Boondocking, Solar Power, and Related Items - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Dave and Denise · Dave and Denise

Well, I guess there is nothing like the real thing when it comes to living in the trailer. Even though we researched for years and thought we had planned things pretty good, we are now realizing some of the things we didn't even know to ask about! So, we get this new Arctic Fox and we get a 300 AMP ZAMP Solar...

raferguson · raferguson

I have a 28 foot Sunnybrook Solanta with a relatively sophisticated Victron battery power monitor. A good part of my camping is boondocking, often in forest service campgrounds. I have two 6V golf cart batteries, roughly 200 Amp-hour capacity. I carry a small Honda generator, primarily to cha...

slallen · slallen

We have ordered a New Horizons with 630 watts of solar power installed with the plan to do some boondocking. It will have the Big Foot Levelers and from our experience with them on our Carriage Cameo, we know they require a fully charged battery to operate. Has anyone had experience with big foot, sol...

Larry · Larry

Is a 5-10 minute shower reasonable while boondocking? What are the shower head flow rates?

Trix · Trix

YAY! I've been at AM Solar for the past couple days, they put in complete system, and upgraded my oldy moldy converter/charger!

Too bad it's so cloudy here in Oregon! And the nearly the shortest day of the year!

chy46 · chy46

Hi u All , here,s a Q. about solar panels . I think I know the reasons behind the wiring of panels in series and or parallel so my Q. is ---- what have YOU done and are you satisfied ??? Just to let you know I,ve got two 160W panels , 18V , 8.89 amp ,,,,12 volt , also 40 amp mttp charge controll...

felicia · felicia

i was curious if anyone has ever used the sundanzer solar freezer while boondocking? I'm trying to see if it's possible and how many watts it would need to run. thanks for any info! Felicia

tktoth · tktoth

We have a DRV MS with 1 water inlet that feeds a 4 way valve to add city water to tank, run off city water, pump water from tank, or add sanitizer to the lines. It seems like the only option for adding water when boon docking is to buy a potable pump to pump from a 5 gallon jug? Does this make sense, and if you have...

lonelyroad · lonelyroad

Hi all, I'm completely new to RVing, and haven't bought a camper yet, bc I want to examine all my choices first. Some of the campers available have options to hook up to solar panels, which makes boondocking more appealing. The thing I can't figure out is, well the toilet, and disposing of waste. Most...

MichaelB · MichaelB

Hi everyone, total noob here. I have been researching a lot and have already done some purchasing. Need help finalizing my shopping list so I can take my stuff to an installer to get everything up and running! Tons of stupid questions, please be gentle. lol Ok, I recently purchased a 2003 Newmar Ko...

NWescapee · NWescapee

Cabela's is pretty well known to be RV friendly for overnight stops (city ordinance dependent), but for the past 3 years, their locations and our travel schedules just haven't aligned. This past weekend the one in Lacey WA fit very well into our options and after looking at traffic through Tacoma / S...

TheHermit · TheHermit

Was browsing the net looking for RV water filters and ran across some sites selling AWGs. Wondering if anyone has tried, heard or considered this as an alternative to hauling the water. With solar, i would think once the batteries are charged any excess solar could be used to make water instead of just...

dgorila1 · dgorila1

Does anyone use the Wal Mart parking lot for bookdocking and if so what have your experiences been? Positives and negatives? Are there any other stores or commercial areas that are RV friendly?

BiggarView · BiggarView

The Wynn's of GonewiththeWynns just put out a youtube vid on this subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rZY5uotKI I was interested on the load side of things but they appear to have enough solar and battery to do the job except of the brief second the compressor starts running. Later in the...

Brazenhawk · Brazenhawk

Hello All, New to the forums and new to setting up proper battery banks for a RV configuration, but have been trying to do extensive research for all the information to properly setup a good battery bank system in this RV. This will be stationary, but can easily break-down if a "must move" situation o...

Big Mike · Big Mike

I want to add solar power to my RV and have been contemplating this. If I want to use the existing outlets in my RV do I need an inverter? There is a controller on board, a generator and 3 deep cycle batteries that get charged with shore power and my generator. So I just want my solar panels to charge my bat...

Big Mike · Big Mike

I am investigating and designing a Solar 600 Watt system. This is new to me but very interesting to research and configure. I have seen two methods in Wiring to get power to the coach from the Solar System. 1. Plug the power cord used for shore power into the Inverter. In this case I would have the adapt...

outwestbound · outwestbound

Hi. I'm in the design/ planning phase on about 1,000 watts of 12 volt panels going on the roof of my fifth wheel. Because of the array wattage, I'm going MPPT on the controller. I'm comparing the Midnite Classic 150 (96 amp) to 2 stacked Morningstar TS 45s (combined 80 amp). The classic is looking like le...

NWescapee · NWescapee

Has anyone been to the Borrego Springs area in the last couple of months? I've heard a few comments from other boondockers in Quartzsite and read on one blog that the rules are changing and camping is only allowed close to the road which is going to force people to camp much closer together than previou...

TheHermit · TheHermit

I am about to start phase two of my solar install and would like some feedback on an idea I have for installing an inverter. Looking at installing a Magnum Energy MS2812 inverter on a 2013 235RLS Fox Mountain 5th wheel. Currently have six Kyocera 140 watt panels, Morningstar TSMPPT 60 charge controll...

Koop · Koop

Hey there, does anybody have any experience with Go Power solar products?

TRAILERKING · TRAILERKING

Phyl · Phyl

I keep reading about people boondocking on BLM land in the west. I'm wondering about safety/security concerns. We were talking with a man casually, told him that we're planning for full timing and he said just watch out for micro-gangs if you go out west. Maybe I've been living under a rock, but tha...

dye22 · dye22

Hello everyone. I am planning on installing a solar set up to my 1990 ford e-350 camper. I have a few questions and would appreciate any insight anyone might have. the plan is to install 300-500 watts in panels to start with, attached to a 12v 100 ah lithium deep cycle battery bank. I have most of what i th...

mwjustus · mwjustus

These are the items we will be installing on our 28 foot Class C RV: Total cost is roughly $2750- Solar panel (4x150 watt Hightec) = 600 watts- Battery controller (Morningstar MPPT 60 amp)- Battery bank (4x6v Trojan T-105RE) = 450 amp/hr @12v- Inverter (2500 watt Sunforce PSW)- Battery monitor (Boga...

Sushidog · Sushidog

I want to build a rather heavy solar system for full-timing in a travel trailer (actually 2 separate systems, a 12v and a 48v one). However finding TTs that will carry this much weight are hard to find and limit my choices considerably. I was just toying with the idea of mounting my high voltage solar pan...

Sushidog · Sushidog

When it's hot out and you are boondocking, what do you do (especially at night, when you want to get to sleep) to keep cool? a. Run our Fantastic fans, open the windows. (possibly sleeping in a hammock outdoors) b. Run the generator from time to time to cool off with AC. c. Move to higher elevation/farthe...

richardl · richardl

We just got a trailer and we decided on a lot of options since we have never done this before. We got A/C and solar and I have some questions about how people practically do this kind of stuff. We did not get an inverter and of course we know running A/C off batteries is not doable. I installed a Trimetric 203...

Sushidog · Sushidog

I know each person's FT lifestyle is different, but of those here I was just wondering what percentage of their time do people here boondock vs staying in FHU campgrounds/RV parks? I don't know if there is any way to attach a poll to this thread, but this is the essential question: How often do you boondo...

LifeBeganInaWinnebago · LifeBeganInaWinnebago

Looking for some good boondocking or camping near Rochester NY for a 40ft motorhome. We are going to spend a couple days in the area to attend a wedding at the end of September. We just need a place to sleep, not much time for anything else. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Topic		Started By	Replies	Views	Last Post
	Inverter to get us by for a while... (Preview) Well, I guess there is nothing like the real thing when it comes to living in the trailer. Even though we researched for years and thought we had planned things pretty good, we are now realizing some of the things we didn't even know to ask about! So, we get this new Arctic Fox and we get a 300 AMP ZAMP Solar...	Dave and Denise	6	3424	07:47 PM Jan 28, 2017 by LarryW21
	Solar Calculations - including CPAP (Preview) I have a 28 foot Sunnybrook Solanta with a relatively sophisticated Victron battery power monitor. A good part of my camping is boondocking, often in forest service campgrounds. I have two 6V golf cart batteries, roughly 200 Amp-hour capacity. I carry a small Honda generator, primarily to cha...	raferguson	5	3634	07:38 PM Jan 28, 2017 by LarryW21
	Boondocking and Big Foot Levelers (Preview) We have ordered a New Horizons with 630 watts of solar power installed with the plan to do some boondocking. It will have the Big Foot Levelers and from our experience with them on our Carriage Cameo, we know they require a fully charged battery to operate. Has anyone had experience with big foot, sol...	slallen	7	3247	09:49 PM Jan 24, 2017 by mommy2cute
	Showering (closed) (Preview) Is a 5-10 minute shower reasonable while boondocking? What are the shower head flow rates?	Larry	27	13163	09:09 PM Dec 30, 2016 by Barbaraok
	Solar, I have solar! (Preview) YAY! I've been at AM Solar for the past couple days, they put in complete system, and upgraded my oldy moldy converter/charger! Too bad it's so cloudy here in Oregon! And the nearly the shortest day of the year!	Trix	24	8103	09:15 AM Dec 28, 2016 by RetiredVagabond
	solar power (Preview) Hi u All , here,s a Q. about solar panels . I think I know the reasons behind the wiring of panels in series and or parallel so my Q. is ---- what have YOU done and are you satisfied ??? Just to let you know I,ve got two 160W panels , 18V , 8.89 amp ,,,,12 volt , also 40 amp mttp charge controll...	chy46	7	4660	08:52 PM Dec 27, 2016 by LarryW21
	solar freezer (Preview) i was curious if anyone has ever used the sundanzer solar freezer while boondocking? I'm trying to see if it's possible and how many watts it would need to run. thanks for any info! Felicia	felicia	8	4540	08:41 PM Dec 27, 2016 by LarryW21
	Adding water from 5 gallon jug -2015 DRV MS (Preview) We have a DRV MS with 1 water inlet that feeds a 4 way valve to add city water to tank, run off city water, pump water from tank, or add sanitizer to the lines. It seems like the only option for adding water when boon docking is to buy a potable pump to pump from a 5 gallon jug? Does this make sense, and if you have...	tktoth	11	4566	09:12 AM Oct 1, 2016 by lmcallis
	Question about types of toilets? (Preview) Hi all, I'm completely new to RVing, and haven't bought a camper yet, bc I want to examine all my choices first. Some of the campers available have options to hook up to solar panels, which makes boondocking more appealing. The thing I can't figure out is, well the toilet, and disposing of waste. Most...	lonelyroad	5	3149	12:40 PM Sep 29, 2016 by Howard
	Help finalizing an Inverter \ PV \ Lithium \ Charge Controller shopping list and stupid questions... 03 Newmar KSDP (Preview) Hi everyone, total noob here. I have been researching a lot and have already done some purchasing. Need help finalizing my shopping list so I can take my stuff to an installer to get everything up and running! Tons of stupid questions, please be gentle. lol Ok, I recently purchased a 2003 Newmar Ko...	MichaelB	3	2373	08:42 PM Jun 24, 2016 by MichaelB
	First overnight stop at a Cabela's (Preview) Cabela's is pretty well known to be RV friendly for overnight stops (city ordinance dependent), but for the past 3 years, their locations and our travel schedules just haven't aligned. This past weekend the one in Lacey WA fit very well into our options and after looking at traffic through Tacoma / S...	NWescapee	5	3267	04:46 PM Jun 14, 2016 by dewwood
	Anyone looked into atmospheric water generators? (Preview) Was browsing the net looking for RV water filters and ran across some sites selling AWGs. Wondering if anyone has tried, heard or considered this as an alternative to hauling the water. With solar, i would think once the batteries are charged any excess solar could be used to make water instead of just...	TheHermit	7	4409	02:33 PM Jun 4, 2016 by Lucky Larry
	Wal Mart boondocking? (closed) (Preview) Does anyone use the Wal Mart parking lot for bookdocking and if so what have your experiences been? Positives and negatives? Are there any other stores or commercial areas that are RV friendly?	dgorila1	39	47960	06:33 AM May 21, 2016 by Howard
	Air Conditoning while on solar/battery power. (Preview) The Wynn's of GonewiththeWynns just put out a youtube vid on this subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rZY5uotKI I was interested on the load side of things but they appear to have enough solar and battery to do the job except of the brief second the compressor starts running. Later in the...	BiggarView	7	3261	07:35 PM May 17, 2016 by lonelyroad
	Battery bank equalization, best setup? (Preview) Hello All, New to the forums and new to setting up proper battery banks for a RV configuration, but have been trying to do extensive research for all the information to properly setup a good battery bank system in this RV. This will be stationary, but can easily break-down if a "must move" situation o...	Brazenhawk	0	2223	01:38 PM May 12, 2016 by Brazenhawk
	Do I really need an inverter? (Preview) I want to add solar power to my RV and have been contemplating this. If I want to use the existing outlets in my RV do I need an inverter? There is a controller on board, a generator and 3 deep cycle batteries that get charged with shore power and my generator. So I just want my solar panels to charge my bat...	Big Mike	3	2939	07:48 AM May 3, 2016 by John U
	SOLAR QUESTION - COACH POWER (Preview) I am investigating and designing a Solar 600 Watt system. This is new to me but very interesting to research and configure. I have seen two methods in Wiring to get power to the coach from the Solar System. 1. Plug the power cord used for shore power into the Inverter. In this case I would have the adapt...	Big Mike	19	5107	08:59 PM Apr 12, 2016 by John U
	Recommendations suitable RV 24V panels (Preview) Hi. I'm in the design/ planning phase on about 1,000 watts of 12 volt panels going on the roof of my fifth wheel. Because of the array wattage, I'm going MPPT on the controller. I'm comparing the Midnite Classic 150 (96 amp) to 2 stacked Morningstar TS 45s (combined 80 amp). The classic is looking like le...	outwestbound	5	2892	03:06 PM Feb 29, 2016 by Bill and Linda
	Borrego Springs - Changing rules? (Preview) Has anyone been to the Borrego Springs area in the last couple of months? I've heard a few comments from other boondockers in Quartzsite and read on one blog that the rules are changing and camping is only allowed close to the road which is going to force people to camp much closer together than previou...	NWescapee	9	3159	09:07 PM Dec 28, 2015 by NWescapee
	Modifying WFCO panel for inverter install. inverter fox mountain 235rls (Preview) I am about to start phase two of my solar install and would like some feedback on an idea I have for installing an inverter. Looking at installing a Magnum Energy MS2812 inverter on a 2013 235RLS Fox Mountain 5th wheel. Currently have six Kyocera 140 watt panels, Morningstar TSMPPT 60 charge controll...	TheHermit	31	7685	11:53 PM Dec 9, 2015 by TheHermit
	Go Power Solar (Preview) Hey there, does anybody have any experience with Go Power solar products?	Koop	2	1774	10:55 AM Nov 6, 2015 by Someday
	Only at Walmart... (Preview)	TRAILERKING	4	2175	03:33 PM Oct 29, 2015 by The Bear II
	Safety and Security on BLM land in the southwest? (Preview) I keep reading about people boondocking on BLM land in the west. I'm wondering about safety/security concerns. We were talking with a man casually, told him that we're planning for full timing and he said just watch out for micro-gangs if you go out west. Maybe I've been living under a rock, but tha...	Phyl	4	2564	12:56 AM Sep 19, 2015 by soos
	Solar Set up Questions. (Preview) Hello everyone. I am planning on installing a solar set up to my 1990 ford e-350 camper. I have a few questions and would appreciate any insight anyone might have. the plan is to install 300-500 watts in panels to start with, attached to a 12v 100 ah lithium deep cycle battery bank. I have most of what i th...	dye22	2	1618	06:12 PM Sep 13, 2015 by bjoyce
	Boondocking solar setup questions (Preview) These are the items we will be installing on our 28 foot Class C RV: Total cost is roughly $2750- Solar panel (4x150 watt Hightec) = 600 watts- Battery controller (Morningstar MPPT 60 amp)- Battery bank (4x6v Trojan T-105RE) = 450 amp/hr @12v- Inverter (2500 watt Sunforce PSW)- Battery monitor (Boga...	mwjustus	0	1712	05:28 PM Sep 13, 2015 by mwjustus
	Has anyone mounted solar panels on their tow vehicle? (Preview) I want to build a rather heavy solar system for full-timing in a travel trailer (actually 2 separate systems, a 12v and a 48v one). However finding TTs that will carry this much weight are hard to find and limit my choices considerably. I was just toying with the idea of mounting my high voltage solar pan...	Sushidog	17	4076	07:00 PM Sep 10, 2015 by Sushidog
	When boondocking and it's hot out, what do you do to stay cool? (Preview) When it's hot out and you are boondocking, what do you do (especially at night, when you want to get to sleep) to keep cool? a. Run our Fantastic fans, open the windows. (possibly sleeping in a hammock outdoors) b. Run the generator from time to time to cool off with AC. c. Move to higher elevation/farthe...	Sushidog	14	2818	03:44 PM Sep 3, 2015 by Sushidog
	How does this (solar) actually work? solar (Preview) We just got a trailer and we decided on a lot of options since we have never done this before. We got A/C and solar and I have some questions about how people practically do this kind of stuff. We did not get an inverter and of course we know running A/C off batteries is not doable. I installed a Trimetric 203...	richardl	6	2922	07:06 AM Aug 31, 2015 by Camper Chronicles
	What percentage of time does everyone boondock? ( 1 2 ) (Preview) I know each person's FT lifestyle is different, but of those here I was just wondering what percentage of their time do people here boondock vs staying in FHU campgrounds/RV parks? I don't know if there is any way to attach a poll to this thread, but this is the essential question: How often do you boondo...	Sushidog	55	6349	03:09 PM Aug 30, 2015 by Buzz
	Boondocking or camping in the Rochester NY (Preview) Looking for some good boondocking or camping near Rochester NY for a 40ft motorhome. We are going to spend a couple days in the area to attend a wedding at the end of September. We just need a place to sleep, not much time for anything else. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark	LifeBeganInaWinnebago	4	1587	06:51 AM Aug 30, 2015 by 2riker2go
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