4 Days Off-Grid in Our RV: The Truth About First-Time Boondocking

[@davesrvchannel4717]

Since rookie issues are the topic, I’ll share one everyone needs to be aware of. When you go off road it’s best to unhook your weight distribution hitch. Just going over something like a speed bump can destroy frame of camper. If you Google RV frame issues you’ll get 1,000’s of results. But the one not discussed enough is weight distribution hitches are great for solid pavement but a pothole, speed bump, or crossing a ditch can destroy frame of RV

[@whynotwander]

Great information, Dave!! Thank you for sharing that tip with everyone. We will definitely do some research on that as we plan to continue boondocking.

[@davesrvchannel4717]

@ I contacted Reese hitch and talked to an engineer about 4 years ago and made video on it. Unfortunately when researching all you will find is issues with trailer frames, you won’t find anyone pointing finger at the weight distribution hitches. Way too much to try to explain in a brief comment, if you think about what it does from engineering standpoint, how it makes weight distribute, and the truck and trailer becomes one, if either truck or trailer goes up or down in potholes, or up and down slope, that is what bends the frame of trailer.

[@whynotwander]

@@davesrvchannel4717 Can you send the link? We would love to check it out.

[@davesrvchannel4717]

@ hopefully KZbin will allow link here, sometimes they block links. It’s been 7 years since I did research and video. Oddly enough it was about 3 years before frame issues started showing up. At the time I did it the RV industry was having axle issues, so that’s what I discussed the most kzbin.info/www/bejne/oofKaYSdfqt9pbcsi=3p5Ee1pBdXl4bqaS

[@Jeffbob442]

Good point! We found that with our 3/4 ton truck, we did not need to use our distribution hitch at all on the smaller 29 foot trailer we got. After seeing some of the damage to trailer frames, we tried towing without...no problems in over 18k now!

[@davesrvchannel4717]

Great video with great insight. For the $300 a week many people spend at RV park, that $300 would be more wisely spent on adding more solar and lithium batteries. In just one month alone you could add 2 lithium batteries and about 600-800 watts of solar. Much better investment than staying at RV parks.

[@whynotwander]

Excellent point!!! GREAT investment!!! Thanks so much for sharing that!

[@fuzzyballoflove]

I’m really loving your videos, thank you. We’re currently downsizing and hitting the road in May fulltime. I just got my first camp host job and in a National park.

[@whynotwander]

🥳Congratulations on your upcoming adventure!!!! That's so exciting!!!! Thanks so much for your kind words!!!

[@PipeSmokingBoardgamer]

My wife and I are doing the same in May! Can you tell me more about camp host jobs? I'm worried about finding work on the road. Thanks in advance!

[@whynotwander]

@@PipeSmokingBoardgamer Our channel has tons of videos on how you can get started with these types of jobs! We also share lots of info on Facebook! Congrats on your upcoming RV life adventure!

[@avnhealth]

This was an excellent and informative video. I really learned a lot. Thanks!

[@whynotwander]

Thank you for the kind words, avnhealth! We are so glad it was helpful. 😊

[@HereComesTheSunLittleDarlin]

This is great information. I like to learn from others’ experiences so that I can ahead of whatever might come up! Thank you.

[@whynotwander]

Thank you for the feedback! We are so glad to help. 😊

[@suddenlysolo2170]

Great information. I looked into work camping as a lifestyle in the early 2000's but didn't have a suitable RV or the finances to buy a decent one. That forced me to look at other options and I quickly acquired a few relevant certifications and spent the last decade of my working life being paid to live on and caretake several beautiful, remote properties on Vancouver Island, Canada. It was like winning the lottery!

[@whynotwander]

How cool!!!! That sounds amazing!!! What certifications did you get? Thank you for sharing that! ☺

[@richardsalmon6040]

Power station=battery in a box. Make your trailer the box, and add the lithium batteries, solar panels. Start small, add as you need.

[@whynotwander]

Solar is something we definitely need to learn more about and starting small sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Richard. 😊

[@lorneserpa5888]

I agree.

[@scottslawson5375]

What area were you at in that video thumbnail? It is so easy to feel embarrassed when we make mistakes but it’s kind of funny because we are the only ones who know we made a mistake. We appreciate your openness and honestly as it helps get the true picture. Thanks for sharing.

[@whynotwander]

We were in Rye, Arizona! BEAUTIFUL area that we can't wait to return to! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@samlopez5723]

Great video ❤

[@whynotwander]

Thank you so much, Sam! 😊

[@Jeffbob442]

Good job you guys!

[@whynotwander]

Thank you for the encouragement, Jeff! One step at a time. 😅😂

[@RVLifeWithTheMuirs]

Love your boondocking story. My wife and I are getting ready to go Full-Time next week. So hard downsizing and so much to get done. I think we want to try some work camping for extra money and to meet new people at the same time. BTW Utah is home for us. Hope we get the chance to meet up with you sometime!

[@whynotwander]

🥳Congratulations on starting full-time life next week!!! It can definitely feel overwhelming, but you're almost there! Would love to meet you on the road! ☺

[@2Miles2Go]

Love the Warrior Poet T!!!! 👍🏼

[@whynotwander]

Thank you! Love that you love it! 😂Always nice to know you're in good company! ☺

[@shawnbeerens4292]

You could hook up a small inverter to your current batteries for charging and using smaller appliances, like a 750 to a 1000 watt inverter. I have a 5000 watt inverter from harber freight that i got on sale. Its super simple to add, and would be cheaper than buying a power station

[@whynotwander]

Thank you for the great idea, Shawn!!! Will definitely look into that!

[@lorneserpa5888]

You don't need much solar since you have a generator. However more solar and an inverter and you can do computers, charging everything, movie night, microwave hair dryers, and anything else you want except air conditioning. Air conditioning can run off an inverter pretty easy but it's very difficult to get enough battery and enough solar to put that energy back in. On my imagine 22 MLA I added an additional 450 watt panel used for 200, and a charge controller for under $100. we never wanted for more power dry camping for weeks.

[@whynotwander]

Thank you for the information! We would like to have a stand alone solar system and be able to eliminate relying on the generator and only keep it for emergencies. We just need to do some more research and figure out what we need. 😊

[@mistiblu246]

I know this is a random question but can you recommend a cellular and internet provider that’s not only realistic affordable and travel friendly? Really enjoyed this video. Grateful

[@whynotwander]

Absolutely! The whole time we've been on the road (and even before hitting the road), we have used Visible as our cell provider. We only pay $25/month for each of our plans, and we have unlimited data + excellent hot spot usage. We have a referral link if you decide to go with them. You get $20 off your first month of service with this link. ☺ www.visible.com/get/?3npCQ3 As far as internet goes, we've had our share of absolutely horrible internet and FINALLY found an amazing provider that we have been so happy with. We use OTR Mobile, and we highly recommend them! They are affordable, meant for people living on the road, and excellent customer service. Hope that helps and let us know if you have any other questions! ☺

[@mistiblu246]

@ So grateful! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 i will definitely use this referral link .

[@puceater2311]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I enjoyed your content. You earned a new subscriber today. Look forward to seeing more of your content.

[@whynotwander]

Thank you so much! We are grateful to have you watching! -Matt & Laurie

How do you protect yourself from folk breaking into your van when you are away?

[@whynotwander]

Great question. When it comes to RVs, it is hard to secure them completely like you would a house because the doors and windows are cheaply made. We keep all the windows closed and locked and we have upgraded our door handle to the keyless RVLock. We also use a Ft. Knox Lock on the RV trailer tongue and we use a cable lock on our generator and propane tank. When we're boondocking we also don't stay gone for very long. Thank for asking. 😊

[@lorneserpa5888]

It geats easier and better. Enjoy dry camping.

[@whynotwander]

Thank you!! ❤

[@jmidd28]

❤❤❤

[@whynotwander]

Thank you!

[@koolmodee4542]

Enjoyed the video. Please don't trade trash for convenience. Plasticware is such a waste.

[@jgminiaturas8319]

🇧🇷👍 0:27

[@robertgordon5954]

You are not broke....,just spoiled

[@whynotwander]

Thanks for the comment, Robert! We never said we were broke and we are certainly not spoiled. We work jobs a lot of people wouldn't (cleaning toilets, maintenance, yard work, driving truck, hauling garbage, etc.) to be able to live this lifestyle but we thank you for watching. 😊

[@Cristina199]

If you each had a CDL you could put away 10k a month on a road crew.