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opinion:frater_secessus:successful_boondocking [2022/05/05 19:19] frater_secessus [fitting your rig] |
opinion:frater_secessus:successful_boondocking [2023/10/18 15:03] (current) frater_secessus [weather, relocating, and errands] |
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+ | DRAFT | ||
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Reminder: | Reminder: | ||
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===== preparation ===== | ===== preparation ===== | ||
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+ | ==== provisioning ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Do you have enough fuel (vehicle, cooking, etc), food, [[water: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== finding a spot ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Not every spot is good for every boondocker. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== apps and websites ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is common to find spots on [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some terms to be aware of: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * trailhead: | ||
+ | * day use: only for day use (and may require a fee). No overnight camping. | ||
+ | * OHV area: **O**ff **H**ighway **V**ehicle area for quads, dirtbikes, UTVs, etc. You can camp there but noise and dust are in the forecast. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | You can use an app like [[https:// | ||
==== timing your arrival ==== | ==== timing your arrival ==== | ||
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- get camp made before the sun goes down. | - get camp made before the sun goes down. | ||
- | If you arrive mid-morning you may be able to here where the generators are. | + | If you arrive mid-morning you may be able to hear where the generators are. |
Arriving in darkness can be stressful. | Arriving in darkness can be stressful. | ||
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- | ===== finding a spot ===== | + | ==== fitting your rig ==== |
- | Not every spot is good for every boondocker. | + | A 40' Class A or big trailer |
- | ==== apps and websites ==== | ||
- | It is common to find spots on freecampsites.net, | + | === flat ground === |
- | You can use an app like [[https://play.google.com/store/ | + | Flat ground is nice, but if you carry [[https://amzn.to/3ycY9x8|leveling blocks]] you can stay level even on uneven ground. |
- | ==== fitting your rig ==== | ||
- | A 40' Class A or big trailer is going to take up more room than a minivan. | + | === cell signal === |
+ | You might use an app like [[https:// | ||
+ | Once you get near the sites you can drive with your cell phone in your line of vision to see whether or not you have " | ||
+ | In extreme cases (like digital nomads) [[https:// | ||
- | === flat ground === | + | Verizon tends to have the best coverage in rural areas so many nomads use it. This can mean, however, that where nomads gather together Verizon can be congested. |
- | Flat ground is nice, but if you carry [[https:// | + | === sun === |
+ | Apps like [[https:// | ||
- | === cell signal | + | === wind === |
- | You might use an app like OpenSignal to estimate coverage in the general area, or look at user reports. | + | Trees and other features can help limit the effects of wind. Camping on the edge of a cliff, mountaintop, or in a saddle may increase winds. |
- | Once you get near the sites you can drive with your cell phone in your line of vision to see whether or not you have " | + | === neighbors === |
- | === sun === | + | If you want privacy look in a 360 around the site to see if there are neighbors with uncomfortably close views. |
- | Apps like Sun Surveyor can help verify the number of hours of sun you will get in a spot/ | + | If you drive by and see large RVs with generators outside |
- | === privacy === | + | Folks who value solitude over social interaction may want to find sites: |
- | If you want privacy look in a 360 around the site to see if there are neighbors with uncomfortably close views. | + | * further down crappy roads |
+ | * further away from published coordinates | ||
+ | * away from conspicuously-gorgeous views | ||
+ | * away from OTA tv reception | ||
+ | * away from cell reception | ||
+ | * in areas where larger rigs can't (or won't) go | ||
+ | |||
+ | These factors tend to weed out the less-motivated boondocker. | ||
=== proximity to the road === | === proximity to the road === | ||
You may want proximity to paved roads if you predict many trips to town. Otherwise getting away from pavement often means quieter and less-crowded camping. | You may want proximity to paved roads if you predict many trips to town. Otherwise getting away from pavement often means quieter and less-crowded camping. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you are camping off dirt roads be aware of weather patterns; | ||
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==== camping ==== | ==== camping ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | You may want a folding lawn chair, hammock, or other furniture to allow comfortable outdoors sitting. | ||
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- | ==== reprovisioning and errands ==== | + | ===== reprovisioning |
+ | |||
+ | Having more [[food: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== weather, relocating, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Consider this weather forecast: | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are warmer/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you need to drive and winds are favorable a day earlier or later you might want to take advantage of tail winds. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you need to drive, use solar and have [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you have a pet with you consider running errands early in the morning when temps are cooler. | ||
+ | Also note that there are two freezing overnights that might damage plumbing, water containers, | ||
+ | ====further reading ==== | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||