Our camping space on the slickrock.
One of the main attractions for us when we camp in the desert is the dry weather, low humidity and sunshine. However, when the wind blows – as it often does – dust is one of the challenges. Such was the case during a recent experience in San Rafael Swell, Utah. This was when we realized that the use of slickrock could provide some relief from the windy environment.
Camping in Utah has it merits no matter where you go. But during this trip, the wind was gusting, which caused dust to kick-up and sheltered places to camp were non-existent. As pavement or concrete was not obviously not readily available to park on, the next best thing was Utah’s slickrock. This is a smooth, large bed of rock and is in ample supply in the desert.
After some scouting, I found a relatively level slab with easy access for my rig. To accomplish this, I simply backed the rig onto the slickrock until the bubble was level and mounted on the front of the travel trailer. This indicated a safe, level spot.
A great sunrise to begin our day.
Using Slickrock to Your Advantage
Once I unhitched, I lowered the stabilizing jacks to minimize the effects of the wind on the RV. (Note: Putting your jacks down on solid rock provides a very stable base for your stabilizing jacks and tongue jack).
An added bonus is that there is no need to put out your patio mat. The slickrock is a great substitute for a concrete deck. Now, despite the wind, we had a mostly dust- and motion-free campsite. It’s also common to see a beautiful sunrise after a night of windy weather as dust is still in the atmosphere. This time was no exception as we were greeted with the most magnificent morning sky.
Camping on Utah slickrock to beat the weather is just another adventure in RVing!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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