Setting Up For Dry Camping - Monaco DIPLOMAT 2004 Owner's Manual

DIPLOMAT 2004
2 • 60
By placing a small plastic tub in the sink, gray water can be collected and recycled
for use in the toilet. Instead of rinsing dishes under a running faucet, use two
plastic sink tubs - one for washing and one for rinsing. When possible, take
advantage of campground facilities offering restroom, shower and laundry service.
While showering, turn the water off while soaping and shampooing your hair.
Alternate a shower and a sponge bath every other day. A plastic tub from the
kitchen sink works well for sponge baths and allows you to save that gray water
resource. When brushing teeth, rinse the brush in a cup of water, and gargle with
bottled water. A battery charged razor would cut down on water usage while
shaving.
Before arriving at your destination, fill up with fuel for the generator. Carefully
monitor for voltage draw while dry camping. Plan ahead and conserve resources
while dry camping. Dry camping requires fully charged and properly maintained
batteries (corrosion cleaned, terminals tightened, cables checked, etc.)
Solar panels are a valuable addition to help charge the batteries Adding a
second panel (and adding a third if possible) will charge the batteries during
daylight hours. Clean the solar panels regularly for optimum performance. Dust,
dirt, grime and pollution from the road and air will decrease their efficiency. Clean
the solar panels with window cleaner and a soft cloth.
Most dry camping locations can accommodate motorhomes of various lengths.
Confirm that the facility you plan on visiting can accommodate your motorhome's
length and size. Arrive during daylight hours to properly set-up the motorhome and
prepare for the night ahead. Getting to a site on narrow and winding campground
roads takes skill and patience. Avoid low hanging limbs, tree trunks and barriers
lining the roadway. The co-pilot or the campground host should provide assistance
when maneuvering the motorhome around curves and bends.

Setting Up for Dry Camping:

• Switch refrigerator operation from Auto to LP-Gas.
• Operate the water heater on LP-Gas. Turn it on about an hour before hot
water is needed.
• If the furnace is needed during the nighttime, set the thermostat
temperature a bit lower to prevent the furnace from cycling all through the
night.
• Check on small items that use battery power, such as the porch light, bay
lights, the light under the step, generator compartment lights, engine
compartment lights, etc. If the television is not being used, turn off the 12 Volt
booster. Even one light accidentally left on, such as under the front cap,
reduces battery reserves quickly.
• Some battery draw is unavoidable. The battery cut-off switch at the entry door
must be on to operate many interior items such as lights or the furnace.
• Keep flashlights handy. Build a campfire when spending nighttime hours
outdoors. Extinguish the flames before retiring for the evening. Many
campgrounds place wood or cement barriers between the site space and fire
pit. Illuminate any barriers or obstacles in the pathway to the motorhome.
DRIVING & SAFETY