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Some of my favorite memories from 10 years of RV travel are from boondocking in wild, remote places. Boondocking offers the best views and the most peace and quiet—but it also takes the right gear and a bit of know-how to do it right. These are 10 boondocking essentials I never dry camp without.
This post is sponsored by etrailer.com. They’re my go-to for everything RV-related, from campsite gear to hitches and replacement parts. I’ve been ordering from them for years and always get great customer service. I especially love their detailed product descriptions and video tutorials. They make it easy to get the right gear the first time.
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Solar Lights and Charger
One of the keys to a successful boondocking trip is not killing your RV’s house battery. An easy way to avoid draining the battery too quickly is to use products that provide their own power.
The BioLite SolarHome 625 Portable Solar System comes with 3 hanging lights, an FM radio, and a control box with an additional light and a phone charger. All of these features are battery-powered and can be recharged with the included 6-watt solar panel.
Using our SolarHome 625, we can light up our campsite, jam out to tunes, and charge our phones without using any power from our RV!
Many boondockers also want alternative power solutions, such as solar panels, generators, or an inverter for their boondocking trip. See our complete guide to boondocking for a detailed breakdown of how to power your RV while parked off the grid.
Portable Power Station
If you need to charge more devices, a portable power station is a great alternative to the SolarHome system. The BioLite BaseCharge 600 has AC, DC, and USB ports, so you can charge laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, and lights, and keep multiple devices going at once.
It can be recharged with solar panels, wall power, or your vehicle, and it has a handy display that shows exactly how much power you’re using. This is a solid choice for longer trips or campers who work from the road and need more power on hand.
Extra Water
One of the biggest concerns when boondocking is running out of water. In addition to filling up our RV’s fresh water tank, we also fill up large, BPA-free water jugs before heading out on a boondocking trip.
We use this extra water for drinking and rinsing dishes. This keeps our freshwater tank full and our gray water tank low so we can camp for longer.
etrailer.com has several BPA-free water containers that can be used to haul extra water on your next boondocking trip.
Portable RV Holding Tank
When we are on an extended boondocking trip, we usually fill up our gray and black water holding tanks within a week. A portable RV holding tank allows us to empty the tanks without moving the RV.
Once the wastewater is emptied into the tote, we can attach it to the hitch on our tow truck and drive it to the nearest dump station. etrailer.com sells portable RV holding tanks in a variety of sizes, so campers can find one that is appropriate for their tank sizes.
Camp Stove
When we’re dry camping, we like to cook outside because it helps keep the RV cooler, and honestly, we just enjoy being outside as much as possible. The BioLite CampStove Complete Cook Kit is the perfect outdoor cooking solution.
Fueled by pellets or sticks, the stove lets you grill, boil, make coffee, and enjoy a mini campfire. Its airflow system turns the heat from the fire into electricity, burning off the smoke before it can escape.
Plus, the onboard battery stores power so you can charge small devices using the stove’s USB port.
Comfy Camping Chair
Boondocking is all about spending time outside. To make the most of my relaxing outdoor time, I need a super cozy camping chair. My favorite option is the Kelty Low Loveseat.
This camping couch has plenty of room for two people, plus there are attached blankets on both sides, and the padded carrying case doubles as a bed for dogs (though Ted prefers to sleep in the chair).
Portable Camp Table
Since most boondocking spots don’t come with picnic tables, it is smart to bring your own portable camp table to hold drinks and plates. The Kelty Rad-Arondack Outdoor Table is a sharp-looking table that only weighs about 5 pounds and easily folds up into its included carrying case.
Emergency Kit
Unexpected accidents and incidents can happen on any camping trip. Since many boondocking spots are far from other people and emergency services, it is always wise to carry emergency and first aid supplies.
The Orion Deluxe Roadside Emergency Kit includes flares, a reflective triangle, jumper cables, a flashlight, an emergency blanket, a combo tool, a poncho, a safety vest, and first aid supplies.
Cell Signal Booster
Many of our favorite boondocking spots are way off the grid, which usually means weak or no cell signal. A cell signal booster helps us stay connected when we need to check in with family or do a little work online.
The SureCall Fusion2Go 3.0 RV Cell Phone Signal Booster is a great option. Its powerful antenna attaches to the roof of your RV, giving multiple users a stronger connection for improved calls and faster data speeds.
Oversized Outdoor Rug
Most boondocking sites are either dirt or sand. Walking in the dirt combined with limited showers, can lead to a filthy RV. An oversized outdoor rug helps keep the dirt on the ground and out of the RV.
We use this huge reversible outdoor rug from etrailer. The charcoal and gray pattern matches our RV, making for an adorable campsite patio. In addition to looking great, the rug provides a comfortable place to spend the day and helps keep our shoes clean so we don’t track dirt inside.
Boondocking gives us the freedom to camp in the most beautiful and peaceful places, but it definitely takes a little extra planning. These are the products we personally rely on to make our dry camping trips more comfortable and stress-free. With the right gear, you can stay out longer, relax more, and truly enjoy the adventure.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
