jeaelectric
knoxville
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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We are leaving out on a trip out west for three weeks, we will have four days of travel before we get to the CG we will be staying at my question is should I carry the extra weight of my gen or leave it at home, it is a 6500 watt coleman appox 120lb I know this is not much but trying to save where I can we will be in cg's every night.
2004 PS Ford F-350 DRW
2007 S.B. Bristol Bay 3420BH
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HUTCH45
NORCAL
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Joined: 05/26/2007
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From my own past experience, (FWIW), if you don't take your Gen., you'll definitely need it at some point......
(I simply don't leave home without mine...)
"HUTCH"
'07 SILVERADO 3500HD 'CLASSIC' DRW - CC - 4 X 4
'07 NEW HORIZONS 34' 5th.Wheel 'MotoMover'
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downtheroad
Tumbling Waters, Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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We have made 2 cross country loops - 3 months longs each and camped all over the West for years. We don't have a generator and have never missed having one.
I realize that lots of folks rely on and use a generator..it just has never been a big issue for us not having one.
I guess you will have to ask yourself the same question..how much in the past have you used your generator or couldn't get along with out it. The answer to that might help you decide to bring or leave it home??
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fncampn
Gardnerville, NV
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You should be able to keep your batteries reasonably charged up with the TV's charging circuit through the 7-way trailer plug until you get there. You will be on the road quite a bit so you should be charging the batteries the entire time you're moving. That is if your charging circuit is working. Check to make sure it is before you leave by checking the charging wire on the 7-way with the truck key in the on position.
How to Do Just About Everything in an RV
'08 Ford F150 King Ranch CC 6.5' Bed Auto 3.73LS 4x4 5.4L
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Traveler II
Lindstrom, Minnesota
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Joined: 05/30/2003
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We have had generators on our MH and ran them all the time, mostly for AC. We now have a fiver without a generator, we've been on the road for 3 months now and have not found a need for one. We wanted to try this trip without one to see if we needed it.
Jim & Jane
2008 Cardinal 30TS
Trail Air Pin Box, Air Suspension, Smartair Air Spring Self Leveling, Reese Signature Series 18K hitch
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I always take mine but then I never know just WHERE I'll be staying. It's almost always at campgrounds so often there is no electricity but if you're staying at RV Parking lots why bother?
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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Jerrybo66
AZ
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If your batteries are in good shape and not very old I see no need for a generator if you travel every day. Be sure to check the water, clean the terminals and make sure they are tight before you leave. The slightest corrosions on a trailer battery can cause problems. The amps will jump dirty terminals to start a truck but the trickle of power needed to run the trailer lights etc. will cause resistance. The same for charging through from the TV...... IMO...
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2003 Sierra SP 26'Toy Hauler
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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WE are about to leave on a 3 week trip with the grandkids and I plan to bring our ginny. We will be in campgrounds with elect every night except for the 3 night we are staying at a friends cabin up on a mountain and the 5er will be at the foot of the mountain at her friends house. I plan to go there on about the second day to run the ginny for a few hours to recharge the battery as we need it to keep the fridge running. Don't want to pull the battery too low and ruin it. 
Papa Bob
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bobandvicki
indian harbour beach, fl
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We never leave home without our Honda 2000 gen - about 47 lbs - have only needed it a couple of times over the last 25,000 miles when we were not drycamping - then again we also have a bedsaver, aux fuel tank, and an air compressor - to some this may be overkill but to us we want to be prepared for the unexpected - great feeling of security when you find yourself in the middle of nowhere
04 Ford F350 KgRanch PSD SB 6.0L 4X4
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AZCampinfool
Gilbert, AZ
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Joined: 09/06/2003
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tvman44 wrote:WE are about to leave on a 3 week trip with the grandkids and I plan to bring our ginny. We will be in campgrounds with elect every night except for the 3 night we are staying at a friends cabin up on a mountain and the 5er will be at the foot of the mountain at her friends house. I plan to go there on about the second day to run the ginny for a few hours to recharge the battery as we need it to keep the fridge running. Don't want to pull the battery too low and ruin it.
Why don't you just run the fridge on propane? Much more efficient anyway and you won't drain your batteries or need your generator for just that issue.
Me, my wife & 2 DD's, plus the yellow camping labs
2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC 4X4 8.1L big block/Allison
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IAFF-Local 2260 Mesa, AZ
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