What is Boondocking?

Boondocking or Dry Camping is when you camp in your RV without sewer, water or power connections. You should start out with a full fresh water tank and empty holding tanks. The fresh water capacity will normally not exceed your black and grey water capacity. The challenging part is maintaining battery power. If you carefully conserve power a single battery can last 2 to 3 days. If its cold and the furnace is needed this can cut you down to less than a day. There are a few options available to extend your batteries life like LED light bulbs, Solar charging systems, Generators or a Battery upgrade. LED light bulbs are 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. A Solar charging system will provide a charge even on a cloudy day. A Generator will allow for battery re-charging and full 110 power for air conditioning, microwave or even a plug in hair dryer. A battery upgrade could involve two 12 volt batteries wired in parallel or two 6 volt batteries wired in series. It is important to not let your battery fully discharge when boondocking because it is difficult to bring it back. I recommend charging your battery each day to maintain it. This can be done by plugging your trailer into a properly wired tow vehicle and running the engine. In a motorhome, starting the engine will charge the house battery as well. Dry camping can be a challenge, but camping off the grid can be quite rewarding.

Hub City RV's RV Maintenance Schedule

ROOF


Clean and Condition Rubber (Every Year) Use a Rubber Roof Cleaner and Conditioner

Inspect Vents, Stacks and AC (Every Year) For Cracks and Missing Pieces

Inspect Roof Sealants (Every 6 Months) For Cracks, Lifting or Peeling

ELECTRICAL

Check Battery Fluid Level (Every 6 Months) Refill as Necessary

Check Signal, Brake and Clearance Lights (Each Trip) Repair as Necessary

Check Interior Lights, Switches and Electrical Accessories (Each Trip) Repair as Necessary

Check Battery Terminals (Every 6 Months) Use Sandpaper to clean

WATER SYSTEM

Flush Fresh Water System (Every Year) Use Tank Cleaning Product

Flush Holding Tanks (Every Year) Use Tank Cleaning Product for Sensors

Use Waste Digester Black Tank (Each Trip) To Avoid Solids Building Up

Winterize (Every Year) To Avoid a Costly Freeze Up Water System

APPLIANCES

Water Heater (Each Year) Flush To Expel Mineral Deposits

Refrigerator Burner (Every 6 Months) Clean Rust and Debris from Burner

Furnace Exhaust (Each Year) Look for Bee Hives and Spider Webs

Have Propane Inspection (Each Year) To Check for Operation and Leaks

EXTERIOR

Inspect Window Sealant (Every 6 Months) Look for Lifting, Cracking or Peeling

Inspect Exterior Doors Sealant (Every 6 Months) Look for Lifting, Cracking or Peeling

Inspect Edge Mouldings (Every 6 Months) Look for Lifting, Cracking or Peeling

Inspect Exterior Lights (Every 6 Months) Look for Lifting, Cracking or Peeling

Chassis

Repack Wheel Bearings (Every Year) Or as Necessary

Adjust Brakes (Every Year) To Ensure Proper Operation

Check Tire Pressure (Each Trip) To Ensure Long Life

Torque Wheel Nuts (Each Trip) So Your Wheels Stay On

Lubricate Stabilizer Jacks (Every 6 Months) To Ensure they do not Seize

SAFETY

Check Smoke Detector Battery (Each Trip)  Change as Necessary

Check CO2 Detector Battery (Each Trip) Change as Necessary

Check Fire Extinguisher (Each Trip) Change as Necessary

SLIDES OUTS

Check Operation (Each Trip) For Binding

Check Seals (Every 6 Months) Check for Loose or Gaping Seals

Lubricate Rollers and Glides (Every 6 Months) To Ensure Operation

RV Electrical Systems

Recreational vehicles operate primarily on 12 volt (battery) power. This battery can be charged by the power converter or the tow vehicles alternator. When the RV is plugged into AC power, the power converter converts it to DC power. The tow vehicle charges the battery through a charge line off the starting battery. The charge line must have an isolator to prevent drawing the starting battery. The fridge, air conditioner and 110 power outlets have direct AC power when the RV is plugged in. Most of the newer units have gas and electric hot water tanks and microwave ovens which get direct power as well. All appliance ignitors, pumps, stereos, fans, interior and exterior lights run on 12 volt power. Trailers that have 12 volt electric brakes, are equipped with a break-away switch that is connected to the tow vehicle. If this switch is pulled, it will lock up the trailer brakes to stop the trailer in the event of a break-away. The brakes are activated by an electronic brake control, located in the tow vehicle. Lastly, the 12 volt system has a fuse box (similar to automobiles) and the 110 system has breakers.