RV Camping; Tips, tricks & repairs

[94boosted]

Good to know

Lowes has a pretty good deal right now on one of these units, good buy?

https://www.lowes.ca/product/inverte...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Brent.ff]

Im gonna ask the question.. what are you trying to power while at provincial sites? Do you really need AC?

[Tik-Tok]

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Im gonna ask the question.. what are you trying to power while at provincial sites? Do you really need AC?

Personally, no. The only time we use trailer AC is when I'm parked at my parents acreage. It's good to top up the batteries though. While solar is nice, if you're camping for a week and it's a forested site, and maybe raining a few days, it's not ideal.

Furnace takes up a lot of juice in the cooler months too.

[spike98]

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Barely any provincial camp sites have serviced power.

Edit: I just picked this one up on sale from Costco, I like dual fuel so that I don't have to carry gasoline, and my trailer has two bottles anyways. I bought a 3000w dual fuel one a few months ago, but it's too big (physical size) for my needs and am going to return it, if I can.

https://www.costco.ca/champion-2000-...100587614.html

This one would work perfect. Warning with the dual fuel though, you lose output on LPG but you'll likely be ok if you arent concerned with running an AC.

[Brent.ff]

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Personally, no. The only time we use trailer AC is when I'm parked at my parents acreage. It's good to top up the batteries though. While solar is nice, if you're camping for a week and it's a forested site, and maybe raining a few days, it's not ideal.

Furnace takes up a lot of juice in the cooler months too.

Definitely good to top up batteries, just gets super old when people run them for 12 hours straight to run their AC and microwave... you're fucking camping!

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, if I'm using AC, it's for 1-2 hours in the evening at most. If I need to run AC all day, then I guess I'm inside all day? If I'm inside all day, I can stay home.

[94boosted]

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Im gonna ask the question.. what are you trying to power while at provincial sites? Do you really need AC?

I'm thinking just to top up batteries, maybe microwave, maybe oven. Don't see myself using AC too much.

[94boosted]

They're trying to sell me on an extended warranty for $2600 for 5 years on mechanical components (awning, fridge, stove etc.) seems like a cash grab to me, thoughts?

[killramos]

All warranties are cash grabs. However if it helps you sleep at night

[AndyL]

Price out an awning... They do get damaged quite often... Depends on the terms of the warranty...

[ExtraSlow]

Save the $2600, and then you can use whatever RV repair place is close to where you have issues or can get you in quickly. Dealerships often have many-week waits, and you'll be cursing that when you need work right before your trip.

[94boosted]

OK that's what I figured, thanks gents.

Sorry for all the stupid questions

[ExtraSlow]

Don't worry bro, we love it.

[94boosted]

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Don't worry bro, we love it.

Well if you insist here's a couple more. If you could get both of these generators at the same price which one would you get?

https://www.firmanpowerequipment.com...erator-h03652/
Pro's
Dual Fuel
Lots of power

Cons
Heavy & large
67dB


https://www.firmanpowerequipment.com...verter-w01782/
Pros
Lightweight & portable
Quiet (54dB)
Fuel efficient (0.9gal for 10hrs runtime)

Cons
Only 1700 continuous watts



And second question. You guys have referred to Costco 6V Golf Cart Batteries I take it you're just referring to 2 of these https://a.sellpoint.net//w/spworld/p...ery%20Selector wired in series to replace the single Series 24 12V battery that comes with the trailer? Why not just add a second Marine/RV Deep Cycle Series 24 12V battery and run it in parallel?

I really just need to take someone out for some socially distant patio beers and pick up the tab, might be easier than typing everything out

[ExtraSlow]

Generator #2 for sure. Do not get one of those contractor open frame generators for camping. Just do not.

[killramos]

I don’t personally own a generator, but the only regret I have ever heard from people who do is that they wish they paid a little more for a quieter unit.

[ExtraSlow]

For the batteries, generally the "marine" 12v batters are hybrid starting/deep cycle batteries, and not true deep cycle batteries. That means they may be more easily damaged by deep discharge and usually have lower Amp-hour capacity.
Golf cart batteries generally are a good cost-effective way to get durable, reliable, large capacity. I think they are 225 amp-hours.

There's multiple ways to do it. But it's just a commonly accepted bit of knowledge that 2 golf cart batteries is a very good setup.

If you already have one new-ish 12v marine battery, it's less appealing to go buy two new batteries when you coukd add just one. I get that. Heck, if you carry a generator, try your first couple trips with just that one battery. See how you like it. I don't advocate rushing to spend money.

[nzwasp]

Looking at ways to find easier storage. We have all this under seat storage but its not easily accessible, has anyone ever cut the panels here, and made doors?

[ExtraSlow]

No reason not to. Just make sure there's no electrical or plumbing or structural back there, but otherwise, giv'er.

[94boosted]

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For the batteries, generally the "marine" 12v batters are hybrid starting/deep cycle batteries, and not true deep cycle batteries. That means they may be more easily damaged by deep discharge and usually have lower Amp-hour capacity.
Golf cart batteries generally are a good cost-effective way to get durable, reliable, large capacity. I think they are 225 amp-hours.

There's multiple ways to do it. But it's just a commonly accepted bit of knowledge that 2 golf cart batteries is a very good setup.

If you already have one new-ish 12v marine battery, it's less appealing to go buy two new batteries when you coukd add just one. I get that. Heck, if you carry a generator, try your first couple trips with just that one battery. See how you like it. I don't advocate rushing to spend money.

Good to know, if I don't use the new 12V I'm sure I could sling it on kijiji for a few pesos, put that towards a couple golf cart 6V's.