Everyone wants to be self-sufficent with their RV at times. Boondocking is the art of extending the staying time of your RV without any hookups. This enables you to stay in the desert, or your favorite state or national campground for longer periods of time.

Tips for Boondocking (parking without power/water/sewer hookups):

1. Before you boondock, make sure you know WHY you are doing it. If it is to save money, consider these things: staying somewhere for free but using your generator for several hours in very hot or cold climates can cost up to $10 or more. You might be able to find an RV Park for half price (check out passportamerica.com for half price parks). Also, consider the proximity of the places you want to visit to your RV location. Costs of fuel to go back and forth to the tourist sites and grocery stores might add a considerable cost to your "free" boondocking experience.

2. Boondocking requires you to conserve your power usage. Turn off all unnecessary appliances, computers, extra freezers, unplug-tvs with instant on, etc. Watch your battery usage to make sure it doesn't get too low before your recharge them with the generator. Don't run the generator at times that others might be normally sleeping.

3. Use plastic/paper plates and cups to minimize your use of water. In general, conserve your usage of water. Pay attention to every drop of water you are using. Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth or wash yourself. Wash dishes with a paper towel to remove food before they are washed. If you are boondocking for any length of time, monitor your water usage closely and make sure you know where you'll get a refill (you can buy a 6 gallon reserve tank and carry it to a water source). You also need to consider where you are putting the water you use, and manage according to the capacity of your holding tanks. Most places won't let you just dump grey water on the ground.

4. Plan simple meals that don't require much cleanup. Plan some cold dishes or eat out (again a cost of boondocking). Use instant coffee. If you are bookdocking for just a few days, you might be able to save some dirty dishes in plastic bags for later cleanup.

5. Use solar panels if you have them. If not, consider getting a couple to help with 12V lights and heater motor. They won't help with the microwave, or air conditioner or TV, but you can keep some batteries charged using the sun in Arizona and other sun filled locales.

6. Be considerate of others. If you are staying at a Wal-mart or other commercial or public location, don't put your slides out so they are in the way of traffic or others, don't unload your car onto the parking lot or set up a picnic table or chairs outside. Don't put down your levelers, esp. in hot weather on asphalt driveways. They will make holes in the pavement. BY ALL MEANS do not dump any water of any color. Dispose of trash in recepticles, and better yet save the trash until you get to a paid RV Park. Remember that all trash has to be hauled and someone has to pay for it. Your boondocking behavior will reflect on all future RV visitors to that location.

7. Keep a clean camp. If you are in a BLM or a National Forest Service campsite, for instance, you'll want to make sure there are NOT food or garbage sources for bears and other wild animals to pilfer. That could get dangerous. Keep all food in locked storage containers, inside if possible.

8. Make sure your batteries are filled, cleaned and fully charged before you start your bookdocking experience. Don't try it with weak batteries unless you are sure you won't need power.

9. If you have a pet, don't let it become a nusance and PICK UP the pet's poop. If you are in a forested or wild area be aware of the wild animals and don't leave your pet teathered outside without complete supervision. Other vermin include human thieves, so don't tempt them by leaving valuable "stuff" outside your RV unattended. Keep your RV, storage cabinets and vehicles locked while gone or at night.

Enjoy your camping experiences. Just be careful so that you can enjoy it once again.