Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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We will be traveling with our dog and want to keep the temperature comfortable for her in the fifth wheel while during transport. I have read Technomadia's article on powering A/C with solar and batteries and we are not able to invest in that quantity and quality of batteries and inverter. However, I have seen several references in a variety of places about the possibility of powering your A/C through your truck's alternator and fifth wheel battery pack. Would this require a higher end alternator or the dual alternator option? What kind of wiring would be needed? What size inverter would be needed? Anyone already doing this?
I believe it would be more feasible to get a generator and set it in the back of your truck and hook the trailer power up to the generator. It would probably take a 3000 watt generator to run one AC. Not sure how comfortable your dog will be riding in the 5th wheel. I imagine if the dog is upfront over the pin it might not be too bouncy.
lets put it this way.......your gonna need a hell of alot of batteries hooked up to that alternator and one big inverter to power that A/C in summer heat.....the alternator cannot replace the charge draw fast enough to go back into an idle....you will toast the voltage regulator in it not long after your first trip.........my suggestion would be to cool the unit as cold as you can get it and start out early and pull in early without traveling more than 250 to 300 daily.......a small generator on the back of the truck should be started and run during your breaks to cool the unit down again.......
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
Why is the dog riding in the 5th wheel to begin with??????????? I suggest one of you (although it is illegal) ride in there and see how you like it....if you don't what makes you think the dog does.???????????
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06 GMC 3500 SLT Duramax, Allison.
09 Montana 3665re
Safe travels to all, Take each day as a gift for that is truly what it is.
I tried riding in my Dad's fifth wheel once when sick as a kid and found myself relating to Lucille Ball in "The Long, Long Trailer!"
Not LOL! Poor Dog!
Feed your dog a good probiotic with meals and they won't fart in your truck.
When the dogs were young they were wild for riding with their noses in the breeze, but lost interest when riding in an AC vehicle.
To address the problem I would rig a hatch where the dog can hang a nose in the breeze - without falling or jumping out (strictly at your own risk mind you).
Never leash a dog in a moving vehicle - can have tragic results.
Separation anxiety plus motion sickness must be a nightmare.
-- Edited by Lucky Larry on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 07:06:30 AM
-- Edited by Lucky Larry on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 07:26:53 AM
I have 5 people to accommodate in the cab of the truck and an 85 pound dog. I do not see it as feasible for her to ride in the cab with us. I have never pulled a fifth wheel, but grew up taking vacations in Class A and Class C RVs with cats and dogs coming along. I also assumed since there are plenty of animals that ride in a variety of trailers that it wouldn't be a big deal (outside of temperature control). I was looking for advice, guess I'll look elsewhere.
Give the dog an anti-motion sickness med and have one of the five take turns riding with the dog.
As for your question about running AC while under tow, short of running a live genny in your truckbed it isn't a good idea.
You don't want your alternator flaming out while going up a mountain or through a desert in July.
Apologies if I offended you in any way but I've lost beloved pets to travel stress - and have yet to get over them - nothing will kill the joy of the open road quicker than leaving them in a roadside grave.
I don't see a problem with the dog being in the 5th wheel while travelling as long as the dog is used to riding in a moving vehicle it shouldn't be a problem.
I have read where others have gone as far as putting cameras in the fifth wheel so they can keep an eye on the dog. One even went as far as having a temperature read out in view of the camera. Many kept their pets in carriers in the fifth wheels to keep the pet from wandering.
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"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
I can't see our "children" riding in the Teton. They ride with us. The Havanese would get sick. We started giving him meclizine and he does fine. They mostly sleep while traveling. My wife was sickly and she stayed in Camper while we moved to a different site in the same park. She stated this was awful and nauseated her terribly. She would never put our "children" thru that.
-- Edited by Glenn West on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 09:59:00 AM
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2003 Teton Grand Freedon 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 SOLD 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L singled, ultrashift, hauling a 2016 Smart Passion
