First Timer

beemerphile1 wrote:
For a first timer I would advise camping with electric hook ups. Drycamping (camping without hook ups) can come later after you have learned all the nuances, tricks, and techniques.

This is good advice. There's a lot to learn, and camping is MUCH easier with electricity, even for us seasoned campers. If you have to boondock, be aware that you must really limit the water you use depending on tank sizes, (water pump uses your battery too), and use very few lights. It gets dark early now, and will be cold on top of the Shenandoah's.

For a first timer I would advise camping with electric hook ups. Drycamping (camping without hook ups) can come later after you have learned all the nuances, tricks, and techniques.

The heat is provided by an LPG furnace that has a battery operated fan. Your rental may have a battery sufficient to operate the furnace one night before recharging. You will likely have to run the generator most of the day to recharge the battery.

The only Shenandoah campground that will be open is Big Meadows (until November 17); there are no electrical hook ups. There are generator and non-generator sections, so choose your site wisely. I would recommend just getting one when you get there; it shouldn't be too busy if it is cold.

If you don't abuse your battery, your generator should be able to top it off for the overnight. At BM, you cannot run your generator after 9PM during late fall but if you don't run every light you should easily make it until 8AM when you can use the generator again.

Typically, when we stay there late fall, we can go for three days without using the generator so I don't think you would have a problem.

Don't forget to add water before you park, when it is convenient. Not every site has access to a water spigot and your rental may or may not include a hose.

Enjoy your trip! We love SNP and camp there at least three times a year. If you have any questions, pm me...

You will have heat via the propane furnace. IF you have a generator, it is OK to run it all night IF the campground allows it. Many have quiet hours during which generators are prohibited. Of course, if your campground has 120v power, you won't need the generator at all.

You can have heat as well as the water system and refrig(battery power and propane) and even AC (if the generator is running). However no national parks allow you to run a gen. after about 8 PM and some areas not at all so the battery may discharge from running the furnace fan, lights and water pump. But sometimes you can make it through 1 or 2 nights fine, then recharge with the gen. the next morning.

Welcome to the forums and happy RVing!

The earlier poster is correct. RVs typically have one or more furnaces that run off propane (and need 12v battery power as well). Other things that may run off propane include the fridge, the water heater, the cooktop and perhaps the oven.

The fridge will typically also run on AC if available. Some water heaters can run off either propane or electric. Some units have a microwave/convection oven that would require AC.

So, you kind of need to know how you plan to cook and understand how the rig will be equipped and whether you will have a generator or access to power. For example, will you have a drip or perk type coffee maker? Will you need power to use the oven?

It's a learning experience and even if your first trip does not go perfect you will likely survive to RV another day!

Mlukens,

Much of your question relates to the specific RV. Generators are always an extra cost add-on Most MH have them, but many do not.

The heat in most is from propane, but it requires 12V battery power to run the heater.

You need to do more investigation of both the campground you are expecting to stay in and the unit you intend to lease.

Matt