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Protagonist · 08-07-2017, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarFetched

Our TV is a Nissan Armada. No pickups for us as on future trips we'll need to have comfortable seating for us plus one set of parents plus a German Shepherd, and we're all vertically gifted so a crew cab would make for grumpy campers.

That brings up an issue: generator fuel. Carrying fuel inside an SUV is not always a great idea.

You can get non-vented fuel cans, that won't release vapors into the air until you open the poor spout valve and are ready to pour. Look for CARB-approved (California Air Resources Board) cans. These are safer to carry inside your SUV, but if it was me I'd carry them inside the trailer, inside a Rubbermaid container big enough to fit the cans to provide secondary containment just in case of a spill.

I would do the same thing with the generator itself, so that fuel and/or vapors trapped inside the generator's fuel tank don't pose a hazard for the SUV's occupants. That means you would want a generator physically small enough to lift into and out of a Rubbermaid container.

uncle_bob · 08-07-2017, 10:31 AM

Hi

You will have a tough time renting a quiet generator. Most of the rental places will stock "construction" generators. Those things are VERY LOUD when operating.

30A service will indeed run a single AC. Most 3000 W generators will run a single AC. Many 2000 W generators can be hooked up in parallel to run a single AC. Why does this matter? A 2KW generator is much smaller / lighter than a 3KW. My 3KW Honda is a monster compared to my 2KW Yamaha (I have very little brand loyalty ....). Running at idle, a 2KW will usually use less fuel than a 3KW at idle. There are enough different generators out there that you can never say "always". On the trips where you don't need AC, take along one 2KW generator. On the trips where you do need a single AC, take along the pair and manage your loads carefully.

With *any* SUV, take a look at the numbers carefully. It's very common to bump into load limits on them when towing. Tossing a full complement of "real sized" people, and dogs and gear into one along with a full weight trailer tongue and hitch .... gulp .... Axles / tires / frames / drive trains have limits. The time to check this is *before* you start adding more gear

One alternative is to take two vehicles. Yes it's not as cosy and you can't chat along the way. It also involves a bit more room when you get there. It gives you more flexibility when you are there. It also lets you "scout ahead" with the vehicle that is not doing the towing. If you get in a bind with one vehicle out in the way back woods, the second vehicle might be very useful ....

Lots of options !!!

Bob

uncle_bob · 08-07-2017, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

That brings up an issue: generator fuel. Carrying fuel inside an SUV is not always a great idea.

You can get non-vented fuel cans, that won't release vapors into the air until you open the poor spout valve and are ready to pour. Look for CARB-approved (California Air Resources Board) cans. These are safer to carry inside your SUV, but if it was me I'd carry them inside the trailer, inside a Rubbermaid container big enough to fit the cans to provide secondary containment just in case of a spill.

I would do the same thing with the generator itself, so that fuel and/or vapors trapped inside the generator's fuel tank don't pose a hazard for the SUV's occupants. That means you would want a generator physically small enough to lift into and out of a Rubbermaid container.

Hi

Even if you do an LP conversion, the same basic issues still apply. The solutions are slightly different, but it's still an issue. 5+ gallons of any sort of fuel per day is a lot of fuel to be hauling. One 40 lb tank (if you have 40's rather than 30's) on the front of the trailer only hold about 8 (real world) to 10 (over filled) gallons of LP. You won't get quite the power density out of LP as out of gasoline. you would use a bit more per day gallon wise on LP. It's a lot of any sort of fuel ....

Basic alternative 1A:

You are outside all day doing "stuff". Turn off the generator and the AC when it's really hot out. You're not in the trailer then anyway.

It cools down at night, open the windows at night.

Now your AC usage is three hours or so around dinner time. That also is your generator run time. You might run for a half hour fixing breakfast (or maybe not).
What was fuel for a day now lasts *much* longer.

Yes, this is a lot easier to think about here at a campsite that will hit a super hot 73 degrees today than in Madras Oregon where it will hit 100. It will go down to the same ~ 60 degrees at night in both places. One hint - If it gets to 100 degrees, you *will* need both AC units running mid afternoon. That's unless you find a lot of shade.

Bob

Al and Missy · 08-07-2017, 11:38 AM

Farfetched:
PM sent

Al

Oli44 · 08-07-2017, 02:37 PM

I searched e-bay and found a Mercury Marine 6 gal tank and a quick connect/disconnect hose set up to run either a single or pair of the Honda eu2000i 2kw . Each eu weighs roughly 47 lb.

orange kayak · 08-07-2017, 06:31 PM

Hi FF,
We're taking 97 to avoid I-5 and Puget Sound area traffic. Actually gonna stay at Yakima Sportsman SP (changed plan) ; lots of availability on Thu. night. Then three hours of hopefully pleasant driving to Madras on Fri. I think your idea to rent a generator for this trip is a good idea.
Meg

Mollysdad · 08-07-2017, 06:46 PM

One thing about your Honda 7000 is if in two years you decide it's not for you, it will sell so fast you won't stop the phone ringing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oli44

I searched e-bay and found a Mercury Marine 6 gal tank

The metal one? That's a real find! I found the common 6 gal outboard tank has gone the way of the Passenger Pigeon. I find the plastic one's leak.

Oli44 · 08-08-2017, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

One thing about your Honda 7000 is if in two years you decide it's not for you, it will sell so fast you won't stop the phone ringing.

The metal one? That's a real find! I found the common 6 gal outboard tank has gone the way of the Passenger Pigeon. I find the plastic one's leak.

Reference e-bay attachments. Amazon would be another source for the Mercury Quicksilver tank. Amazon 4.5 purchaser reviews make no mention of there ever having been a problem with the tank leaking.

Protagonist · 08-08-2017, 12:16 PM

Reminder, vented tanks are not good for carrying inside SUVs. Not even really fine metal vented tanks. Being wider than they are tall, they're not likely to tip over and spill, but it's not the liquid that you need to worry about, it's the gasoline vapor.

Not everyone is aware that breathing gasoline vapor can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory impairment, and loss of motor coordination because the nerves that send signals to your muscles can be affected. If carrying gasoline (or diesel, for that matter) in a space that is also occupied by people or pets, please stick to CARB-approved non-vented cans.

FarFetched · 08-09-2017, 12:39 PM

Well, ultimately the decision's been made not by Eeyore nor Pollyanna, but by our dogsitter, who has cancelled on us.

With the prospects of being unsure what our cooling capabilities will be in 90 degree weather under full sun, we both agree it's too risky to bring our black German Shepherd with us, so our shakedown cruise will have to wait.

I'll be posting elsewhere to sell our spot for the eclipse, but if you see this and are interested, please PM me.

uncle_bob · 08-09-2017, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarFetched

Well, ultimately the decision's been made not by Eeyore nor Pollyanna, but by our dogsitter, who has cancelled on us.

With the prospects of being unsure what our cooling capabilities will be in 90 degree weather under full sun, we both agree it's too risky to bring our black German Shepherd with us, so our shakedown cruise will have to wait.

I'll be posting elsewhere to sell our spot for the eclipse, but if you see this and are interested, please PM me.

Hi

As I mentioned in another thread, we use the neighbor kids as dog sitters. It's worked quite well for us. As long as we have lots of water, we bring at least one dog along with us on most trips. They seem to handle the heat pretty well. We do get the Neuf's haircuts in the summer, but that's about it.

Bob