generator for Class C

[BeckyScott]

A question for the experts.

We just bought a used 22' Coachman. The guy that sold it to us, he didn't include the generator in the price, was selling it seperately. DH said it was overpriced (I personally don't know) so we didn't get it.

This whole thing is very new to me. My understanding of it is this (correct me if I'm wrong): If we have a generator, then the stuff "in the back" we can run while we're driving, for example the fridge would work, or we could hook up the GameCube. Also if we camp in the boonies that would be the only way we'd be able to run the stuff in the back.

Without a generator, none of the stuff in the back will work. Until we get to a campground and can hook into the electric there.

Correct?

Second part of questions: So, how important is it to have the generator? I mean, it sounds like it would be pretty darn handy to have, since we're travelling with 2 kids. We're not planning on ever really "roughing it" (since to me, an RV parked in a full hook-up campground is roughing it) Is it a pretty common thing to have the generator, is that something most people do?

And how big of a generator do we really need?

 

[Donna]

I can only answer the first part of your question, and yes, what you said is all true. Having just come back from a small trip to Cedar Point, the kids played video games in the back bedroom, we used the refrigerator (had ice cream that stayed frozen), all while on the road. When we get to the campgrounds, we hook up, generator is turned off about 1/2 hour before we arrive. I know with generators, the MORE you use them, the longer they'll last. You want to put a load on them for a good two hours or so (we were told). In the winter time, while it's in storage, we run it for awhile and we get the oil changed in it every 50 hours or so.
It's extremely handy to have, i can't imagine going out w/o one. You could give it a try and see if you'd miss it...use a cooler for cold stuff...kids could use hand held video games, lol. I, for one, would miss it!
Not sure how big of one you'd need, not even sure what size ours is, it came with the RV, we have a 31 ft. Coachmen Leprechaun. I'm sure there are DISers on here WAY more experienced to answer some of your questions, but i was just saying how glad i was to have our generator on this trip!
Another point, if you want to run the coach a/c, you'd need the generator but supposedly, it uses less gas to run the chassis a/c than run the coach a/c. By the way, running the generator DOES use more gas from your tank and it will/should turn itself off once you get to 1/4 tank so that you don't accidentally run out of gas and leave yourself high and dry, so to speak, lol.

 

[stacktester]

The only thing I can't operate in my 5'er without a genny is the a/c.

Most campers if not all have a deep cycle battery that will operate all the lights, fridge (with assistance from LP), water pump and hot water heater.

If you don't have to have the roof a/c on and you want to use the tv and use other appliances I would suggest checking into a high powered inverter. I have seen them get more powerful over the years. Being that you have a driveable the batteries are recharging while you're driving so you won't drain your battery. I've seen 1,500 watt inverters at Pep Boys and Camping World. That's plenty for what you need. Like I said, you're not going to run the a/c with it but as long as you're camper a/c puts out cool air then it's no worry.

I bought a Yamaha 2400i last year to run my camper when we're out in the boonies. It runs my a/c (13.5k) just fine. I had my doubts when I was looking at it because I was told a 3kw was best but this one works great for half the price. It's also very quiet. If I was driving I would mount it on one of those baskets you use to carry stuff on that slides in your trailer receiver. If you use the area where an Onan genny would go make sure you have the proper exhaust on it so the fumes go away from your camper. My a/c runs about 4 hours on a tank of gas. It's not a big tank.

Sory to be long winded. Hope this info helps.

 

[BeckyScott]

I was wondering about a power inverter... We bought a small one going into Y2K that of course we've used one time.

Just the Disney trip, it's an 18 hour drive, and I think if there's not a video game system hooked up somewhere, it could turn into one veeeerrrrry loooong drive and might end with two boys left on the side of a highway. (Just kidding! We'll strap them on the roof!)

In a pinch we could put ice in the bathtub and use that for a temporary cooler.

Any more tips? I will have DH start to "keep an eye out" for a generator if we can find one for cheap. He's a former mechanic so he's good at that part of it, but this is new territory in alot of ways.

 

[becky1960]

We rented a Rv a few years back and the front A/C went out, luckily we had the roof air runing of the Gen. and it still got pretty warm. A gen would be nice to run the roof air and keep the whole rv cool. Look on Ebay, you might find one they are not very cheap unless your looking at a stand alone.

 

[4mickey2]

we have a lance truck camper. it is our second one. the first one we bought the generator with it. in all honesty, we used it about 5 hours in about 5-6 yrs. the original cost of the generator $3,000. trade in value for it was $1,000.

this was not worth it to us. we do a lot of traveling where we do not stay in campgrounds. we stay in the national forests and national parks. sometimes flyings js, churches, hospital lots, etc...

we bought our new lance with a slide and no generator. the electric jacks and slide can still operate without a generator.

no, we can't run the a/c or microwave when we don't have electric. but, when you are under trees/in the mountains and not sitting long, we don't miss the a/c. as for the microwave: your camping/grill out our fridge works on gas and the lights don't use a whole lot of battery power.

but, give us electric and we will set up CAMP!

we did buy a small power pack from menards for our air bags. we use that to fill our airbags while we roadtrip. it is much easier than trying to find air at some of the gas stations.. that was about $100. money well spent..

 

[hatchmo]

My generator recently went on the fritz. We had a trip planned to Shenandoah National Park, and decided to go anyway, without the generator. Guess what? We didn't miss it at all! It's nice to have, but you can sure get along without it, if you choose to. However, I have since fixed the generator. Nice to be able to check the evening news on TV and the Red Sox scores.

 

[Verity]

I have a 29' Tioga with a generator, we just got back from a 2 week trip that included 11 nights at Fort Wilderness. Our drive was about 1200 miles one way and without the genny and the air the kids would melt! Running down the highway in the sun all day in a big white box tends to get a little warm. The air in the cab does not keep up.
Without the generator you will have to get an inverter to run the tv and/or video games. The tv and video games make a huge difference when traveling with kids. Make sure to pack their favorite dvds.
I personally would not camp without one, but it does depend on your camping style and distance traveled.
I dry camp most weekends, no available elec or water, and then take at least one 2 week trip traveling the country so for me the generator is a must.
If you are driving a short distance and then staying at a campground with electric then you can make do without one.