Bringing a generator with to a FHU campground?

The Honda 2000 lives in the trailer bilge. It goes wherever we go. We try not to make reservations so sometimes we are without power. Genny is right there for us.

K3WE wrote:
This is a pretty lousy question.

Should I take something I won't need, but take it as an emergency backup, but it's incapable of being an emergency backup for AC...

...when I have a 12 volt battery which is an excellent emergency backup for all critical camper systems (except the AC, microwave and blow drier)?...

...and if you really really really are in an emergency, you can charge off of the tow vehicle (albeit slowly).

A spare tire- ABSOLUTELY!

How about a spare sewer valve? Or a spare faucets for kitchen, shower, and bathroom sinks (I have actually needed all four of those, but have yet to need a 2000 watt backup generator).

Now, is a generator a super nice thing to have if you have no electrical hook ups...sure, but if you know you are going for full hook ups the risk of needing a generator is pretty slim.

Probably even slimmer than needing a spare tow vehicle (Two incidents with THAT so far!)

K3WE you do raise a good point that I did not consider. HavinG A/C could really make a difference. However the OP is referring to a 2000 watt genset that probably won't run the A/C.
The questions becomes what will the genset run that will be critical during a power failure? TV?recharge batteries?
The unit is small and lightweight,bringing it along does not take a lot of effort.
In the end I think I would bring it simply because it is small and light enough to stash it away without a lot of effort.
How beneficial a 2KW genset will be is during a power outage debatable.However I am certain be more useful in the RV than at home.

This is a pretty lousy question.

Should I take something I won't need, but take it as an emergency backup, but it's incapable of being an emergency backup for AC...

...when I have a 12 volt battery which is an excellent emergency backup for all critical camper systems (except the AC, microwave and blow drier)?...

...and if you really really really are in an emergency, you can charge off of the tow vehicle (albeit slowly).

A spare tire- ABSOLUTELY!

How about a spare sewer valve? Or a spare faucets for kitchen, shower, and bathroom sinks (I have actually needed all four of those, but have yet to need a 2000 watt backup generator).

Now, is a generator a super nice thing to have if you have no electrical hook ups...sure, but if you know you are going for full hook ups the risk of needing a generator is pretty slim.

Probably even slimmer than needing a spare tow vehicle (Two incidents with THAT so far!)

mlts22 wrote:
If I lived more north, a generator can be an option, but here in Texas, a rig is not inhabitable without an A/C, and a generator to run it, so the generator does come along.

A big x2!! Yes, life for us desert dwellers comes with different needs. When it's 110-degrees + outside, just imagine the temps inside an rv. The trips between home and our camping destinations require the generator & a/c to prevent death when entering the rig for lunch, potty breaks, etc.

When I first got the Honda 3000i, I used to take it with me when going to sites that I knew I had electric at. Pretty much all state parks.

After never needing it for the year I did that, and not taking it since and that's been about 8 years now and never losing power while I was camping, I'm glad to not haul that thing in and out out of the truck!

But, I will always fill the fresh water tank (only 30 gallons) when I know I've got water at a camp site.. Then I just use my tank water and don't even bother hooking up the hose.. I like my water much better than the water the parks provide anyway, so no big deal.

Anyway, if it's only a #54 2000w gen, take it along... My 3000 is over #150, so it stays in the garage, unless I know I won't have electric at the site I'm going to.

Just what works for me.. :)

Mitch

Have had to use the generator several times not because the power was out but because our surge guard unit shut down the electricity because of low voltage.

My Bigfoot TT came with an Onan 2500 LP built in. Love being able to fire up the gen from inside and crank the A/C any time.....(Phoenix)

Lots of the campgrounds up on the Rim in the AZ forests are dry/no hookups. @7500 ft my EU2000i would BARELY run my microwave alone.......used for quietness. Onan worked perfect.

Trips of more than an hour I usually take my Kipor 3000 along. It has saved the day more than once. Norhern tier counties don't always have the sevices to get things up and running quickly. Power can be lost for a day or more if a severe storm blows up. Better safe than sorry.

ncrowley wrote:
I have a generator built into my class A. Last year, I was getting ready to go home and the campground lost power. The generator allowed me to bring the slides in and get the rig ready to go home. The power was still out when I left.

I thought the slides usually worked on 12v power. Do hydraulics need 120v power?

When I had trailer I used to mostly take the generator along. But I can only think of one time the power failed in a FHU campground I was camped in-it was hot I ran the generator.

My generator would power the microwave or the air conditioner. I'd use it for time outs during the drive, and considered it a safety feature while traveling in the hot southwest. As well as when needed when dry camping (which wasn't often).

Now with the class C I still use generator most for mid day stops. Fire up the AC, fix lunch, look at maps, make reservations, take a break.