Cal,
If you're going to be using the trailer "off grid" for any length of time, if it doesn't have one I suggest you add a battery monitor so you can check the health of the battery. Got mine off the Bay for a relatively few dollars. Has a little round display (for mounting in a maybe 2 inch hole; a current shunt for mounting at the coach battery and maybe a 3 ft cable to interconnect the two. I was able to mount it in a side cabinet close enough to the battery to snake the cable to it without much effort. You can see at a glance the battery voltage / current / state of charge, and this one blinks when being recharged so you know if the solar panel(s) are working. With my new battery, I'm going to keep my eye on the charging voltage to see that it doesn't get too high.
If you're going to be using the trailer "off grid" for any length of time, if it doesn't have one I suggest you add a battery monitor so you can check the health of the battery. Got mine off the Bay for a relatively few dollars. Has a little round display (for mounting in a maybe 2 inch hole; a current shunt for mounting at the coach battery and maybe a 3 ft cable to interconnect the two. I was able to mount it in a side cabinet close enough to the battery to snake the cable to it without much effort. You can see at a glance the battery voltage / current / state of charge, and this one blinks when being recharged so you know if the solar panel(s) are working. With my new battery, I'm going to keep my eye on the charging voltage to see that it doesn't get too high.
Cal,
Some things you don't want to learn the hard way. I recommend:
- Be super anal about checking roof membrane and seals. "They all leak" isn't just a saying.
- Keep plenty of grease in the axle/hub bearings
- Keep a checklist of your winterizing and de-winterizing procedures
- Keep a checklist of your hooking up and disconnecting procedures (at least for the first while, and again after a long period of not doing it)
Some things I recommend for off-grid:
- two 6V golf cart batteries instead of one 12V deep cycle
- look into flipping your axle if you plan to guerrilla camp from the more remote BC FSRs and into 2-track areas - all the parks and easy spots to get to are going to be full due to COVID - of course your tow vehicle needs good clearance for this as well.
- a winch is always a good thing to have, but if not - at least have some recovery straps so passers by can maybe help - lots of helpful folks in the back country
Some things you don't want to learn the hard way. I recommend:
- Be super anal about checking roof membrane and seals. "They all leak" isn't just a saying.
- Keep plenty of grease in the axle/hub bearings
- Keep a checklist of your winterizing and de-winterizing procedures
- Keep a checklist of your hooking up and disconnecting procedures (at least for the first while, and again after a long period of not doing it)
Some things I recommend for off-grid:
- two 6V golf cart batteries instead of one 12V deep cycle
- look into flipping your axle if you plan to guerrilla camp from the more remote BC FSRs and into 2-track areas - all the parks and easy spots to get to are going to be full due to COVID - of course your tow vehicle needs good clearance for this as well.
- a winch is always a good thing to have, but if not - at least have some recovery straps so passers by can maybe help - lots of helpful folks in the back country
These units come pretty well equipped these days. There are monitors and alarms for almost everything on board.
Lifespan as in how many years they last?
Or, lifespan as in how long they deliver power after fully charged?
If it is the first question, I would say they are about the same. This is really a function of battery quality, proper battery use (never over-drain them), and battery maintenance/storage.
If it is the second question, the answer is "double (or more)". It is an oversimplified answer and sometimes works out differently.
An example. I was on a moose hunt with a few guys. We had 2 trailers. My buddy's had a 12V and mine has 2 6V. We were running our furnaces and lighting about the same amount, plus I was running music from mine every evening (while we ate and drank around the camp fire). He had to run his generator to charge his battery every day that we were there. 5 days later, my batteries were still fine and I had not charged them at all. No solar panels were involved.
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All good questions, thank you.
Yes, I have learned much from Googling. I know someone who understands water ingress issues 😉
Comes standard with Bearing Buddies that will be checked yearly by the dealer.
That will be done by the dealer.
Second nature to me. I have been around trailers all my life. This is my first RV trailer. Unless you mean the gas and such which is done with switches nowadays.
I am interested in this. Please fill us in with your experience. There doesn't seem to be a consensus.
Done at the factory with this Baja edition, along with 15" wheels and some meaty rubber.
I will have ratchet tie-downs and 100' of 3/4", 50' of 1/2", and 200' of 1/4" poly ropes. And yes, I have spent a lot of time camping and boating over the years and wholeheartedly agree. When I was younger I had to call on their help a number of times. Now I expect to be one of the helpers. The trailer will be well equipped. What I don't know is the actual operation of the trailer itself. I expect it will all come together quickly. We are going to do a few dry runs over at friends places before venturing out.
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It is a deep cycle and is constantly being charged one of three ways.
The jury seems to be out on that. Two sides to every coin. Once I am older the thought of lifting 2x6V might be very appealing.
Cal, my 6V batteries are each the same size as a typical 12 (which is why I have roughly double the power/time), so no break there.
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wow Cal:
that thing is huge!
Good stuff.
Usually the big issue occurs during the backing into the camp site.
A friend of mine always had trouble, and the trip often started out as the "Bickersens" go camping. You know, lots of stern looks, a bit of shouting, and the occasional wrinkle on the back corner of the unit. Then one year we were all set up in our site and they arrived to move in next door. I poured a beer and sat down to watch the show. Well they surprised me, she got out and walked to the back of the site, he started to back in and I saw her talking into a small handheld radio giving her guiding instructions. He slide the unit in smooth as silk, not a single scream was heard. Wow, that was genius. No yelling, no bickering just plain old camping harmony.
A lesson was learned by all who watched.
Remember camping is about eating too much, drinking too much, and burning stuff. Other than those few simple rules it is pretty easy.
Anyway good for you, we are looking forward to seeing once Bonny H. says it is okay to have fun again.
that thing is huge!
Good stuff.
Usually the big issue occurs during the backing into the camp site.
A friend of mine always had trouble, and the trip often started out as the "Bickersens" go camping. You know, lots of stern looks, a bit of shouting, and the occasional wrinkle on the back corner of the unit. Then one year we were all set up in our site and they arrived to move in next door. I poured a beer and sat down to watch the show. Well they surprised me, she got out and walked to the back of the site, he started to back in and I saw her talking into a small handheld radio giving her guiding instructions. He slide the unit in smooth as silk, not a single scream was heard. Wow, that was genius. No yelling, no bickering just plain old camping harmony.
A lesson was learned by all who watched.
Remember camping is about eating too much, drinking too much, and burning stuff. Other than those few simple rules it is pretty easy.
Anyway good for you, we are looking forward to seeing once Bonny H. says it is okay to have fun again.
I've only personally owned a trailer with 2 6V. All my anecdotal evidence has been when comparing to friends' setups. Some of them seem to always be running out of juice and/or having to constantly charge up and mine has always been good for days on end. I can only assume some of them are better than others at battery care.
Add solar to the equation and you can stay out there almost indefinitely (except water is always going to be an issue, whether running out of fresh or filling grey/black tanks). The twin 6Vs provide a much bigger buffer in case you get 2 or 3 days of overcast weather and your solar is doing diddly-squat.
Oh, and regardless of battery power/condition, solar panels, hamsters on a flywheel, etc. - I would never head out into the bush without my trusty Honda eu2000i, even though I rarely need it.
😀 I would add don't let a local send you down a long one way dirt road to find the "experience of a lifetime". There is a Youtube of ultra-posh RV'ing, seriously this is for VERY few folks.
If that is the case wouldn't 2 - 12's in parallel be the way? I think I may have to modify the battery mount to get two in there.
I'm not sure the Mrs. is up to extended stays yet but let's hope that comes with time. If so, we will take water tablets and maybe even a small, low micron filter.
I understand. To start with, we will not get one as we are not expecting to get in too deep yet. Perhaps down the road. Good advice.
Oh yes. It comes prewired for a back-up camera but when I ask around, the guys just point at their better half and say 'that's my back-up camera' so I believe every word of your story.
Yes, I've not forgotten the etiquette or lack thereof. Been kicked out of a few campsites over the years. But I'm older and wiser now. Honest.
It's not the camping part I lack, it's the operation of the new toy. The last thing I need is to get out there and not figure something out. I'm sure it will all be just fine, I'm just concerned that Hanh is well looked after.
Yes, when we are brave enough to do an island run, I have a feeling the first night is going to be in your driveway. Judging by previous trips to your place, we won't be getting an early start the next day so plan on an extension. 🙂
Re: fresh water I wasn't talking potable/drinking water. I lug that separately in 5 gallon jugs. The "fresh" is used for washing dishes, hands, showering, flushing the toilet, etc.
We have a 60 gallon fresh tank and it depletes faster than you might think, even when you try to conserve. Also, that much water is heavy AF. Depending where it sits in the trailer (usually somewhere between the axles and the tongue) it adds a hell of a lot of weight = vehicle sag (even with load distribution bars). Nearer the end of the trip, that weight shifts to the back of our trailer, in the grey and black tanks.
We have a 60 gallon fresh tank and it depletes faster than you might think, even when you try to conserve. Also, that much water is heavy AF. Depending where it sits in the trailer (usually somewhere between the axles and the tongue) it adds a hell of a lot of weight = vehicle sag (even with load distribution bars). Nearer the end of the trip, that weight shifts to the back of our trailer, in the grey and black tanks.
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Yes, we have 2 - 5 gal drinking water jugs. The fresh water tank is 20 US gal plus the 6 in the HW tank.
The black and gray are each 20 US gal.
That's why I mentioned the water sanitizing tabs and the low micron filter (with a pressurized container) if we have to draw from a stream or lake. We will also carry iodine and boil water if necessary. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
At this point, I get the impression Mrs. Weldon is going to be most happy with a level spot, a 30 amp hook-up, city water, cable and WiFi. She has a shower, a tub, an AC, a heater, fridge, TV, lots of storage area, a power awning, exterior lights and appliances, a propane fire pit, a hammock, recreation items and a husband who knows his way around the bush when it's time to forage for wild mushrooms and berries. A nice nature trail will help too. I want her to enjoy this and will ease her into it. She's kind of a virgin at this sort of thing.
If all goes well, in a few years, we'll get ourselves a larger unit and spend more time away from home as we will both be retired in a couple years.
The black and gray are each 20 US gal.
That's why I mentioned the water sanitizing tabs and the low micron filter (with a pressurized container) if we have to draw from a stream or lake. We will also carry iodine and boil water if necessary. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
At this point, I get the impression Mrs. Weldon is going to be most happy with a level spot, a 30 amp hook-up, city water, cable and WiFi. She has a shower, a tub, an AC, a heater, fridge, TV, lots of storage area, a power awning, exterior lights and appliances, a propane fire pit, a hammock, recreation items and a husband who knows his way around the bush when it's time to forage for wild mushrooms and berries. A nice nature trail will help too. I want her to enjoy this and will ease her into it. She's kind of a virgin at this sort of thing.
If all goes well, in a few years, we'll get ourselves a larger unit and spend more time away from home as we will both be retired in a couple years.
Good plan of attack, Cal. Best of luck finding a spot like you described this coming season. It is going to be a challenge, methinks.
If you are going to get a generator eventually look at these, I’ve had the gas only version of this for over 6 yrs now and never had problem one and we use it a lot. 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter - Champion Power Equipment
Way cheaper than a Honda and just as trouble free....propane would be a lot safer traveling and storing too.
Way cheaper than a Honda and just as trouble free....propane would be a lot safer traveling and storing too.
The beauty of the Honda is how quiet it is. Bring a 100' cord and set the genny up back in the bush somewhere and you can barely hear it. My dad handed his down to me after he sold his cabin cruiser, and when this one dies I won't hesitate to buy another.
Normally the Champions are loud as heck, but that one seems to be very quiet! The dual fuel option sure is nice, too.
Normally the Champions are loud as heck, but that one seems to be very quiet! The dual fuel option sure is nice, too.
I assume such a posh trailer comes with a copy of The Long, Long Trailer:
The Long, Long Trailer - YouTube
Backup camera:
The Long, Long Trailer 2m:02s
The Long, Long Trailer - Wikipedia
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) - IMDb
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) - Trivia - IMDb
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Been married long?
Mr. Tewitt: About 31 years.
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Have many fights?
Mr. Tewitt: Nope.
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Then take my advice: don't buy a trailer.
The Long, Long Trailer - YouTube
Backup camera:
The Long, Long Trailer 2m:02s
The Long, Long Trailer - Wikipedia
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) - IMDb
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) - Trivia - IMDb
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Been married long?
Mr. Tewitt: About 31 years.
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Have many fights?
Mr. Tewitt: Nope.
Nicholas Carlos Collini: Then take my advice: don't buy a trailer.
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