Hi there, a question about generator and boondocking - RV-Dreams Community Forum

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi there, a question about generator and boondocking

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

how long are you running the generator.....is it gas ,Diesel or Lp........do you have solar backup. or is this your only power.......

As far as water ....what is the tank size for fresh water.....black water......grey tank

The questions you asked are important for boondocking ............you can go through 100 gallons of water and fill your holding tanks in 2 days with 4 people if they use the coach like their at home.....good conserve skills you should be able to go a week plus

need info to get you better answers

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are two of us so you'll need to cut my estimates in half for your 4 people.

We have used two types of generators while boondocking.

In our 5th wheel we have a 5500 watt Onan with a 7 gallon gas tank. At full power the tank will last about 10 hours. If we are only watching Satellite TV and a few lights on it will go for about 18 hours. I carry an extra 10 gallons of gas. So we can go for about 4 days of heavy use or 1 week of light use.

We also have a set of Honda 2000i generators that can be used separately or combined using a parallel kit. These each have a 1 gallon gas tank. At full throttle they will last about 6 hours. 8 hours at light duty use. The 10 gallon extra gas will last about 2 weeks with these generators.

If we are conservative with electric use the gas will last up to a month.

100 gallons of fresh water will last a week of normal use. 2-3 weeks if we are conservative with our use.

Keep in mind even when boondocking you are rarely more than a couple of hours away from fresh water and fuel. So having a water bladder and spare fuel cannisters will allow you to go into town to resupply and extend your stay. Or many RVers simply break camp, one stays behind to watch the camp spot and the other goes into to town to dump and resupply and then come back and set camp back up.

Raytronx · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are a ton of variables, but here is what we find for our own situation. We have a 60 gallon fresh tank and will usually get around 5 days out of it with 2 people. That's a quick shower averaging every day and a half. Doing dishes once a day and the toilet. Now that could be stretched by using paper dishes and conserving shower and dish water for the toilet and stuff like that. The generator I have is a 2000 w inverter type that has an econo mode and will run around 6-8 hours on a gallon. Usually 2 gallons will last the 5 days if we are conservative with power. My wife has a full size IMac she likes to use and we have a 32" LCD TV so they are the big variable to how much we need to use the generator to charge up the batteries to run the inverter. If we were to use them a lot it could double that fuel consumption. The furnace fan can eat up a good amount of power too so another variable is the temps. If you like your RV warm at night and its cold out that furnace can run a lot.

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the reply.

Well,I will try to answer as much as I can ...

As said, we are planning to boondock during the week in the same place (walmart and so), and then travel for the weekend and maybe take a campground, or continue boondocking. Depends... So the generator will run a lot, as I think. Since it will be summer , I assume a/c, computer,light and everything else that is in a regular rv...

It will be a gas generator.

As for the water, I don't really know as w have not bought the rv yet...I am trying to figure out what I am expected and to see what to look for. My starting knowledge point is less than zero...so any info is helpful.

Thank you Mike for your time.

Have a great day!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,

Thank you for the reply.

I am not so familiar with the usage of power in an rv...since we are planning to boondock during all weekdays and then on weekend take campground, we will be out of reach from power at all. I don't really know what is light use or heavy use...we will use a/c as it will be summer, maybe fan, lights, computers, and appliances (but I think some are on propane). And we are 4 people. It is all new for us ...so any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and have a great day!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,

Thank you for the reply. May I please ask what do you mean by "Usually 2 gallons will last the 5 days if we are conservative with power"? When you say conservative with power, can you give me en example of how to be conservative? During the day I can turn the lights off, but during dark time it is a must. Then the a/c will probably work most of the day as it will be summer when we will do it. Computers will work probably most of the day(3 people use computers ) and we have no tv.

As for appliances, we will use a toaster, a kettle and maybe a toaster over each day once a day. I am trying to think of other usage but can't come up with. Does this sounds heavy use or light? I am sorry for the lame question...I am trying to learn this power issue with the generator and to see what we can expect.

As for water, we usually shower every day each one of us...and I would prefer to continue doing that while rving as well, if possible. We have not bought yet the rv, so I am trying to see what to look for and what to expect when buying an rv with a specific size f water tank. I can use paper plates and cups when possible to reduce the water consumption, but toilet , hands washing and showers are kind of hard to reduce...any suggestions?

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day!

Raytronx · RV-Dreams Family Member

Conservative with power means when I dont need a light its off, I dont leave things plugged in if Im not using them, anything that can run on propane rather than power like the fridge, hot water heater is using propane.

Your going to have your biggest problem if you want to have AC. Air Conditioners use huge amounts of power. Most boondockers dont use AC and get by with fans.

If you want to run AC you will need a large generator and will eat substantially more fuel. Also you wont win many friends if your boondocking near someone else.

Myself I have 2 2000W generators that can parallel to 4000 and even then both are revving pretty good just to run my small 13,500 btu AC unit. I would say a gallon every 2 hours.

I just dont boondock if its that hot, not worth the fuel and noise.

Maybe someone who has boondocked with A/C running can chime in. Some of the more expensive rigs have big built in generators

and huge battery banks but they cost a pretty penny. hmm

Cheers Ray

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Momyfor2,

With regards to running an air conditioner, we have a Honda EU3000IS generator. It operates with a continuous amperage of around 23 amps. According to everything that I have been told by others, our Honda could run one air conditioner, but not two. So, if you have an RV with two air conditioners, you will likely not be able to run both unless you have one of the bigger generators.

What you will need to do is research the generators, paying attention to the "continuous" amperage rating and also see if you can determine what amperage each appliance will use when being operated. Once you know how many amps your "lifestyle" will be drawing with the use of the appliances, you can then have a good idea of how big of a generator you will need.

Also, check into the rules that the Walmarts will have for RV parking. Some do not allow overnight parking at all and others may limit how long one can stay in the parking lot.

Terry

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have boon docked at art shows when it's in the 90's, run the AC using our Yamaha 3000 generator with a 4 gallon tank. Boondocking at art shows usually means we're camped on pavement, can't leave the windows open due to the fact that we're not home and we don't want our kitty trying to escape, etc. You mention Calgary, which is just a ways north of Couer d'Alene ID, which is where we boondock for one of our summer shows.

We usually run the generator in the morning when we're getting ready to recharge the batteries, I run my blow drier for all of about 5 minutes and then we leave it off all day. We turn it on as soon as we return, and usually run it until bedtime to let the RV cool down because it's in the 90's F when we get back to the RV after the show. Occasionally we run a microwave, we keep our cell phones, laptops, etc. plugged into charge when running the generator. Keep in mind, we can't leave the windows open when we're gone during the day, we do use reflective insulation material in our windows to try to keep it a little darker and cooler. We run our thermostatically controlled Max Air celing vent all day when we're gone to expel the hot air.

Given all that, a tank of gas lasts about 4 days when we're running it just in the mornings and evenings, a little less if we're running it on a Friday when I'm working my "corporate job" from the RV while Dale is working at the art show. If I'm working from the RV, I will run the generator for one out of three hours just to keep my laptop charged and run the AC to keep it to a reasonable temperature for working.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

you really need to concentrate on type of coach.......whether its a motorhome or trailer type.........once you make that decision all the rest will fall in place.

wall mart is a one nite rest stop....it is not considered a boondocking area , most walmarts are now blocking this for that reason.

a real good thought and I use this alot is farms and rural land..........asking the owner to boondock 9 out of 10 times gets me a week of free parking and a new friend.

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you so much for the reply.

Have a great day!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you . I will check with them. As far as I know there are many rv's there during summer, sometimes even now...but I will ask before.

Thank you and have a great day!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you for your detailed reply. I am sorry for the misunderstanding, I meant Calgary Canada. I am noy from USA and plan to do boondocking here in Calgary area ,Canada.

Thank you and have a great day!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Thank you . There are farms here that I can ask, It is a good ides,thank you.

Walmart here has a huge plaza that contains other stores as well, it is not just walmart. I see rv's park beside it and during the day, they move the rv to different location in the parking lot, and then by night you can see them park there again...I saw that a lot, so I assumed it is allowed. But I will make sure ahead.

We are planning to purchase a used class A coach, 30-35foot.

Thank you and have a great day!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

when you get the coach you will be able to judge your boondocking capabilities

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Thank you . The reason I am asking all those questions is because there are many rv's out there for sale, some have different sizes of generators and tanks,and I would appreciate to know what do those sizes mean in terms of my needs. So by asking those questions ahead it gives me some kind of idea of what to expect.

I have never been into an rv in my life, nor boondock before...so all those replies give me some kind of idea of what to expect and what to look for.

I am starting from zero line...

Have a great day!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

well then that part is easy........

coach should have a minimum of 4500 to 5500 watts for genny

fresh water 70 to 100 gallons

coach should be 36 ' plus for 4 people and 2 dogs

solar on the coach would be a real plus....

my other suggestion is that you google Boondocking and read everything you can on it............and lean all the concepts of boondocking and how to conserve.

In all your posts I get the impression that you believe 4 people can live a brick and morter lifestyle in a coach........like I said in my last post , you will burn up your basic water supply in 2 days that way........it basically costs 5 dollars an hour to run a generator including maintenance unless you can do it yourself..........if you run your genny say 12 hours a day do the math......it would be cheaper to find a campground and pay the monthly rent and utilities than to boondock for 5 days running the genny all day and then going to a campground for the weekend at 40 bucks a nite.

I am also concerned that when you buy a used coach that all of a sudden the genny goes from over use and you will be out another couple thousand.

leave the treadmill home.....the gym for 4 family members is cheaper, or your in a motorhome so you should be out in nature.

Walmart is for overnite rests only.........if you see people at your walmart parking there days at a time and think its ok for you to do it also......you become part of the problem and also the reason why most towns do not allow overnite parking in walmart and other large areas.

once you become an RVer you have a responsibility to uphold.....if people keep abusing privileges we are all going to have to buy black leather vests and join the Diablo's or something!

No offense but I got a funny feeling you think your going to save a bunch of money by financing an RV then taking 4 people out on the road.

monthly cost of rv alone is going to be a big chunk of the money you attempted to save in rent.......add 80.00 for 2 nites a week at the campground.....insurance for the coach your back to where you started,

Im not saying this to be mean.........but every now and then people pass thru these forums with a dream.......then they drag there whole family out of a normal lifestyle and end up in a nitemare!!

this is a reality...it happens everyday.....its people that dont fully research what they are doing

Google boondocking and understand what it takes
google campgrounds and find out the costs for full hookups and monthly rates and daily rates
find a coach you can afford and get the specs.

and for the next 60 days write out incoming and outgoing money in your home....all of it and see where its going, there is a good chance your in over your head. and unless your ready to give up alot of habits this dream is not going to help.

just reread your posts.....and you will see what puts me in this position to have to say this to you.

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your honest answer,I appreciate it. I am not offended in any way, I am just trying to study my dream...

I am reading many books on it and trying to learn, but it is the people themselves that have the experience as you and others here that I am seeking to hear their input.

We are not looking to save money by doing rv, we are looking to fulfill our dream and making sure we won't go overboard by asking those questions. It is always good to ask and hear opinions, that what makes us smarter...

As for Walmart, I can only tell what I see...I don't speak to those people, nor see what you saw on your drives, so I am asking questions to know what is really going on. I also believe that the situation is different in Canada than in Usa as I have never saw a sign of no over night parking here in walmart parking lots. I think that the situation is more sever in USA than in Canada just because of the fact that there are less full timer rvers here, all go to usa...

As for the campground, here in Canada it is MUCH expensive than in USA...I have heard that you can have a full 6 months campground in Arizona during winter time for around 200 dollars for the whole time...

In Canada, at least here in Calgary area, you can have a 1 month for 700-800 dollars ,plus power on top of it and taxes....so I am not sure that boondocking will be more expensive. Having said that this is the reason I am checking before we are on this adventure...I am trying to get some answers to my questions, and that will help me in my decision as for what and where.

We already made our mind to do rv, we have decided that there won't be much of a point to wait till we are 60 and up...we can try it now, and always go back to rent if necessary. My 2 teens are thrilled to do it more than us...

As for taking the family on the road instead of boondocking, I wish I could...I can't as my husband must stay here close to work, at least till we are sure we are doing it for the winter as well and see how the summer goes. As well, making a plan as for income...so meanwhile we have to stay in one place,and considering boondocking just because of the fact that it might be cheaper than campground for 800 dollars per month (and this is for winter time...summer is more), and based on the books and websites I have read.

In order to know what habits I need to give up, I need to know what they will cost me...and this is why I asked all those questions...if I knew the answers I would not ask and make my decisions, but I have never done any rv, never boondocked before or went to campground. Nor operated a generator for living...so this is where all you guys with the rich experience enter the pic...

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my posts, reply to hem and to share with me your point of view. I do appreciate any info I can get, it all helps! If there is any other info you think might help us , please feel free to share it with me!

Thank you Mike, and have a great day!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

momyfor2,

I don't know where you are getting your information, but I seriously doubt that one can stay in a campground for six months and only pay $200. We have boondocked when camping in the past for one week at a time in a national forest. The cost there with absolutely no hookups was about $12 per night. That would be over $2000 for the six months. National forest campgrounds do limit one to just a week or two at a time.

Being that you will need to be staying in Canada, any RV that you get will certainly need to be very well insulated so everything won't freeze up. Even if one is on electric and living in the coach full time, precautions need to be taken to keep water lines and tanks from freezing.

If you are boondocking with only a generator for power, that is going to get expensive in the winter with buying fuel for the generator.

Terry

Raytronx · RV-Dreams Family Member

Some campgrounds give a discount if you stay for multiple months. We summered in Nanaimo, BC from June till Nov this year and payed average 500 a month and electric was included, also free cable TV and wifi. Because we stayed three months or longer we got the better rate. Boondocking would not have been cheaper. Say I needed 8 nights a month at full campground summer rate of $35 a night so that's $280, plus $10 a day for the generator that's $240, plus extra propane because I can run the fridge, hot water and a little portable electric heater in the campground so I'd say that saves about $60 a month. 280+240+60=$580 a month to boondock Also the campgrounds are way more secure than a Walmart parking lot. In the campground we had our chairs out, barbecue , awning out, some night lighting, etc. No way you will be allowed to do that at Walmart. We made friends with all our nieghbours and they looked out for our rig and stuff when we were gone. Hope this helps Cheers Ray

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Momyfor2: You family sounds as though they are very brave to want to even think about boondocking in the Winter. I lived in Northern NY, 60 miles South of Montreal for 28 yrs of my life, and now near Nashville TN. and wouldn't dream of no hookups, and running of a generator.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Boondocking with water onboard during extreme winter weather will require shore power with heated tanks and heated lines or running the generator 24 hours a day for the type of living you are talking about..........that is going to be real harsh on the genset. and you!!

I have just spent the last 2 winters and getting into my third in northern New England and I can tell you first hand it is awful abusive on a coach and the people inside.

prepare to make skirting and not move the coach to much. I would suggest not planning on longterm boondocking durring the Winter if this is your first time out

using the onboard heat is expensive and non efficient you will go thru alot of propane.

water systems freeze up and break if not watched carefully

Ice build-up on a roof can cause serious leaks and water damage

condensation inside is also a problem and causes mold and damage

low fuel tanks lead to frozen fuel lines

and driving a coach in winter weather is an art all in its self!!!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,

This is the amount a friend told us he just did last year in Arizona, he stayed there in different parks for 6 months of the winter, and he paid 180 and something for the whole time. I just rounded it to 200...but it was actually 180 and something...I have never been there...

Have a great weekend!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mike,

Thank you for the input,I appreciate it. However I planning to do the summer in Canada and the winter in usa or camp in Canada. Not boondocking in winter. I said it in all my posts...but regardless, it is good to know the things you just told me ,as we have no experience what so ever with an rv...

Thank you, Mike, and have a great weekend!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Pierre,

Thank you , but we planned to do boondocking during summer in Canada and the winter to go to usa and do there camps, or here camp.

Have a great weekend!

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Ray,

Yes, it is ,thank you ! I am going to find out about camps here soon and will have more accurate numbers...

Thank you and have a great weekend!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ask him if this was Bureau of Land Management, where he stayed! You can by a permit for this, then there is The Slabs near Quartzite, AZ. Sorry; must have misunderstood about you winter camp plans.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

momyfor2,

Sorry, since one of your earlier posts referred to being near your husband's work, I presumed that his job was year round and full time. Thus, I presumed that you would be wintering in Canada. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

However, since we are to be discussing generators and such in this forum, I thought I would provide a bit of information that relates to the size of a generator that one may need to purchase or insure that is on the RV when it is purchased. The generators that I looked up are the portable ones made by Honda and Yamaha that are used by many RV'ers, but if your RV already has a generator on it, it will likely be larger than these in its capacity to provide enough power. The Honda and Yamaha generators also have the ability to combine two like generators to double one's wattage and amperage by using a "parallel kit."

First of all, here is a link to a table with "generalized" wattage requirements of different appliances. For those not inclined to follow "strange" links, I've also put the chart in the post as an image. Note as an example, a 13.5K air conditioner uses 2500 watts, and a refrigerator can also require the same wattage. However, also note that this chart does not reflect the amperages needed for operating the various appliances. With many, that will require looking on the appliance to see what the amperage ratings are, or in the owner's manual. With any device, there is usually a "start-up" amperage that is higher than what the "running" amperage would be. The generator in mind must also exceed that "start-up" amperage or damage can be done to the appliances.

Wattage Application Chart

I always advise those that are asking about generators to seriously consider an inverter style generator because the inverter style provides a "cleaner" power source, thus protecting those appliances and devices that have computerized circuitry or are computers themselves. (Just as an aside, if one is getting an invertor for one's RV, also consider a "pure sine-wave inverter" as opposed to a "modified sine-wave inverter.")

With the inverter style generator in mind, I looked up the watts and amperage ratings on both Honda's and Yamaha's smaller generators because they are an inverter style generators. When looking at the amperage ratings below, keep in mind that the "max" rating is the maximum the generator will provide for a device that is "starting-up." The smaller amperage rating number is what I refer to as "working amperage" in that it is what the generator will provide at a steady rate for the appliances being used.

If you already have the treadmill that you are wanting to travel with, look in the owner's manual or on the treadmill itself for its wattage and amperage ratings. That will give you the requirements of that one appliance. Then, do the same research on your other appliances.

Honda Generators

http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators

Honda Eu1000i AC Output 120V 1000W max (8.3A) 900W rated (7.5A)

Honda EU2000i AC Output 120V 2000W max (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)

Honda EU3000iS Handi AC Output 120V 3000W max (25A) 2600W rated (21.7A)

Honda EU3000iS AC Output 120V 3000W max (25A) 2800W rated (23.3A)

Yamaha Generators

http://www.yamahagenerators.com/

Yamaha EF1000iS AC Output 120V 1000W max (8.3A) 900W rated (7.5A)

Yamaha EF2000iS AC Output 120V 2000W max (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)

Yamaha EF3000iS AC Output 120V 3000W max (25A) 2800W rated (23.3A)

Yamaha EF3000iSEB AC Output 120V 3000W max (25A) 2800W rated (23.3A)

momyfor2 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Terry and Joe,

Thank you so much for the table and all the info! I will share it with my husband as he will probably will find more interest in it than me...but it sure looks very informative.

Yes. he has a full time work, but for the summer we will be here, in the winter it will be or Canada or USA, but definitely not boondocking in Canada...it is freezing here in the winter! I realized that this was a little confusing for everyone here...that's ok.

I am going to do some research about the treadmill and the appliances...lots of homework to do...

Thank you and have a great evening!

Sharon