Boondocking vs Full hookups

[DanNJanice]

Full hookups, preferably in the middle of nowhere...oh wait
So the choice is not between full hookups VS dry camping. It is between camping in crowded campgrounds VS camping where the nearest person may be a couple of miles away.
We prefer the latter.

[goducks]

We camp where we want to be. If that spot has FH or nothing then so be it. Only time we won't dry camp is when the temps hit 100*. Which in Oregon isn't that often. We hate RV parks with a passion. We love being outdoors and in the woods. So dry camping is our 1st choice. We are totally setup for it so that makes it easier.

[3'senough]

Each has it's place and each I like just the same depending on the location. Some places are just worth having less to appreciate where you are and to take it in for what it is.

[Camper_bob]

DW needs her full hookups. Most of our camping season here in TX is HOT, so AC is a minimum must have most weekends. She'll do it without sewer hookups, but she won't like it. She doesn't like the "Navy" shower whereas I've been known to do it at home just for the heck of it. Heck, I consider "camping" heading out into the woods for a few days with what you can carry on your back!

For me, I'd love to give boondocking a try. Perhaps on the more temperate weekends when we don't need the A/C. Other than that, I think we'd be okay. One of my long-term plans is to get a second battery to ensure we would be. But DW says "why did we get all this trailer with all these conveniences if we're not going to use them!"

I'll keep working on her, and eventually we'll get to boondocking, and it'll be gobs of fun, and then I'll have her hooked!

[mike837go]

When camping, we go boondocking. The peace and tranquility of being away from civilization is something we crave. Also the challenge of being totally self-supporting at the campsite.


However, once home, I leave the RV plugged in 100% of the time with water & sewer only a few feet away. That way I can play with my toy after work.

[bankr63]

Never camped with full hookups. Our favorite CG's are no hookup or electric only. I do like electric when doing an extended 2 week camp, but for longer weekends only I'm fine with full dry. DW hates to be within a stone's throw of a neighbor site, so full hookups may never be an option.

[Loboclone]

living in New Mexico it is Boondocking only, 5500 watt gen,480 watt solar, 145 gal fresh water, 90 gal grey and 90 gal black. Got a 42 gal tote that I pull with the toy. BLM site everywhere and no need to plug in for us.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by Loboclone

living in New Mexico it is Boondocking only, 5500 watt gen,480 watt solar, 145 gal fresh water, 90 gal grey and 90 gal black. Got a 42 gal tote that I pull with the toy. BLM site everywhere and no need to plug in for us.

Nope the state parks have water & power, some full hook ups. There are a multitude of commercial camps, KOA, Good Sams, etc. BLM & Forest Service that have are mostly boon dock camps. Check All Stays you'll have camping spots to explore.
New Mexico State Park Campground Map

Longer stays I prefer full hook ups but boondocking with a generators good too.

[Seann45]

Boondocking (can you tell from my sig line?) In March I spent my first week at a full service "resort" style campground in years.. (won the stay) really hated it .. packed in tight with people could not wait to get out of there and back to open country where I could see the sky at night and the horizon during the day

[FishAr]

Full hookups, I don't even own a sewer tote. I also appreciate cable.

[LarryJ]

I prefer State Parks in Wisconsin and Minnesota that have electric + often a degree of privacy and shade.

Larry J

[dmward]

When we're traveling with the TT, we look for full service along the way and (hopefully) at the destination. It makes it easier with DW and kids and FS campgrounds are generally easy to get in and out of with a larger trailer.

Locally, we stay at provincial parks with electrical-only and have no problem. We've did tenting and PUPs in the heat and decided that A/C is a requirement.

I'm not brave enough to boondock (pretty sure I'd drain the battery) and not willing to invest in a bookdocking power solution.

[jgerhard]

I like both. To me they are 2 completely different experiences. I enjoy full hookups because it's easy. Usually with groups of friends which include potlucks and cocktails and lots of laughter. Boon docking for me is usually in an isolate location surrounded by beauty. Either solo with the family or a few other friends and their rigs. It's more work, but I love the solitude.

[foxrider68]

For camping I prefer to get away which means there are no hook ups. My brother in law always says you aren't "camping" unless you're in a tent or sleeping under the stars. Claims you need a danger factor of being eaten. I prefer our little happy medium. We are looking forward to getting a bigger unit and doing 5+ day road trips to destinations such as the PNW coast and avoiding hotels and utilizing full hook ups.

[Kim Gass]

Dry camping. On the road full service is helpful when putting in long days but some of those full service campgrounds are butt ugly parking lots

Have to admit in Tuscon we were at a electric campground. No water no sewer but we could run the a/c without the genny
It's fun watching people struggle with a full size 5th wheel at the Cave Spring Campground in Sedona.

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Boondocking (can you tell from my sig line?) In March I spent my first week at a full service "resort" style campground in years.. (won the stay) really hated it .. packed in tight with people could not wait to get out of there and back to open country where I could see the sky at night and the horizon during the day

I will have full hookups all this summer, but it's a maintenance host position at a state park, and I'm on the day-use side. When the gate closes in the evening, I have the entire park to myself until 7:30 AM, which is pretty darned cool. It's definitely not an RV park. Those suck. In my opinion. HaHa.

It is nice to get a full hookup site in exchange for a few hours of work each week. I need the exercise, and with all the mowing, weed whacking and other stuff, I'm getting a good workout. No gym fees, either.

[ttavasc]

We like to mix it up from time to time though we lean towards full hook-ups when we are going to be at the same place for a longer period of time. Added a second battery and invested in a small 2kW inverter generator and a 32gal 4-wheel tote so that we have the option to stay where we want. We aren't letting the small holding tanks dictate, at least within reason, where we camp.

[RP53]

Full hookups for us as we have a very small black tank. DW likes her privacy . State parks in Tennessee usually have water and elc. We have a portable black tank so i usually have to make a trip to the dump station. Don't care for boondock, that's why we don't tent camp anymore

[Kim Gass]

We are surprised we can run four days on one battery without recharge or generator support
10 days on 1 small propane tank
We use campground bathrooms except at 2 am and number 2 is to be avoided in the unit
We have a small used TP bag in a basket
A 5 gal bucket takes care of grey water when needed
If we were truly to boondock we'd use wag bags for#2
However we are not long term in one place. We're at Grand Canyon for four days

[spoon059]

Electric is a requirement for us. In the summer we want AC, in the winter we want electric heat.

If we are only staying for 3-4 days, I can get by with nothing else. If staying longer than 3-4 days, water is a must and sewer is highly preferred.

That being said, we have a favorite campground right on a lake that we usually take several long weekend trips and one minimum 7 day trip. They have water and electric, so we need to pay for the honey pot to come 2-3 times during the longer trip.