Travel trailer and pets question

[keylime359]

Ok, so DH and I are thinking about getting a travel trailer esp since we hate to put the dogs in the kennel. My question is if we decide to take a break on an extended trip to say the Biltmore (just and example) can we use a generator to cool the TT for the dogs while we do that? I know you can with a class A but we are not interested in a motorized unit. Thank you in advance for your replies. You guys already helped my from the guy who tried to sell me a too heavy unit for our car. (Honda Pilot) SO, we are getting a Denali XL that should cover what we are looking for!

 

[2goofycampers]

Yes, you can get a generator to cool the TT while parked. You will need a good size one tho.

 

[BRDof3]

Yes, you can get a generator to cool the TT while parked. You will need a good size one tho.

Just be careful where you leave the TT and the unit if you are going to leave the area. In a campground, probably OK. In a parking lot or other temporary stopping location, it is easy to steal.

 

[mamaloya]

I have an awesome tongue lock for my camper. When we lost the key, it took a locksmith like 1 hour to get it off.

 

[BRDof3]

Actually, I was worried more for the generator than the trailer. Anything that you can haul in there, some else can haul out. Don't know where I get my distrust of the world at large...

 

[mamaloya]

Doesn't the generator mount onto the tongue of the trailer? I am sure you could lock it to the tongue some kind of way.

 

[bradisgoofy]

If you are going to buy new, most fair size trailer can have a built in generator added or may even come with one. But, most stand alone generators will only run a few hours because of the tank size so you would be running back to the trailer every few hours. "Motorized units" get their fuel from the unit's main tank, so they can run for days.

 

[LarryJ]

Ok, so DH and I are thinking about getting a travel trailer esp since we hate to put the dogs in the kennel. My question is if we decide to take a break on an extended trip to say the Biltmore (just and example) can we use a generator to cool the TT for the dogs while we do that? I know you can with a class A but we are not interested in a motorized unit. Thank you in advance for your replies. You guys already helped my from the guy who tried to sell me a too heavy unit for our car. (Honda Pilot) SO, we are getting a Denali XL that should cover what we are looking for!

I'm not sure how practical that would be. Most normal TT don't have an option for factory generators and the portable kind will probably need to be at least 3KW and you will need one with a large gas tank and it will be bulky and could easily weigh in excess of 100lbs. For example the Honda EU3000 weighs around 134lbs and retails for close to $2,000. It's also bulky like a 2ft cube. I for one sure wouldn't use one in a parking lot if I'm not around (I wouldn't expect it not to be stolen) and would be looking for other options like staying at a campground with hookups if exploring the local sites.


Larry

 

[disney4dan]

I have an awesome tongue lock for my camper. When we lost the key, it took a locksmith like 1 hour to get it off.

Do they make a tongue lock that fits teenagers??? I'm sure there are more than a few enquiring minds on this board who would buy one of those immediately!!!

In all seriousness, can you post details on this lock? I'm still shopping for a good locking hitch pin that fits my receiver. The one I purchased did not fit correctly and I stripped the threads that are used to tighten the pin in place and reduce rattling of the hitch.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

...interested in a motorized unit.

You will need a good size one

I have an awesome tongue lock ...it took a locksmith like 1 hour to get it off.

..mount onto the tongue ...I am sure you could lock it to the tongue some kind of way.

I stripped ...in place and reduce rattling....

This is getting HAWT!!!!

 

[BRDof3]

This is getting HAWT!!!!

Will somebody please give Rog his Ritalin, and then hose him down?

 

[mamaloya]

In all seriousness, can you post details on this lock? I'm still shopping for a good locking hitch pin that fits my receiver. The one I purchased did not fit correctly and I stripped the threads that are used to tighten the pin in place and reduce rattling of the hitch.

I think mine is a master lock. I got it at walmart. In the automotive section they had a huge variety. The first one we bought did not fit right. You can also get the set of 2, one for the hitch, one for the tongue, and they use the same key. I personally like the tongue lock that also has something that fits into the space where the ball goes. (OK, Rog, you have fun with this one, but I don't know how else to word it) It keeps someone from being able to take your trailer, even with the hitch locked, using a smaller ball. They can't if there is something in there already. I know one guy who, after having 2 trailers stolen, even went as far as to electrify the tongue so that anyone trying to hitch up w/o first turning off the current would get the shock of their life. A bit extreme, but he claims he has not had this one stolen.

 

[njcamper95]

I also have a master lock that goes under the tongue of the trailer it looks like a flat plate with a ball hitch sticking up then it has a piece of oval shape metal that pushes up to the front of the tongue of the trailer then i have a master lock that locks down the handle that release's the trailer sorry tried to keep this from being a little rough but sure someone will tear it up anyway

 

[njcamper95]

talking about trailer hook up is tough if people have dirty minds

 

[keylime359]

Thank you for the replies. Another question about the generator. Is it a special RV type or like we have for the hurricanes?

 

[BRDof3]

I personally like the tongue lock that also has something that fits into the space where the ball goes. (OK, Rog, you have fun with this one, but I don't know how else to word it)

Not one come-back? Mama, I think they are all asleep. I can't picture this one going past this whole group without at least one attempt to get the thread locked up!!!

 

[clkelley]

Here is the lock I use. That thing is solid!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Gori...013QQitemZ230280563382QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[2goofycampers]

Thank you for the replies. Another question about the generator. Is it a special RV type or like we have for the hurricanes?

just bumping for OP

 

[vick]

just bumping for OP

I think you have to have a special RV type. I don't think the ones for home use would work with an RV. Not to mention, the home ones would be awfully heavy. If I'm wrong, someone correct me.

 

[Shan-man]

Thank you for the replies. Another question about the generator. Is it a special RV type or like we have for the hurricanes?

As alway, the answer is "it depends". What do you mean by 'like we have for hurricanes'. If you mean a stationary whole-house generator then no, you can't use that with your RV (not reasonably, anyhow). If you mean, as I suppose you do, a portable generator, with it's own on-board fuel tank, then sure, there is no reason you can't use that for your rv (with the notable concerns mentioned earlier in this this thread: securing it, providing enough tank capacity). You will need a unit that is large enough to handle your loads, plus surge demands (like when an AC unit turns on). If you just want to run lights and the RV fridge you can get by with a pretty small unit, but to run an AC takes a lot of juice. BTW, Onan makes a pretty neat unit that mounts to your hitch and can be used as a portable generator (i.e. for huricanes)... i think they call it the hitchhiker IIRC. Hope it helps.