Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Must Have Boondocking Items?
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Posting Help and Support  |  Contact  

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Public Lands, Boondocking and ...

Open Roads Forum  >  Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping

 > Must Have Boondocking Items?

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Page  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 20  
Prev  |  Next
rfryer

Phoenix

Senior Member

Joined: 04/19/2005

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 11/13/11 08:50pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

rfryer wrote:

A 45 ACP, water, food, a camera, books, one charged battery, a full propane tank, maps and a compass. Oh, and the DW.[emoticon]


My previous post was abbreviated, it’s the absolute minimum. But in a more serious vein, I do routinely carry more gear boondocking so I sort of consider them must haves. An axe for firewood, extra water in jerry cans and also sometimes gas if I think I’ll need it. I rarely camp without wandering further in the back country, either by vehicle or on foot so I carry a knapsack with a knife, a canteen, a small amount of survival and fire starting gear, a small flashlight, and some first aid supplies. If the weather might change I take a high lift jack that I’ve only had to use on winter hunting trips. I also take a few tools and spare parts for the TT. Other than bulbs and fuses for the TV I don’t carry anything to work on it, the new computer driven vehicles are beyond my expertise. The tools and spare parts are probably argumentative whether they’re “must haves”, but they take so little space they go.

Solar is an attractive idea, but I almost always camp in the forest so it’s not very useful. I don’t care for generators and don’t have one, but I’ve been reconsidering a small one just to recharge my battery. Or carrying an extra battery. But I can get almost a full week out of my battery and I’m restless enough I rarely stay in one spot longer than that.

SoakedKarma

Reno neh-va-duh

Senior Member

Joined: 10/15/2011

View Profile



Posted: 11/19/11 11:07pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Most of what Y'all have said but my most prized requirement is Life Straw which fits in backpack and I don't have to lug water on long hikes where there are streams or lakes.. Plan on getting Life Straw Family one of these days..

Ray55

Missouri

Full Member

Joined: 10/23/2011

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/24/11 01:50pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My wife and I used to backpack/canoe camp. I still do but DW said no more. So for me it is .

TT with gas stove, gas/electric refrigerator, water heater, gas furnance/ AC. Bed and bathroom.

Generator 2 Hond eu2000 to power AC/microwave. Small enough for me to lift, quite but costly. Gasoline for planned length of stay. .

2 additional 12 volt batteries for TT ( 3 total)
3 12 volt fans, 12 volt trouble light.

combination battery jumper, air compresser,cell phone charger, emergency light in truck.

folding chairs, TT has a table that can be used outside.

Hand Ax, grill from old BBQ, box of rope, fire starters, bug candles.

First aid kit/ 12 gauge shot gun.

water filter, collapsable water carrier

Ruck sack- compass, area map, camera, binoculars, whistle, first aid kit, emergency rations, water bottle, bivy sack, walking stick, Hand held Ham radio.

weather radio (TT has a 12 volt one) Hand held in ruck .

If going for a long period- extra gas bottles, If no water source- water, extra fuel for gasoline generator/ diesel Truck.

The truck has extra 12 volt battery, Winch (can be on the front or back), high lift jack, tow straps, bottle Jack, scizzor jack, 306 rifle, ham radio, binoculars, 12 volt search light. first aid kit. trouble bag- spare cloths, rations, gloves, hat, water.

goreds2

OH H ..... EYE OH !

Senior Member

Joined: 09/01/2008

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/24/11 08:00pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

This is on sale at Tractor Supply on Black Friday only.

[image]

www.tractorsupply.com


See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

rustycopperballs

Four Corners

Senior Member

Joined: 02/12/2009

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 11/30/11 11:28am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

All of what u said and a good bottle of scocth!

bbaley

Yacolt, WA

Full Member

Joined: 10/10/2011

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 11/30/11 05:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

rustycopperballs wrote:

All of what u said and a good bottle of scocth!


That's not a survival item...
It's a reason to GO [emoticon]


Our Equipment:
2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Outdoorsman Pkg Cummmins 6.7
2016 Keystone Cougar 26rbiwe
2012 model golden retriever
2007 model Chiweenie
Scott/Sage Fly Rods (3wt thru 8wt)
Newer than antique models navigator and driver.


elkhornsun

Monterey

Senior Member

Joined: 11/29/2011

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 12/22/11 01:53pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My focus is in getting back out of wherever I go and for that a tire tube, air pump, tire irons, Hi-Lift jack, bailing wire, duct tape, electrical wire, electrical tape, vice grips, hatchet, snatch strap, come-along, rope, gloves, shovel, VOM, and a few tools are all I need.

I don't take a firearm as in my 45 years of back country I never got that desperate that I would even think of shooting myself or my companions. I have been tempted at times to shoot a dirt bike or two and an occasional generator. Worst case I want to have enough food and water and a back pack so we can hike out.

drc5900

Canon City, Colorado

Full Member

Joined: 05/17/2010

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 12/22/11 02:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

IDman wrote:

We always have a .357 Magnum and a 12 gauge, and not just when boondocking.


X2!


1997 Dodge Ram Cummins 3500 Dually 5.9L Turbo Diesel, Billeted Goerend Auto Tranny & Triple Disk Torque Converter w/Manual Lockup, 3.5 axle ratio.
1992 Jayco Jay Hunter 950, w/Homemade: tiedowns/dually jack adapters/long hitch, Hott-Rod, 700W inverter.


drc5900

Canon City, Colorado

Full Member

Joined: 05/17/2010

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 12/22/11 02:58pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

LenSatic wrote:

TMBLSN wrote:

LenSatic wrote:

We can also carry up to 42 gals. of water in addition to the 31 gals. on-board.
LS


What do you use to carry that water? I've been looking for a good solution for transporting additional water.

Thanks.


Seven gal. Aqua-Tainers. We have 6 at the moment and take as few or as many as we feel are required.

LS


X2!

drc5900

Canon City, Colorado

Full Member

Joined: 05/17/2010

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 12/22/11 03:09pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

pnichols wrote:

Quote:

Let's have a little fun. What do you consider to be "must have" items when you go boondocking?



I always like these type of discussions cuz I've spent a lifetime thinking about and getting ready to do boondock RV camping in retirement. Here's some of the actual "must haves" we take into account when boondock camping in our 24 foot Class C motorhome:

- We have a quiet 4KW built-in generator for battery charging, for A/C in hot weather, for the microwave, and for emergency heat in case of propane system failure ... fueled via the main 55 gallon chassis tank for long run times if required.

- We also carry a quiet protable generator as a backup to the built-in generator for battery charging and limited emergency heat in case of propane system failure. Fueled via it's built-in tank, plus a 2 gallon full safety rated steel portable gas tank carried in an external steel lined storage cabinet.

- We carry a 12 ton bottle jack with a double cylinder for extra high lift for changing our own tire if absolutely necessary.

- We have a rooftop cellular antenna with a send/receive boost amplifier for long range reach on our cell phones and Internet connection.

- We carry five step up leveling blocks for the worst case 3-point leveling situation of the four rear tires plus one front tire.

- We take a portable 12V refrigerator along for emergency use in case the main propane refrigerator should fail out in the middle of nowhere.

- We carry a set of crutches along in case someone should sprain an ankle.

- We carry a heating pad, a blood pressure monitor, and a large medical supply portable cabinet along in case of medical emergencies.

- We carry a plunger along in case of a clog in the kitchen sink or bath sink.

- We carry along a 110V AC full power tankless portable compressor that can fully inflate the motorhome's tires. The built-in generator easily powers it.

- We carry a full size shovel along.

- We bring hand held pruners along for camp sites with low hanging limbs.

- We carry spare fluids and spark plugs for both generators and the main chassis engine.

- We carry 100 feet of potable water hose.

- We carry 30 feet of sewer line.

- we carry 80 feet of cabling for shore power.

- We carry two 25 foot drop-cord lights.

- We have over-size tires on the motorhome for increased ground clearance.

- We carry a portable heater that either generator can power for emergency heat in case of propane system or propane furnace failure.

- We carry 15 feet of high strength chain with hooks on each end ... capable of towing our motorhome, or pulling it out of a stuck spot or the ditch.

- We carry a backup battery charger in case the built-in converter should fail.

- We carry a roll of 4" Eternabond, chaulking, and a chaulking gun for emergency repair of any leaks in the roof, walls, or windows.

- We carry a bucket for emergency transfer of water from a full grey tank into a non-full black tank.

- We carry another potable water bucket and funnel for emergency manual filling of the main freshwater tank from water sources without hose fittings. I guess we could fill it this way from a stream too, if we wanted to trust the water in the steam.

- We bring along an inter-connection valve for emergency merging of the grey and black tank contents.

- The same valve from above can be used as an emergency replacement valve for the main grey or black tank valves.

- We bring along a high volume portable 12V fan, plus a 25 foot extension cord for it, to use for outside cooling/fly blowing at the picnic table or to use inside in case of A/C failure in hot weather.

- We bring along various types of flashlights and portable lights, as many of them LED as possible.

- We bring along extra batteries for everything ... lithium batteries, if available in the required size, for long life.

- We bring along a full size outside table for campsites without a table.

- We bring along 2 full size outside lounge chairs - one medium size and one large size.

- We bring along 4 regular outside chairs.

- We bring along 3 chair side-tables.

- We bring along fishing gear, just in case.

- We bring along ultra-detailed Landmark map books of every area we travel in, if available for the area.

- We bring along a Garmin navigator loaded with huge amonts of 3rd party POI data well beyond what normally comes into the unit during the factory quarterly updates. This 3rd party data also includes low height overpasses for the entire U.S. - with audio warning capability any distance ahead you want to set the warning for.

and ... last but not least ...

- We bring along two different mosquito repellant systems for outside use when sitting around the campfire!


Awesome list!

Good ideas here, and in a lot of other posts in this thread!

I'd like to add: a gallon of bleach for water purification: 4 drops per quart still keeps it potable and kills most bacteria, in addition to a general water purification filter.
And a blender for cocktails...

* This post was edited 12/22/11 03:26pm by drc5900 *

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Page  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 20  
Prev  |  Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping

 > Must Have Boondocking Items?
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Public Lands, Boondocking and ...


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:




© 2025 CWI, Inc. © 2025 Good Sam Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.