Dry Camping Tips?

[Branderson]

Just locked in the Talladega race in April.  Like I always mention, I'm pretty new to all of this.  (2yrs and counting)  This will be the 2nd time we are going to dry camp.  It will be the first time without electric.  I don't really know how much gray water is used when flushing and we have a home toilette so I think it uses more water than normal but I'm thinking we go with the ole rule of yellow mellow and brown down.  Also, will take very quick showers.  We will be there a total of 4 nights. 

The only things I can really think of that I need to make sure I do is:

- make sure gray/black tanks are completely empty
- make sure fresh water tank is completely full (I usually keep it half way full)
- make sure I fill up on diesel before entering the gate (my generator runs off of my main fuel tank)


Are there any lessons learned or tips that you guys/gals have learned?   

[Dave5Cs]

check water levels in your batteries. propane full?
grey water is not used for toilet. thats fresh water. grey is whats drained from shower sinks etc.

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[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

If you want to do much dry camping i.e. boondocking, you will want to replace the home style toilet and install an RV toilet. They are made for a reason, they use only about a quart or less of water whereas some of the older style household toilets use a gallon.  

Also with RV toilets, flushing toilet paper about doubles the amount of water it takes to flush, so if you really want to conserve water, place the TP in a wastebasket like they to in South America as they do not have full size sewer pipes like we do in america.  I have done that and it makes a huge difference.

Another conservative measure is to buy some of these body wipes.  Recently I spent three weeks on the road and used these in the mornings instead of a shower and now I prefer them over a shower because they are so fast and easy. And one towlette is all you need.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IUZCW8Y/ref=sxts_bia_sr_1_a_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3488960542&pd_rd_wg=FXIeY&pf_rd_r=EEP52H4NHYXSR6PJGV44&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B01IUZCW8Y&pd_rd_w=msrHX&pf_rd_i=DUDE%2BShower%2BBody%2BWipes&pd_rd_r=c48555b2-493e-4daf-a8a7-8d111f2c80ac&ie=UTF8&qid=151785690

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

grey water is not used for toilet. thats fresh water. grey is whats drained from shower sinks etc.

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When boondocking for 3 weeks with my bus, I placed a small plastic bucket in the kitchen sink and caught all water when doing dishes and washing my hands and used it to flush the potty.  This will extend your fresh water tank much longer.

[Geoff]

I also have a house toilet, and it works fine for dry camping.  Like you said, if it's yellow, let it mellow, if its brown, flush it down.  But you can make yellow blue and smell nice by using the blue RV tank treatment.  Just pour a little in the bowel as needed.  As you probably know, the house toilet will never overfill, it only holds at the same level and adding more liquid drains into the holding tank.

Another tip is to buy an RV waste tank dolly.  Four days of dry camping isn't very long, 100 gallons of fresh water and equivalent waste tanks is enough, but you don't say what you have.

[Branderson]

Thanks everyone so far.

I don't have anything propane so I don't have to worry about that but that did remind me that I'm going to have to run the generator for a bit to heat up the water.

I also don't have to worry about water levels in the batteries.  They are sealed.

I don't plan on doing a lot of dry camping in total only when we go to things like this.  I guess bus rallies are dry camping and I'm looking forward to cutting my teeth in one of those.

I wanted to make sure my gray is empty too specifically for the showers.  Off the top of my head, I don't know the size of my tanks but I think they are all around the same size. 

I can't really imagine the look my wife would give me if I told her this is the bucket to keep the used toilet paper hahaha.  I've done that in Iraq and I'm good if I never do that again. thanks for the tip though  =)

That's a great tip too about using tank treatment.  I've been meaning to buy some more so that reminded me to go on amazon and get some.  I think if I ever dry dock for a long time, I would get a dolly like you mentioned. 

[chessie4905]

We use a shower head on a flex hose. Head has a button to shut off water. Wet down, shut off, soap/ scrub, then on to rinse. Really cuts down on water and you don't have to re-adjust water temp. We bought wand/ hose assy at an rv store a few years back. It clips up in regular shower head location when not in use.

[pabusnut]

Branderson,

Have you tried getting in to Anniston Army Depot's campground?  I know it is only 11 spaces, but pretty close to the track.  I think you should at least inquire whether there is any chance of getting a spot.  I have never camped there, but I do know the Class Six and club are both within walking distance(oh yes, the gym too!)

Steve

[bobofthenorth]

If you're only there for four nights you shouldn't even know you're away from home.  Up to a week in any average bus conversion should require only minimal conservation measures unless you've got 3 teenage daughters.  In hot weather watch how you park.  Back end to the south is best if possible.  If no propane means an electric cooktop then cooking outdoors on a camp stove or BBQ will prolong the time between generator runs.

[lvmci]

Bob's tips are great, but if your in the SW desert, park the engine towards the west in the summer, lvmci...

[chessie4905]

Most sleep at the engine end of coach. Aiming it toward the West will provide a nice heat soak at bedtime. Like when you drive all day in summer and bed is 120 degrees at bedtime. Nice in cold weather though.