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Old 03-14-2018, 02:55 PM   #1
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Camping without hookups

Im new to this folks. Wow!! Finding sites can be difficult, RVing has become so popular that the best places fill up sometimes 12 months in advance

My questions is Ive found some nice state parks but they have no hookups. What do people generally do about running the refrigerators and other electrical stuff in the motor home under these circumstances. Don't really want to run the generator all the time, too much noise and gas.

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Old 03-14-2018, 03:24 PM   #2
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You don't really have to run the generator all the time. The refer will run on propane and 12V, your stove is propane.

You'd only need to run the genny when you need A/C or a coffee or something else that needs 120V--not everything does.

Running without hookups is called "boondocking" search this site for that term and you'll find tons of stuff about adding batteries and inverters and such that allows for running the genny less and lasting longer on a charge.
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Old 03-14-2018, 05:29 PM   #3
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I agree..
"Boondocking" is all about doing the most you can, with what you have... and figuring out ways to do even more!
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Old 03-14-2018, 05:55 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
You don't really have to run the generator all the time. The refer will run on propane and 12V, your stove is propane.

You'd only need to run the genny when you need A/C or a coffee or something else that needs 120V--not everything does.

Running without hookups is called "boondocking" search this site for that term and you'll find tons of stuff about adding batteries and inverters and such that allows for running the genny less and lasting longer on a charge.
Agree. We changed out our AC coffee maker which took up our minimal counter space for a regular stove top percolator. Still good coffee and don't have to run the generator.
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Old 03-14-2018, 07:14 PM   #5
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We kind of like state and federal parks without hookups. They usually have a couple hours in the morning and evening when you can run your generator to charge batteries, use the microwave or for my wife's Kierig. These parks are more like camping and much less concrete.
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Old 03-14-2018, 07:18 PM   #6
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This is the most fun part of RVing: you get to choose the amount "primitive"; that gets put in yout camping!
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Old 03-14-2018, 08:10 PM   #7
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Over the years we have gone to many events such as concerts, where we "boondock" for several days without hookups. You soon learn how to get along using a minimum of battery power. Depending on your battery, you still have to use the generator, but much less than you might think.
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Old 03-14-2018, 08:13 PM   #8
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Agree with Brucev, we also like the many rustic or primitive camping locations offered by U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Nat'l Park Service, state, county and city parks, etc. Some are free while others may charge modest fees, as low as $5. per night, which goes in a drop box, since some have no attendants or staff and we often find we have the whole camp area to ourselves, as many RV'ers go for the more developed and commercial campgrounds that have all the amenities and charge $50.+ per night.
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Old 03-14-2018, 10:20 PM   #9
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I'm old, slow, and lazy... I prefer every possible hook-up that I can get!

But I can go without T.V.; should the need arise!
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Old 03-14-2018, 11:18 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by bob denman View Post
i'm old, slow, and lazy... I prefer every possible hook-up that i can get!



But i can go without t.v.; should the need arise!


ir12
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Old 03-15-2018, 01:59 AM   #11
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I know it takes a long time but when we can, in the evenings, I start a campfire and make coffee with percolator over campfire.
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Old 03-15-2018, 04:11 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by glennrush View Post
Im new to this folks. Wow!! Finding sites can be difficult, RVing has become so popular that the best places fill up sometimes 12 months in advance



My questions is Ive found some nice state parks but they have no hookups. What do people generally do about running the refrigerators and other electrical stuff in the motor home under these circumstances. Don't really want to run the generator all the time, too much noise and gas.


Most reefers have lp option. Also install an inverter for small appliances. Solar cells good also.
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Old 03-16-2018, 01:13 AM   #13
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Most reefers have lp option. Also install an inverter for small appliances. Solar cells good also.
I can't get the link now but there's a good thread on portable solar "suitcases". Check it out!
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Old 03-16-2018, 01:15 AM   #14
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I can't get the link now but there's a good thread on portable solar "suitcases". Check it out!
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/sho...d.php?p=109451
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Old 03-16-2018, 01:19 AM   #15
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Oops, I think this one's better:
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=50958
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Old 03-16-2018, 04:57 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brucev View Post
We kind of like state and federal parks without hookups. They usually have a couple hours in the morning and evening when you can run your generator to charge batteries, use the microwave or for my wife's Kierig. These parks are more like camping and much less concrete.
We do the same.
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Old 03-16-2018, 11:43 AM   #17
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Our first time around with full timing we were not set up for boon docking. This time around we have a coach with an 8 battery bank that will run everything for a couple of days, within reason. We can't run the airs, but if we are careful everything else (lights, microwave, stove, frig, etc.) will last 48 hours.

Others set up with more solar to supplement larger battery banks.
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Old 03-16-2018, 10:09 PM   #18
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We boondock often and have 4 AGM batteries and 400W of solar panels to minimize generator use. Depending on the season, we only run the genny when we need AC or to run the microwave, or to top off the batteries when it's cold and little sunshine.
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Old 03-16-2018, 10:19 PM   #19
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We are SUPER-interested in adding solar panels to the roof of our Outlaw...
But we're a little bit more, than a little bit scared about the process...
As an interim step: should we be looking to improve our "Battery Situation"?
We've only got room for two batteries, under the steps...
What else might be worth an upgrade, before trying to bolt something serious to the roof?
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Old 03-16-2018, 11:45 PM   #20
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FWIW ... we've camped 6 straight days without running the generator in our Axis. Fantastic fans during daytime heat and didn't hit 50% DOD before we headed back home. This was in the middle of season three of original factory batteries (presumably Harris). Since this type of thing is what we've been doing for decades, it's hard to understand why some seem afraid to camp off-grid.

Certainly solar is nice, fun and cool ... but that means camping out in the open sun to make them useful! Yes, I've been wanting to do solar ... and have been looking for an excuse to do so for the last 3 or 4 RV's ... but we camp in the trees and store RV indoors...

Don't be afraid to camp off-grid ... it doesn't require solar ... just measure your voltage from time to time so you know when it's time to recharge.
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