Dispersed Camper Man Reveals Boondocking Secrets and More

Looking for some tried and true tips on how to find prime boondocking locations or building a capable off-gird platform? Then look no further. Mark White, who goes by the Dispersed Camper Man on social media channels, tells all, including his must-have apps, in this information-packed article.

Thanks, Mark, for talking with us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Mark: I graduated high school in NE Arkansas and decided to join the United States Air Force hoping to see the world.  After basic training and technical school at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas I got orders to Little Rock Air Force Base Arkansas where I retired twenty years later in 2014. I did numerous deployments over seas to include Saudia Arabia, UAE, South Korea, Kuwait and I did five tours in Iraq during the war.  When I retired, I knew I wanted to travel and see the USA. That is how I got into full time RVing.  I threw out or sold most of my things I accumulated over the years and rented out my house.  I started RVing around Arkansas for the first five years until I decided to head out west and explore the desert.  I’m here now loving it!

How long have you been living full-time in your truck camper?

Mark: I have been living in my truck camper going on 11 years now.  I figured when I started, I would give it a try, plus, I still had a house I could move back into if I did not want to do this life style any more.  Well, eleven years later, I’m still living it.  I do not see me moving back into my sticks and bricks any time soon.

Why did you choose a truck camper over a van or other type of rig?

Mark: I picked a truck camper mainly because of the size of it.  I can pretty much go anywhere that a truck can go without worrying about being too long.  I also picked a truck camper because I can tow what I want with it.  I sometimes tow my party barge pontoon boat, a utility trailer and currently I am towing my enclosed trailer with my e-bike and motorcycle in it.  It’s also nice to have my enclosed trailer to keep my tools and full time RV living stuff with me.

Can you tell us about your truck camper and why you chose that particular make and model?

Mark: I currently have a 2023 Northern Lite 8-11 Limited Edition Wet Bath.  It has 600 watts of solar on the roof with two lithium batteries.  It also came with a 2500-watt propane generator that I use occasionally when I need to use the microwave while out dispersed camping.  I wanted something with good insulation and was made durable with little chance of water leaks if you maintain the seals.  Northern Lite is renowned for their well-built campers with excellent resale value.  I am very happy with my Northern Lite camper.

Any complaints or issues with your Northern Lite camper?

Mark: The Northern Lite 8-11 LE is a very well built camper.  I’ve had no issues with the build itself.  The appliances on the other hand I’ve had issues with.  My suburban oven right off the bat was a huge issue.  Apparently before I even bought the camper, there was a recall on the stove that was in it. I didn’t know anything about the recall.  I was outside my camper when I heard a loud bang.  I couldn’t tell where it was coming from.  I finally made my way into the camper and the glass top that covers my stove shattered into little pieces.  There was no heat on or nothing I couldn’t tell what caused it to shatter.  A couple of months later, I walked into my camper and one of the stoves burner knobs just started smoking, throwing up electrical smoke.  The LED’s behind it started glowing white.  I thought I was going to have to use the fire extinguisher.  But it finally just stopped smoking which left black charred marks on the stove and electrical smelling smoke in the air.  I lifted the stove top and cut all the 12 volt wires to the knobs that run the LED lights and used electrical tape around the wires.  No issues with it after that.

Other than the stove, it’s been a pretty solid camper. I did change out the factory air conditioner and installed a RecPro 9.5K low profile air conditioner. I also had them install a soft start. The factory air conditioner was very loud inside the camper and hung down low from the ceiling.  The RecPro is digital display and is way quieter than the factory air conditioner.

How do you stay connected on the road? Do you use Starlink?

Mark: Being a YouTuber, I do have to stay connected on the road.  In the past I tried to disperse camp where there was cell phone service, but now, with Starlink, I can camp pretty much anywhere that has a decent view of the sky.  Having Starlink has been a game changer for me traveling around the country.  It’s very convenient being able to keep in contact with everybody and easily upload videos whenever or where ever I might be.  It’s also nice being able to stream videos on YouTube or watch movies with my streaming services.  Having internet has also allowed me to invest in security camera’s I deploy around my campsite while camping.  They are connected to my internet Wi-Fi which allows them to notify me when they detect movement in my camp.  It’s nice having a live view of my campsite whenever I am out exploring the area I am in.  With Starlink, I believe it is a must for RV full timers.

Can you tell us about more about your truck?

Mark: My truck is a 2024 Ford F-350 6.7L dually.  I chose my truck due to the weight bearing capacity of 14K which is plenty to haul my truck camper and tow a trailer.  The dually helps with the swaying/rocking side to side in high winds driving down the road which is very helpful while driving through very windy states!  It’s a very solid platform that I feel very comfortable driving down long deserted dirt roads finding dispersed camping spots.  She hasn’t failed me yet!

Can you tell us about your camper’s electrical system including your solar power and DC-to-DC charger system?

Mark: I upgraded my dual batteries from lead acid to Renogy lithium prior to taking possession of my camper.  My truck camper also came with 600 watts of solar preinstalled on the roof.  It’s plenty of solar power to keep everything in my truck camper charged that it came with to include my small TV.  I also deploy 1,200 watts of portable solar panels on the ground.  I use these to keep my Jackery 2000 plus with an external battery pack totally 4,000 charged.  I mainly use my Jackery to power my Starlink, laptop, and to charge my ebike batteries.

Have you made any modifications to your truck to carry your truck camper or improve its ride?

Mark: I did. The first thing was to add 7,500-pound Firestone airbags in the rear.  It helps keep the truck level front to back.  I also will use the air bags to help get me level if I’m at a sight that’s unlevel.  Depending on how unlevel I am at a camp site, I can add or let out air on one or both of my air bags to assist in leveling my camper.

I also added TorkLift Stable Loads to the rear upper overload springs to assist with the right and left swaying while turning curves or going down bump roads.  They really do help with the swaying and recovers quickly when it starts to sway. A future upgrade I’m considering is getting a 4-inch lift on my truck. I am needing a little more clearance going down roads which will also help my trailers clearance.

Do you have any regrets in your choices? Anything you wished that you had done differently?

Mark: When I bought my Northern Lite 8-11, I had a 2023 single wheel F-350 6.7L and Northern Lite literature and the dealer said my truck would have no problem hauling it.  After purchasing the 8-11, I went straight to the scales and I was way overloaded according to the data plate.  I know you can add equipment to help with the ride like air bags and extra leaf springs, but I would still be overweight.  I traded my single wheel in for what I have now, my dually.  I am now way underweight.  If I had to do it again, I would recommend going with a dually for any of the heavy weight truck campers.

What kind of mileage do you get when hauling your truck camper?

Mark: My fuel mileage varies depending on where I am at in the country.  I noticed while traveling across Oklahoma into Texas on I-40 I get around 9-10 MPG.  That headwind really can make your truck swig the diesel.  Thankfully for my dually, I have no side to side rocking due to the wind that I would have with a single wheel truck.

Where have you taken your rig thus far? What trails have you like the best?

Mark: I’ve been to a lot of places in Arkansas in the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark National Forest.  Those to national forests were the first places I went for dispersed camping.  Now, I’ve broadened my traveling to include out west such as New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and a little bit of California.  I love traveling out west and sharing my experiences and dispersed camping spots with my viewers who might need a little help with dispersed camping.  I mainly disperse camp on BLM and national forests that I find exploring. It’s amazing at how much public land there is out West.  I’m hoping to eventually explore it all!

Are there any places that you found particularly impressive?

Mark: I would have to say I am particularly impressed with Utah. The Valley of the Gods is a spot every full timer needs to experience at least once.  I’ve been there twice and will be going back to revisit that valley with it’s majestic buttes and sandstone rock formations.  Utah has the “Mighty Five” national parks that includes the Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks.  Beautiful country.

What apps do you use to boondock and travel off-road?

Mark: The main apps I use to find boondocking spots would be iOverlander, and Google Maps satellite view to see if there are spots there I would like to visit.  I like using the OnX app to see the borders of public lands, to make sure I’m not on any private land.  I have several other apps on my phone I’ll sometimes use:  The Allstay Camp & RV, Boondocking, C-RV Military (military base campgrounds).  One other app I use that highly suggest getting is the app named GasBuddy.  I use this one all the time traveling.  It’ll show you the prices of gas/diesel at each gas station so you can pick the least expensive gas.  I’ve saved a lot of gas money by use the GasBuddy app.

Anything about boondocking and traveling off-road you’d like to tell our readers?

Mark: The only thing I can think of is to “Know Your Limits and your Equipment’s Limits!”  While traveling off road solo, if/when you get into a sticky situation, help could be a long way off.  Know when to turn around or stop what you are doing if it becomes to risky.

While I’m out exploring old dirt roads, I’m always accessing the situation I’m in and will not hesitate to turn around or back up out of a risky situation.  If a road starts to get to muddy/sandy/washed out; I turn around.  I don’t want to get stuck out in the middle of no where by myself with slim chance of recovery.  Just don’t put yourself in that situation.

What lessons have your learned about living full-time in a truck camper?

Mark: Slow down! Don’t be in a rush! While traveling, I try not to drive more than 4-5 hours a day if I’m headed somewhere new.  I don’t like driving all day then trying to set up camp in the dark or late evening.  I try to find somewhere to over night where I have plenty of time to set up what needs to be set up and jump on my ebike or motorcycle and explore the area before it gets dark.

Do you have any social media channels where our readers can follow you?

Mark: Yes! If folks want to follow my adventures, they can subscribe to me on my YouTube channel, on Instagram, or on Facebook.

This has been great talking to you. Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us. Do you have any final advice for our readers?

Mark: Life is short. Get out there and explore!