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Dry camping requires extensive use of your coach batteries. It is important to ensure that your inverter/charger is working properly and your coach batteries are in good condition before hitting the road, and fully charged upon arrival. It is also important to arrive at your boondocking location with:
- A full tank of gas for generator use and enough fuel left to reach a refueling location
- A full tank of propane for cooking and heating
- A full fresh water tank and empty or almost–empty holding tanks
RVing in remote areas requires a little planning ahead, including GPS navigation and mapping, both on paved highways, and off–road on dirt roads and trails that may not be on standard maps.
You also need to consider access to telecommunications and the Internet along with being able to use your TV and other personal electronics.
Technology and Remote Areas
RVers looking to use their communications, consumer, and entertainment electronics products should consider should select products compatible with boondocking and outdoor activities.
Navigation, Mapping and Location Information – It is important to know where you are and how to get where you are going. We strongly recommend that you use GPS–based navigation and mapping systems products that can be used in the RV and away from the RV. Look for GPS–based hardware and software products that provide topographical 3–D functions and imagery to determine exact locations and have the capability to download information to both RV navigation hardware and hand–held GPS devices. In addition, look for the ability to transfer data to hand–held GPS devices.
An inexpensive option for RVers with portable computers is the DeLorme Topo USA 6.0 that includes the ability to plan RV trips on paved roads using 2–D and 3–D route displays, and also provide the 3–D display and location information for off–road on hand–held devices in off–road or unmapped areas. You can view the DeLorme products for on–road and off–road needs at www.delorme.com.
You’ll find a wide selection of GPS navigation and topographical products, including units with larger screens ideal for use in the RV and compact portable GPS devices, at Camping World, Circuit City, and big box stores.
Safety and Communication
All RVers in remote areas should carry a NOAA emergency radio to keep advised of weather and environmental conditions, wireless phones, along with 12–volt DC and 120–volt AC chargers, and maps (digital or hardcopy).
While the wireless communications and data towers normally require you to be within 2–3 miles to connect, RVers should look at booster amplifier equipment, antennas, and related connectors and adapters that increase the transmission range of wireless mobile phone and Internet data access in remote areas.
Products increasingly popular with RVers and other needing access in remote areas include the SmoothTalker products available on the Internet at www.smoothtalker.com and the Internet in Motion system available at Camping World and other RV suppliers.
The SmoothTalker booster, antenna, and miscellaneous connectors can increase the wireless transmission range for Internet access and telephone communications to as much as 60 miles or greater. Actual range is dependent on the type of antenna used by the wireless equipment, and geographic terrain, including water, lakes, plains, and mountainous or hilly areas.
The SmoothTalker booster can be used with a wireless data card used in a portable computer for Internet access. Another option is for the RVers is to use a Kyocera KR1 wireless mobile router and data card to set up a local area network using the four Ethernet ports for computers to access the Internet. A complete SmoothTalker installation can cost from $350 – $750 depending upon the equipment, connectors, adapters, and antenna selected.
The Internet In Motion system is popular with RVers because of its ready availability, easy installation, and portability between the RV and other vehicles. The system is simple, consisting of a special mobile cellular router and a high–power, 3db gain antenna that stands only 3" tall when installed. The Internet In Motion Internet site states their equipment configuration can increase the wireless transmission range for Internet access and telephone communications to as much as 20 – 30 miles with the appropriate high–gain antenna.
Internet In Motion uses Sprint and Verizon cellular networks to stay connected anywhere you go; The mobile router uses a wireless data card for Internet access and is compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Palm or PocketPC operating system. The system costs approximately $1900 plus an installation charge. Visit www.campingworld.com and www.internetinmotion.net for more information.
The wireless service products and services are continually evolving, with new features and providers becoming available. RVers installing either system need to discuss their current wireless provider and phone type, data needs requiring Internet access, equipment and installation costs, monthly service charges and contract length from the wireless provider, and the type of remote usage they anticipate, including distance from cellular towers and type of terrain. RVers using a mobile router need to verify that it will support the EVDO data card provided by their wireless provider to transmit and receive digital data.
Note: Many providers require a minimum 12–month or 24–month period to start new wireless mobile phone coverage, and 12–month or 24–month period for data coverage whether or not you already have wireless phone service.
Electronics in Remote Areas – If you plan on boondocking, consider consumer electronics and entertainment products that can run on 12–volt DC, or 12–volt DC/120–volt AC power.
RVers will find products that run on 12–volt DC power, eliminating the need to use an inverter or run the generator, include:
- AC/DC CD/DVD players for movies and music
- 12–volt DC TVs (either LCD–Flat Screen or picture tube)
- Use the R6 TracVision satellite dish with integrated 12–volt DC Direc–TV receiver.
- Install solar panels, or additional solar panels, to help maintain a full charge on your RV batteries.
All of the above products are available at Camping World and selected RV suppliers. Solar panel installation should be performed by a qualified RV technician. You will o find information about RVs and solar panels at www.amsolar.com and www.rvsolar.com.
We recommend that you carry 150–watt to 800–watt inverter as a backup to use 120–volt AC–powered electronics, appliances and equipment.
The ultimate solution for power for extended–period boondocking is the portable wind turbine power option. We recommend that you work with a solar power specialist to determine what is available to meet your remote area boondocking needs. You will find more information about solar power on the Internet at
www.survivalunlimited.com/hornetwindturbine.htm and www.alpinesurvival.com/rv–solar–power.html.
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!!!
| Alan Lidstone is a freelance author and writer living in southwest Florida. Barbara Collyer Lidstone, his wife and co–editor, is an abstractor. The Lidstones co–authored RVs – Getting out and STAYING Out, from Fulcrum Publishing of Golden, Colorado, and they write and publish the 24–page Roads 'n Toads – RVing in Florida newsletter providing timely information on activities and products that help RVers get the most from the RV lifestyle. |
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