Boondocking

pemc4279 · 05-08-2018, 10:45 AM

So I feel like I want to try boondocking in my 2006 TM 2720 but I worry about the water supply and the toilet.

With 20 gallons fresh water and 30 gallons grey tank, I might be OK, but it doesn't seem that the recirculating toilet will go long enough to make boondocking worth while.

Thanks in advance for any input or suggestions?

HoMiPa · 05-08-2018, 10:49 AM

I basically 'boondock' in regards to the toilet & gray water every trip I take. I never hook up to sewer, I just dump gray & black water at the dump station when I leave the campground. Four day camping trips are fine, although I know it's just me. But I've taken three day trips with three or four people, and still been fine. Granted, there are times throughout the day when I am using the campground facilities, not my TM, or I'm away from the campground completely and using facilities somewhere else. If you are truly boondocking, not using any facilities anywhere, only your TM, I still think you'd be fine for a few days.

klpauba · 05-08-2018, 10:58 AM

I replaced my recirc toilet with a Thetford Curve so that I could pull out the waste tank and empty it without moving the trailer. This limits my Boondocking time to the 30 gal grey tank. I do have a 6 gal tote that would extend my stay further (haven't used it yet, though).

ThePair · 05-08-2018, 11:34 AM

I've done the same as both of the above -- we only camp with electric, no water or sewer. Replaced the Thetford with a Curve, which means unlimited black tank -- it's a simple matter to dump the cassette into any pit toilet available. The grey water tank I've not filled in 4 days, but we also tend to reduce the use of that tank by washing the majority of the dishes in an outside sink that drains into the bushes via hose. I have no issues with this, as it's not any different than if we were tent camping, used a wash basin, and dumped it into the bushes.

As to the grey tank itself, you can get a replacement cap that has a screw-on port for a hose, like this: http://amzn.com/B0006MRR2Q/ If you ever find your grey water full, you can drain it judiciously into either a bucket, a carrier, or if it's something allowed where you're camping, you can water the plants.

**Kidkraz** · 05-08-2018, 01:17 PM

Similar to klpauba, I went with a portable cassette toilet for several years. I then moved to the CS200 toilet. I can remove the cassette and dump it after a couple of days usage. I'm happy with my set up, but I realllly hated to cut a hole in the side of my rig. All in all, it was the best decision for me.

**B_and_D** · 05-10-2018, 07:57 PM

When we camp without hookups, we wash our dishes inside the TM but use a 2 1/2 gallon water container with a spigot for a water source and keep a dishpan in the sink, under the spigot. We run the water out of the container to wash and rinse the dishes and empty the dishpan just like tent campers do. This eliminates the need to refill the water tank and empty the holding tank.

If you don't "charge" the toilet with water, it will last a lot longer. We use ours at night and the public facilities during the day.

Larryjb · 05-10-2018, 10:43 PM

Family of 4, the recirculating toilet lasts 2-3 days. I can't get my family to conserve water and our grey water tank fills up in a day. My daughter can fill the grey water tank in one shower!

We will try sponge baths for boon docking.

**Bill** · 05-11-2018, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

My daughter can fill the grey water tank in one shower!

You could always turn off the water heater !

Bill

FlyboyTR · 04-16-2019, 05:24 PM

My wife and I do backpacking/hammock camping and it is amazing just how little you need to get by. I do agree that for us, as new TM owners, the toilet will be a limiting factor...but we will learn it as we go. Some of our woods camping tricks may help out there as well. With our other camper we can easily reduce our water usage and I am sure we will be fine the the TM.

Water... Paper plates/bowls etc are your friend. Less to wash means less water used and can be burned in the fire pit (don't use styrofoam). Also, we mix white vinegar and water together (50/50) and that goes in a spray bottle. That is used to clean and rinse cookware, flatware, cups, etc. The vinegar does a good job of helping to cut mild grease. It also acts as a disinfectant, doesn't require drying and the odor goes away once it has dried. This can greatly reduce your water usage and make the gray tank last a lot longer before emptying.

Both of us can easily shower with 1 gallon of water (this is something that takes practice and planning. We use "no rinse body wash." You can find this on Amazon and other places. So, lather up with a splash of water and then a quick rinse...and if you don't get it all off...it doesn't matter! This stuff is also good for a quick freshening of those "delicate" parts, if needed (sometimes a good thing if you're skipping a day without a shower.

There is also dry shampoo that can be used. For my wife...it is a last resort (lots of hair), but for many people it can add an extra day or two between a good shampoo...which can use a LOT of water for some folks.

Good luck!

Larryjb · 04-16-2019, 06:03 PM

We did one to two day boondocking with my family. I was able to wash dishes, shower, and still had lots of water. The rest of my family didn't shower on those days.

It's amazing how kids come home from school and lecture you about how much we waste power, water etcetera. Then, when it comes time for THEM to conserve....