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Author Topic: Travel trailer must haves ?  (Read 26679 times)

Offline JDHasty

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #60 on: June 13, 2016, 08:42:50 PM »
This two minute video lays it out


Offline baker5150

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #61 on: June 13, 2016, 09:15:18 PM »
I have 3 29hm 12v batteries at 125 ah each. Paid $75 bucks each (Walmart)
Total of 375ah for $225
Looking at the Trojans they run anywhere from $125 to $300 each for 6 volt and only 225ah
Other than a deeper discharge like the video states, (and he compares 1 12v to 2 6v, not sure why since most RV's have 2 batteries) I can't see the added cost paying off.

I do lose some ah thru equalization thru 3 as oppose to 2. But it's minimal if even noticeable.

Offline EyeTooth

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #62 on: June 13, 2016, 09:42:20 PM »
Tag

Offline JDHasty

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #63 on: June 14, 2016, 05:54:17 AM »
We dry camp as much as we stay in an RV park.  If you stay in an RV park most of the time then it doesn't make sense.  I don't want my generator running all the time and I have an Onan that is pretty quiet.  The six volts will have deeper discharge and will last much longer before needing replacements. 

Offline CP

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #64 on: June 14, 2016, 06:30:17 AM »
Alot of good info guys. Trailer already has electric tongue/  stabilizer jacks. Led lighting throughout.  Its equipped with an outdoor kitchen ( although we will probably use our camp chef 3 burner stove more). I've already thought about the fire extinguishers, carpet , leveling blocks and chocks. Thinking about a 3500w Honda or Briggs jenny for the A/C / microwave ( doubt we will use the microwave)  .  Maybe a portable solar panel to keep the batteries charged?
How should I keep the batteries charged when not in use ? Trickle charger / solar charger ?

Not sure which load distribution hitch the dealer is "throwing"  :chuckle: in . Tow vehicle is a 12 F350 long bed crew cab diesel

I was going to say electric jacks and Camp Chef 3 burner.  Get the two burner griddle if you don't already have it.  Get dealer to put in two big six volt batteries and credit you for the 12 V battery.
Griddle is already covered.  ;). Been reading and it seams alot of people use the 2  6 v golf batteries instead of the 12v ( I made the dealer throw in a second 12v) .  Why , what gains are made by going from duel 12v's to duel 6v's ? Or are you talking about going from a single 12v  to. 2 6v's.

The 6V can take more drain/charge cycles before they die but you pay more for them and they are heavier.  Also if one battery dies you are SOL.  With 2 12V batteries when one dies you still can operate on a single battery at 12V - just for less time.

Bottom line is 12V batteries work fine, are cheaper and lighter may not last as long but don't drain them too deeply, keep them charged and they will serve you well.

I haven't seen anyone talk battery chargers.  You typical RV/trailer setup only has 3 or so amp chargers, not enough.  Rule of thumb is 20% of your capacity - that is if you have 200 amp-hours of battery bank you want a 40 amp charger.  You can run a 40 amp charger with a small (1000 Watt or so) generator.  That and an inverter is all you need.   Run all your AC equipment off the inverter, all the DC off the battery bank, run the generator only to recharge the batteries. 

Offline C-Money

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #65 on: June 14, 2016, 06:46:49 AM »
On the 19th, our brand new camper will be in the shop for a month getting warranty work done. Never would have guessed I would have found so much wrong with a brand new rig. I feel like a got a brand new piece of crap. I had them install a battery disconnect for when the camper is not in use.
I felt like a one legged cat trying to bury a terd on a frozen pond!

Offline kellama2001

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #66 on: June 14, 2016, 06:56:57 AM »
For those with the Honda 2000 generators, we found this extended run tank on ebay and LOVE it! No more filling up the generator every day or running out in the middle of a movie.  We got the 3.2 gallon tank, but I see they have a 6 gallon one also and one setup for running dual generators.  High quality and worth the money IMO

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-EU2000i-GENERATOR-EXTENDED-RUN-3-2-GALLON-FUEL-TANK-SYSTEM-READ-FIRST-/181662371610?hash=item2a4bebcf1a:g:WcUAAOSwPc9W0x5U
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Offline birddogdad

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #67 on: June 14, 2016, 07:21:50 AM »
water capacity - I have a harbor freight water pump and garden hoses with 2 of the blue water jugs you can get at Sportsmans or Cabelas. Transfer from bottles to trailer. I use a jump n go battery pack for this evolution.

generators - the Honda 2000's are great, can hook series if needed for heavy loads. I converted the very small gas tank to a boat marine tank, squeeze ball and quick connect. Routed from the outlet of the gas tank directly. Lasts 3-5 days on this tank. There are systems that suck from the gas cap on the generators too but they are fragile connectors. Honda has a series box connection system for 2 generators that works well for pairing operations.

Airbags/sway bars - if your vehicle squats, get some to level your ride. Handling will be greatly improved. Tongue weight is important, if your water is in the rear of trailer, wait to arrive before filling to keep your tongue "heavy" or your trailer will wag down the highway.

Good bed - I hate what comes in a camper trailer for a mattress. I added a thick memory foam and it is a whole different level of comfort!

Fuses - BRING SPARES!!

Batteries - 6 volts are great but very spendy and bulky if room is a premium, just link additional 12V batteries to increase amps red to red** or you create a 24V system and trash things!! Cold weather camping, overnight heating is taxing on the system. 12V runs the fans which in the teens, kick off and on frequently. Add one at a time till you meet needs, unlimited connecting this way, batteries could be set under trailer but would recommend off the ground. Have not purchased a solar panel yet for daytime recharge but its on my radar....

Small electric space heater - if you are camping in cold weather, this is a backup if your main system fails. Right in the middle of say Elk season (yep been there). I would not use a buddy/gas in the trailer for this as alternative with CO issues.
hope these tricks help~
USN retired
1981-2011

Offline Sumpnneedskillin

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #68 on: June 14, 2016, 07:51:36 AM »
Tool kit for the trailer to include multimeter
If you have slide outs the slide out braces seem to help with the rocking
We keep a 5g bucket of the compressed sawdust firewood bricks for "RV park" fires. Bucket can also be used to fill the tank. My trailer will do a bucket fill via suction.
A string of LED Christmas lights for added light under the awning
Bottle Jack
Various spray lubes, I have Triflow, WD-40 and Silicon
Leather Gloves
Folding table
Tubs for water hoses and accessories (filters, spare o rings, pressure regulators, back flow preventer etc)
Tarp (or two) and straps
Awning anchors and tie down straps
Cable and lock for locking up the generator &/or bicycles
Axe
We have two carpets.  A large one for when the weather is good and a small astro turf type one for when the weather is wet and rainy.  We also have the step rugs which help.

Second the small space heater.  We use it when we are at a full hook up park.  Use their electricity vs my propane.


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Offline JDHasty

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #69 on: June 14, 2016, 08:12:12 AM »
Can of electrical contact cleaner. 

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #70 on: June 14, 2016, 05:11:42 PM »
On the 19th, our brand new camper will be in the shop for a month getting warranty work done. Never would have guessed I would have found so much wrong with a brand new rig. I feel like a got a brand new piece of crap. I had them install a battery disconnect for when the camper is not in use.

I'm pretty well convinced they're all junk.  I did a bunch of looking on the RV forums and all of them have complaints even the half million dollar rigs.

Offline jkthomps

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #71 on: June 14, 2016, 09:10:22 PM »
Don't take the dealers word on your hitch height. Make sure you take it to a flat area and level it out and measure it all yourself and adjust it if needed.



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« Last Edit: June 14, 2016, 09:46:52 PM by jkthomps »

Offline syoungs

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #72 on: June 14, 2016, 09:14:14 PM »
Some great advice here for sure. Don't forget the big box of rubber/surgical gloves for dumping the grey/black tanks. Make sure you have all the hoses, elbows, and whatever else you can think of to dump at the different dump sites.

I'm thinking about getting this generator, 95lbs, wireless remote, 58dba, and it will run the AC.

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Power-Equipment-75537i-Generator/dp/B00JZQUSAC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1465839274&sr=8-6&keywords=generator+inverter

I have this generator minus the electric start, I did a review on here last July, I'd highly recommend buying one, over 250 hours now, without a hitch.

Offline huntandjeep

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #73 on: June 16, 2016, 05:13:31 PM »
Don't take the dealers word on your hitch height. Make sure you take it to a flat area and level it out and measure it all yourself and adjust it if needed.



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Offline jkthomps

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Re: Travel trailer must haves ?
« Reply #74 on: June 16, 2016, 11:04:32 PM »
Don't take the dealers word on your hitch height. Make sure you take it to a flat area and level it out and measure it all yourself and adjust it if needed.



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What am I measuring ? How will I know they didn't set it up correctly ?

Watch the first 2 or so minutes on this video I found to explain it pretty straightforward. The video says 20 1/2" ball height on their trailers, but yours might be different. My trailer hitch height is 23 or 24 inches or something like that for my trailer to ride level, this results in even weight on both trailer axles,  level while towing, less sway, even wear on tires etcetera. I have airbags and a wd/sway control hitch to help keep my truck and trailer all level and inline. The dealer set my hitch too high when I first got it. I had to drop my hitch 2 notches so my trailer was level when all loaded up. Makes a huge difference when towing.


Here are a couple of photos of when I brought our new trailer home from the dealer. I am sitting on a hill, but you can still see the trailer was too high in the front and not riding level. I took it to a parking lot and leveled it all out and adjusted my hitch. All the difference in the world. I drove to Leavenworth and back twice now and it tows like a champ. Proper setup will go a long ways.




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