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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 03:35:56 PM

Title: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 03:35:56 PM: So wife and I are picking up our first travel trailer on tues. We already have several camping trips planned at locations with power/water so I am covered there. I am more curious as to what you travel trailer guys use for power when your hunting and dont have the luxury of state park power or what have you. Are you using a generator or solar panels? In the past when my father had his Travel trailer we used his honda 3000 which powered his 30footer and the a/c unit, is powering your a/c unit a necessity or convenience item while say archery hunting in sept when it can still reach upper 80's to mid 90's on the east side. If you are using a generator are you using a normal one or something like the honda 3000 that is quiet and not as noise oriented as say a 5k watt "house" generator. Just trying to get some advice or opinions on what might be best, as of now I have the ability to use my fathers Honda 3000 but dont want to rely on it and thinking of eventually getting something that might fit the bill $$ wise like a honda 2000 or 2500 which I assume will power the trailer minus the a/c unit... :dunno:
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 04:04:36 PM: Thats what I'm thinking of getting into is a 2000 I think it will be enough power to run the trailer and charge the battery. I've dealt with the heat before w/o an a/c so I'm sure i could live w/o now lol.

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: 6x6in6 on April 19, 2014, 04:21:39 PM: Honda 1000 when I need it.
2x4 solar panel on the camper. Keeps the batteries topped off pretty well. I have to run the generator about every 4th day is all. But I'm tight on running lights, etc.
All I do is dry camp. Can't think of the last time I was plugged in camping. Campers an Arctic Fox 990.
For you, I'd opt for the 2k generator like your thinking.
Realistically, the solar panel cuts down on generator usage by about 50%. Lots of variables in that statement - power usage, size of panels, solar gathering capability.
Having good batteries, either 6v or a pair of good AGM group 31's are key to keeping the generator silent. It's all about amp hours in batteries and dry camping.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: bigsads on April 19, 2014, 04:25:07 PM: the EU1000 ran both mine and my buddies trailer and charged out batteries, no A/C units needed in November
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: gasman on April 19, 2014, 04:33:32 PM: All i do is dry camp :camp:

When my batteries need charging, i fire up my cheap Buffalo Gen that I got from G.I. Joes, 10 years ago and charge them. Its not the quietest gen out there but but its OK and does the job :tup:
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 05:04:24 PM: Yea I'm sure the 1000 would work just fine I guess 2000 would be more for comfort (especially for the wife) 😏 it is only a 23ft trailer but will have the general microwave, tv/dvd player and so forth. As of now it only has 1 battery but i would like to add a second or a pair of 6v. Thanks for the feed back so far I'm sure ill learn a whole lot more come this summer!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: lineman125 on April 19, 2014, 06:39:58 PM: check the wattage on the ac unit cause my dad can run his with his eu2000 and or the microwave. i'm not so lucky with the ac, but mines a 28 footer so it must be a bigger unit. works the speed cooker great tho !! they are light, next to silent and run for like 10 hours on a gallon of fuel :twocents:
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 06:50:46 PM: Quote from: lineman125 on April 19, 2014, 06:39:58 PM
check the wattage on the ac unit cause my dad can run his with his eu2000 and or the microwave. i'm not so lucky with the ac, but mines a 28 footer so it must be a bigger unit. works the speed cooker great tho !! they are light, next to silent and run for like 10 hours on a gallon of fuel :twocents:

Good idea, i read something about a guy saying he can run his a/c with his 2k but again unsure how big his trailer is. I'll check into that on tues when i pick mine up!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: brewzer13 on April 19, 2014, 06:51:37 PM: I used the EU 2000 and never had any issues. Enough to run the micro, heat, etc plus quiet and efficient. Just make sure to keep the gas can away from the exhaust, right Littlebuck!!!
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on April 19, 2014, 06:54:04 PM: I looked at the eu3000 and a eu2000. My deciding factor was the weight. A 2000 weighs 46lbs, a 3000 weighs 134lbs. If I want to run the AC I'll look at getting the eu2000 companion.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: smalldog on April 19, 2014, 07:15:46 PM: I have a 24ft travel trailer with everything plus slideout. I have two EU 2000 h and I put the two together to have 4000 watts when I use the AC. To parallel the two, one have to have the special RV plug. It is a great setup and each gen. weighs about 49lbs. Very easy to handle compared to the EU3000 h.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: rasbo on April 19, 2014, 07:31:18 PM: Quote from: Sumpnneedskillin on April 19, 2014, 06:54:04 PM
I looked at the eu3000 and a eu2000. My deciding factor was the weight. A 2000 weighs 46lbs, a 3000 weighs 134lbs. If I want to run the AC I'll look at getting the eu2000 companion.
Ihave a 2000 for my 23 ft and its great....
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 07:45:39 PM: Good to hear Rasbo!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 19, 2014, 07:47:00 PM: We have an Onan 2000 in our camper. We have a/c, microwave, tv and all the little things without any problems. You might have to pick and choose what you have running like your hairdryer.......though.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: RadSav on April 19, 2014, 07:59:46 PM: I run the EU3000is. Super quiet and great fuel economy while still being able to run ac and microwave. The companions are a nice alternative, but I didn't want to mess with two and the 3000 was cheaper than the two smaller units together. It is a bit of a beast, but I figured you only have to load and unload it once. Keeps the business computers up and running if we lose power at the homestead too. That was an important part of my decision as business comes first around here.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 08:32:57 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on April 19, 2014, 07:47:00 PM
We have an Onan 2000 in our camper. We have a/c, microwave, tv and all the little things without any problems. You might have to pick and choose what you have running like your hairdryer.......though.

Thank goodness i shave my head! Lol..sounds more like I'll be leaning towards a 2k when the time comes!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 08:34:52 PM: Quote from: RadSav on April 19, 2014, 07:59:46 PM
I run the EU3000is. Super quiet and great fuel economy while still being able to run ac and microwave. The companions are a nice alternative, but I didn't want to mess with two and the 3000 was cheaper than the two smaller units together. It is a bit of a beast, but I figured you only have to load and unload it once. Keeps the business computers up and running if we lose power at the homestead too. That was an important part of my decision as business comes first around here.

The 3000 was nice when we were early archery elk hunting in my dads trailer...he has since sold the trailer but uses the generator when they lose power at their house in the fall. It is a beast!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 19, 2014, 08:47:54 PM: The 2000 is awesome! I had my camper built with a Penguin AC unit which is 9500 BTU instead of the 12000 ect. The 2000 wont run those but runs my Penguin just fine!
Its all it can do so dont start the micro, hair dryers, coffe makers ect.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 09:01:03 PM: Copy that Wildman..i figure if I truly need the a/c ill shut everything down like you said. Thank goodness ill be using a coffee press instead of powered pot!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Bofire on April 20, 2014, 09:24:01 AM: :) about 10 years ago I bought a Craftsman generator, 3500 off craigs list for $125.00. It works great. When it quits I 'll buy another.
Carl
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 20, 2014, 09:30:21 AM: I shave my head too. I don't want to look like a hippie......
Quote from: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 08:32:57 PM

Quote from: CAMPMEAT on April 19, 2014, 07:47:00 PM
We have an Onan 2000 in our camper. We have a/c, microwave, tv and all the little things without any problems. You might have to pick and choose what you have running like your hairdryer.......though.

Thank goodness i shave my head! Lol..sounds more like I'll be leaning towards a 2k when the time comes!

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Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Gamehunter034 on April 20, 2014, 03:12:27 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on April 20, 2014, 09:30:21 AM
I shave my head too. I don't want to look like a hippie......
Quote from: Gamehunter034 on April 19, 2014, 08:32:57 PM

:tup:
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Rick on April 20, 2014, 03:17:07 PM: I have a Yamaha EF2400. It was designed specifically to run an RV A/C.

It'll start my A/C up to about 4500' in elevation.
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 21, 2014, 02:53:53 PM: Quote from: Bofire on April 20, 2014, 09:24:01 AM
:) about 10 years ago I bought a Craftsman generator, 3500 off craigs list for $125.00. It works great. When it quits I 'll buy another.
Carl

I bet that baby goes over well with other campers. Lol TOO LOUD!
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: Bofire on April 21, 2014, 04:48:49 PM: Where I need a generator, there is no one else. LOL
Carl
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 21, 2014, 04:50:54 PM: Quote from: Bofire on April 21, 2014, 04:48:49 PM
Where I need a generator, there is no one else. LOL
Carl

Thats my kind of camping too! :tup:
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: jburkett on April 21, 2014, 05:08:33 PM: I have a honda eu 2000, and it is. The purfect size for dry camping. It runs my 29 footer fine. My brother has the same set up, and in the early season if we need the ac we hook our. Generates together, and they will run both trailers ac at the same time. As long as you only start one unit at a time and once the first is going then start the other
Title: Re: Travel Trailer Power source while "dry camping"
Post by: syoungs on April 21, 2014, 05:41:02 PM: I thought they sold capacitor kits for a/c's that would allow them to start off a 2k genny.... maybe I was daydreaming that, but I was pretty sure such a thing was out there. that said, my old 2k honda would start and run my ac, as long as there was no other load to it. after It was running that little generator would run everything else I needed it to do as well. (no micro in my old camper)