Camping off-grid & batteries/propane/solar

[Chandne]

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 $1,000

So 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.

[SoundGuy]

Chandne wrote:
60 lbs is a lot to carry but I'd prob need one to get by....maybe two. I'm not carrying two at the same time, of course. I did see these too- stackable and easy to carry. I could carry 2-4 on my trips.

Why would you ever carry any container? Just throw it in the back of your TV and fill it as it sits there ... worst case you might have to lift it out to dump into the trailer's fresh water inlet. If you want to avoid carrying them then strap a couple of 7 gal Aquatainers to an inexpensive wheeled luggage carrier.



I used to do that back in our popup days when we didn't need that much water but with a travel trailer I instead carry four 7 gal Aquatainers in the back of my truck whenever we're camping and can collect more water anytime. I certainly don't also manually pour water into the trailer's fresh water inlet but instead like many use a 12 vdc pump to automatically transfer it.



A 3.5 gal container would be a waste of time, not enough water all. :R

[Chandne]

That does look solid. 60 lbs is a lot to carry but I'd prob need one to get by....maybe two. I'm not carrying two at the same time, of course. I did see these too- stackable and easy to carry. I could carry 2-4 on my trips. Sorry, could not make it a proper link.

http://www.waterbrick.org/product/waterbrick-standard-3-5-gallon-blue/


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053GVRWQ?tag=sg-waterstorage-20

[SoundGuy]

Chandne wrote:
I can figure out how to carry two 5-gallon containers. Just need to research this a bit, and watch the tongue weight.

No "research" needed - what you want are Reliance 7 gal Aquatainers ... inexpensive, durable, made of food grade plastic, cube shaped so they won't fall over and don't waste space for storage, have a large main opening with threaded cap and spigot that won't leak, and a threaded vent port instead of a plug so it won't leak either. When empty an Aquatainer weighs nothing, when full ~ 60 lbs so it's still a reasonable lift. A "perfect" potable water container. :B

[Chandne]

Are you referring to fresh water? I assume you are. I can figure out how to carry two 5-gallon containers. Just need to research this a bit, and watch the tongue weight. Keep in mind this is just an idea...I do not )yet) know how easy or practical it will be to do this. I agree that 2x6v is the way to go. Not sure if the dealer will have decent batteries but I can start with that 27 and swap soon, after I build a bracket with some angle iron...or find a nice box that works.

[Vintage465]

I would agree that water is the biggest issue here. 26 gallons is really limiting. For batteries, I have found that the 2-6v and 300w of solar keeps me going indefinitely. We are not big users, no inverters, don't use the TV. Our big hog is the furnace at night (if it's 32deg. or less) and we find that if we keep the thermostat @ 60 degrees or a little less, it won't pull the batteries down so much. The Solar will bring them back up real easy assuming there is sun

[Chandne]

Here is my plan. I keep this TT for the missus and I. I get a diesel truck next and then put a small/light slide-camper on it. When I go solo, that is what I will take.

[PAThwacker]

I spent 2k on a popup to take off grid. I have a tt I rarely use. The pup goes everywhere.

[PAThwacker]

What you are showing is pickups carrying aquatainers. Ever sera Tahoe with jump seats? They go to the back door. No room for any gear


Denali Tahoe have less payload than an equinox lol.

Here was my trailblazer v8 with 6100lb towing a family of 3 with a dog

We were at max payload and max combined weight towing a 3500lb popup

That pup weighed 2700lbs empty and ready to camp maxed out a 5.3 tb.

Listen to seasoned veterans when it comes to towing and mythical towing capacities.

No way in hell would I'd buy that Lance or the Tahoe

It's designed for cuv mid sized cro

[BizmarksMom]

I can go a week with 30 gallons of fresh water, but it's a stretch. I'm also single, and pimarly use basin baths with an actual shower every third day. What really gets me is my little grey water tank.

With my portable solar panel, my batteries are topped off by mid afternoon. I carry a generator, in case I need it. I rarely use it. It just goes into the truck along with the kayak gear.

[SoundGuy]

Gjac wrote:
If you are new to dry camping you will be hard pressed to camp for 3 days will 26 gals of FW. I would be looking at how to carry more water either in an aux tank or portable containers. Then depending on where you camp can you dump grey water?

Extra fresh water is easy ... I carry a set of 7 gal Aquatainers in my truck which I use for retrieving fresh water as needed from the campground supply ... but if water for whatever reason won't be available I'll fill them before leaving home. However, this is extra weight and yet another reason for towing with a vehicle that isn't just marginal for the task at hand. 😉



I also have a couple more labeled for offloading grey water by gravity, though of course you do have to have a place to eventually dispose of it.

[Gjac]

Chandne wrote:
Oh, fresh, grey, and black are around 26, 25, and 25 gallons respectively.

. Water will be your limiting factor not battery power. If you are new to dry camping you will be hard pressed to camp for 3 days will 26 gals of FW. I would be looking at how to carry more water either in an aux tank or portable containers. Then depending on where you camp can you dump grey water?

[SoundGuy]

westend wrote:
For the average guy taking a weekend off for camping, the generator is an unneeded burden, IMO. A camper should arrive at destination with a fully charged battery bank. The battery bank, if sized correctly, would offer enough 12V power to complete the weekend. IF that isn't possible and power is needed to recharge, using jumper cables from the tow vehicle is a back up solution.

As an "average guy" who these days typically camps a few days at a time and who has owned two different Honda EU2000i gensets but later sold them due to lack of use I couldn't agree more. In his original post the OP said he was intending to immediately upgrade from a single G27 to dual G24s, to which I suggested he instead upgrade to dual GC-2s as the footprint is essentially the same but total AH rating will increase substantially from ~ 150 AH to ~ 220 AH. With that much reserve there's no reason one can't make it through a weekend of camping without shore power. That alone is certainly enough to start and as he gains experience he'll then be in a much better position to judge whether for his particular needs the expense of solar or a genset could be justified.

As for propane, anyone who takes the time to examine the Lance 1575 tongue will realize immediately that as currently configured there's just no room for a second tank, in which case the OP has several alternative options. 1) Replace that single 20 lb tank with a 30 lb, 2) remove that single tank & hardware, replace it with a dual tank tray, and install two 20 lb or 30 lb tanks, or 3) leave the trailer as it is and carry a spare tank in the TV. Many trailers, my own included, come with a factory installed dual tank tray mounted just aft of the tongue jack (choice #2) so if it can be done with mine it should be possible with his. This will leave plenty of room between the tanks and the trailer's front wall for at least dual GC-2s.



Regarding the recommendation to go with AGMs instead of flooded I'd only do so if I knew for a fact the converter / charger I was intending to use to maintain those batteries met all the requirements, otherwise there's nothing wrong with good ol' (cheaper) flooded GC-2s.

As for rexlion's post saying that because the unloaded tongue weight of this trailer is just 225 lbs it's gross tongue weight fully loaded & ready to camp would be ~ 300 to 350 lbs, I disagree completely. This trailer's GVWR is 3700 lbs and even with careful loading the OP is sure to use most of that rating. Let's say he's really conservative in what he carries in this trailer as cargo and assume a GVW loaded & ready to camp of 3500 lbs ... even 13% of that is 455 lbs. However, if the OP runs with dual GC-2s and two 20 lb tanks as I suggested gross tongue weight could be even greater. A 600 / 6000 lb Equal-i-zer would be perfect for this application. :B

To the OP - there's no need at this stage to simply throw your wallet at perceived "problems" until you've been out a few times and will then truly understand what may best serve your needs for your particular style of camping. A pair of GC-2s and a couple of 20 lb tanks are plenty to get you going, no need for anything more right now. Baby steps. 😉

[happycamper002]

To SCV Jeff

Your cognitive resonance is failing so badly you lose your basic comprehension completely. Yes it is not directed to the OP. This issue is about your arrogant response to another poster who was offering his own opinion. What makes you think that only your opinion counts and telling him to stop.

No one squeezed my panties (I don't wear them). Perhaps you can lend me yours?

This is not an attack...rather an effort to make an attitude adjustment that you badly need.

Anytime you make a comment like this, you can expect to hear some thing so this won't be the end.

[Crabbypatty]

We dry camp as much as FHU. For your first trip out you should buy a Honda or Yamaha 2000 watts inverter generator. When dry camping every time you use electric, your draining the battery and need to replace it. If you drain your battery below 50% rated charge then you are shorting its life. So I would safe for your first trip, have a generator and start to get used to it. Look around your trailer and see if there is a way to use less electricity. After that two 6 volt deep cycle batteries, I have Trojan T-125's are great. Your trailer is small so unless you need the heat for a weekend one 20lb propane will work. I have twin 30's but my trailer is twice the size. Later on if you can afford it, solar is great. I have 428 watts soon to increase to over 600 and as long as your in the sun, no generator needed.

In my current set up typically dry camping for a week at a time, without heat, I use maybe a 1/4 of one 30lb propane, but we drain a 65 gallon water tank. Typically on day 5 I take the portable poopy tank
and make a dump run. Mind you I dry camp with 5 people. My batteries are fully charged by 3-4 in the afternoon. 5 people 5 phones and other items to charge, ie each college student comes with a laptop, phone etc...

Last you did probably the most important thing you can, you joined rv.net and there are plenty of people ahead of you that figured it out. So search or ask a question and most of all have fun!

Happy Trails

[SCVJeff]

happycamper002 wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
. . . Why? The OP knows they are short on dry camp power, so knock it out now.

Such an overbearingly arrogant attitude. This is one reason why people are being driven away from this site.

OP is a newbie and he wouldn't know exactly what his needs are until he gets out there and experience it first hand.

He does have the wherewithal to indulge (camping) and enjoy what he perceives to be enjoyable. Granted, he is still in a learning curve in terms of managing his power usage.

He indicated that he is not really a power hog, and that he can get by with minimal resources. You don't know how long his batteries will last until the next replenishment.

So, as a retort to your unfounded albeit denigrating comment, I have to say: you need to stop shooting from the hip thus avoiding yourself from shooting yourself in the foot.

Who squeezed your panties? Seems like every time you show up it's to attack someone out of the blue.

My comment was not to the OP, it was to someone else. Besides all your "opinions" are also only that with zero fact. Grow up.

Ps- change your handle to Grumpy Camper. It fits better