How to Prep Customers for Boondocking

We hear it everywhere we go: more and more campers are looking to camp off the grid to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A 2021 survey by Togo RV found that 26% of the respondents boondock between 10 and 20 nights per year – and it’s highly likely that number has grown since then.

RV PRO asked several power solutions companies what dealers need to know to get their customers set up properly for off-grid camping. Here’s what they had to say.

RV PRO: What do dealers need to know when helping set up their customers to go boondocking or camping off-grid?

Webasto: When adventuring off-grid, being self-sufficient is not only important for comfort, but can also be critical to safety. Webasto fuel-operated heaters are the safest and most efficient way to keep off-grid campers warm and comfortable in cold weather. Sourcing the fuel already on-board allows customers to be adventure-ready in cold weather 100% of the time.

RELiON: When campers are on the road, they need to have a reliable power system. This will keep the lights on and the fridge running even when they’re set up in the most remote areas. They don’t want to get bogged down by needing to plug into an external energy system every night – having their own on-site, off-grid power can enable them to be completely self-sufficient for months or years at a time. Help your customers understand the benefits of investing in a top-notch lithium solar-plus storage system so that their boondocking, dry camping or other long-term RV adventures never lose charge, no matter where they are in the world. A solar system will power them through sunny days, and battery storage ensures that the system will still be operational when it’s overcast as well. The last thing they want to be thinking about while on the road is whether they will have enough energy to last through each day.

Choosing high-quality battery solutions can pay dividends in the long term. Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP or LiFePo4) offer longer warranties, lower maintenance, greater safety – particularly in small, compact spaces – and higher efficiency compared to any other batteries on the market. RELiON’s lithium batteries are ideal for those looking to build, or upgrade to, a reliable and long-lasting energy system to pair with a solar array. RELiON’s portfolio of batteries is unmatched, including its Low Temperature line, which is perfect for those RVers looking to visit colder climates.

Intellitec: Dead batteries can be a major problem. There are aftermarket solutions that prevent the vehicle’s battery from dying without the user needing to worry about if they disconnected loads from their battery. Intellitec offers a line of automatic battery disconnects, the Battery Guard, that senses when voltage is low and automatically disconnects the loads from the battery, keeping the chassis battery with enough voltage to start the vehicle, preventing the user from being stranded.

Yoshino: When boondocking or camping off-grid, customers should plan in advance how long they will be off-grid and what their power needs may be during this time. There are obviously a variety of factors that will get added to the mix in determining their power requirements. A weekend spent off-grid in hot weather may mean they want to use the air conditioner, which is always a heavy power draw. Will there be enough sunlight to take advantage of solar panels and recharging? How many devices and appliances do they intend to use over their time off-grid? All these factors need to be accounted for in determining the size of a portable power station and any solar panel setup that may be used.

Schumacher: To set up customers for success, dealers need to know what boondocking is and how it is different from regular RV traveling and camping. Boondocking is a form of self-sufficient, dispersed camping where RV owners camp on public land that is outside of a designated campground, so there is no access to water, sewer or electrical hookups. Dealers must be aware of these conditions and be able to suggest products that make camping easier but don’t require electricity or water hookups. The products should have batteries with long life spans or alternative methods of charging (e.g., solar) that allow them to last for long periods without power and/or needing to be charged.

Micro-Air: EasyStart, the RV soft starter, makes starting on solar arrays and inverters/batteries possible, same for smaller generators. So, heading out to boondock, whether on the beach in San Diego or on BLM lands or in a Walmart lot (for example), you can add an EasyStart to your AC unit and – utilizing a smaller, quieter, lighter and less gas guzzling 2200-watt generator (Hondas and Yamahas work the best, in our experience, with larger specs for their motors), an RVer can camp with ease while remote from the world. As generator manufacturers change designs over time, so too do their overall motor sizes change. To those modifications you can ascribe differences in the total load that can be handled by the gennie. In making a choice of generator for your RV, both the pros and consumers might benefit from review of generator specifications pages as well as reviews and RV forums.

RV PRO: What challenges do off-grid campers face that dealers need to be aware of?

Webasto: Condensation from moisture buildup in a vehicle can lead to mold, rot and rust, which is a nightmare for vehicle-based exploration. Some propane systems introduce moisture into the air, contributing to the condensation challenges. Choosing the right heat source can significantly reduce condensation. Fuel-operated heaters (diesel and gasoline) are externally ventilated and produce a comfortable dry heat. Also, utilizing the fuel in the vehicle’s tank eliminates having to find propane.

RELiON: The most critical challenge when off the grid is power supply. To ensure they’re prepared, the first thing off-grid campers need to do is determine their energy needs and purchase equipment accordingly. Two additional key factors include learning how to manage holding tanks and conserving water. There are a variety of ways to cut down on energy use when on the road – close the blinds to keep heat out, use fans instead of air conditioning, and make sure all your windows and doors are well sealed. Additionally, converting all lightbulbs to LED and purchasing more efficient options when outfitting an RV with appliances, like fridges and coffee makers, will go a long way in cutting down energy use. Utilizing more energy efficient appliances can also serve to reduce the size of the solar array and energy storage system that is needed.

Intellitec: People can be forgetful. The standard, cheap battery disconnect switch is often hidden in a compartment and forgotten, especially when the camper finally reaches their destination and is eager to enjoy the outdoors.

Schumacher: Off-grid campers can face a variety of challenges and issues that dealers must be aware of when suggesting related products, RVs and accessories. Off-grid camping often involves rough terrain and lack of access to basic resources like electricity, water and bathrooms. At nighttime, with no campground lights or lamp posts, the dark can obscure natural and artificial hazards that could cause damage to your vehicle. Also, with most boondocking occurring in dispersed camping areas that are off the beaten path, there is a possibility of rough terrain, tree branches and other nature-related surprises that potentially require specific equipment or heavy-duty rigs to navigate. It’s important to understand that off-grid camping is different from traditional camping, making it crucial to be prepared for unseen challenges.

Micro-Air: Most people are unaware that as elevation rises fossil fueled (principally gasoline and propane) generators diminish in power thanks to lesser oxygen availability. If you are old enough to remember, U.S. runners trained for the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics by moving to Colorado where they could grow accustomed to running in thinner air at higher altitude. Every gas-powered motor at elevation loses strength at the rate of 3.5% every 1,000 feet. So, at just 3,000 to 4000 feet, you’ve lost over 10% of the power in a generator. That could be the swing difference between starting (the) AC or sweating! With an EasyStart and a well-sized generator, starting and running AC is possible off grid. Our article “Selecting a Generator” is particularly helpful in sizing a generator to use with an EasyStart in the circuit of an RV AC unit. It includes calculations relating to elevation.

Dealers can also supply customers information about the “jetting” of carburetors for better performance at altitude (they offer different sizes for different elevations). Desk agents should provide customers a cautionary tale about carburetor jet removal and how running on elevation jets after descending runs the risk of damaging the generator.

For fuel – plan to bring enough LPG or gasoline to last you the length of your trip depending on expected temperatures and the related run hours.

RV PRO: What would be the must-have products that a boondocking or off-grid camper needs to have on-hand to ensure a successful trip?

Webasto: Having reliable heat is important for comfort and safety when boondocking. Webasto fuel-operated heaters feature enhanced altitude capabilities and advanced controls, ensuring campers have what they need to thrive and worry less off-grid.

RELiON: Having solar-powered lighting and backup power at a campsite is one of the most efficient ways to make sure you have all your electronic amenities taken care of when you’re off the grid. Generators are loud, have fumes, and are high maintenance with low efficiency. Having a lithium solar power system for your RV or campsite provides a clean, renewable energy source. No matter what camping setup is used, whether portable solar panels or complete solar systems with batteries, they both offer a great power solution. Solar for camping has become increasingly popular with advances in lightweight folding solar blankets and portable solar options that allow users to easily get 12-volt power in any location. Getting the right solar setup for camping means you can use any household appliance that plugs into a normal power point like coffee machines, camping stoves and outdoor lighting.

When using RELiON lithium batteries as part of a solar energy system, you know you’re making the absolute most of it. Three RELiON RB100 lithium batteries for an RV would crank out a total of 3,840-watt–hours of energy storage and can power energy needs for days at a time for those long weekend adventures.

When off-grid, not only do you want to keep amenities charged for comfort but having essential items powered up is important for safety purposes. A portable, solar power station is not only eco-friendly but ensures you won’t risk depleting your vehicle’s batteries. It allows you to operate the essentials like cellphones, appliances and grills, to charging your everyday household gadgets.

Intellitec: Intellitec offers the Battery Guard line of automatic battery disconnects that sense when the battery is getting low. The Battery Guard will automatically disconnect the battery from the loads draining it, keeping the vehicle operable and the battery protected from damage.

Yoshino: For sure boondockers wishing to be free of gas generators need to have sufficient battery capacity to meet their needs during their time off-grid. This can be in the form of on-board batteries, portable power stations and also solar panels. Battery capacity and accompanying solar panels to recharge are the key elements to ensuring a successful trip.

Schumacher: For an off-grid camping trip to be successful, campers need a few key products on hand to address the lack of available sewage, power and/or light supply. Batteries and battery bank chargers are a must-have for charging any battery-operated devices such as flashlights, fans, lamps and any other devices that may require battery power. Having battery charger devices that hold their own charge and can quickly and efficiently charge other batteries or battery-operated devices can save time and prevent further issues. Having a portable, high-power generator is crucial for running power-hog electronics like microwaves and air conditioners and can power up features of the RV, like AC, when needed. Generators also can keep the aforementioned battery banks charged and power other electronics and devices, when necessary. Bringing high-powered LED lights for nighttime is essential for having bright, consistent light sources when campers are in the middle of nowhere. LED lights use less energy and are brighter than traditional lights, so having battery-operated or rechargeable LED lights, lamps and ground posts are essential for lighting up the night for long periods of time. With either generators, battery chargers or LED lights or flashlights, products that have a solar-charging or recharging component are essential to have as an emergency backup. Products, like battery chargers and lights, that can utilize solar power when it’s sunny to recharge can extend the life of battery chargers and generators past their normal power limit. Even a battery charging bank that is used to charge other devices, may eventually run out of charge itself and could leave a camper without access to devices, but the advent of solar recharging can keep your chargers and lights running when battery power is low. If someone is off the grid when their RV or vehicle’s battery dies or will not start, having a powerful, easy-to-use, portable jump starter is crucial. Having a product that is small, user-friendly and keeps its charge while also being able to jumpstart a vehicle multiple times is an important safety precaution and a must-have item when boondocking.

Micro-Air: From an AC power perspective, it would be a properly sized generator, a proper length of power cord to connect it to the RV, enough fuel for your camping trip, perhaps a jetting kit from your generator manufacturer and, of course, an EasyStart 364 – the award-winning soft starter for RV and an industry darling. With an EasyStart, mama is happy at any outside temperature. And if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!

RV PRO: What are the latest innovations that your company offers to make going off-grid easier for campers?
Webasto: The Webasto EVO 40 diesel heater is designed for reliable operation at elevations of up to 18,000 feet. Combined with the SmarTemp 3.0 Bluetooth controller, the EVO 40 RV heating system makes adventuring off-grid in cooler climates as easy as choosing your desired temperature and enjoying the view.

RELiON: We recently launched the RELiON Outlaw 1072s portable power station that puts natural power right at your fingertips. It’s a 1,000-watt continuous 2,000-watt peak, 921-watt-hour portable power supply. It can be charged through AC wall charger, plugged into a vehicle’s 12-volt port, or recharged from the sun by connecting a compatible solar panel. The Outlaw is powered by LiFePO4 cells capable of 3,500 lifetime cycles at 80% depth of discharge with proper care. Multiple output ports mean campers can plug almost any device into it. It features 4 AC, USB 2.0, USB-C, a 9V barrel jack, a 12V cigarette lighter car plug, and an EC5 30-amp DC port. It also features an LCD screen that displays watts in/out and remaining runtime.

The Outlaw was designed to power the essentials anywhere. From personal electronics to TVs and refrigerators, it’s strong enough to power what’s needed, when it’s needed, and lightweight enough to take anywhere. Have power on hand without the noise and fumes of a gas generator.

Intellitec: Intellitec offers the SMART B.I.R.D. with Communications. This product bridges your battery banks together when a charging source such as a generator is present. When the charging source is removed or both battery banks are fully charged, the Smart B.I.R.D. will isolate the batteries. In the instance the chassis battery is too low to start the vehicle, the B.I.R.D. can provide auxiliary start power, allowing the user to get back on the road instead of stranded waiting for a jump start.

PowerMax: At PowerMax Converters, we have worked with many RV dealers on putting together an off-grid package. The three main products to have would be the PowerMax Generator Series, The PowerMax Inverter series, and the PowerMax PM3 series Converters. The biggest question we ask is what are you trying to run? This would allow us to put together the right system for every boondocker. Most of the AC appliances are real big energy consumers outside of the AC. So, if you’re trying to run two AC units, that’s something we really need to know. The biggest issues are battery life when you’re running high-powered AC appliances of the inverters while draining the 12V batteries. With the PowerMax brand of electrical products, you can accomplish any type of boondocking experience you desire by just bundling a few of the products above.

Yoshino: Yoshino’s solid-state portable power stations offer not only a safer battery solution, but also a lighter, more compact unit. This allows for easy portability and versatility when going off-grid. A lighter, portable power station means it can be easily carried outside for use in charging devices, power appliances for cooking, electronics, etc.

Schumacher: Schumacher offers a wide variety of products that make off-grid camping easier, safer and more reliable. Our SP 1500 Solar Battery Charger and Maintainer has a water-resistant solar panel battery maintainer that uses amorphous solar technology to convert sunlight into power. It works in sunny and cloudy conditions and can deliver a 15-watt charge to any 12V vehicle, RV or truck. It does not require any outside electricity source, which is important when off-grid camping where there are no electric hookups available.

Schumacher’s SJ1322 Rechargeable AGM jump starter with air compressor and USB power stations also is essential. This device has 6-in-1 functionality that allows off-grid travelers to jump start their RV or vehicle should the battery die, but also acts as a portable power station and power converter for powering and charging any electric devices that may be needed. In addition to that, it has an air compressor, an inflater/deflater that can inflate tires or necessary items, an LED work light that can illuminate any situation, and USB power outlets so you can charge any electronic devices, like phones and tablets that use USB. It’s perfect for off-grid camping in general but can also come in handy for emergency situations or when unexpected challenges occur.

All of Schumacher’s new rugged lithium jump starters and lithium portable power packs are important to have on hand during an off-grid trip. For example, the SL1654 2250A wireless portable power pack and jump starter can jumpstart an RV, boat or large vehicle up to 50 times on one charge. When there are no electrical hookups and your battery dies, having a powerful and compact jump starter could prevent you from being stranded. The portable power pack also can charge and power multiple electronic and electric devices through two USB ports. Having charged devices is essential when boondocking or camping off-grid.

Micro-Air: With the EasyTouch RV, we offer a Wi-Fi RV thermostat that also has a large touchscreen not unlike your smartphone. A drop-in replacement for every single OEM digital thermostat on the market, it permits a boondocking camper away from the RV on a day trip or hike, to monitor temps in the RV and control them from their remote location. By leaving behind the telephone of one of the campers to serve as a hotspot, the boondocker has EasyTouch RV thermostat control, (where available, satellite-based technologies and regular Wi-Fi work, too). The thermostat is great for pet safety as it enables both the monitoring of temperatures and a way to change the temperatures for the comfort of your fur babies and humans. Also, no subscription is required.