• Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
  • Home
  • About
  • Campsites
  • Knowledge Base
  • Blog
  • Ask a Question
home/Knowledge Base/Boondocking Myths/Will Rocky, Bumpy Roads Damage my RV?
Popular Search:Solar Panels, Battery Banks, Joshua Tree

Will Rocky, Bumpy Roads Damage my RV?

3031 views 4 May 11, 2019 Updated on July 15, 2022

Some RVers are concerned that driving their motorhome or towing a trailer over rocky, bumpy roads will damage their RV. It depends on how rocky and bumpy the roads are.

rocky bumpy roads
Pulling a trailer along a rocky, bumpy road in Idaho

Will Rocky, Bumpy Roads Damage my RV?

Once you get off of pavement, most roads generally start off fairly well graded and smooth, aside from normal washboarding. Often times, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau Land Management will create gravel roads that branch directly off of pavement wide enough for both directions of traffic, and smooth enough for all vehicles.

It’s the smaller dirt roads that branch off the larger dirt roads that tend to get rocky and bumpy. Once you get deep enough into open, public lands, you may encounter sandy washes, rutted roads, holes, dips, boulders, etc., that make navigation tough and slow.

The best answer to this issue is to understand the limitations of your truck and trailer or motorhome. To do this, you’ll have to spend some time taking it down dirt roads to gain some knowledge of what your RV can handle. Know that pickup trucks are generally pretty rugged and can take a lot of punishment. It’s the RV however, that are built to lesser standards and may suffer damage.

Poorly Built RVs

The RV manufacturing industry has a tendency to build units quickly and cheaply. This is because there aren’t any government standards on build quality, or how well an RV should resist the elements. They’ve also designed lower quality trailers using thinner wood, more plastic, and relying on glues and staples. Most of these trailers are sold with the words, “Light” or “Lite” in the name. With RVs becoming more fragile, and warranty periods shrinking, it’s no wonder that many RVers are concerned about boondocking.

The only solution towards determining how much punishment your RV can take, is to experiment, and try taking your RV down a few dirt roads, and then examining your RV to see how it handles.

Your Warranty Does Not Exclude Boondocking

As long as your RV is covered under warranty, now is the time to experiment with boondocking. Should your RV suffer damage as a result of the shaking, jolting, and vibrations of a rocky, bumpy dirt road, it’s still covered under warranty. Albeit, no one wants their RV to fall apart on them, and then have to deal with warranty people and repair shops. Still, don’t wait until after the warranty expires to finally try some boondocking.

What Most Boondockers Do

Full time boondockers always go slow. They’re never in a hurry. Washboarded roads will rattle a lot of things loose on your rig. There’s a myth that if you drive faster on a washboarded road, you can smooth out the bumps. But, that doesn’t work for all washboarded roads. Just go slow.

Boondockers also get into the habit of unhooking their trailer or toad somewhere on wide, firm land, and then scope out the road ahead. No one wants to get stuck trying to reverse out of soft sand or a boulder-laden road.

Most boondockers are do-it-yourselfers. So even if something does rattle loose, they don’t mind fixing it. They’ll go ahead and roll their RV over bumps, dips, and ruts to get to the quieter campsites. Hence, if you plan to spend more time boondocking on open lands, take the attitude that doing your own fixes goes with the territory.

On the Other Hand

But, if you’re the type that doesn’t want to take things apart and try to figure things out, and you have a “light” or “lite” RV, and your warranty is running out, then perhaps you’re better off keeping your rig on pavement.

Was this helpful?

4 Yes  No
Related Articles
  • Do I Need Bear Spray for Camping?
  • Is it Safe to Camp With Cows?
  • How to Take Your Cat Camping
  • What is the Difference Between Three Season and Four Season RVs?
  • Is it Safe to Leave Your Camper While Boondocking?
  • Is it Safe to Sleep in Your Car at Rest Stops?

Didn't find your answer? Contact Us

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Boondocking Myths
  • Will Rocky, Bumpy Roads Damage my RV?
  • Will I Get Attacked by Wild Animals When Boondocking?
  • How Can I Boondock Close to Town?
  • Boondocking With Children? Is It Practical?
  • Can I Still Flush the Toilet When Boondocking?
  • Are RV Boondockers Generally Poor People?
View All 13  
Popular Articles
  • Is it Illegal to Live in a Tent in Your Backyard?
  • What Do the Different Colors Mean on Google Maps?
  • How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for Boondocking?
  • Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Battery Power?
  • Camping on Arizona State Trust Lands
KB Categories
  • Boondocking Water and Sewage
  • Kansas
  • Overnight Parking
  • California
  • Getting Started With Boondocking
  • Boondocking Electrical
  • Arkansas
  • Costs
  • Boondocking Tips
  • Montana
  • How to Find Boondocking Sites
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Colorado
  • Outfitting Your RV
  • Idaho Department of Transportation
  • Idaho
  • Boondocking Safety
  • Oregon
  • Boondocking Myths
  • Where to Find Boondocking
  • New Mexico
  • Boondocking in National Forests
  • Utah
  • Boondocking in National Parks
  • New York
  • Tennessee
  • Boondocking Etiquette
  • Washington
  • Connecticut
  • Boondocking Rules
  • Alabama
  • Delaware
  • Boondocking on BLM Land
  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • Boondocking on National Wildlife Refuges
  • Arizona
  • Georgia
  • Boondocking on Bureau of Reclamation Lands
  • Michigan
  • Boondocking and Off-Road Vehicles
  • Massachusetts

boondocking trailers

  Will My Cats Be Safe If We Go Boondocking?

Will I Get Attacked by Wild Animals When Boondocking?  

boondockers bible logo

We answer your questions about Boondocking, Free Camping, and Overnight Parking using facts and actual experiences. Dispell the myths of boondocking and arm yourself with the laws and truths. Elevate your RVing and car-camping and become a boondocker!

Useful Help Links
  • Weekly Boondocking Series
  • About Us
  • Ask a Question
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • © 2019-2022 Too Much Tina. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Search:Solar Panels, Battery Banks, Joshua Tree