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--- opinion:frater_secessus:successful_boondocking [2022/05/06 17:15]
frater_secessus [reprovisioning and errands]
+++ opinion:frater_secessus:successful_boondocking [2025/08/09 01:41] (current)
frater_secessus [fitting your rig]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+DRAFT
 Reminder:  articles in the Opinion section are written in a more personal voice -- secessus
@@ Line 9: / Line 12: @@
 ===== preparation =====
+==== provisioning ====
+Do you have enough fuel (vehicle, cooking, etc), food, [[water:drinking|water]], and [[electrical:12v:intro|power]] to make it through your outing?
+===== finding a spot =====
+Not every spot is good for every boondocker.  Some like shady areas while those dependent on solar may want open field.
+==== apps and websites ====
+It is common to find spots on [[https://freecampsites.net/|freecampsites.net]], [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samchristiansen.ioverlander.droid|iOverlander]], Campendium, [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thedyrt.wayfinder|the Dyrt]], [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.freeroam.main|FreeRoam]], etc.  Since others are using those same sources of information you may want to consider the spots as //general areas to start looking//.  The area near the lat/long will often be the most crowded, so if you go a bit further down the dirt road you will likely have fewer neighbors.
+Some terms to be aware of:
+  * trailhead:  an area where people park to go off hiking or riding.  Likely to be quite busy.  Might be a pit [[lifestyle:faq_toilet|toilet]] there.
+  * 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://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.twostepsbeyond.uspubliclands|U.S. Public Lands]]((written by experienced nomads [[https://www.youtube.com/c/Technomadia|Technomadia]])) to ensure you are still on public lands while you wander.
 ==== timing your arrival ====
@@ Line 32: / Line 58: @@
-===== finding a spot =====
-Not every spot is good for every boondocker.  Some like shady areas while those dependent on solar may want open field.
-==== apps and websites ====
-It is common to find spots on freecampsites.net, iOverlander, etc.  Since others are using those same sources of information you may want to consider the spots as //general areas to start looking//.  The area near the lat/long will often be the most crowded, so if you go a bit further down the dirt road you will likely have fewer neighbors.
-You can use an app like [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.twostepsbeyond.uspubliclands|U.S. Public Lands]]((written by experienced nomads [[https://www.youtube.com/c/Technomadia|Technomadia]])) to ensure you are still on public lands while you wander.
 ==== fitting your rig ====
-A 40' Class A or big trailer is going to take up more room than a minivan.  If you want to be especially polite you might the smaller spot that will fit your rig instead of the bigger spot that a bigger rig needs.
+A 40' Class A or big trailer is going to take up more room than a minivan.  If you want to be especially polite you might take the smallest spot that will fit your rig instead of the bigger spot that a bigger rig needs.
@@ Line 53: / Line 67: @@
 === flat ground ===
-Flat ground is nice, but if you carry [[https://amzn.to/3ycY9x8|leveling blocks]] you can stay level even on uneven ground.  If your vehicle rolls off when you put it in Park consider using the parking brake to lock in the position before shifting out of Drive.
+Flat ground is nice, but if you carry [[https://amzn.to/3ycY9x8|leveling blocks]] you can stay level even on uneven ground.  If your vehicle rolls a bit when you put it in Park consider using the parking brake to lock in the position before shifting out of Drive.
 === cell signal ===
-You might use an app like OpenSignal to estimate coverage in the general area, or look at user reports.
+You might use an app like [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal|OpenSignal]] to estimate coverage in the general area, or look at user reports.
 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 "bars".  If you are using the phone as a hotspot note that you can put the phone anywhere in the vehicle that may have better reception.
@@ Line 68: / Line 82: @@
 === sun ===
-Apps like Sun Surveyor can help verify the number of hours of sun you will get in a spot/position.  [[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UpN5ldB83k8|This video]] is shaky and rotated, but you can see that the app plots the path of the sun across the camera view as you look around. Particularly useful for picking out the best spot in a heavily-shaded area like a forest.
+Apps like [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ratana.sunsurveyor|Sun Surveyor]] can help verify the number of hours of sun you will get in a spot/position.  [[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UpN5ldB83k8|This video]] is shaky and rotated, but you can see that the app plots the path of the sun across the camera view as you look around. Particularly useful for picking out the best spot in a heavily-shaded area like a forest.
+== getting sun exposure while hiding from the heat ==
+It is possible to collect some photons while avoiding the heat of the day.  Approaches:
+  * park on the eastern edge of a treeline - you will get full sun until a bit after noon when the sun goes behind the trees for the day.
+  * park on the northern edge of a treeline - you will get sun until later morning when the sun goes behind the trees for midday.  You may get sun again in the afternoon.
+  * augment with portables on long extensions and place them in the sun
+=== wind ===
+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.
 === neighbors ===
@@ Line 75: / Line 108: @@
 If you drive by and see large RVs with generators outside you can expect them to run the generators quite often.  Some "contractor"-style generators are obnoxiously loud.
+Folks who value solitude over social interaction may want to find sites:
+  * 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 ===
@@ Line 83: / Line 127: @@
-=== orientation in within the campsite ===
+=== orientation within the campsite ===
@@ Line 108: / Line 152: @@
-==== reprovisioning, relocating, and errands ====
+===== reprovisioning =====
+Having more [[food:start|food]] and [[water:start|water]] storage can extend your camping and minimize reprovisioning runs. Consider adding [[food:no_refrigeration|nonperishable foods]] as backup.
+===== weather, relocating, and errands =====
+Consider this weather forecast:
+{{https://img.mousetrap.net/misc/weatherExampleScreenshot_2022-05-08_11-06-32.jpg}}
-Having more food and water storage can extend your camping and minimize reprovisioning runs.
+There are warmer/cooler days, windier/calmer days, and sunnier/cloudier days.
-If you are relocating and winds are favorable a day earlier or later you might want to take advantage of tail winds.
+If you need to drive and winds are favorable a day earlier or later you might want to take advantage of tail winds.  Try not to drive into headwinds.
-If you need to reprovision, use solar and have [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] charging, you may want to reprovision on a cloudy day. This will allow the alternator to help charge the battery without unnecessary idling.
+If you need to drive, use solar and have [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] charging, you may want to drive on a cloudy day. This will allow the alternator to help charge the battery without unnecessary idling.
 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,((due to water expansion while freezing)) or [[electrical:12v:drop-in_lifepo4#overall_lithium_limitations|lithium batteries]].  If you are depending on electric heat (battery warmer, electric blanket, etc) be sure your battery bank has sufficient charge going into that night.
+====further reading ====
+  * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXNcTz1vo3Y|camp cook's guide to weather]]

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