I have an 89 Lance camper and plan on dry camping with my wife and toddler daughter. I'd like to know people's opinions on adding solar versus plopping the dough on a Honda Generator. I'd ultimately like to add solar, but this is really just a starter camper to make sure it's for us as a family. Maybe only have it 2 or 3 years before i get one in the 2000s. Looks like it will be 500 or so for the stiff to add solar. $1000 for a 2000w generator, even if I need one that big. What are your thoughts? Pros versus cons? Thanks all for your time.

Note that I'm in Oregon, and will be camping no more than 3-5 days with the family during the summer. In the late fall I'll have it for 7 day stretches for elk hunting, which can be overcast if not snowing.

I wouldn't invest in Solar at this point, IMHO.Depending if you want to use A/C or not will pretty much determine the size of generator.I use a Champion 1500/1200 small open frame genny, ( No, it is not loud ) It will run my small microwave in the TT. It's also great in conjunction with a "portable" smart battery charger, in as much as my converter is useless for charging. If the converter in your TC is original, you're in the same boat.Champion & for $200 you can't beat it. Great customer service, parts are easy to get, & it's very dependable.

I wouldn't particularly invest in a solar setup either if you're going to get another camper in several years. I have a Champion 2000W portable inverter generator that I bought new off eBay for under $500 and it runs everything but the air conditioner. I'm happy with it and didn't spend a lot of money like you would on a Honda or Yamaha and it's super quiet (53dB at 23 feet). For no longer you're planning on keeping this camper I wouldn't invest too heavily into it.

You could consider a portable solar panel. I have a 45w panel I use to keep my boat battery topped off and used it for my Angler TC, four wheeler, and trolling motor batteries when dry camping. Fixing to add 145w panel to my current TC.

pcoplin wrote:Note that I'm in Oregon, and will be camping no more than 3-5 days with the family during the summer. In the late fall I'll have it for 7 day stretches for elk hunting, which can be overcast if not snowing.I hate to say generator but the Honda 2000 would most likely serve you better.Also good to review your battery condition and charging equipment before you rely too heavily on the Honda.

Solar or generator for older camper? | Good Sam Community

83 Replies

exhaustipated
Explorer
Mar 10, 2015
I wouldn't particularly invest in a solar setup either if you're going to get another camper in several years. I have a Champion 2000W portable inverter generator that I bought new off eBay for under $500 and it runs everything but the air conditioner. I'm happy with it and didn't spend a lot of money like you would on a Honda or Yamaha and it's super quiet (53dB at 23 feet). For no longer you're planning on keeping this camper I wouldn't invest too heavily into it.
Dakota98
Explorer
Mar 10, 2015
I wouldn't invest in Solar at this point, IMHO.

Depending if you want to use A/C or not will pretty much determine the size of generator.

I use a Champion 1500/1200 small open frame genny, ( No, it is not loud ) It will run my small microwave in the TT. It's also great in conjunction with a "portable" smart battery charger, in as much as my converter is useless for charging. If the converter in your TC is original, you're in the same boat.

Champion & for $200 you can't beat it. Great customer service, parts are easy to get, & it's very dependable.
pcoplin
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2015
Note that I'm in Oregon, and will be camping no more than 3-5 days with the family during the summer.

In the late fall I'll have it for 7 day stretches for elk hunting, which can be overcast if not snowing.

Forum Discussion

Solar or generator for older camper?

83 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Portable Solar Generators

Truck camper match

Generator noise reduction

Another solar question.

New Truck Camper Forum Comments