|
01-26-2015, 07:52 PM
|
#1
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 35
|
Question about dry camping
We're taking the family from Ohio to Yellowstone and back this summer. Many of the well rated campsites out there do not have hookups. I do have a generator but was wondering what exactly I could power off the battery and truck without using the generator. I know the lights will run fine for hours. I don't expect to be able to run the A/C. What about the water pump from the fresh water tank? Can anyone give me a good idea of what I could run and for how long? I appreciate it, thanks!
__________________
2015 Rezerve RTZ28BH
2014 Ram 3500HD Laramie, Crew Cab, 6.7L Cummins, 6speed auto, 4x4
|
|
|
01-26-2015, 10:47 PM
|
#2
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
|
Everything will run with the exception of the A/C. You will have to run the water heater in LP mode. With a good battery you should last a few days if you don't use the furnace much. The fan seems to draw a lot in my opinion. The water pump will work fine however a bit noisy in some rigs. You can use the generator for a few hours each day to charge the battery unless there is a noise restriction for the campground.
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 12:32 AM
|
#3
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 45
|
dry camping
Have fun on your trip. Did some dry camping last year and the battery lasted a couple of days. Yours should last as long as you don't run the furnace too much, and make sure your fridge is on gas. I forgot and left it on battery and the fridge sucked the battery dry in a couple of hours.
__________________
Rick and Bobbi
Arvada, Colorado
2013 ST26BH
2001 ford excursion 7.3 diesel
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 05:21 AM
|
#4
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Winchester, ON
Posts: 1,177
|
The microwave will not run either. The fridge and hwt will run on propane, of course the stove and furnace do as well.
__________________
2012 Cruiser Sahara 330SS
2015 F250 Super Duty diesel
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 05:22 AM
|
#5
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Winchester, ON
Posts: 1,177
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick G.
Have fun on your trip. Did some dry camping last year and the battery lasted a couple of days. Yours should last as long as you don't run the furnace too much, and make sure your fridge is on gas. I forgot and left it on battery and the fridge sucked the battery dry in a couple of hours.
|
Your fridge will run on battery? Ours won't. It's either shore power or propane.
__________________
2012 Cruiser Sahara 330SS
2015 F250 Super Duty diesel
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 06:00 AM
|
#6
|
Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ohio
Posts: 356
|
A 3 way means propane, 120VAC and 12VDC, while 2 way is just propane and 120VAC.
__________________
hondavalk
2008 Tundra 5.7L
2013 ST29SS
Reese DC
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 07:43 AM
|
#7
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
|
you can also grab a solar panel and toss it on the roof and attach to battery when at a campground,as long as there is sun,to trickle the battery while you are exploring by vehicle. use lights sparingly . we very rarely have hookups and never had a problem. You can also add an extra battery if you have room . or look inside your engine compartment and there may be a spot for a 2nd batt. keep a charged one there for a spare.
__________________
It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 08:09 AM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
|
Also something to keep in mind. If you will be moving around and not parked in one campground for an extended period, the camper battery should get recharged by the truck when you are moving.
You should be able to run everything except the micro wave and the AC.
Tv will need a inverter. Fridge and water heater on LP.
Furnace is the biggest draw, about 8.5 amps. Batteries definitely don't like it.
Have fun, it's a very memorable area.
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 08:49 AM
|
#9
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW, TexUS
Posts: 1,032
|
The solar battery charger is a good idea in between spurts of recharging with your generator a little each day
(but don't be THAT guy disturbing everyone around you with a generator running too long please)
You might also consider swapping out the bulbs to LED's...
will reduce the battery drain 10 fold ....
__________________
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 10:21 AM
|
#10
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Breckenridge,CO
Posts: 975
|
What Lloyd said.
__________________
CAMPGROUND "DRIVEWAY"
Breckenridge, CO
'08 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST30BH Traded
'21 Grand Design Reflection 31MB 5er
'22 Cougar 29RLI 5er
'23 RAM 2500 4X4 CTD
|
|
|
01-27-2015, 06:41 PM
|
#11
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: WI
Posts: 896
|
You might also consider a second battery. It will give you more peace of mind, isn't that hard to install, and will give you more hours of service.
Just a thought.
Travel well, travel safe,
Jim
__________________
Jim & Linda Tator
Watertown, WI
2013 Crusier CF34SS GMC 3500 8.1L Dually
154 nights in 2013 - 4,370 miles
178 nights in 2014 - 5,082 miles
365 nights in 2015 - 6,040 miles
|
|
|
01-28-2015, 09:05 PM
|
#12
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 35
|
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the info. We're looking forward to the trip.
__________________
2015 Rezerve RTZ28BH
2014 Ram 3500HD Laramie, Crew Cab, 6.7L Cummins, 6speed auto, 4x4
|
|
|
01-31-2015, 06:13 PM
|
#13
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 64
|
Easiest way to remember is that basically, if you have to plug it in, it will not run. Example: TV, Microwave, coffee pot, alarm clock, etc. Run fridge and water heater on propane. We keep battery powered lights that we can move from room to room so save on the trailer lights when we really don't need them. Remember the water pump will use battery power, so the more you flush or use the sink, the more battery power you are using. We have a jug that we keep water in, just in case.
|
|
|
01-31-2015, 06:46 PM
|
#14
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mn
Posts: 548
|
Be considerate with the Genny,
Thanks Lloyd X2
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnboytoo
The solar battery charger is a good idea in between spurts of recharging with your generator a little each day
(but don't be THAT guy disturbing everyone around you with a generator running too long please)
You might also consider swapping out the bulbs to LED's...
will reduce the battery drain 10 fold ....
|
__________________
Lee & Jane and Black Lab Zoey
2008 Ford F250 CC Lariat 6.8L
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 31RK
Faribault MN
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|