Ok so I just got my first toy hauler / travel trailer about a week ago , it's a 2006 kz sportster 24. I wanted something that my dodge ram 1500 hemi would pull until I can upgrade to a 3/4 ton , my kids race motocross and we go trail riding quite a bit at National parks on multi use trails .The last series my kids raced in was a night series and we were leaving the track at 2 am and driving straight home. I swore I'd never do it again lol we also were using a little harbor freight 4x8 trailer which meant at 4 am I'm unloading stuff to put away so it doesn't disappear before I wake up So I found the kz at a great price did a little research and pulled the trigger on it .The dealership wanted me to buy the weight distribution hitches and trailer brake controller etc. Thru them after researching prices I found they had about a 50% markup vs e trailer for the same setup so I opted to order myself and install myself. I'm searching for things like a good generator that will run everything and be fairly quiet as we will do a lot of boondocking at race tracks and primitive camps at the national forest we ride at the most I'm also looking into a dish network tail gator setup anyone ever have any experience? I'm a dish subscriber so it makes sense for me I'm also trying to decide on TV size (32" is what I'm leaning towards now ) the generator is my main concern I want something fairly quiet but I don't have honda or yamaha money lol I was looking at the champion 3100 inverter but I was told 4k would be the best size to go with any other tips or tricks would be appreciated thanks

You might check any of the home improvement stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc.) They all carry generators and they don't cost as much as a Honda either, and have a variety of sizes to fit any budget. About how quiet they are????? no clue. You'd have to read up on them to find out the decibel levels. Still, if looking for an alternative source, you might check them out.

The Champion 3100 inverter would do a great job. It'll run a 13.5k BTU a/c unit and other toys on the rig all at the same no problem. Very decent quality for the money and quiet.

Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

think about adding another batt also.

Cosco has 2000 watt suitcase inverter gennys with yamaha engines, 51db, 47lbs, 10 hour runtime and only $599, buy two and get the connection kit. Very nice gennys, we bought one, well my FIL did so we can use it too.Good to go!!!

Just bought my first toy hauler | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

thornhill16
Explorer
Jan 22, 2015
Thanks for all the info guys I appreciate it very much , looking forward to heading to the track in this thing I've spent more time inside of it playing around with everything than I have inside my house lol
Dirtclods
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2015
I leave mine plugged in 24/7 when not in use. No battery issues just check the levels once and a while you'll be fine. Down the road you my want to consider two deep cycle 6 volts.
nayther
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
64thunderbolt wrote:
shum02 wrote:
jareddustin wrote:
thornhill16 wrote:
Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

from my understanding leaving the trailer plugged in all the time can kill your batteries, unless your trailer has something that will shutoff the power to the batteries once they are charged, being an older trailer i doubt it would, my TH is a 2014 and i dont think it has something like that. i have to keep mine in storage so i pull the batteries and they are hooked up to a battery tender in the garage.

My 2006 KZ has a decent 3 stage WFCO charger and could easily be left plugged in all the time. Most all KZ's of the time came with them.

Don't put too much faith in that wfco. I learned the hard way. I now have a Powermax Boondocker 55a

Ditto here, just got the boondocker from bestconverter.com. only one trip but seems to be good stuff. Love that I can keep it plugged in all the time, makes getting ready to go so much easier, just turn on the refer. a couple of days in advance and I'm ready to load up and go.
shum02
Explorer
Jan 21, 2015
64thunderbolt wrote:
shum02 wrote:
jareddustin wrote:
thornhill16 wrote:
Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

from my understanding leaving the trailer plugged in all the time can kill your batteries, unless your trailer has something that will shutoff the power to the batteries once they are charged, being an older trailer i doubt it would, my TH is a 2014 and i dont think it has something like that. i have to keep mine in storage so i pull the batteries and they are hooked up to a battery tender in the garage.

My 2006 KZ has a decent 3 stage WFCO charger and could easily be left plugged in all the time. Most all KZ's of the time came with them.

Don't put too much faith in that wfco. I learned the hard way. I now have a Powermax Boondocker 55a

Just said it was decent, already know the rest...........
64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2015
shum02 wrote:
jareddustin wrote:
thornhill16 wrote:
Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

from my understanding leaving the trailer plugged in all the time can kill your batteries, unless your trailer has something that will shutoff the power to the batteries once they are charged, being an older trailer i doubt it would, my TH is a 2014 and i dont think it has something like that. i have to keep mine in storage so i pull the batteries and they are hooked up to a battery tender in the garage.

My 2006 KZ has a decent 3 stage WFCO charger and could easily be left plugged in all the time. Most all KZ's of the time came with them.

Don't put too much faith in that wfco. I learned the hard way. I now have a Powermax Boondocker 55a
shum02
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
jareddustin wrote:
thornhill16 wrote:
Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

from my understanding leaving the trailer plugged in all the time can kill your batteries, unless your trailer has something that will shutoff the power to the batteries once they are charged, being an older trailer i doubt it would, my TH is a 2014 and i dont think it has something like that. i have to keep mine in storage so i pull the batteries and they are hooked up to a battery tender in the garage.

My 2006 KZ has a decent 3 stage WFCO charger and could easily be left plugged in all the time. Most all KZ's of the time came with them.
jareddustin
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
thornhill16 wrote:
Thanks for the info , I'm going to to lowes tomorrow and walk around , I'm leaning more towards the champion , I'm also curious about keeping trailer plugged in all the time to keep the battery charged etc. I bought a 15 amp adapter for the plug I actually just plugged it in today to charge the battery I checked each outlet with a voltage meter and they are all showing 120 amps steady

from my understanding leaving the trailer plugged in all the time can kill your batteries, unless your trailer has something that will shutoff the power to the batteries once they are charged, being an older trailer i doubt it would, my TH is a 2014 and i dont think it has something like that. i have to keep mine in storage so i pull the batteries and they are hooked up to a battery tender in the garage.
Blackdiamond
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
Powerhouse generators have been getting good reviews, about 1/2 the cost as the Honda and the same noise level.
nayther
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
I have the Dish tailgater, it is super slick. If you don't use it for a period of time you have to call and get it "zapped" with the authorization signal for it to work. Something to think about if you're boondocking where there's no cell signal. Also must have a clear view of southern sky so trees can be an issue as with any satellite. I bought the receiver at Camping World for about 100.00 on sale, watch as they come up frequently along with the antenna. I got lucky and found a used antenna for 200.00. We just used it to watch Anaheim 1 out in the desert via projector and screen, it was great sitting around the campfire watching SX. As for T.V. size I'd get as large as you can fit where you want to put it. Sounds like you're on the right track, have fun with the kids' racing, nothing better in my book than passing on the passion of dirtbikes to the next generation (I'm working on my grandson now!).

And WELCOME to the nut house!
Strabo
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015
Cosco has 2000 watt suitcase inverter gennys with yamaha engines, 51db, 47lbs, 10 hour runtime and only $599, buy two and get the connection kit. Very nice gennys, we bought one, well my FIL did so we can use it too.

Good to go!!!