Take generator on every trip

Frisbeekev · 02-09-2021, 05:02 AM

I was just curious who takes their generator with them on every trip as a back up even if you are going to a place that says they have power? The other advantage i can see is that you could use it to boondock on an overbight site. Disadvantages obviously are that its more weight and you have to carry extra fuel.

JDDilly · 02-09-2021, 05:57 AM

We only carry it if we are going to be on the road overnight. That way we have power when we stop for lunch or a break from driving and want TV, the microwave, air conditioning or other 110 powered items.

Laredo Tugger · 02-09-2021, 06:55 AM

I will take my generator on trips where I will be on the road for more than one night. I have the Champion 3400- Inverter. I modified the generator to run on a separate fuel tank (12 gallon boat tank) which I carry empty in my TV. Filled up it will run the generator for about 3 days and weighs about 100 lbs. with the tote container, locks and chain and other accessories. I figure if I have a breakdown I will either be towed to or pass a gas station. The generator and tank also fit under my closed tonneau cover when not towing. I have never had to or wanted to "camp" at Wal Mart, Cracker Barrell ect.. and use the generator for power.
So I guess my answer is, no not on every trip. Just when I think I might need it.
RMc

**JRTJH** · 02-09-2021, 07:32 AM

We camp regularly in State Forest (unimproved) Campgrounds. They are, for the most part, "rustic" with only a fire ring and sometimes a picnic table. Otherwise, dirt, grass, weeds or gravel that's sometimes level with no utilities except possibly a pit toilet and maybe a hand pump water well. Many don't even have trash cans (bad for wildlife like coons and bears) which stink when abused with fish guts and "wet garbage". Essentially, I use the generator to recharge the boat batteries more than the trailer batteries. Trolling motor and depth finder power is more important to our "camping style" than is trailer power.

When we camp that way, we take a generator to recharge batteries and provide power for the microwave.

If our planned trip is to "commercial campgrounds with power or to state park facilities that have electricity, we don't take the generator. We have "onboard power" that will last to power the necessary stuff for over 24 hours and I've never seen power outages for that length of time in conditions where I would stay in the campground. If it's "that bad" I'm going home or somewhere else.

For us, having a generator in the truck with no anticipated reason to use it is "wasted weight" so we just leave it at home.

Ken / Claudia · 02-09-2021, 08:05 AM

So far traveling has been limited to 2-3 days of time before plugging into shore power. I leave the genny at home for that. The batteries keep up unless you have old ones or just 1.
When planning a trip dry camping the genny(s) go to supply power.

nellie1289 · 02-09-2021, 09:01 AM

Where i go, it goes. My new trailer now has a built in ONAN so seems like it would be less likely to need one, but my onan wont crank if the batteries are below a certain level. And when i say batteries, i mean the ONE battery in my GIANT trailer. Yes, this is a shortcoming of this unit, i may replace with more batteries. You can always plug trailer in off truck but that would take forever to charge up. So i have committed to bringing my suitcase generator with me.

**sourdough** · 02-09-2021, 09:35 AM

I don't carry a generator with us any longer, ever. Wasted space and weight BUT I only stay at improved RV parks with full hookups. If there is anything wrong power wise anywhere we go for 24 hours I'm gone. Now when I boondocked much/most of the time my generator was with me always. You need to determine the kind of camping you intend to do and equip accordingly. I've not, and don't intend to ever, camp in a parking lot anywhere but from what I've heard the generator is not going to be appreciated in some of them.

notanlines · 02-09-2021, 09:58 AM

Our RV's have always had built-in's so yes, we always take it. The little addition we bought late last summer, the Salem, does not have a generator, so we will bring the portable with us when we use it.
We have become accustomed to certain conveniences when we travel and the generator is part of that equation.

Frisbeekev · 02-09-2021, 11:20 AM

We usually only use it boondocking but i did have an instance where we went to an electric site and there was no power. Batteries got us through but ww couldnt he up our premade dinner when we arrived in the evening.

Customer1 · 02-09-2021, 03:11 PM

I take everything on every trip. All the tools and gear have permanent storage locations and requires no loading or unloading for trips.

GHen · 02-10-2021, 09:42 AM

We take a 2000 watt on every trip, and a second 2000 watt for longer trips where we know we need to boondock and will need A/C.

If we arrive early and can’t get to our spot yet, we can still power up in the parking lot if needed. We have arrived to find out the pedestal is not working correctly and the can’t move us until the next day. Maybe power goes out from a storm. And sometimes we find a better Boondocking spot than the rv park we reserved.

MarkEHansen · 02-11-2021, 11:39 AM

Even when planning to camp where there is shore power available, something can happen to it. I would rather not have to cancel the camping trip if I don't have to. That happened on one of our trips, which is why we purchased our generator. So, yes, we always take it with us. I think my truck can handle the additional weight

dutchmensport · 02-11-2021, 04:09 PM

I'm still working it out. Sometimes I take (them - 2 of them), and sometimes I take only 1, and sometimes I take none.

It just depends upon what type of camping we are doing.

But to give a simple answer to your question.... No. We do not carry the generator on EVERY trip.

pikespeakviewer · 02-11-2021, 05:18 PM

If we are boondocking for 4 or more nights, then we will bring the generator. Plug in site, then we leave it at home.

CRUSINTHERVLIFE · 02-13-2021, 04:39 AM

We only take ours when we know we are going to be boon docking. Champion 3400 not modified , gas type. But have thought about changing it over to propane.

Bandit12 · 02-14-2021, 08:50 AM

We have two trips booked so far this year. Both spots are boondock sites at lakes. Our Cougar has the OTG package and while subject to that recall, I've checked it thoroughly and I'm convinced mine is wired correctly. We fully intend to bring our generator with us anyway. I have the Predator 3500 and one mod to the generator I'm doing before we go is to install the big wheel kit so it's easier to move around. I installed a carry tray on the back of the trailer to haul the generator on. It is WAY easier to lift the generator to the height of the tray than it is to get it in the bed of the truck.

jasin1 · 02-14-2021, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit12

We have two trips booked so far this year. Both spots are boondock sites at lakes. Our Cougar has the OTG package and while subject to that recall, I've checked it thoroughly and I'm convinced mine is wired correctly. We fully intend to bring our generator with us anyway. I have the Predator 3500 and one mod to the generator I'm doing before we go is to install the big wheel kit so it's easier to move around. I installed a carry tray on the back of the trailer to haul the generator on. It is WAY easier to lift the generator to the height of the tray than it is to get it in the bed of the truck.

I’d make sure that thing is locked up securely..I watched a YouTube video (rv odd couple) where they were in traffic stopped at a light and someone stole the generator right off the cargo tray... is it a frame welded hitch mount reciever?

Bandit12 · 02-14-2021, 09:30 AM

For the hitch, its the factory receiver hitch that came with the trailer. It's rated for 300 lbs. The tray weighs about 50 lbs and the generator about 100 lbs. I use 2 ratchet cargo straps crossed over the top of the generator to secure it, and I have a 5/16 inch aircraft cable looped around the hitch and thru the handles of the generator and padlocked for theft protection. In addition, we have a backup camera on the trailer and I usually have it on so I can keep and eye on the generator while going down the road in case anything happens with the hitch or tray itself. Edit to add: In addition, the cable also doubles as a security cable when parked. I loop it thru the handles of the generator and around the left rear auto leveling leg. The generator fits under the slide.

jasin1 · 02-14-2021, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit12

For the hitch, its the factory receiver hitch that came with the trailer. It's rated for 300 lbs. The tray weighs about 50 lbs and the generator about 100 lbs. I use 2 ratchet cargo straps crossed over the top of the generator to secure it, and I have a 5/16 inch aircraft cable looped around the hitch and thru the handles of the generator and padlocked for theft protection. In addition, we have a backup camera on the trailer and I usually have it on so I can keep and eye on the generator while going down the road in case anything happens with the hitch or tray itself.

Sounds good.. I was surprised that someone would steal something in traffic and nobody said anything. They were apparently traveling between boon docking sites and did not have it locked. They just had ratchet straps

Bandit12 · 02-14-2021, 09:56 AM

Color me paranoid. I spent 20 years in the military, the first 5 as a cop. I'm of the mindset that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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