A few of you are aware that I am picking up a Lance 1575 this weekend. I will, at time, camp in places where I will basically be off the grid in the sense that there will be no hookups. The dealer can do the following:Replace one Group 27 battery with two Group 24s- brackets need to be welded and propane needs to be moved. That is $350. Maybe I could get a battery box for two batts but the front area is pretty narrow on the 1575.I could possibly also do two 20-lb propane tanka or could I do a 30 lb propane?Posting get a portable solar panel to charge the batteries.Buy a Honda inverter generator for $1,000So I am not sure which ones would be a good move, since I do not totally understand how things work. I'm trying to do some research beforehand, so I don't get what I don't need. I don't know what is 120 vs. 12 on this trailer either.Any thoughts would be appreciated. In Colorado, I could go without the AC easily. The fan and lights would be useful to have though.

Chandne wrote:A few of you are aware that I am picking up a Lance 1575 this weekend. I will, at time, camp in places where I will basically be off the grid in the sense that there will be no hookups. The dealer can do the following:Replace one Group 27 battery with two Group 24s- brackets need to be welded and propane needs to be moved.Since you've not yet taken delivery I'd pass on the G24s and install a pair of 6 volt GC-2 deep cycle batteries which will offer significantly more reserve (~ 220 AH) than will a pair of 12 volt G24s (~ 150 AH) in the same footprint.

This one?I would be slappin some steel across the front to get 2 to 4 batteries and two bottles of propane on there. That is what I did with my pop-up a dozen years ago. If you are at all handy this is a DIY project that will come out better at lower cost than the dealer.Take the trailer as is with the group 27 and single bottle. This will get you through a few weekends to explore what you need. With conservation you can make two nights pretty easy.I see LED lighting is standard so you are miles ahead right there.I would option for the Fantastic Vent for better circulation especially with limited air conditioning. I had to put my own in. Really like it a lot.This standard vent is lame:

Battery capacity and how you charge them are going to be very important if you're running the furnace. A single battery will get you through a night. I'd recommend that you buy two 6V golf cart batteries at a big-box store like Sam's or Costco. You will need one 6"-8" length of battery cable to connect the two. The GC2 6V battery has the same footprint as a grp 24, they are taller. Get two of these and you'll have decent capacity and the 6V's are durable to some abuse.Solar charging and Boondocking are like peanut butter and jelly for the 12V system. Post over on the Tech Issues section for focused advice. A generator is a good backup plan as is also a pair of jumper cables. Your tow vehicle can be used as a backup charging system. While you're messing around with the battery situation, install a disconnect switch. This will allow you to turn off any power that the parasitic devices in your trailer use. That is important for storage.

I would read up on this site to get some electrical basics down to understand whats what in your rig. Also hang out here and ask whatever you need about the systems in the rig.http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htmTake your rig out and see how ur batt holds up under normal usage. Sometimes a second batt can get you through a trip. For others a genset will be enough for a few hours charging each am/pm. If you dry camp constantly then solar plus large 6v batts and a back-up genset will guarantee you always have power. It may take a season to find out where you fall in the above categories. Enjoy the journeyDaryll

westend wrote: A single battery will get you through a night. How long a single battery lasts is totally dependent on the outside temp.

Camping off-grid & batteries/propane/solar | Good Sam Community

83 Replies

westend
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Battery capacity and how you charge them are going to be very important if you're running the furnace. A single battery will get you through a night. I'd recommend that you buy two 6V golf cart batteries at a big-box store like Sam's or Costco. You will need one 6"-8" length of battery cable to connect the two. The GC2 6V battery has the same footprint as a grp 24, they are taller. Get two of these and you'll have decent capacity and the 6V's are durable to some abuse.

Solar charging and Boondocking are like peanut butter and jelly for the 12V system. Post over on the Tech Issues section for focused advice. A generator is a good backup plan as is also a pair of jumper cables. Your tow vehicle can be used as a backup charging system. While you're messing around with the battery situation, install a disconnect switch. This will allow you to turn off any power that the parasitic devices in your trailer use. That is important for storage.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 15, 2017
This one?

I would be slappin some steel across the front to get 2 to 4 batteries and two bottles of propane on there. That is what I did with my pop-up a dozen years ago. If you are at all handy this is a DIY project that will come out better at lower cost than the dealer.

Take the trailer as is with the group 27 and single bottle. This will get you through a few weekends to explore what you need. With conservation you can make two nights pretty easy.

I see LED lighting is standard so you are miles ahead right there.

I would option for the Fantastic Vent for better circulation especially with limited air conditioning. I had to put my own in. Really like it a lot.

This standard vent is lame:
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Chandne wrote:
A few of you are aware that I am picking up a Lance 1575 this weekend. I will, at time, camp in places where I will basically be off the grid in the sense that there will be no hookups. The dealer can do the following:

Replace one Group 27 battery with two Group 24s- brackets need to be welded and propane needs to be moved.

Since you've not yet taken delivery I'd pass on the G24s and install a pair of 6 volt GC-2 deep cycle batteries which will offer significantly more reserve (~ 220 AH) than will a pair of 12 volt G24s (~ 150 AH) in the same footprint.

Forum Discussion

Camping off-grid & batteries/propane/solar

83 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Off grid camp setup

Camping "off the grid"

Camping off the grid

Air conditioning for off grid camping

Off grid for first time, need some guidance !