Resource for learning about power options?
Hello, First time poster here. I'm trying to get a head start on getting into a lot more RV'ing in 6 months or so. I've got a lot of experience towing commercially (big rigs, 350/3500 pickups and...
Forum Discussion
You did mention powering things in the RV from 12 volts, via the alternator or batteries. The typical truck has a 20 amp fuse protecting a #12 gauge wire (at best) going to the trailer wiring harness. With a 13.5 volt source in the truck, and a 12.6 volt battery to charge some 25' away, not much amperage is going to flow through such small wire. My suggestion is installing some #8 wire, then a "Anderson connector" - forklift battery connector, to recharge the trailer battery with minimal voltage loss, and able to move more than 30 amps all the time the truck engine is running.
I also recommend a 100 - 500 watt portable inverter to run the TV set, DVD, recharge phones, laptops, ect. Then you can run the inverter at night, and not have to listen to the generator.
If you plan on going from one campground to another, then you will not have a need for solar panels, or more than one battery. If you plan on spending 3 nights in a forest service campground without hookups, or longer, then solar panels, at least 2 batteries, and other improvements would make the stay much more enjoyable.
SunElec.com
Look for a "12 volt" solar panel, that has a open circuit voltage of around 19 - 22 volts. This is high enough to recharge a battery while it is at 13.5 volts. Then you can use a PWM solar controller, they are a lot less expensive than the MPPT type.
What else to look for? Some like a 4 seasons trailer, they are easier to heat and cool, usually including more insulation, and a enclosed tank area, with a furnace air duct to keep the tanks above 32F while it can be as low as 10F outside. Also dual pane windows cut down on the vibration, making it quietier inside, as well as not getting condensation on the glass, and less heat loss to the glass.
Many posts are out there about the "China Bomb" tires, they tend to blow out to soon. I suggest getting better quality tires, made someplace else.
Many trailers come with 'Barely adequate' axles and brakes. Electric drum brakes are not all that great, and have somewhat limited stopping capacity. Now you can buy disk brakes in RV's. The dealers that do not sell them will tell you you never need the extra braking. Enough said. There is a post this morning about a trailer with a 6,800 GVWR, while the GVW is close to 6,400 pounds with "Barely" anything in it (according to the owner) and the frame is seeing signs of stress, and spring bushings worn out on a trailer that is only a few weeks old. Quality counts.
Feel free to write back with any other questions. And also before signing on that bottom line, write back with the "Deal" you got. Someone might say "that is a brand that might fall apart soon" or might say "You can normally get 25% off the retail price on that brand." or some other useful information.
One common post that I see is "I bought a 2500 pickup that will tow 'Anything' but find that I can not tow the trailer that the wife and I fell in love with. What do I do now? The pin weight is 2,850, while my truck cargo capacity is only 3,000 pounds, leaving no weight capacity for the passengers"
I know that your years of commercial truck service, you will know to research enough and read the brochures about trucks before buying one, and might pick out the truck and trailer at the same time, so they are matched capacity. Or find a dually truck that really does tow most everything.
Fred.
I also recommend a 100 - 500 watt portable inverter to run the TV set, DVD, recharge phones, laptops, ect. Then you can run the inverter at night, and not have to listen to the generator.
If you plan on going from one campground to another, then you will not have a need for solar panels, or more than one battery. If you plan on spending 3 nights in a forest service campground without hookups, or longer, then solar panels, at least 2 batteries, and other improvements would make the stay much more enjoyable.
SunElec.com
Look for a "12 volt" solar panel, that has a open circuit voltage of around 19 - 22 volts. This is high enough to recharge a battery while it is at 13.5 volts. Then you can use a PWM solar controller, they are a lot less expensive than the MPPT type.
What else to look for? Some like a 4 seasons trailer, they are easier to heat and cool, usually including more insulation, and a enclosed tank area, with a furnace air duct to keep the tanks above 32F while it can be as low as 10F outside. Also dual pane windows cut down on the vibration, making it quietier inside, as well as not getting condensation on the glass, and less heat loss to the glass.
Many posts are out there about the "China Bomb" tires, they tend to blow out to soon. I suggest getting better quality tires, made someplace else.
Many trailers come with 'Barely adequate' axles and brakes. Electric drum brakes are not all that great, and have somewhat limited stopping capacity. Now you can buy disk brakes in RV's. The dealers that do not sell them will tell you you never need the extra braking. Enough said. There is a post this morning about a trailer with a 6,800 GVWR, while the GVW is close to 6,400 pounds with "Barely" anything in it (according to the owner) and the frame is seeing signs of stress, and spring bushings worn out on a trailer that is only a few weeks old. Quality counts.
Feel free to write back with any other questions. And also before signing on that bottom line, write back with the "Deal" you got. Someone might say "that is a brand that might fall apart soon" or might say "You can normally get 25% off the retail price on that brand." or some other useful information.
One common post that I see is "I bought a 2500 pickup that will tow 'Anything' but find that I can not tow the trailer that the wife and I fell in love with. What do I do now? The pin weight is 2,850, while my truck cargo capacity is only 3,000 pounds, leaving no weight capacity for the passengers"
I know that your years of commercial truck service, you will know to research enough and read the brochures about trucks before buying one, and might pick out the truck and trailer at the same time, so they are matched capacity. Or find a dually truck that really does tow most everything.
Fred.
