Escapees January-February 2023

“Many great boondocking spots require travel on dirt roads that are less than great. It’s important to understand the

GoTread vehicle recovery boards. WWW.GOTREADS.COM

limitations of your vehicle and not attempt di ffi cult roads that are beyond its capability.”

of your vehicle and not attempt dif fi cult roads that are beyond its capability. It’s no fun getting stuck and waiting for a tow truck to fi nd you, so if you’re not sure about the road in front of you, it’s probably a good idea to walk it before you drive it. I always carry gear that will hopefully allow me to deal with minor vehicle prob lems. I carry basic tools such as jumper cables, rope and a tow strap. I also have a 12V air compressor and a tire-plug kit, which will allow me to plug a punctured tire and air it back up. In addition, I carry a set of Go Treads, which are folding traction boards that will help you get unstuck. (See the Nov/ Dec 2021 RV Gadget Box column: gadgetbox.escapees.com/maintenance/ gotreads-vehicle-recovery-device) If you’re heading to the boonies for a week or more, pay attention to your inventory of supplies. Make sure you have enough fuel, water, propane and adequate food for your expected stay. It’s a long drive to the nearest Walmart! It’s also a good idea to make sure you have enough for a few extra days. Sometimes you won’t want to leave on schedule because you’re having a great time. Other times, weather or other issues may prevent you from leaving as planned. It’s much less stressful to spend a few extra days in a boondock spot when you have enough of everything you need. When camping on public lands, be aware of other land users and seasonal restrictions. For instance, in Colorado, some state lands are closed for parts of the year. This is done to accommodate wildlife mating seasons and migrations. Be aware of local hunting seasons as well: a great

boondock spot may be deserted most of the time, but in hunting seasons it may become crowded! Speaking of seasons, be sure to take seasonal weather patterns into account when you travel to remote areas. It’s no fun getting caught (and stranded) by a snow storm, so always watch the weather forecast and consider the time of year. Finally, when camping, always say hello to your neighbors if the opportunity presents itself. I fi nd it pleasant to be on good terms with fellow campers and you never know, they might need your help, or you theirs. That’s the best thing about the RV commu nity: there’s always people willing to help out when you’re in a pickle. And, hopefully, vice-versa. This is the fi nal chapter of the Boondocking Digest. Thanks for reading along and for sending in all the great comments and tips! As always, if I’ve forgotten something, please drop me a line at techquestions@escapees.com. Be safe out there, and, most of all, get out into the boonies and enjoy our public lands! MARK #45776 travels in a small class-C and has made numerous modi fi cations to his RV to enable him to boondock more easily. He’s not saying he’s an expert, or the primary source for boondocking information, but he’s done it for a number of years and is happy to share some things that he’s learned the hard way.

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January/February 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine