Generator or solar for your camper

[sniper7]

Sealed the deal on a new camper and I have to make a long drive to pick it up t the beginning of the month.

The plan is to use it for 2-3 days at a time at most in the summers whenever we can get away and then I'll use it for hunting as well.
Has 2 20lb propane tanks and a single 12v battery. Option for a second battery which I will probably go for.
For backup. Would like to have either a generator like a Honda eu1000i or 2000i or a solar charging system for the batteries.

What do you guys recommend and what are the cost differences.

[clublights]

I dunno about solar but them little honda's are hard to beat.. quiet as get out fuel efficient and have 12V DC out as well as 120V AC ( at least on the 2000)

[Great-Kazoo]

To recharge the battery on a light use unit solar. To recharge a camper you're running, tv, this that etc etc the honda eu2000 is the best bang for the buck.

Then again you know what to do ....GET BOTH IF you battery crapped out when you really need it the Eu2K is a great fall back on unit.

When not in use / off season i disconnect the battery and installed one of the Battery tender jr adapter. The BT jrs' are the best bang for the buck maintenance charger out there. It shuts itself down when charge is reached then goes on if it detects the charge go below X volts.
http://batterytender.com/products/mo...-at-0-75a.html

[Aloha_Shooter]

Solar is a really expensive option and heavy and bulky to get any serious power. I can deal with a 2-foot 15W panel to recharge my cell phone, ereader, etc. but it's just not worthwhile for a 12V deep cycle. I would go with the generator.

[RCCrawler]

I've got a Yamaha EF2000iS and love it. It's every bit as quiet and reliable as the hondas.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've got a Yamaha EF2000iS and love it. It's every bit as quiet and reliable as the hondas.

They are a nice option too. One of them kept power going to our house 5yrs ago after the tornado hit town.

[brutal]

I got a big Robin/Subaru RG3200is years ago for it's "longevity" rating and wish I had gotten the dual Honda parallel setup. For how little I actually use it, there's no way I would wear out them Honda's before the Robin and they would be so much more portable. Getting that beast in and out of the truck by myself, even a few times a year, is not fun if my back is even a little tweaked.

[Ah Pook]

Does the the trailer have a 7 pole plug? They have the capability to charge from the vehicle. Would that be enough to keep the batteries topped off?

[Bailey Guns]

Generator. No question.

[jerrymrc]

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.