Forum Discussion

MattINW's avatar
MattINW
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015

Travel trailer outlets

I'm trying to make sure we're as prepared as possible for an upcoming trip. We're taking our RV. But relatives are borrowing a travel trailer.

I've been trying to determine electrical hookup needs, as I was hoping to dry camp a few nights. The relatives have a CPAP, so they need power at night time.

I was thinking an inverter would work, utilizing the cigarette lighter type outlet. But I've been told the TT has zero outlets of any type. That seems highly unusual. Is that normal?

The TT is 25' with 1 or more pop outs. I'm waiting to be told the model.

Thanks!
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2015
    Depending on the cpap and the trailers battery capacity it is highly likely he could run out of power before the night is over.
  • mbopp's avatar
    mbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2015
    Usually there's a 12V outlet for the television set.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2015
    And the accessory outlet (cigarette lighter) in the trailer will not be enough for the type of inverter needed.

    I would temporarily run a larger inverter at the battery and an extension cord from the inverter to the CPAP machine.
  • BTPO1's avatar
    BTPO1
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2015
    Some CPAP machines run on 12VDC. If theirs does then there would be no need for 120VAC. You might be able to run it all night if the battery was charged fully in the evening. I do not use an inverter for mine as it uses more power than just using the 12VDC cord and plugging it into the 12VDC power receptacle. They also have stand alone batteries for CPAP machines but, they are expensive. If you do not need the humidifier it will cut way down on your power consumption. JMO
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2015
    For something as critical as the CPAP, you might be better served by bringing a small AGM battery and using that for power. You could have the trailer's system for redundancy.

    If you do use the trailer's battery for power, connect the inverter at the battery and use an extension cord to the sleeping location.
  • doxiluvr's avatar
    doxiluvr
    Explorer II
    Aug 11, 2015
    They or you might need to rent or buy a generator for additional power if you are going to boondock.
  • RSD559's avatar
    RSD559
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2015
    I've used my CPAP for several nights without killing the batteries. It had a 12v plug. My new CPAP has an optional 12v cord for only $98. I'll use a small inverter, thank you.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Aug 12, 2015
    It should work on a cigarette type outlet if you disconnect the humdifier. Mine in my old rig
  • TundraTower's avatar
    TundraTower
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2015
    I use a smaller CPAP for traveling, and was able to buy a 12V plug from the manufacturer.

    For power outages at home, I bought an inverter for my new CPAP. HOWEVER, be aware that most CPAP's require a PURE SINE WAVE and will not run on the modified sine wave created by the cheaper inverters. I found a good brand of inverter twice as big as I need that generates the pure wave for about $100.

    If you are just running the CPAP, a good battery should be able to run it all night and still have power left over.

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