Do I need a Generator?

If the power at the campground goes out and it's too hot or too cold outside we run the generator, regardless of rules. I have health issues and a medical note that explains it is a necessity. This worked 16 times with only one manager saying no. We packed up and left, contacted an attorney, got our refund, covered the attorney's fees and had an excellent sum left over.

I've had a Honda 2000 since 2006/7. In '07, we took a long trip around much of the country. About the only time we used the gen was to run the microwave. On occasion, I'd start it so my wife could use her hair dryer. We were running twin Group 31 batteries and boondocked most of the time. It was nice to have the gen but not really necessary. Some people can't live without them but most can probably do without if they have a decent battery set-up, especially one with solar.

groundhogy wrote:
> Do I need a Generator?

No

I got a Ryobi 2200 at Home Depot last year because I wanted power at the camper storage lot, as a bonus it will also power my gas furnace and fridge (not at the same time) at home in the event of an extended power outage. Have not tried, but I seriously doubt it could start my AC in the camper, but it will run everything else (your results may vary). The one time I could have used it camping - we forgot it at home! Oopsy! So, the do you need it question is very personal and there are also other options already mentioned.

Most public campgrounds has generator use restrictions in place. usually from 8AM to 10AM in the mornings and then again from 4:30 to 7:30 in the early evening. Never do you see one allowed after 8PM... Check the generator run time rules the next you camp out somewhere.

Even the Natl Forest and other off-road areas here on the East side of the US has generator use restrictions in place.

There are some DISPERSED camping locations around here but not many. Of course if you are on private camp sites then there would not be any problem.

I am seeing the RV TRAVELERs using them at rest stops and lit up parking lots alot. Even have seen some just pulled off the road somewhere and running their generator...

We use ours all the time camping OFF-ROAD but just to re-charge my batteries as quick as possible. It has been best for us to beef up our battery systems to run the one day/night off of the batteries and then re-charge them the next morning at 8AM when allowed to run the generator... With an on-board smart mode converter/charger I can get my batteries back up to their 90% charge state in as little as three hours time... Installing a couple of solar panela will help us big time by only having to run the generator for the initial battery high current demand startup and then switch to solar for the rest of the day to get them re-charged.

My beefed up trailer sita here at home and it has been a big blessing to have when the commercial power goes off for long periods of time. I just run a couple of extension cords into the house and get by just fine until the power power comes back on... It is hard to locate gasoline here in this county when the commercial power goes down. Most gas stations do not have emergency power hooked up around here to run their pumps.

All depends what you want to do...

Without any planning a stock trailer may not even last the one night camping off the batteries...

My 2KW Honda Generator was the first thing I purchased after I got my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer in 2008. It sits secured in the tail gate corner of my covered locked truck bed. Ready to be used at a moments notice.

I had to rescue myself the other day at the FOOD LION parking lot. I usually drive the wife there and then I get to yap on my ham radio from the truck. Ran my own start battery down haha... Just hooked up my small VEC battery charger I keep under the back seat to the generator and in five minutes time I was able to start my truck.

Roy Ken

You may want to get a 1000 or 1500 watt generator to have available to recharge batteries and run lights, TV, Laptop, Sat Box, DVD player or other small electronics at night.

Like others have posted, if you want to run air conditioner or other heavy draw appliances you'll need at least a 3000 watt.

groundhogy wrote:
Hi,
I just got a travel trailer..
What uses are generators good for?
Do I need one?
Gas or diesel?

thanks!

What travel trailer did you buy ?

I am looking at the same issue right now myself and I have come to this conclusion.

Hondas are way too expensive. I can buy the same exact Honda in Asia they sell here for $3000 for about $600. They are really selling the name.

I like the Champion, after a lot of research I think this is the best compromise of quality/noise/quiet and cost.

I plan to spend a fair amount of time in National Parks and other such places where there are no hookups. This means a generator unless you have an 8D battery. Yes you can get along fine for a couple of days without one but beyond that you will need to recharge.

I have been thinking of getting one of the Dual Fuel Gas/Propane generators by Champion. This seems like a great backup in case you run out of Gasoline and dont want to go to town right away.

As for running the Aircon: If it's really hot enough to run the Aircon then you will need your generator to run 24 hours. Most places will not let you do this they have quiet hours. (Unless you are out in the desert alone somewhere) If you need aircon at night will you then run your generator all night? I am not sure the Aircon argument for sizing your generator is valid. If the aircon is on the generator will need to be on...this is the limiting factor.

As for extra fuel...just get a couple of surplus NATO gas cans (Jerry cans)Make sure they are the NATO ones. They come with a spout and they DONT LEAK. They are much better than our old WWII type.

Good Luck.

When I had a TT and boondocking like at quartzsite and had my PU unhooked. I would pull my PU front end up to batteries and use jumper cables to PU to charge my TT batteries in the morning. Charges them fast. When on the road parked overnight with no AC I started my PU in the morning and let PU run while we ate breakfast charging the batteries. If you have 2 batteries you should be good. Camp for a while to see what you need. While off the grid I found that a portable solar panel worked well also. Granted you do get spoiled with a generator and having an electric coffee pot, toaster, and microwave off the grid.