The Complete Book of Boondock RVing: Camping Off the Beaten Path

Recently read this book - twice - to glean as much information from it as I could, as I was setting up a solar system for my 24' travel trailer. I found the book was chock full of helpful information, especially on the subjects relating to solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, wiring, and more. I highlighted many sections and pages so I could refer back to them later and as needed. The only complaint I have is the same as some others have stated: the book is in serious need of an update, as some of the information is sorely dated, especially as relates to the solar and electrical data. For example, the book discusses using CFL lights to save energy over the use of incandescent bulbs, yet even now CFLs are becoming harder to find, much less use, since they have been superceded by the newer, and more efficient and affordable, LED technology that has quickly replaced CFL and incandescent lighting technology over the past few years. There were other similar areas where the information is just not all that useful because it is not up-to-date. If the book had been updated and current, I would have rated it five stars. Some of the sections of the book are pretty sparse in detail and info. For example, the author mentions the use of portable wind turbines to augment any solar system, since obviously solar only works during the day, and best on very sunny days. An extended period of rain and gray skies could reduce the effective use of solar while boondocking, and wind could step up to the plate and help in locations where it is prevalent and abundant. Unfortunately, the author barely mentions the topic in its separate and very short section, and there is no where near the detail in terms of how wind generation works, what equipment to consider, how to wire it to your existing system, etc. I suppose the author merely intended to mention the possibility of supplementing a solar energy system with wind as an introduction to the concept, but then expects the reader to go find and research the topic more fully somewhere else. If so, that is a major disappointment, since the chapters on batteries, solar panels, inverters, controllers, etc. are very thorough, and in fact, I was able to purchase and set up my RV solar system following Moeller's advice and suggestions and found them quite helpful in not only understanding how such a system operates, but in also determining what sort of equipment I would need and want to buy. Can't sing the praises enough for those chapter. All in all, this is a book well worth considering, especially if you are new to boondock camping and energy production and conservation. I just wish it had been updated with current information so that the task of setting up an adequate system could be done with currently available technology, and not something that has now by and large been replaced and is no longer cutting edge. My reaction has been to glean whatever information I can from this book as an introduction to the topic, and then unfortunately, have to go farther afield and find more current material to help with bridging the divide between the outdated info and what is now available. I URGE the author to review and revise and update this book as soon as possible. The cost of solar equipment has come down in price world-wide, and this makes installing a solar energy system in your RV or trailer imminently practical and affordable. This book certainly will help the novice get his or her feet wet, but sadly no longer provides all the current information needed to get off the grid and camping in the boonies.

This book provided exactly what I needed to know. It's very easy to read, is laid out logically and has a good number of photos and diagrams to make the explanations clear. I learned many good tips, for example they point out it's easy to get permission to park on private land--just respectfully explain that you would like to park overnight in this area and ask the owner if he or she has any suggestions on where to park. Frequently they will allow to park on their land. Brilliant! You can tell the authors are full timers by the many stories they tell on their own experiences which also help to drive their points home. If they haven't tried a particular modality (solar cooking, for example) they admit it but mention that it's out there to consider for your own potential use. I needed to know about electrical--batteries, chargers, solar options etc. This book has armed me with enough information to decide what components would work best for my situation. The book is very well done.

I found this to be a very informative and useful book. It is not for everyone, however. If your eyes glaze over when you start to read amps, ohms, watts and volts then you might want to pass on this book since a very large part of it concerns the electrical systems of the RV. But on second thought, you would be missing out on some very good information in the rest of the book as well. I found the discussion of what RV to choose very pertinent to my current endeavor -- finding the correct RV for boon-docking.I am only slightly technical and by no means an electrical engineer and I found the material accessible with some concentration and re-reading. I dislike books that gloss over a topic with superficiality and don't dig into the details. This guy knows his stuff and communicates with clarity.

My wife and I bought this book to learn about camping without hookups for a trip we're planning to the Southwest. This book is excellent if you are a DIY'er looking for information about how to outfit your RV for off-grid living. The author discusses sources of alternative energy, and describes in detail how to calculate and size the components in the system for your power consumption.Moeller compares different types of batteries and discusses several other considerations that we found extremely helpful when deciding which components to use, since I plan on installing and wiring the system myself.There is also a section with boondock-friendly locations the author has visited. I probably won't use this part of the book to plan a trip, since things may have changed since printing.Overall, this is a well written guide with tons of helpful technical information about preparing an RV for boondocking, as well as how to adjust to living without hookups.

I bought this book to learn more about how to boondock. Most of the suggestions were things I already knew. More than half of the book is devoted to the electrical system -- batteries, solar panels, inverters, wind generators, etc. (The author must have a strong interest in this subject.) If you are interested in this subject and are a newcommer, the book will be helpful. My own experience has been that even though I have solar panels at my home, when camping, you usually want to park in the shade under trees. While driving, your alternator does the charging. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, the list of boondocking locations was very minimal.

Wish I knew this book was published in 2008 then I wouldn’t have bought it. A lot doesn’t apply in 2021. Available equipment & how rv’s are outfitted have changed drastically since 2008.

No page numbers or chapter headings. Needs new edition as too many reference to old products. Cannot recomend this book.

Good reference book for electrical systems and sun generated electricity for your R.V. It is a bit dated (2008) but generally a good read.

Good tips. Informative. Handy to have if you live/travel in the US.

Very well written and a must have for any one interested in dry camping