Tips on drycamping for newbs

[Francesca Knowles]

"Back in the day" when I was a Girl Scout we used to make firestarters by mixing sawdust with melted parrafin- usually in paper egg cartons like Cyndi said.
We also waterproofed our own matches by dipping them in the warm wax...I'll bet kids can't do that anymore...
OOPS!
I'll bet I just initiated another side trip down the slippery slope of the-way-it-used-to-be!
Good thing Frederick herded us curmudgeons into our own little playpen-

Geezers Gone Wild!

Francesca

[Greg H]

Well when I was a kid we used to soak cat tails (the plant) in used motor oil and then light them up and use them for torches.

[Vickie B.]

["cat tails (the plants)" Here kitty kitty------

[Francesca Knowles]

Yeah!

Glad you cleared that up there, Greg!

Francesca

[Mary F]

Y'all are too funny.

[kgingeri]

Man! Theres no way I'm tell'in y'all what I did with cat tails when I was a kid!!! ;D

Rolled cardboard strips and soaked with hot wax is a good fire starter too tho.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Andy B

Many types of paper plates are coated with plastic or have fibers mixed with plastic to prevent liquids from soaking in. Even tin (steel) cans are lined with plastic and cardboard cartons are coated with plastic.

Good point. I buy those flimsy, el-cheepo paper plates... the kind that come in the 500 pack and you have to use at least three or the plate collapses. A campfire isn't a burning barrel!

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by Carol H

The problem Francesca is that no one can really answer the question because there are too many factors that will impact it. The type of battery he is using - wet, low maintence, deep cell, gel cell, sealed etc to just name a few. The outside temperture and how many watts the alternator on his tow is putting out are also big factors.

From: DEEP CYCLE BATTERY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"10.2. Driving a car will fully recharge a battery.
Some of factors affecting a car charging system's ability to charge a battery are: how much current from the alternator is diverted to the battery to charge it, how long the current is available and the temperature. Generally, idling the engine or on short stop-and-go trips during bad or hot weather or at night will not recharge a battery. A long daytime trip in warm weather should recharge a battery"

I have read some statements on another forum, saying that a full charge of trailer battery from running vehicle would take several hours. The posters felt that the relatively long run of small gauge wire will inhibit current flow to the point where a more rapid charge is not possible. They said that shore power or generator power are much quicker.

One time in Colorado mountains I used the furnace for one night of boondock camping, drove about 20 minutes to reach another boondock site, and found that the batt had only enough juice to run the furnace 1 more time. That seems to coincide with what I've read.

[Francesca Knowles]

Speaking of campfires,
Has anybody advised Baj about the tools required for boondock campfires? Lots of dispersed situations are in jurisdictions that require a long-handled shovel and a bucket...
HEY BAJ!
Bring a long handled shovel and a bucket if you're going to have a campfire!

Francesca

[Perry J]

National Forests also require a fire permit as well as a bucket and shovel. I'm not sure about National Parks.

They're free and you get them at any Ranger Station

[Francesca Knowles]

Sounds like we've got another check-before-you-go item...in Washington State anyway campfire permits aren't required in any National Forests that I know of.
There are often special forest-wide fire restrictions in place, though.
Every forest is its own jurisdiction here, and it's wise to check with local Ranger Districts before you strike the match...or, come to think of it, begin to camp at all!
The Ranger Station should be a first stop for anybody headed into a National Forest to camp.
They'll be able to answer all the OTHER regulatory questions you might have, and always have maps and lists of road closures, etc.

Not to mention restrooms!

Francesca

[Baj]

What happened? Posts from the last few days are missing?

[Greg H]

They moved them.

[Francesca Knowles]

Does anybody know where to? I asked about it this morning and haven't heard back.

[Greg H]

Something about the cardboard water heater.

[Francesca Knowles]

No title like that in the mods/help forums-
How about posting a link so Baj can find it?

Francesca

[Carol H]

Thread now titled : Water Heater wet cardboard in Problem solving:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ips-46378.html

[Baj]

Thanks!

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Thread now titled : Water Heater wet cardboard in Problem solving:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ips-46378.html

Thanks, Carol

I guess I should have looked for keyword "Water Heater" instead of "Cardboard"

Francesca

[Francesca Knowles]

Dawnbreaking department:

It suddenly occurred to me WHY Frederick split the Soggy Mess question away from this thread-
Didn't Baj entitle this one "DRYcamping tips..."?

...
Francesca