There are many definitions of boondocking among RVers. Some people say they are boondocking if they have electric but don't have water and sewer hookups. Others say to boondock one has to be out in the boonies. I say boondocking is camping without any hookups - no electric, water or sewer. I went to the expert of words and found Webster's New World Dictionary does not list the word boondocking. Mr. Webster does list boon as "welcome benefit; blessing; merry; convivial." Then he goes on to explain that boondocks is "a jungle or wilderness; any remote rural region."

If Mr. Webster had owned a RV he probably would have explained boondocking as "camping anywhere one wishes, without any hookups." Linda and I are no experts on boondocking but we boondocked 395 nights our first seven years on the road so we have learned how to stretch fresh water, holding tanks, electric and LP.

Boondocking is much easier and more pleasant if the RV is set up correctly. Our motorhome has tanks for 105 gallons of fresh water, 65 gallons of gray water and 45 gallons of black water. It has four 80-watt solar panels, four 6-volt AGM coach batteries and a 2000 watt inverter. It has a catalytic heater that is efficient and uses no electric and a 7.5 kilowatt generator for the rare times we need more electric than the solar panels can produce. With our capacities we can boondock between two and three weeks at a time.

Others have told me with their limited capacities they can boondock only four or five days. With practice they can extend that to eight to ten days. If a couple averages using more than six gallons of water a day you are wasting fresh water and filling your holding tanks too quickly. Of course, boondocking is not for everyone as many people want the luxury of full hookups.

Where to boondock? First, we have never been turned away from anywhere we wanted to boondock. Many stores such as Wal*Marts and Targets as well as truck stops like Flying J's welcome overnight camping. (Never stay more than one night.) We have boondocked in church parking lots, taken showers while parishioners arrived, and walked across the lot to attend services. Driveways and side yards of relatives are another great idea for boondocking. We take our home to visit their homes while we visit our kinfolk. Many rallies have boondocking areas and everyone must visit Quartzsite at least once. Out west we found many "safety rest areas" just off main highways and even stayed at visitor centers. In Montana we boondocked by rivers and went trout fishing just outside our door. Some membership campgrounds offer boondocking sites and we always use them. Some of the best boondocking areas are state and national parks and national forests where camping is often free.

Some boondocking tips:
(These tips are for serious boondocking of a week or more and not for overnighting.)

* Do "G.I." showers every other day. Turn on water, get wet, turn water off, soap up, turn water on to rinse. Takes two gallons or less. Wash using a sink or small plastic tub the next day.

* While waiting for hot water to reach the faucet save water in a container and use it later for coffee or washing dishes.

* Brush your teeth with water in a small cup and then rinse your mouth with another small cup of fresh water.

* Wash dishes and utensils in small plastic tub to save water. Pour water outside if possible.

* For people with long hair wash your hair in a small plastic tub in the galley sink using one quart of water to wet hair and rinse. Then use about one quart fresh water for the final rinse.

* Use a five gallon collapsible fresh water bottle to store extra water.

* Turn on water heater 5-10 minutes before you need hot water and turn it off immediately after water warms.

* If your toilet has a sprayer use it to quickly rinse the toilet instead of holding down the foot pedal.

* When possible use restrooms in stores, restaurants, service stations, etc.

* Use restroom facilities in campground if available.

* Use disposable paper plates, bowls and cups and plastic forks, spoons and knives.

* Use only one light at a time and it should be the smallest light to do the job.

* Use fluorescent lights instead of incandescent lights.

* Limit use of large electrical loads like TVs, microwave and hair dryer.

* Turn inverter off when not using it.

* Turn off all 12 volt loads that are not being used - clock, radio, TV antenna booster, plug-in cubes for cell phones, printers, computers, etc.

* Before boondocking cook meat and freeze meat with broth in plastic zip lock bags. This will cut down on cooking and cleanup.

* During cooler weather close bedroom door at night to keep bedroom warmer. This will save LP.

* In cool weather face the sun and let solar warm the RV. In hot weather face away from the sun and open your awnings.