Boondocking without suffering

[Gina D.]

Some time ago, I had mentioned I was working on a brief website outlining how a small rig can run off the grid without too much pain involved.

I have finished, for the time being.

Here it is..

OK, well.. HERE it is...

Don't look for detailed factoids and specs. That wasn't the point of the page. It is an overview of what can be done if your needs are simple.

I pretty much built it while camping, when trapped inside due to weather or.. darkness

OK, once when there was a bear at my door, but I wouldn't let him use my computer to check his email.

[DaveK]

Gina, great site!

Thanks!

[potteralice]

gina, WOW! what a wonderfully useful guide you have written! even i understand most of it and i am an old tv-dinner geezer! i sure would like to have the things you use so i can go out boondocking. i might even get to quartzite this winter.

are you planning to publish this info and sell it in camping stores? if you are, i would be happy to proofread it. (cannot help it, catholic school, correcting the paper of whoever was the kid in the seat in front of me for 12 years. cannot be expunged.) i only noticed a few typos. in this kind of semi-technical writing that is remarkable.

only one question. i don't understand the term "house battery". is it just because my tv-dinner didn't go down right and my tummy is unhappy or am i just stupid about even low tech stuff?

admiringly, alice

[Gina D.]

I am a geezer too!

Feel free to point out any typos etc. Each time I read it, I find more, or also...some annoying mensa type reminds me of them.

Fred!

the "House" battery is the large one that is permanently installed in the trailer, like most everyone has. The main source of power. The aux batteries are portable and not permanently attached to anything, thus making them a suppliment, rather than an absolute necessity.

[Pete Dumbleton]

I believe the term 'house batteries' started with motorhomes, where the engine and the living quarters are in the same vehicle -- The house batteries, usually deep cycle batteries of some kind, run the lights, fans, etc., and the starting battery is dedicated to engine starting -- There must be a similiar distinction in the marine world, on boats with engines and living space, but I dunno what the house battery is called there.

[AndyW]

That shot of the front of your trailer has me curious.

What's the advantage of using the tongue jack when you've also got the swing-away?

What's the black pole sticking up next to the tongue jack?

What's the thing on the back of the tongue that looks like a clothes hamper?

What are the gray plastic cases under the trailer?

Are all your batteries inside the trailer?

I screwed and glued one of those 1.5-watt panels to the top of my battery box. It won't do much, but it fits perfectly on top of the box. I want to do the U-Haul thing and put a 5 or 10-watt panel on the rock guard, if I ever catch up on all the other projects.

Cool site, Gina.

[Al and Cindy K]

Gina, thoroughly enjoyed your site - great information with even better presentation.


Al

[Byron Kinnaman]

I wonder how you manage to carry all that "stuff".

Poor little Element.

It looks like you're having a lot of fun, and that's what matters.

[Per Walthinsen]

NICE WORK, Gina!

[Gina D.]

Thanks.

AndyW:

Quote: What's the advantage of using the tongue jack when you've also got the swing-away?

None. I haven't bothered to pull the swing away off. Occassionaly, I need the wheel. There is no wheel on the tongue jack because of the way my driveway slopes (Long story, can't put one on there) so the swing away is on too. It rarely gets used however.

Quote: What's the black pole sticking up next to the tongue jack?

I have a back up mirror that mounts to the tongue, not the tow. it's convex and hangs over the receiver, back up and watch mirror. The pole stays on the tongue, the mirror rides in the car when not in use.

Quote: What's the thing on the back of the tongue that looks like a clothes hamper?

It's a Mugadot Propane tank carrier. The tank rides inside it, and all I do to remove the tank is lift it out after disconnecting the line, and loosening safety straps at the top. No tools required. No mess. They don't make these anymore, *I think*.

Quote: What are the gray plastic cases under the trailer?

Tools, Folding Satellite dish I no longer have. Oh, and way to much junk...

Quote: Are all your batteries inside the trailer?

Yes. The aux batteries are sealed and under the street side dinnette, and the house is in a compartment under the sink.

No it is not specifiically vented, but it does have outside airflow and is sealed off from the rest of the inside of the coach.

[Anne H]

Very cool information

[Mary Lynn K.]

Hi Gina: This info. is fantastic. I'll give it my best try to use some of your ideas, first in my backyard, of course!!! -Mary Lynn K.

[DaveK]

It occurs to me that Gina's Boondocking pages would be a very good addition to the Boondocking section of the Links page.

Just a thought.

[Matt O'Bryan]

Feel free to point out any typos etc. Each time I read it, I find more, or also...some annoying mensa type reminds me of them.

Gina:

I may have [b]eluded to my Italianess earlier, in a subtle way.

Frankly, if I was Italian, I'd be eluding my ancestry, too
I think you meant alluded.

Matt the Mick

[Gina D.]

Frankly, if I was Italian, I'd be eluding my ancestry, too

Mr. O'Bryan, my mothers side is English/Irish.

Guess which side won?

No Gnocchi for you!

Fixed! Thanks.

[Matt O'Bryan]

Mr. O'Bryan, my mothers side is English/Irish.

Guess which side won?

No Gnocchi for you!

Fixed! Thanks.

English/Irish? That explains it.
They were too busy bickering amongst themselves to do anything about the Italian invasion

I must concede the cuisine to you, though.

You have Gnocchi, we have leeks...

Hey Mods, can we get a :leek smilie???

Matt

[Gina D.]

we have leeks...

better take care of that before winter sets in. A little Butyl tape should do it.

[Mary F]

It occurs to me that Gina's Boondocking pages would be a very good addition to the Boondocking section of the Links page.

Just a thought.

Conflict of interest! Conflict of interest!

Since Gina's in charge of maintaining the links, I think we got a Conflict of interest!

[Donna D.]

Conflict of interest! Conflict of interest!

Since Gina's in charge of maintaining the links, I think we got a Conflict of interest!

Gina, it's good to be KING! Go for it

[Gina D.]

HAR!

Thats why I didn't do it. Despite my Italian side.

I can tho.

Fred found a good deal here:

SALE!!!!!!