Written by: Amy Brown and Jeanette Espinosa 02/06/2013 11:11 AM
The boondocks used to be a place you didn't want to go - "don't go too far or you'll end up in the boondocks!" Boondocking, otherwise known as dry camping, typically involves parking up in a place with limited amenities. RVers may sometimes find themselves having to boondock in parking lots or public lands, especially in remote areas or long stretches of interstate where getting to a campground or RV park may take you too far off course.
Boondocking, when done sensibly, can be safe and a lot of fun, regardless of your age! Here are a few common sense safety tips to remember:
Pick Wisely
More often than not the reason you are boondocking is to avoid going too far off course. Therefore places like Interstate rest areas, Wal Mart car parks, truck stops and malls are likely locales. A good rule of thumb is to pick places that you would be comfortable visiting, by yourself by day. Graffiti walls, burnt trash cans, hypodermic needles littering the ground and broken windows are a sure sign of trouble!
Make Use of Sunlight
Playing sleepovers in a parking lot or rest area will expose you to things that go bump in the night. Strange noises, the constant whoosh of highway traffic and even the occasional vagabond. Therefore ensure you time your journey, mapping it out or using your GPS, to arrive at least an hour before daylight begins to dwindle. It will give you enough time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and also do all the necessary things to stay safe.
Be Aware of Stranger Danger
Your RV is surprisingly secure. There is typically only one or two ways to enter. Provided you have locked your doors to prevent intrusion, you have the upper hand in being able to drive off at a moment's notice. The key is not to expose yourself to unnecessary risk.
Go in Pairs
Here's one to remember - if you do have to head out at night, make sure you go together. Twos are much safer than ones.
Don't Advertise
You can get so familiar with your RV that the "Jones Family from Alabama" sticker - with cut out figures of mom, dad, two little girls and cat - that is plastered across the back of your motor home becomes near invisible to you. But these will be very visible to others. These "advertisements" are what no-gooders look for. It is best to temporarily remove or cover up embellishments that give away too much information about you (e.g. name, age, status) or your belongings (e.g. avid collector of gold coins, we accept Visa platinum decal, "home on wheels" sticker - aka: everything I own is here for you to steal!).
Overnight boondocking can be a fun and safe adventure. Just be sure to use your common sense, take simple precautions and you'll be on your way, nice and refreshed.
Copyright ©2013 Camping Road Trip, LLC
Find campgrounds and RV parks - Smart Search Now. Read campground and RV park reviews to help you find the perfect place to stay.
PREVIOUS 'ROUND THE CAMPFIRE ARTICLES
How to Get the Right Sized Generator for Your RVAn RV generator allows you to power your vehicle's systems and appliances reliably from any location without having to find an electric hookup. Choosing the right RV generator requires a little work to find the right one to power everything. Here's what you need to know.
Tips on How to Tow Your RV Trailer SafelyWhether you are towing a small popup trailer or a large van behind a motor home, being safe while towing is a serious consideration. There's a lot to think about and a lot of things that can potentially go wrong. Here's a list of the top 10 things to consider when towing.
How to Winterize Your RVBuying an RV is a major investment, so it is important to ensure we get as much life out of our RVs. Winterizing our RVs goes beyond the basic maintenance we routinely do throughout the year. Here are the steps to take to assure the longevity of our beloved RVs.
Read more from our February Outdoor Living Newsletter.