have tank capacity to spare.

[smokedummy]

Completely stock trailer with its small tanks and single battery, 2 people, 2 days.

[Sunbird]

It all depends on how much of a camel you are.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

From May to the end of September where I live, the limiting factor is fresh water. I've done six weeks--but really prefer to use a campground once per week to take on more water and dump the tanks.

I'll also "treat" myself to a hotel about once a week--and one day per week I "eat out" if there are any decent restaurants.

[WoodGlue]

45 Gallon Clean
40 Gallon Black
40 Gallon Grey

2 AGM batteries hooked up to a 160 watt solar panel.
2 propane tanks

I could probably go at least 2 weeks if I needed to.

That's if I had a couple of cases of water along for drinking.

WoodGlue

[Ole_Man_Dan]

Three pronged answer.
Power... Change lights to LEDs. Limit use of lights.
Water, for consumption.
Waste disposable.

By far the easiest to control is lighting...

Unless you have Jerry Cans of water.
Unless you have a 'Rhino' to help carry off waste/grey water.
You will be limited by Black tank, Grey tank, Fresh Water tank...

[bartlettj]

I just got back from 4 days/3 nights on the Oregon Coast. 45 degrees and rainy, furnace set to 67 degrees at night but off most of the day, 4 showers, hauled grey water and fresh, so about 100 gallons of water. Two 2GC's from Costco for main batteries, 2-GP24 DEKA marine for 2000W Samlex pure sine inverter, LED lights. No real problems. GC's were down to 50% SOC by specific gravity. Used the microwave for about 15 minutes total and about 6 hours on the TV and DVD player. Didn't check the inverter batteries, I usually get about 30 minutes of microwave use before I sag the batteries too much to keep it above the inverter cutoff. I keep the inverter and house batteries separate so I have some reserve if somebody makes a mistake and leaves something on. Also, I can leave the inverter batteries home if I know I'm not going to need them.