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Today’s RVs allow you to camp unplugged in comfort as long as you know what you’re doing. This month’s issue tells you what you need to know about boondocking to help get you started.
“RV Unplugged” starts this month on YouTube. Before the show begins, the producers will release the team bios as a countdown to the first episode. Get a sneak preview of the cast in our main feature!
Looking for the Best Boondocking Locations near some fantastic National Parks for your own boondocking adventures? Turn to our Are We There Yet? Section to learn about places with incredible scenery, hiking trails, and unique experiences.
Our Towable Trailers Department shows you the Best Off-Road Trailers, from a 4-person teardrop to a luxury-style tandem axle trailer. Each one has the capabilities to keep you comfortable on the roughest trails.
Heading out with a 4x4 camper van or truck camper to see what’s beyond the outer limits? Our Van & Truck Camper Department helps you prepare by showing
you good strategies to dry camp longer off-grid.
Boondocking in motorhomes happens all the time! Do you have the right upgrades for dry camping for your new or used motorcoach? See our recommendations in our Drivable Motorhomes Section.
Regardless of RV class, you need some essential gear to dry camp. Learn what you can use to keep your electricity and water flowing off-grid in our RV Gear Section.
Todd and Tony from the NRVTA stop by to discuss some great Boondocking Tips in our Nuts & Bolts Section.
Our News & Noteworthy Department discusses two bills in the South Dakota Government that directly affects our full-timing RVing friends' domicile status.
We hope you enjoy our March issue of RV Camping Magazine, and thank you for your subscription.
MARCH 2023
VOL.3, ISSUE 3
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF Mike Scarpignato
BRAND MANAGER Susan Scarpignato
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brian Newman
DESIGN
SR. ART DIRECTOR Kelly Y. Lee
CONTRIBUTORS
NRVTA
Thomas Godwin
Terri Nighswonger
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING SALES Mike Scarpignato mike@rvblogger.com 443-699-6556
EDITORIAL mike@rvblogger.com
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This time we’re going to talk about boondocking. Instead of me talking about the matter, I’m going to have Tony, our Director of Sales and Marketing take the lead. Since we have people asking about boondocking, I’ve decided to bring an expert to discuss the topic.
One of the most important things is to scope out the site you want to set up before pulling into it. I’ve messed this up a few times myself. We’ve traveled 3 miles into a trail before realizing there’s nowhere to turn around or a place to camp.
What we’ve done in the past is park our Class A, unhook our Jeep, and go scope out the area. If you have a fifth wheel, detach your truck, and do the same thing.
Now, when we bought a drone, we got even smarter and realized we could send the drone out to find a boondocking campsite because some of these places are really tight.
While we like going boondocking
no additional cost!
Should the unexpected take place, this plan provides coverage to return your dependents, pets, and RV home if you are not able to drive. While most people never experience a serious illness or accident during their travels, things can and do happen. Having a comprehensive medical emergency evacuation/repatriation and travel assistance program will allow you to enjoy your travels and focus on what’s most important to you. FMCAssist equals peace of mind.
By joining FMCA today, you’ll receive coverage immediately and save $10 off your first year of FMCA membership.
away from everybody, it’s important to make sure you can get in and get out of the camping spot. Because if you can’t find a spot, you want to make sure you can turn around and get out of there to find a better location.
A few apps are out there to help you find a boondocking location. We adjust the settings to “free camping” to narrow the search to boondocking locations. You’ll find BLM, Army Corps of Engineers
and other boondocking locations.
When you click on a specific location, you can read the user reviews about their experience. If someone is having an issue finding a campsite or the terrain is bad and getting a 40-footer in there will be difficult, we’ve learned to pay attention to those comments. After scratching up our 33-foot motorhome from bad terrain, we learned the hard way to pay attention to those comments.
BLM stands for the Bureau of Land Management.
That is our land, as in it belongs to all the people of the United States. You’ll find most BLM land in the Western U.S.
In the East, it’s mostly Army Corps of Engineer (COE) land that’s really inexpensive to camp. Usually, they have water and electricity, with a dump station on the way out.
If you go to a BLM location and talk to them, they may have a special program with amazing benefits. You’ll need to talk to them first, but if you join a clean-up crew or help them out through other
events, you could get a free “America The Beautiful” card that acts as a free pass into all of the U.S. National Parks for a year.
BLM land is public land; it’s our land, and it’s our tax dollars at work. So I encourage you to go see them to see how we can work together to keep our land open and free.
Since RV parks aren’t growing as fast, being able to use public land and other boondocking programs still gives all of us somewhere to go.
So when you go boondocking here is what you need do:
• Be prepared with your own power, water, and other selfcontained resources
• Use an app and read the reviews because people will tell you what the place is like, what you need, and if it’s accessible for you.
• Know where water, dump stations, and other essentials are in the area.
• Don’t drive into an unfamiliar boondocking campsite before scoping it out with your tow vehicle, motorhome toad vehicle, or using a drone.
Don’t forget to click that reminder on YouTube for the upcoming RV Unplugged Reality Show starting on March 11th. If you want to learn about the cast, we’ll be counting
to the
down the days starting March 2nd by releasing the stories behind the cast members and the producers. Finally, if you haven’t reserved your RV space yet, you can join us in Athens, TX, for the RV Unplugged Rally, where you can watch the RV Unplugged Rally together with the cast.
2Tribes,8RVTeams,Will yourfavoriteRVInfluencers Survive?
RV UNPLUGGED YOUTUBE
RV UNPLUGGED WEBSITE
If you would like to be able to fix the majority of the problems on your RV yourself, check out the Home Study Course offered by the NRVTA!
Boondocking is simply a style of RV camping in places where there are no hookups for utilities. Many choose to boondock on public-use land.
This off-grid form of camping, also known as dry camping, gives you the best views, amazing night skies, and a quiet place to enjoy nature. Most RVs are not wellequipped to keep you out in the boonies for more than a few nights. You need to equip your rig with some “extras” to help get you through a longer stay.
When boondocking, you need to be completely self-sufficient with power, water, and waste disposal. Check out some of our boondocking gear ideas for a great outdoor experience.
Although lithium batteries cost more, they last much longer than standard leadacid batteries and will save you money in the long run. Lithium batteries like Battle Born Lithium Batteries are more efficient, charge faster, and last longer. They will allow
you to rely less on your generator and work well with solar energy.
Since lithium batteries are much lighter than traditional batteries, they
save some weight in your RV. They don’t exhaust harmful gasses like leadacid, so you can store them under your master bed or elsewhere inside your rig to repurpose the
battery bay.
A generator is your lifeline when dry camping. Most motorhomes have onboard generators. They charge your batteries faster than solar panels. Upgrading your towable RV with an onboard or portable gennie like the
Westinghouse iGen2200 should be a priority when boondocking or away from shore power. These noisy, bad boys do disrupt the quiet boondocking scene but can allow you to run your microwave, TV, outlets, and air conditioner.
They are also wellknown for annoying your neighbors, so use them at a minimum during the generally accepted nonquiet hours times (10 a.m.- 9 p.m.).
If you plan to do a lot of boondocking, solar panels, like the Eco-Worthy 200 Watt Solar Panels, are an investment that will reap rewards down the road. Solar panels take power from the sun and send it to your battery bank. The size and number of panels will determine how much power you can harness.
A great benefit of solar power is that it is quiet. However, solar power
works best in direct sunlight. They are less effective on cloudy days or when your RV is parked in the shade.
The Lectric XP™ Trike is the ultimate eXPerience for all. Accommodating a wide range of abilities and preferences with Lectric’s lowest standover height ever of just 13.8 inches. As the industry’s first fully foldable and fully assembled electric tricycle, The XP™ Trike includes the award-winning features of Lectric’s XP™ series eBikes, plus a bigger battery, hydraulic brakes, and a third wheel.
Starting at just $1,499, or $136/mo, shop the XP™ Trike at LectriceBikes.com. For a limited time get a FREE Cargo Package ($177 value) with preorder!
Getting ready for a nice, long boondocking trip is all about how much water you can carry. The other side of that deals with how to dispose of your gray water and black water tanks. Never dump these on the ground.
Depending on your water capacity, portable water containers will help to extend your off-grid stay. You can simply use approved plastic water containers or a water bladder to take and fill up at a nearby source. This is certainly easier than moving your RV to get more water.
A portable tank that holds as many gallons as your camper’s holding tank is ideal. You can use your favorite RV trip planner or other apps like Sanidumps to find a dump station nearby. Usually, there’s a freshwater station at or near the dump station.
Upgrading your RV shower head is a great and relatively inexpensive way to help conserve water while you boondock. Most water-saving shower heads use oxygen to increase water pressure, so you don’t have to sacrifice a refreshing shower.
The GOOLIFEE shower head has a water-saving
setting and an on/off button to conserve water. Just save the massage and tub-cleaning setting when you have full hookups.
If you are thinking about joining the millions who enjoy boondocking, you want to ensure that you have all the gear you need to make your
stay in the wilderness pleasurable. Even if you don’t have lithium batteries or solar power, just get out there and enjoy nature.
Don’t forget to make sure you have flashlights with good batteries; it’s going to be dark. Then get your reclining camp chairs and wait for the best starry light show in the sky.
BY THOMAS GODWIN
Sometimes, “The Great Outdoors” can’t be experienced from an RV campsite. You have to get off the beaten path, break out those expensive Garmin landnav GPS devices, a portable ham radio, and go where no one has gone before. Well, probably where not many have gone before.
Off-road travel trailers take things to a whole new level by incorporating the latest in off-roading designs, components, and gear. Increased ground clearance, rugged construction, off-road tires, high-performance suspension, and off-grid power are essentials.
The RV industry is anything but ignorant of the off-roading adventure enthusiasts swelling within its ranks. Manufacturers are pushing new concepts to satisfy your need for the wilderness, and these four off-road travel trailers are but a taste of what’s
available and what’s to come.
Starting small and working our way up brings us to the Summit Pinnacle. This little
teardrop packs an offroad punch. It comes with a 21” clearance on an “axle-less” suspension system, along with a “Lock-N-Roll” articulating trailer hitch to accommodate those off-road mud holes.
The Summit Pinnacle is a heavy teardrop, and it’s large enough to sleep up to four people, surrounded by steel rock slider bars and a hickory interior construction. There’s plenty of storage as well, which should satisfy those long-range hikers, and a quickconversion interior that flips from sleep to dining in a blink.
The stargazer window is huge but doesn’t interfere with the massive galley accessible in the rear hatch.
“Starting small and working our way up brings us to the Summit Pinnacle. This little teardrop packs an off-road punch.”
• UVW: 1,850 lbs
• GVWR: 3,500 lbs
• TONGUE WEIGHT: 220 lbs
• CCC:1,650 lbs
• LENGTH: 14’ 4”
• SLEEPS: 2 to 4
• Articulating trailer hitch
•Highly-durable construction
•Quick flip interior (dining to sleep)
•Massive rear hatch galley
Most people only think of the “Silver Bullet” shape of the classic Airstream design whenever the company is mentioned. However, Airstream has other things in mind, like off-roading in an aerodynamic Basecamp
tailor-made for adventure enthusiasts.
The massive rear hatch is designed for storing your kayaks, hiking gear, ski poles, and more. It's rugged but lightweight. It provides plenty of power in the wilderness with 2 deep-cycle batteries and
two 9.4-gallon propane tanks.
The Basecamp includes all-terrain tires, a 3” lift kit, and a heated undercarriage for those cold winter nights away from power and civilization.
Airstream Basecamp 16 SPECS
• UVW: 2,650 lbs
• GVWR: 3,500 lbs
• TONGUE WEIGHT: 410 lbs
• CCC: 850 lbs
• LENGTH: 16’ 2”
• SLEEPS: 2
• Fuel-efficient, aerodynamic design
• Huge rear hatch for easy loading
• Charging outlets
everywhere
• Outdoor shower
Now we’re getting into the beasts of off-road travel trailers. Purple Line LLC is the parent company of Opus Campers and Opus Campers USA. The Opus 15 includes an independent trailing-arm suspension with sports coil springs, dual shocks, 300 watts of solar, and three AGM batteries.
The exterior functions like a tactical Swiss Army knife, with drop-down tables, a refrigerator, drawers galore, a fourburner stove top, and a locking pantry. All of it is cleverly lit up with bright LEDs so you can cook and work in the dark.
The included tongue handbrake is something that should be incorporated on more traditional travel trailers and is a welcome addition here in the U.S.
“The exterior functions like a tactical Swiss Army knife.”
029
TOWABLE TRAILERS
• UVW: 5,159 lbs
• GVWR: 3,500 lbs
• TONGUE WEIGHT: 410 lbs
• CCC: 1,234 lbs
• LENGTH: 23’
• SLEEPS: 4
• 63-gallon fresh water tank
• Includes three 100A-hour AGM batteries
• Diamond-plate undercarriage shielding
• Tongue-hitch includes a hand brake
If you ever wanted to own a gunless, off-road tank, the Black Series HQ21 is as close as it comes. The steel frame is galvanized through a hot-dipping process. It sits on an independent suspension system with coil springs and 16” wheels wrapped in the
best off-road rubber in the industry.
The HQ21 features a poly block hitch with a 360° rotation capability, and even the windows are dual-pane and reinforced. An aluminum roof covers a feature-filled interior. The travel trailer is powered by four 100-amp-hour AGM batteries and a 2,000-watt
Tank levels are displayed (in percentage) above the sink, and the HQ21 also includes a 16-gallon tank for drinkable water with a multiple-filter system. The separate 50-gallon fresh water tank gives you clean water for showering, washing dishes, and other things.
031
TOWABLE TRAILERS
• UVW: 6,733 lbs
• GVWR:10,000 lbs
• TONGUE WEIGHT: 1,000 lbs
• CCC: 3,267 lbs
• LENGTH: 27’
• SLEEPS: 3 to 4
• 360° poly block hitch
• Includes four 100A-hour AGM batteries
• Includes 2,000-watt pure sine wave inverter
• Aluminum roof
An off-road travel trailer has to stand up to the elements, and ground clearance is one of the most important factors. Height is king, and that undercarriage needs to stay as far away from the ground as possible.
When it comes to the suspension system, look for torsion axles since they are military spec and design. All-terrain tires will tackle anything and everything the wild can throw at you. Electric disc brakes for the trailer are especially useful while you’re crawling through the unknown.
Last but not least, build
quality and durability are essential. Aluminum or steel in all the right places should be in place. That includes the chassis, framework, brush guards, wheels, and other essential places. While wood and fiberglass are road and weather worthy, do you really want to scratch up the paint and possibly create weak points?
BY RVCM STAFF
As a subscriber to RV Camping Magazine, you’ve been reading about the upcoming YouTube series, “RV Unplugged,” sponsored by the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), for the past few months.
8 RV Influencer couples are broken into 2 teams, Blue and Red, and compete in a reality show competition for points and needed supplies in a boondocking situation. It’s the first-of-its-kind game show that starts this month. The finale ends at the beginning of May. As an extra treat, you can reserve your RV space in Athens, TX, to watch the finale with the cast and find out who wins the $10,000 grand prize!
The NRVTA will begin releasing introductory videos of each team on March 2nd, leading up to the first episode of the season, which will air on YouTube on March 11th.
In this article, we give you a pre-introduction to
• RV: 2016 Tiffin 33AA RED Class A Diesel
• Fun Facts: Phil has helped bring fellow ice cream lovers together with his never-ending cravings for the sweet treat and often gets emails and messages of viewers eating their favorite flavors at their favorite shop.
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Breaking down somewhere in the RV and needing to be towed
each of the contestants. You’ll learn a bit about who they are, what RV they live in, and some fun facts about them.
PHIL & STACY FARLEY
- TODAY IS SOMEDAY
Phil- Blue Captain / Stacy - Red Captain
Phil and Stacy Farley of “Today is Someday,” have been RVing for four years, sharing their favorite travel locations, RV how-tos, and lessons learned along the way. They love exploring and camping in National and State Parks, boondocking, or staying in COEs (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds).
They’ve amassed a large community of fellow RVers and travelers alike. Phil and Stacy are both Navy Veterans, and with the help of their dedicated community, they’ve raised over $150,000 for Veteran charities since hitting the road in 2018.
Mike and Susan Scarpignato are the driving force behind the popular “RVBlogger” website, “Travel Trailer Pro” Blog, “Motorhome FAQs” Website, “RVBlogger YouTube Channel,” and “RV Camping Magazine.” They’re well-known in the RV industry for their thorough tours and reviews while also sprinkling in videos and articles with helpful tips and tricks. While Susan has been RVing most of her life, she and Mike have been exploring by RV together for 5 years.
When they’re not out camping, they spend their time at their home base in Maryland. Susan recently left her job of 27 years at a TV station in Baltimore, Maryland, so that they can enjoy more time together out on the road. They aim to take in all the mountain, ocean, and desert views they can!
• RV: 2022 Thor Challenger 37FH Class A Gas
• Fun Facts: We met on Match.com six years ago and married in June 2022. We were both single parents of two girls (each) for most of our adult lives.
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Fear of our RV lifestyle ending. We’ve worked for years building RVBlogger, leaving our corporate jobs and hitting the road as mosttimers. Hoping we’ve got at least 50 more years in us!
Get ready to turn it up with Dave and Tanya Virnelli! This dynamic duo runs two YouTube channels. “Turn it Up World” is where you’ll find entertaining international and domestic travel videos and tips for visiting Las Vegas like a pro. They recently began RVing a little over a year ago and launched their second channel, “Let’s Turn it Up World,” emphasizing traveling via RV, where to go, and what to do.
Their cats, Bailey and Brady, come along on all of their RV adventures. Tanya and Dave love the freedom of boondocking, but you might spot them in an RV park or campground where they love to make friends. Together, they’ve visited over 30 states in the first year on the road with no signs of stopping!
• RV : 2022 Winnebago
EKKO 22A Class C Gas
• Fun Facts: We share the same birthday, and Tanya can whistle like a bird!
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Terrified of snakes, western & southern spiders (especially while boondocking in those areas), and extreme heights!
The team behind “Venturesome Couple” is Chris and Martha Peters, who’ve been RVing for 15 years! Chris is an Air Force Veteran, and Martha is an Alaska Native Indian. They love to camp anywhere they can, from resorts to boondocking in the mountains or even “moochdocking” with friends.
When they’re not out on the road, sharing RV life education and entertainment with their viewers, they spend time at their home base in Central Florida and also love traveling abroad on cruises. Chris and Martha travel with their adorable six-year-old rottweiler, Cali.
• RV: 2021 Alliance Paradigm 340RL Fifth Wheel
• Fun Facts: Chris works full-time remotely for a Catholic non-profit healthcare company. We have one daughter, who’s 21, and our world. We love to engage with our RV Community and are adrenaline thrill seekers.
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Fear of missing out (FOMO); We embrace change and never want to miss a chance to travel with each other and enjoy every moment!
Meet Chris and Katrina Bellofatto, also known as “Our Everyday Getaway,” where you’ll find travel videos, campground reviews, and RV lifestyle content. Chris and Katrina started RVing part-time in the summer of 2016 and made the leap to full-time RV living in December 2021.
They usually spend their time in campgrounds and RV Resorts but also love state parks and are looking forward to more off-grid camping and boondocking once they upgrade their coach batteries. They share their life on the road with their 9-year-old Golden Lab mix, Traveling Tucker.
• RV: 2018 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 38K Class A Diesel
• Fun Facts: Katrina was a wedding and event florist at The White House for seven years during two separate administrations. Chris is a retired Ironworker and worked for the same company for 35 years. He is also a Cancer Survivor.
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Breaking down on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Katrina has a fear of heights while driving. She’s afraid of going off the side of the road!
• RV: 2023 Winnebago
Vista NPF Class A Gas
• Fun Facts: They’ve visited Chernobyl, the site of the 1986 radiation explosion in Ukraine, during a trip in 2019. Katelyn is a former News Anchor and Reporter and Howard is a former cinematographer and producer in Hollywood. They met ON a rollercoaster!
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Katelyn has a bizarre fear of objects underwater that shouldn’t be there (sunken boats, planes, cars, people). Howard fears another pandemic where he won’t be able to socialize and talk to EVERYONE like he loves to do. Daily.
Where won’t these two go? Howard and Katelyn Newstate have proven that nothing is off-limits in their four years of full-time travel. The “Newstate Nomads” (it’s not just a clever name, it is their last name) showcase major destinations around the globe on their YouTube channel, helping viewers plan trips and live like a local wherever they go.
They’ve traveled extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by RV and love exploring internationally when they can. Their preferred method of camping is off-grid, and they spent 125 straight days boondocking in 2020. But they also appreciate recharging at a campground or RV park. They RV with their three dogs, puggle sisters Piper and Ella, and Scout, their rescue pup from Mexico.
Ryan Miller is one half of the team that makes up “Millers in Motion.” While he competed solo on RV Unplugged, Ryan shares RV life with his wife, Lauren, and their two dogs, Miska and Bailey. Ryan and Lauren started RVing in February of 2022 and went all in on fulltime RV living just two months later.
Right now, the Millers spend most of their time RVing in campgrounds around the Fort Worth, Texas area where Lauren is currently employed, while Ryan runs an international special events company from the road. Their longterm goal is being able to spend more time boondocking. You can find RV tips, tricks, and tours on their YouTube channel, with fun food and destination content mixed in.
• RV: 2022 Grand Design Solitude 390RK-R
• Fun Facts: Ryan is a Class A Member of the PGA of America and played professional golf for many years. Lauren shows competitive show horses with her horse Stella.
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: The rig breaking down and no place to go! When you live in your rig full time this is a scary proposition!
• Fun Facts: We got married in Santorini, Greece…kinda. Chris likes red wine, is the family's workhorse, and has never said “don’t cha know” during a job interview. Aaron loves vast landscapes, prefers patio dining while eating out, enjoys making things look easy, and goes by A A Ron whenever he done “blanked” up …
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Not being able to spend eternity together.
Aaron and Chris Willers have been living fulltime on the road since January 2019, first in a van and now in a travel trailer. They also spent five months living in a rooftop tent and are still happily married after the experience. They run two YouTube channels, “Irene Iron Travels,” which features videos about easy-going RV life, travel, and boondocking. Their second YouTube channel, called “Healthy RV Living,” showcases food, fitness, and nutrition.
So who is Irene? It’s Chris’ middle name and the namesake for her online coaching business, “Irene Iron Fitness.” The two say they want to continue RVing “until the end of time” and love both boondocking in nature and enjoying the creature comforts of campgrounds or RV parks. They also spend time exploring National Parks and travel with their furry family member, Louie, a friendly Basenji.
Say hello to Ben and Charity DeVries! As their YouTube name, “Grateful Glamper,” suggests, they are glampers through and through. They enjoy the finer things campgrounds have to offer, such as full hookups and amenities like a pool or hot tub. Ben and Charity have been RVing for five years, spending most of their time on the road with a home base in Central Florida.
The Grateful Glamper YouTube channel is a great resource for RV organization and storage tutorials and “how-to” videos. They RV with a full house, including their 12-year-old son, Dakota, 11-year-old daughter, Trinity, two cats, KitKat and Scrappy, and their dog, Alaska.
• RV: 2004 Fleetwood Discovery 39J Class A Diesel
• Fun Facts: We’ve been to 47 out of 50 states. Arkansas, Hawaii and Alaska are the three that are missing. Not sure how we missed Arkansas - LOL!
• Biggest Fear or Phobia: Staying at a hotel without our own bed and amenities.
so you can start figuring out which team you want to support. RV
RV
Make sure you subscribe and set that reminder before Saturday, March 11th, for the first episode, titled “Drought.” With a
title like that, what could go wrong!?
You’ll definitely want to tune in on Thursday, March 2nd, to start learning about all of the participants of the show,
When you purchase a motorhome, you want to get all the bells and whistles you can to get the most out of the drivable motorhome experience. Sometimes you find the perfect RV, but maybe it’s missing a few items.
Check out these can’t-livewithout upgrades to give your motorhome the final finishing touches.
The definition of a backup camera doesn’t mean your spouse standing behind the RV yelling and signaling. Couples on the road know exactly what I’m talking about. Who doesn’t need a camera for that extra security when maneuvering around town, getting into your site, or seeing what’s behind you or beside you on the road?
A backup camera system is not very expensive, and it can be a DIY project. The price can vary depending on the size and resolution of the digital screen.
The TireMinder Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is another easy DIY project that you can purchase to upgrade your motorhome. These systems provide a sensor for each of your tires installed on each tire’s valve stem.
The monitoring system
keeps an eye on your RV’s tire pressure and displays the real-time PSI on a dash mountable display screen and a mobile device app. The monitor and the screen are linked via a low UHF bandwidth.
The TireMinder TPMS has an added feature to pair with your mobile device via Bluetooth. This comes in handy when you are filling up
your tires, and that fuel station’s air system’s display is not entirely accurate.
This upgrade is an absolute must-have to maintain safety on the road. Once the system alerts you of a problem with tire pressure, you
can quickly pull over and save yourself from a blowout and possible damage to your RV.
If you like long hot showers as I do, an ondemand water heater is a great RV upgrade. An ondemand, also called an instant water heater, or a tankless water heater, means you never run out of hot water. Wouldn’t that be nice?
FOGATTI is the subcontractor that actually makes the RV tankless water heater for RecPro, so you know you’re buying a quality product.
While instant water heaters can be more
expensive than tanked versions, they are considered “green” and can save you energy if you’re dry docking or on an electric meter at your permanent campsite.
You will love having a portable power station, particularly if you like to boondock. Our new-to-us Class C is just what we wanted when we bought it a few months ago, even though it doesn’t have a lot of outlets.
The portable power station is perfect for charging phones or just
plugging in the coffee pot when we don’t want to run the generator. It can also power our toaster oven, camera gear, laptops, and more.
Beginning with California, many states are beginning to outlaw gas generators. For boondockers, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about another alternative energy source. The power station we chose is small but plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter (DC power port), so it can be charged on the road.
The cost of these can vary quite a bit,
depending on the brand and power output. Some are out there for less than $100, and others are over $1,000. If you want to power those small appliances I mentioned, you will need one rated at 1,500 watts. One that is 250500 watts will easily charge your phone and other gear.
That is why we chose the HOWEASY Portable Power Station. We use the inverter and house
batteries for the more power-hungry features. The power station keeps our phones, computers, and other smaller electronics powered up. Now if I can only get my husband to stop playing that cell phone game.
Of course, everyone could make a different list of motorhome upgrades they would
recommend. If you have a strict budget, you might want to consider one big item for now and make a few small upgrades. Like your residential house, there will always be another upgrade you will find, so pace yourself. However you choose to upgrade, make your motorhome fit your likes, dislikes, and the lifestyle you choose to live.
BY RVCM STAFF
RVers know one of the best times to boondock is in the spring. The weather is mild, there are plenty of places to park, and the scenery is beautiful.
But with so many great locations to choose from, it can take time to figure out where to start.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best boondocking locations so you can find your next dry camping adventure.
Whether you’re looking for a more secluded escape or a place to join other RVers, these locations will make your outdoor dreams come true.
The Moab area is aweinspiring during the spring when temperatures are mild, and the desert landscape is beautiful. Offering plenty of wide-open spaces to explore, Moab provides an excellent opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of nature while camping off the grid.
• Non-Group Entrance Fee: $30 (personal vehicle)
• Camping Fee: $15$20
• Group Camping Fee (11+): $90-225
• Open Season: All Year
• Operating Hours: 24/7 and Holidays
Many points of interest are nearby, such as Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, so that you can bounce from one place to the next. Moab is an excellent boondocking destination for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Located off US 191 and Sand Flats Road, Sand Flats Recreation Area is an excellent spot to boondock because of its stunning views and abundant wildlife. This area is also home to the popular Slickrock Bike Trail, making it an ideal site for mountain
biking enthusiasts.
You can find the BLM 378 dirt Willow Springs Road tucked away north of Moab, off US 191. Surrounded by breathtaking views of red rock mesas and canyons, Willow Springs is perfect for photography or contemplation. However, because of its popularity, it can be crowded in peak season, so be sure to arrive early.
A lesser-known boondocking area Canyonlands National Park is located east of Moab
and is an excellent spot to take in the stunning views of the surrounding red sandstone formations. It is well-suited for camping and picnicking, with plenty of space to settle in.
It’s also a glorious spot for avid photographers or artists looking to capture the beauty of Moab’s majestic landscape.
• Camping Fee: $25
• Group Camping Fee (11+): $75-$250)
National ParkUT • Non-Group Entrance Fee: $30 (personal vehicle)
• Open Season: All Year
• Operating Hours: 24/7 and Holidays
The San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado offers breathtaking views of snow capped mountains and miles of open meadows. Its abundance of wildlife makes it an ideal spot for a peaceful retreat. The National Forest offers plenty of opportunities for camping and exploring the area. Many designated dispersed campsites and backcountry sites are on primitive roads in the forest.
You can start your adventure at the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Hike the trails and see what the Ancestral Pueblo People saw over 700 years ago. Thousands of animal species, mesas, and heritage sites are incredible sites to see. Check out the historic mining towns and abandoned mines dotted throughout the area. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are miles of trails that offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-roading opportunities.
And if you’re feeling
adventurous, try your hand at whitewater rafting or kayaking down the river that winds through the forest.
Besides camping and exploring, San Juan National Forest provides excellent fishing opportunities. You can find some of the best trout fishing in the area at Lake Vallecito, Turquoise Lake, and Lemon Reservoir.
• Non-Group Entrance Fee: $20/$30 (winter/ summer)
• Camping Fee: $38/$51 (dry/full hookup)
• Group Camping Fee (11+): Not Available
• Open Season: All Year except on the T-Day, Christmas, & New Years
• Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 every day
Mesa VerdeCO
Although it may seem impossible, given the hot and dry conditions in Death Valley during the summer, winter rain provides a beautiful springtime full of colorful wildflowers.
With mild temperatures in the 60-70s, mid-February to mid-May is the best time to explore this desert paradise.
With over 3 million acres, Death Valley is an excellent spot for boondocking. There are many sites to explore down dirt roads that wind through the desert landscape. Several campgrounds and dispersed camping areas offer incredible vistas of the mountains and valleys below.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes offers a stunning backdrop against the sky, with rolling hills of sand stretching out in all directions. You can drive up a ridge atop a dune and enjoy spectacular views.
Another great boondocking area in
Death Valley is the Saline Valley Warm Springs camping area, where you’ll have access to hot springs used by Native American tribes for centuries. Check out Devil’s Cornfield for an exceptional view of Death Valley from above.
The area around Death Valley is just as fascinating. Take a drive along Route 190 into Panamint Springs for some excellent hiking trails, or visit the ghost town of Ballarat for an eerie glimpse into Death Valley’s past.
• Camping Fee: See nearby campgrounds
• Group Camping Fee (11+): N/A
• Open Season: All Year
• Operating Hours: 24/7 Closes for all recognized holidays, including Juneteenth
Death Valley National Park- CA • Non-Group Entrance Fee: $30 (personal vehicle)
The Chiricahua National Monument, nestled in Arizona’s southeastern corner, is home to towering rock formations, lush grasslands, and a vast array of flora and fauna.
With clear skies and fresh air, it’s easy to kick back and enjoy the peaceful serenity among a unique landscape of towering rock spires and hoodoos.
The area is well-suited for off-road journeys and exploring. Several dirt
roads provide access to various recreational sites, such as the Cave Creek Canyon, home to one of Arizona’s most beautiful rivers where you can fish for trout or take a hike to explore ancient rock art.
The North Fork Road
has excellent camping spots and views of the oak-covered hillsides and grasslands. You can also take a 4-wheel drive and explore the Chiricahua National Monument, filled with weirdly shaped rock formations.
The Chiricahua National Monument also offers ample opportunities for bird-watching, with an incredible array of species that make their home in this area. It’s also great for stargazing on clear nights where you’re likely to spot shooting stars.
Chiricahua National MonumentAZ
• Non-Group Entrance Fee: FREE
• Camping Fee: $20/ day Dry sites only
• Group Camping Fee (11+): $20/day Dry sites only
• Open Season: All Year
• Operating Hours: 24/7 Closes for all recognized holidays, including Juneteenth
The best boondocking locations offer stunning scenery, plenty of activities, and a chance to explore the beauty of nature.
Whether you’re looking to take in a breathtaking sunset or hike through
lush forests, there’s no shortage of fun and adventure for boondocking. So, grab
your camping gear and hit the road: your next grand adventure awaits!
“The best boondocking locations offer stunning scenery, plenty of activities, and a chance to explore the beauty of nature.”
Boondocking in a van or truck camper involves three major hurdles—water, power, and space. That’s really all it boils down to. Sure, you need food, clothing, and all that jazz, but you can’t power anything without the equipment space, and water is “numero uno,” no matter what you’re doing.
With the right setup and a moderately sized truck camper or camper van, you can boondock between seven and ten days, so long as you manage your utilities correctly. The thing that sends you back to civilization sooner than later is emptying out your waste water tanks.
Technically, you could go indefinitely with a good watercapture system, a preference for showering in the rain, and you don’t count trips to the grocery store. Most people don’t push things that far, at least not in a van or truck camper, but there are a few things to consider if you want to boondock longer.
You can’t totally survive on NOS energy drinks, and you certainly
can’t shower in that stuff unless you want to stick to everything. You have to have water if you want to stay out longer, you must conserve it. A good van or truck camper will come with a 30+ gallon freshwater tank.
That’s not enough, however. You should also stock up on gallon containers of water. The only drawback is figuring out how much. Purchase shower heads and faucet fixtures that give you more control over volume. Hold off on the dishes until it's absolutely necessary to use as little water as possible.
This is where the spacing in your RV comes in. Batteries, inverters, solar panels, and gas generators take up space outside and inside. Lead-acid batteries
must be stored in a ventilated outdoor bay due to the harmful gasses they expel.
When upgrading to lithium batteries, the exhaust issue isn’t a factor, so that they can be stored under furniture or within the sidewalls. LiPO4 batteries also give you a better depth of discharge, optimal power storage, and lower degradation.
These types of batteries are lighter, and certain brands make smaller versions, which save
“Solar panels are now more affordable and installed easier than ever on the roof because many RV manufacturers are now prewiring their coaches for solar.”
space. While the initial cost of lithium batteries is much higher than lead-acid, the long-term investment usually works out better in the long run.
Solar panels are now more
affordable and installed easier than ever on the roof because many RV manufacturers are now pre-wiring their coaches for solar. You’ll need a generator because your truck or van’s alternator
It's easy enough to ensure one or two 20 lb propane tanks are installed on your van & truck camper. Your generator can easily sit on a hitch cargo carrier. Make sure you use an RV propane regulator that automatically switches between the full and empty tank.
There are many places where you can either pick
up a replacement 20 lb propane tank or refill yours. Use your favorite RV trip planner to find the closest one.
More is better in terms of preparation because, well, it's just better. Get efficient with your refrigerator and freezer storage, and consider your dry goods carefully. You should always have an emergency supply as well, especially in canned goods and possibly even MREs.
It's all about bringing more than you need but maximizing storage at the same time. You have to ask yourself if you really need the fancy cookies and Yum Yum Sauce or if you can do without.
The more you do it, the better you’ll get and the longer you can boondock without returning for one supply or another. You’ll
find that even the tiniest things matter, such as how you orient your van or truck camper, how level you are, and how much you really need that LP.
Van and truck campers are practically made for this stuff, and you’ll find you can make the most out of very little with a bit of creativity and ingenuity. If you don’t like dumping money into campgrounds, boondocking in a van or truck camper is a fantastic and reasonable option.
If you’re a full-timer or have been around a campfire with full-timers, conversations about residency or domicile issues have probably come up. How do full-time RVers get their mail, vote, pay taxes, etc.? Many use mail services through various companies with a mailbox in Florida, South Dakota, or Texas. These services establish their “home base address” while they’re discovering our country.
If you’re domiciling in South Dakota or planning to, you may want to pay attention to what’s happening in the state capital. Two bills on the floor have gone into the committee for discussion. South Dakota won’t allow RVers to establish residency if they become law.
One bill further defines a residence as a ‘fixed structure,’ while the other reinforces the county auditor’s ability to inspect properties.
Karla Lems, a District 16 Republican Representative, is the lead sponsor of House Bill
1232. Essentially, the bill clarifies the definition of a ‘residence.’
A residence will be defined as a fixed structure that doesn’t
move. If the owner leaves on vacation, they intend to return to this place as their primary dwelling.
Representative Lems and those who worked with
her on this Bill did their homework. It states that a residence will be defined as:
• That the sole purpose of the address isn’t a business or commercial property
South Dakota residents can contact their elected representatives or the sponsors of these bills:
Email: Karla.Lems@ sdlegislature.gov
Phone: (605) 773-3851
for tax or insurance purposes and actually stays there
• The residence has long-term sleeping accommodations unless homeless
House Bill 1232 creates allowances for the homeless through a procedure to be defined later. Its language clearly defines a fixed structure like a house, apartment building, mobile home, and homeless shelter versus an RVer trying to establish a domicile address.
The homeless section does two things for the state.
First, it prevents RVers from taking advantage of a potential loophole. Second, it gives the state a legal right to prevent the homeless from parking older RVs along the streets, similar to what was seen in other states.
District 30’s Republican Representative, Julie Frye-Mueller, is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 124. This bill reinforces the county auditor’s inspection privileges of the various properties in the voting districts.
Now, they can’t bust through the door with
Email: Julie.FryeMueller@ sdlegislature.gov
Phone: (605) 773-3821
• The place is a fixed location, and the person plans to return following an absence
• The person is not claiming residency solely
• Representative Karla Lems
• Senator Julie Frye-Mueller
a warrant, but they can stop by and see what’s going on with the RV parked on the side of your house. County auditors can visually inspect a property and research all relevant records to determine the residency status of a property.
For example, a relative uses your house as their ‘home base address’ for domicile purposes and receives their mail there, but they don’t actually live in the house. After some research, if the county auditor determines that your relative is not a
‘valid’ resident, they can use procedures so that the RVer loses their residential and voting residency.
We’re not legal experts, so you’ll need to contact a lawyer specializing in state and federal property laws. What we can say is that this isn’t a new concept. Many other states have further defined their residency laws like this.
Texas and Florida haven’t
taken any steps to change their domicile laws, so full-time RVers can still set up their residency in these states.
South Dakota residents can contact their city, district, county, and state representatives. You can also contact the representatives directly to voice your concerns.
Learn more on RV Travel’s February 4th article on the matter.
