3/25 - I'm hanging out in dispersed camping outside Sedona. I haven't done a 'what's dispersed camping' in a while, and seeing I'm not driving anywhere today I thought it'd be a good time to write about it again.
How I use solar power to survive and work in the wild.
When I bought The Beast I requested it be solar-enabled. Which means all of the converters, etc are installed and there's a plug port externally. Good thing for me, The Beast came pre-set up for this. I did have to purchase specific solar panels by the suggested company Zamp Solar because of the inverter. But, I am NOT disappointed in the panels, their output, their construction or anything else associated with them. They're sturdy enough to endure daily packing/unpacking.
These two panels can keep up with my daily drain on the house batteries (fridge, water pump, water heater and heater fan) as long as I have direct sun.
ALSO, and this is important. You need a way to power your 'normal' electronics. The Solar system on the camper charges the house batteries. These are not useable for powering normal items.
I have a power cube from Goal Zero that I can charge via solar panels (specific for the unit I have) or via 12V charging cord. This cube is the saving grace of my dry camping experience. It can be used to charge everything. Phones, computers, whatever you have.
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Newest version of what I have. Yeti 500 |
And, lastly, if all else fails or it's cloudy... there's the onboard generator. It uses gas from your regular gastank. As long as you have 50 miles worth of gas it can be run. The generator allows you to use your regular plugs inside the camper for electricity and run your AC.
I honestly try not to run the generator. It's far more expensive to replace that than it is the other power options I use.
What the hell is dry camping anyway?
Dry camping - any camping you do without hookups, specifically electric and water. Carry in/carry out is typically expected with dry camping.
Dispersed camping - staying on public or private land within a given area without electric, water or sewer hook ups. Typically it's on government owned/leased/agreed upon land out west.
Boondocking- Basically dispersed camping is a type of boondocking, but it can encapsulate more. Boondocking can also be when you are camping on private land, typically someone's yard or driveway or in a business' parking area. Again, no hookups are included.
Off-Grid - means the same with homes. No electric hookup.
Websites I use to find boondocking locations:
Harvesthost - a website you pay a yearly fee to join, offers nearly 10,000 locations across the country that allow dry camping/boondocking. Homes, businesses, churches, etc are all locations included.
Dyrt - Similar to HarvestHost but has dispersed camping locations, pay-by-the-night locations and dump sites
Hipcamp - a website to book nightly stays at LGBTQ+-safe accommodations for camping; great way to meet amazing hosts!
Google - searches for BLM Camping, Dispersed Camping, BLM Land
Water and showers
Most gas stations will let you fill up your fresh water tank if you ask nicely. Or, if you go to a State Park they sometimes have a place you can use. If all else fails, find a water filling station (Google will help). I have 40 gallons and can go about a week on that IF I fill gallon jugs for drinking purposes at the same time that I fill the tank.
(I'd love to insert a pic of the camper fully hooked up, but I don't have a single one.)
Truck stops are your friends for showers. Love's is by far my favorite. Their showers are SPOTLESS and for $17 it's well worth every penny. I rarely shower in the camper. Sink baths and wipe downs are my daily cleanup. Now, if you're a daily showerer and you're cringing, then dry camping might not be for you. Water is actually harder to come by than electricity. If you need to shower every day either get used to paying at truck stops or stay at RV Resorts.
There you have it, folks. The good, the bad and the dirty of traveling off the grid.