RV Boondocking Safety Tips

A man and woman getting ready to hike while they are boondocking in their RV

By Andrew Stratton

Learn essential RV boondocking safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Keep yourself protected and prepared while living off the grid

Boondocking is a wonderful way to enjoy your motor home. You pull up where you want to, far away from civilization and other hassles, set up your lawn chair, and just relax by a mountain stream. You've got everything you need - gas for cooking, a generator and solar panels to power your motor home, plenty of drinking water... Life is good. These RV boondocking safety tips will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Keep you and your family protected and prepared while RVing off the grid

But just because you're out of the grasp of civilization doesn't mean there aren't rules to follow! Out in the wild, you've only got yourself to rely on, so some steps must be taken to keep yourself safe.

Get Familiar with the Area

Before you head out on your boondocking adventure, you might want to check out the area first. This means more than just looking at maps; make sure that the roads are okay for your RV, it's legal for you to park there, and there aren't any other surprises that might be waiting for you. Everybody wants to just get out there and explore but turning down a rough road that gets too small for your rig, and having to turn a giant trailer around where there's no shoulder on the road is a lesson in trip planning that you don't want to go through. Talk to locals and check things out before you head out.

Keep It Clean

At any campsite across the country, there are covered dumpsters and signs all over warning you of the laws you must follow. Out in the wild, you won't see any of that, but that doesn't mean you can leave a mess. In fact, it's even more dangerous to have a messy campsite out where there's no ranger to come and save your neck when an old black bear comes snooping around your cooler. Keep your campsite clean when boondocking, just like you would anywhere else. It's a nice thing to do for the site, but it's also a safety issue.

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Binoculars-Distance from the Critters

This RV boondocking safety tip sounds like a no-brainer, but it's something to consider. Bears aren't cuddly, raccoons aren't cute, foxes don't want to be petted, and even deer can get nasty if you get too close. When you're boondocking, you will be out in the wilderness sometimes where animals don't have as much fear of humans, so you should make sure you have a healthy fear of them.

Be Self-Sufficient

This is what's called "dry camping." It means camping without any services whatsoever. You must plan and plan again. It is important that you have enough of everything you need. You don't want to run out of water somewhere in the desert, and you don't want to lose your electricity. Make sure you've got a good generator, a good gas range, and plenty of water with you wherever you go.

Eat Prepared Foods

It is best when boondocking to use prepared foods and disposable plates and silverware. This may seem wasteful, but for you it saves things like the water you need to wash dishes. Your resources will be limited, so it is better not to use them up cooking and cleaning. It is always good to be conservation minded, or else your boondocking trip might end up costing MORE than if you stayed at a pay campground.

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Relax And Have a Good Time

Two men sitting outside of their truck camper while boondocking

Okay, not a safety tip really, but just a bit of advice. Drive slowly wherever you're going and see everything there is to see. Don't plan much to do but sit around and smell the good, clean air. Let life pass you by for a while. Now, that's boondocking!

Author Resource: Boondocking is an adventure like camping or taking a trip. All of these require advanced planning to stop anything from going wrong with you or your motor home . A visit to Bankston Motor Homes can jump start your adventure.  

https://www.bankstonmotorhomes.com/

Frequently Asked Questions on RV Boondocking Safety Tips

What is boondocking and why is it becoming popular among RV enthusiasts?

Boondocking refers to camping in an RV or other self-contained vehicle without the use of electricity, water, or sewage hookups. It is becoming more popular as it allows campers to get away from crowded RV parks and campgrounds, and to enjoy a more primitive, off-the-grid camping experience.

What are some safety considerations to keep in mind while boondocking?

Some important safety considerations while boondocking include bringing plenty of water and food supplies, making sure your vehicle is equipped with a reliable generator and backup battery system, having a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on hand, and taking steps to protect yourself and your vehicle from wildlife and other hazards

What are some safety tips for dealing with wildlife while boondocking?

Dealing with wildlife can be one of the biggest safety concerns while boondocking. Some tips include keeping food and trash stored securely, avoiding attracting wildlife with strong scents, and making noise when you're moving around your vehicle to alert wildlife of your presence. If you encounter wildlife, it's important to give them plenty of space and avoid approaching them too closely.


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