Generator or solar for your camper

[sniper7]

Not sure about the 7 pole plug. I assume so since it is brand new.

Looks like solar is out. Definitely plan on using the AC when needed. The fridge will get used but I'll have a cooler as well which will be fine. I'd rather buy a cheap bag of ice than waste all my LP.

Sounds like the generator is the way to go. Now to find the right one at the right price...I definitely like the idea of the little portable ones like Honda or Yamaha. We won't be putting a TV in. I'm not going to sit in the woods to watch TV!!!
It will have a radio and a small microwave, 13.5 btu AC and 13.0 BTU furnace and fridge.

So right now I'm thinking the Honda or Yamaha 2000 series. Will these be enough to run the ac during the day and keep the batteries charged?

[RCCrawler]

I doubt a 2000 watt generator will run the AC.

[colorider]

2000 will prob not run the ac. If you are in the mountains you prob not use the ac. I'm on my 5th year w a camper and have never used the ac. Costco has a 2000w generator with a Yamaha motor. $600. Give it a try.

[Byte Stryke]

use the Solar to keep the batteries topped when not in regular use, generators as a mainstay

[backcountry800]

Use 2 12v or 4 6v.

Don't use the onboard charger, it tends to boil the water. Unhook when not using an use good trickle charger instead.

I just got a nice 2000w small generator with a Yamaha motor at Costco for $599.

[Holger Danske]

I got a little 3500w generac at camping world and it is big enough to run the ac or the microwave just not at the same time. It is much easier on gas consumption than larger models.

[brutal]

If you plan on using the AC or microwave then a generator. Running on solar takes a completely different mind set. I did it for years for up to 7 days at a time but I have come to learn that I am a little different.

You need more batteries and 30lb tanks. Our fridge would go through a 30lb tank in a week all by itself. If you do plan on running the AC a 2800-3000W generator is needed most of the time.

Wow, we can go all summer on two 30lb tanks. The fridge only uses a pilot flame for cooling, you sure you weren't using all that gas on the cookstove?

Not sure about the 7 pole plug. I assume so since it is brand new.

Looks like solar is out. Definitely plan on using the AC when needed. The fridge will get used but I'll have a cooler as well which will be fine. I'd rather buy a cheap bag of ice than waste all my LP.

Sounds like the generator is the way to go. Now to find the right one at the right price...I definitely like the idea of the little portable ones like Honda or Yamaha. We won't be putting a TV in. I'm not going to sit in the woods to watch TV!!!
It will have a radio and a small microwave, 13.5 btu AC and 13.0 BTU furnace and fridge.

So right now I'm thinking the Honda or Yamaha 2000 series. Will these be enough to run the ac during the day and keep the batteries charged?

Make sure you understand how all the appliances function, particularly the dual/tri mode stuff. The water heater is likely AC and gas. I think the only tri-mode models are tankless. The fridge can be dual (A/C, gas) or tri-mode (A/C-D/C, gas). Does the rig have a built-in inverter system? Just guessing, but with a single battery, I wouldn't expect it.

I doubt a 2000 watt generator will run the AC.

Ditto. Get a pair of ~2000 that can run parallel. And whatever you get, please get one that is quietized and campground rated even if you never intend to enter a campground. Nobody likes to hear someone else's genset screaming all the time. One more tip; if the A/C shares one of those paired single pole breaker setups, chuck it and install two separate single pole breakers. Ours got weak after a few years and would heat soak and trip the A/C breaker on very hot days. I can't imagine you'll need the A/C much mountain camping. We really should have two units in this rig for the camping we do. We go to NM lakes quite a bit and it can be 115* during the day in the campgrounds.

RV.net/trailerlife.com has the best forums that I recall so you might want to hang out there for a bit and pick up some wisdom form the old timers. I think there's even a dry-camping forum where they all share tips on extending your resources. However, I haven't been over there in years.

[Mtn.man]

OK so we as a trailer bunch O nuts, have instaled solar as well as generators on ALOt of campers.

Most campers need min. 4k for generator, guys are usually OK but wemens will turn on micro when a/c is on and Blip.
Solar costs about 500.00 for the unit+ install, battery backup, and inverter so around a grand, they work just fine.
The battery off your truck (40 amp pole) must be hooked up on a 7 pin to the aux. pole it will run a few lights, winch, jacks, and that's about it. It will charge your battery on the rv.

[sniper7]

Alright got back from picking it up.

Has an inverter.
13500 btu ac
Single battery but can put in a second no problem.
Fridge is ac and lp.

Found out my new truck didn't have the charging wire hooked up while driving so the camper killed the battery while I was driving.
I think I got it hooked up right now. It is the 7 pin plug. Electric brakes work great with my truck as it has the integrated brake controller.

Need to get my sewer hoses still, figure out a microwave since it didn't come with one but I just want a small simple one.

Would like to put on a second battery, will look at Walmart and see what I can get one for. Guess I need cable and a box for it as well.

I'll check out the generator at Costco. Was there today but there were no smaller units.

[opie011]

I haven't read any of the previous posts but just an fyi...

The generator at Costco, from what I've read, doesnt have the parallel feature that the honda companion eu2000i does. Other than that, I've been seriously considering this unit for camping.....I have two 10,000w generators for emergencies