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Old 01-28-2014, 04:11 AM   #1
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Camping at the races.

My best memories of camping with my family was always weekends at racetracks around the country. Until the very last coach my parents had we never had a generator but as a kid it's not the type of this gang you really miss.

I'm trying to decide if I should bother investing in one for the two or three weekends a year we will be camping without full hookups. Our first two weekends are late June at Watkins Glen and then early July at Mosport. Neither should be hot enough to require AC.

It's a noob question indeed as I'm not sure why I need it I guess.
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Old 01-28-2014, 09:12 AM   #2
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It's not necessarily the AC but other conveniences. Look around at what runs on 120V and see if you don't need it for a weekend. Also look at the battery(ies) available to power everything for a weekend. A 1000w generator will keep the batteries up and power the TV (boob tube) when needed. Not very big and no need to run all the time, just every so often. A 2000w gives you a microwave and still very portable and can also only be run when needed. Can also provide emergency lighting around the house.

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Old 01-28-2014, 01:12 PM   #3
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I have stayed at the Watkins Glenn KOA a couple of times, and it is an EXCELLENT campground, and not far from the track. I think you will find there are plenty of campers there that are attending the races.
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Old 01-28-2014, 05:40 PM   #4
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We are staying inside the track both times, I never thought about staying offsite with services. Hmmm
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Old 01-28-2014, 09:16 PM   #5
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Did I mention Watkins Glenn KOA was EXELLENT. While you are there visit the Corning Glass Museum.
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Old 01-29-2014, 10:42 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Coopers_dad View Post
My best memories of camping with my family was always weekends at racetracks around the country. Until the very last coach my parents had we never had a generator but as a kid it's not the type of this gang you really miss.

I'm trying to decide if I should bother investing in one for the two or three weekends a year we will be camping without full hookups. Our first two weekends are late June at Watkins Glen and then early July at Mosport. Neither should be hot enough to require AC.

It's a noob question indeed as I'm not sure why I need it I guess.
It's like most things... You don't know what you don't know until you have it.
That's why I don't have a smart phone.

We have a built in generator and now, couldn't be without one.
We go to the Nascar race at Calif Speedway every year and most everyone without built in's, have a Honda 1000w quiet unit. Of course, here in Cal, it's chained, cabled, and bolted on to protect it from running away.

If your batteries are good, you might think about an 800w invertor or so. It makes it easy to charge cell phone batteries, brew coffee early without noise, and anything else that needs low amperage 110v's.

If you want to use the microwave, tv, etc, a small portable is the way to go. AC changes the need to 4000w or so.
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Old 01-29-2014, 11:11 AM   #7
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After camping at Talladega 3 times and Kansas once, I say get a generator. Even if you will not run the A/C it will be good to have and of course without it you won't have any 120 outlets for the weekend. Furthermore (for your DC lights, water pump, etc...) you will need a generator to recharge your batteries from time to time. Honda has it figured out. You can always buy a Honda EU2000i to run everything you need (minus the A/C) and then down the road if you decide you need enough power to run the A/C buy another EU2000i and pair them together for 4000W. Keep in mind that you can only pair the same sized generators together. So.. don't do like me and get a EU3000 and then down the road decide you need 4000W. Since I couldn't pair a EU3000 and 1000 generator together, I ended selling the EU3000 and I am buy 2 EU2000i generators. Costly mistake on my part. That being said Honda's hold their value though.
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Old 01-29-2014, 03:46 PM   #8
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I towed my previous TT to Williams Grove Speedway near Harrisburg, PA and to Virginia International Raceway near Danville, VA. I take a Honda EU1000i and a 4000W generator for the A/C. I couldn't be without either, especially for the 4 day long events at VIR. I also have an EU2000i. I love how quiet and economical the Hondas are.

My main purpose for a camper is camping at the races.
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Old 01-29-2014, 03:49 PM   #9
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I second getting a Honda generator. I have a EU3000is and it will run anything in my 5ver including the 13500 air without a problem. There are great on fuel and run quite. We go to dirt tracks for the latemodels a lot so we use ours 2 or 3 weekends a month without a problem. Only downfall is they weigh around 150lbs so if that would be an issue the 2000 might be the way to go. I think I paid around $1800 dollars online with no tax and free shipping a couple years ago.
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Old 01-29-2014, 05:03 PM   #10
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Yep, can't go wrong with a Honda. Wisesales.com, has also deals and the ship free too. My Honda EU3000is was great from my 13,500BTU A/C, but my new TT has a 15,000 BTU. I have decided to go with 2 EU2000i generators. If you think you might ever get a TT with a 15,000 BTU you're going to need at least 4000 watts to push it.
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Old 01-29-2014, 06:43 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by r2millers View Post

If your batteries are good, you might think about an 800w invertor or so. It makes it easy to charge cell phone batteries, brew coffee early without noise, and anything else that needs low amperage 110v's.

If you want to use the microwave, tv, etc, a small portable is the way to go. AC changes the need to 4000w or so.
You might want to check the current draw on your coffee pot. My 12 cup is 900 watts. That will run down a battery in a hurry going thru an inverter.
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Old 01-29-2014, 06:47 PM   #12
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Another thumbs up for the Honda. If you only need to top up batteries, etc go for the little one - it's quiet and packs well. Love, LOVE, LOVE stock car racing and have camped at many tracks. Anyone have season tickets to Bristol they don't really want?

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Old 01-29-2014, 06:52 PM   #13
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Would love a Honda but they have the price locked up and I hate paying RETAIL for any thing. Just got a Smart Tool AP2000I Inverter from Costco with a Yamaha engine not Yamaha like. Part Japan and part China $599.00 beans. Very good reviews and near 51-53 db scale.
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Old 01-29-2014, 06:59 PM   #14
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Well you guys made the decision pretty easy! Time to go and visit my local Honda dealer for a 2000. Think it would get taken if I chained my wife to it? Har har. :-)
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Old 01-29-2014, 07:30 PM   #15
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Would love a Honda but they have the price locked up and I hate paying RETAIL for any thing. Just got a Smart Tool AP2000I Inverter from Costco with a Yamaha engine not Yamaha like. Part Japan and part China $599.00 beans. Very good reviews and near 51-53 db scale.
Where can you buy parts for it?
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Old 02-03-2014, 04:26 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Coopers_dad View Post
My best memories of camping with my family was always weekends at racetracks around the country. Until the very last coach my parents had we never had a generator but as a kid it's not the type of this gang you really miss.

I'm trying to decide if I should bother investing in one for the two or three weekends a year we will be camping without full hookups. Our first two weekends are late June at Watkins Glen and then early July at Mosport. Neither should be hot enough to require AC.

It's a noob question indeed as I'm not sure why I need it I guess.
I'll see you at the race (we have site D178) - I bring a Yamaha 4000 watt unit. It has an adapter so I can connect my fifth wheel to it 50 to 30amp connector to the generator. I purchased it in 2003 when we went from a motor home to a fifth wheel. I use it home once in awhile but most of the time at the track. We camp at the tack for the end of June Race and the Vintage Cup in September.

Would it be cheaper to purchase one at the Camping World in New York.
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Old 02-03-2014, 05:38 PM   #17
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For the Smarter Tools AP2000I It a Yamaha MZ 80 engine parts and service can be ordered from any yamaha dealer or engine repair service place. Warranty repairs and online or phone tech help is very easy. From all my research it's clear that this generator has been sold all over the world with this engine. It's a choice we all have to make. I talk to a honda repair person and he said a stater cost near $700, so repairing a used Honda or buy a alturnative generator for $550 at Costco with a three year warranty and a very easy return policy for any reason. So I think the risk is low. Check out Youtube and reviews from Homedepot which are selling them for $715.
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Old 02-03-2014, 06:16 PM   #18
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I'll defiantly come by and say hello. We will be in A63, I really wasn't sure where to stay this time as I haven't been to the Glen in about 15 years. We are looking at coming back in September as well as we normally do the ALMS and vintage weekends at Mosport. My RV dealer suggested I look at a Champion... he also suggested I buy it at Camping World as they were much cheaper in NY state.



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I'll see you at the race (we have site D178) - I bring a Yamaha 4000 watt unit. It has an adapter so I can connect my fifth wheel to it 50 to 30amp connector to the generator. I purchased it in 2003 when we went from a motor home to a fifth wheel. I use it home once in awhile but most of the time at the track. We camp at the tack for the end of June Race and the Vintage Cup in September.

Would it be cheaper to purchase one at the Camping World in New York.
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Old 02-03-2014, 06:43 PM   #19
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The champion 2000 Watt generator is a good choice as you can hook two of them and get enough power to run a 13.5 AC. There parts and service and warranty is the same set up as Smarter Tools. Link http://www.championpowerequipment.co...rators/73531i/
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Old 02-03-2014, 07:11 PM   #20
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I'll defiantly come by and say hello. We will be in A63, I really wasn't sure where to stay this time as I haven't been to the Glen in about 15 years. We are looking at coming back in September as well as we normally do the ALMS and vintage weekends at Mosport. My RV dealer suggested I look at a Champion... he also suggested I buy it at Camping World as they were much cheaper in NY state.

A63 will be a good site next to the track. The Glen started the site reservation system for all of the races last year. I was able to renew the site I have for both races. It is in more of the infield but is almost a double site so I have room for the 34' fifth wheel and our 21' truck. Last year a family from the St Catharines had the site. They did not renew so I was able to get it for the June and September weekend. They had been coming to the Glen since the F1 years. Just remember to stay in the center of the road when you go under the tunnel it is marked well. Last year a guy zipped back the top of his delivery truck because he did not stay in the center of the road.

For the Nascar Race we will be staying at Sampson State Park - a bit of a drive but it will work better than the track for the family.
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