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Old 09-14-2011, 11:02 PM   #1
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Are Boondocking Rallies a draw ?

Hi,
so here's what I'm thinking... I grew up on a 70 acre farm in Virginia and still have the property. I live about 9 miles from the farm and it's a very very nice place to be in the fall. The leaves are amazing and Charlottesville is 9 miles away which has some great places (like Monticello). The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are very close too. The issue is that the farm would have no hook ups.
I think it would be great to host a rally (thinking next fall might be the way to go). I'm wondering what the thoughts are as far as boondocking rallies?

Would people go to one? What would they expect?

I have a film production company and could provide power via a very large rental generator, and I'm sure large portable black tanks could be provided by a port-a-potty vendor. (So this might not be too boondocking:-)

Liability could be covered via a signed legal document for each person attending.

My sister has a catering business and could provide food (not looking to make any money or anything just provide services). There could be bonfires, bands and such. Nice big fields and woods around.

So just looking for feedback here.
Thoughts?
Eric
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Old 09-14-2011, 11:17 PM   #2
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I prefer boondocking rallies and often will not go to a rally held at a private campground.Some people boondock well. Others will have all tanks full and all batteries dead in 2 days if they don't have facilities available.
The Birthday Bashes were boondocking as well as the Pocono raceway rallies were very successful.
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Old 09-14-2011, 11:36 PM   #3
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Most of the 4CU rallies are dry camping, and one is 100% boon docking (in the strictest sense of the word) in the raw desert. And they are ALL well-attended. Most folks who boon dock have either solar or generators or both and con go at least several days without facilities. Your set-up sounds beautiful and very enticing. WE think it would be great! Wish we were closer!

One suggestion: You might check where there is s local dump station for those who would need to dump tanks before or after they attend...most RV parks and campground — at least in our area — allow those not camping with them to dump for modest fee. A water source would be good as well...we always run out of fresh water before anything else.
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Old 09-14-2011, 11:48 PM   #4
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TBRich-
Good advice, that's the idea with the black and gray mobile tank rentals. The RVs and port-o-johns places we rent from for film locations can provide just the tanks (set on the ground). These can then be pumped or dumped into when needed and then emptied for a fee. I think they can also provide potable water to tanks they also provide. As the people in charge we could either charge a per day fee for campers to cover this, or an as needed fee.
Good to hear people might be interested. Lots of space in a beautiful place.... We also know a lot of very talented musicians who might want to play. Could be a good time. A year is good lead time to plan it!
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Old 09-15-2011, 06:47 AM   #5
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Eric

Sounds like a great idea. I would come. I don't think you need a large generator at all. Boondockers can take care of their own power needs. The main need would be for porta pottys and a source of water. Music would be great.

I love going to music festivals and boondocking. There is a great one coming up in your backyard- the Festy, Oct 7-9, in Nellysford, VA. I am going to it. You might like to go. It will be a great time, and you might pick up some pointers on how to plan your own rally next fall- Just don't pick the same weekend as the Festy. Here is a link.

The Festy

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Old 09-15-2011, 06:48 AM   #6
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How do you dump an RV tank into an above ground tank that is as high or higher then the RV tank?
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Old 09-15-2011, 06:52 AM   #7
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I like hookups...chocolate/vanilla.
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Old 09-15-2011, 06:53 AM   #8
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Quote:
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How do you dump an RV tank into an above ground tank that is as high or higher then the RV tank?
From a practical standpoint, we usually dump blackwater into a 5 or ten gallon blue tank that can then be lifted and poured into a tank or portapotti. Every 2 days for a 5 gal. 5 days for a ten and we won't use a tank that is too heavy to be lifted and moved.

If some one made a macerator pump available people could pull the trailer up and dump in a normal manner
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Old 09-15-2011, 06:54 AM   #9
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sounds great, that is a beautiful part of the country. Keep us posted.
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Old 09-15-2011, 11:35 AM   #10
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Another option, if the terrain isn't flat, is to put the rented tanks down in a low place that has a higher accessible route near it to pull trailers through and have it set up as a dump station.
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Old 09-15-2011, 04:12 PM   #11
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The portable tanks are flat and wide, so they are very close to being below the dump valve. A slight hill or a platform the trailer can be driven up onto (like 2x12s) can easily get the trailer high enough to dump into... No dumping in small containers:-)
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Old 09-15-2011, 04:24 PM   #12
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I agree with TB.. Sounds like fun but too far away... The ABQ Balloon Fiesta is another completely dry-camped event, and it started when Ken J just posted a note here asking if anyone was interested.. Thirty Airstreams showed up, and we had a great time without hookups... (True- it was just a long weekend, but still worked fine...). Another option instead of renting tanks is to contact local septic tank pumpout service, and have them go trailer to trailer like they do at Wally Byam International Rallies.... I'd think fresh water could be done with a bunch of long hoses hooked from faucet somewhere when required, and sharing generators is another proud tradition in emergencies when batteries go dead.. Hey, you could even park in a large circle like the good ol' days...
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Old 09-15-2011, 05:22 PM   #13
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Quote:
Are Boondocking Rallies a draw?
AB-SO-LUTE-LY! The last three RMVAC Rallies have all been boondocking rallies and very well attended. 2010 had ninety trailers in attendance! We took 2011 off, but will be back at it again next year...

For a group that large, it's not been 100% true boondocking, it's been in a field at a couple of different fairground sites in CO & WY but there are no real hook-ups of any kind. We always have porta-potties brought in for those with combined, small or no tanks. We usually can run grey water on the ground and always have a dump nearby. We also have fresh water available nearby...and try to have some electrical available for those with medical needs either via generator or sometimes an outlet or two are available.

On a smaller (20 trailers), more informal scale we've also planned real boondocking rallies (we call them un-rallies) where we just pick a spot in the US Forest and pull off a dirt road - no electrical, water or plumbing for miles. Communication has to be real good on these - everybody either needs to caravan in together, good directions & mile markers &/or signs need to be placed so everybody can "get there"...that's a bunch of fun, but not for everyone nor what it sounds like you have in mind.

Sounds like you're onto something, go for it..."If you plan it, they will come!"

Quote:
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Hey, you could even park in a large circle like the good ol' days...
You mean like these?


2010 Salida, CO


2009 Laramie, WY - Sorry no aerial shot this year...but the site was wonderful!

2008 Salida, CO

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Old 09-15-2011, 05:37 PM   #14
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This sounds fabulous. We've been at the first two Birthday Bashes - boondocking, no generator - and it's been great.

We often go 3-4 days on just the coach battery and the small tanks. (OK, we do use campground showers, but that can be worked around creatively for true boondocking.)

Tom
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Old 11-27-2011, 05:28 PM   #15
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sounds good to us too. We might come from Toronto, depending on the dates. It's a great time of year to travel!!!
Jojo and Rick
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Old 11-29-2011, 08:06 PM   #16
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I can see it now... a large farm field, a stage, book a few bands, and film it all...

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Old 11-29-2011, 10:53 PM   #17
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We have attended two RMVAC boondocking rallys as well as other boondocking rallys. Our WBCCI unit has had a boondocking rally in Quartzsite AZ each of the past three years, and will do so again this next January. All were well attended.

We carry a Honda 2000 to run momentary stuff like the microwave and Krups espresso maker. A solar panel, a couple of battery powered lamps, and a little conservation take care of our electrical needs.
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Old 11-30-2011, 06:45 AM   #18
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Eric,
Your plan sounds like a winner. Linda and I would be glad to help in any way you feel would benefit the event. We went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta this year and found the "pump out" service to work very well for tank clearing. Most of us with two tanks and two batteries can dry camp for several days in the Virginia Fall, when we don't have to run the A/C to keep sane. Let's Go For It.
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Old 12-03-2011, 10:26 PM   #19
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Well I think it may have to be a spring thing! The ol Safari is just now getting gutted! I wanted to test the waters, and it seems like people would be interested! I live in town but my mother still lives on the farm and it takes a while to get her excited about things (you know how moms are:-), so I figure if I start telling her about it now I can get this thing together in the spring or summer if things don't get too crazy with work! Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Eric
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Old 12-04-2011, 05:42 AM   #20
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I know my family would love to come to a boon docking rally. Please keep us posted as to the status...
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