Campfor4

48 minutes ago, hemsteadc said:

Consider installing solar/inverter.  It beats running a generator for every 120v thing you need, makes your off-grid life easier and your neighbors will appreciate it.

Great idea!  Any suggestions on panel manufacturer or specifications?

Hello all! Family just bought a 35' bumper pull that I am pulling with a 1 ton GMC.  It is wired for 50amp but only has 1AC right now.  I bought a 4000 watt Champion inverter type generator thinking that will be plenty to run what I need to run when boondocking without that second AC unit.  Am I wrong?  Also, any tips on easy to access spots?  I should mention that I live in NW Phoenix and typical trips will be 5 days with drive time.  I just dont want to be the guy that bought a trailer and it sits in storage all year long and only gets used twice.  Our goal is 6+ per year to use it including building up to a cross country trip. Thank you all very much!

4 hours ago, Kirk W said:

Welcome to the Escapee forums! Please do fill in a few of the answers asked and perhaps a bit more about the RV and we can be of much more help. Before you try your RV without any utility connections, I suggest that you go somewhere with full connections, then fill your water tank and leave all utilities disconnected and see how long you can go before you need them. Depending on what generator you have, you probably won't be able to use the RV air conditioner when powered from it. This will also let you determine how long your fresh water will last and how long it will take to fill the two waste tanks. Those are important things to know before you go out with your family and have no utilities. 

Great suggestions, thank you.  I can run my AC with my generator no problem.  I bought a 4000 watt Champion inverter type.  My RV is wired for 50amp but only has 1 AC unit with a place for me to add a second later down the road if I want.  My hunt trip in northern AZ last month was terribly cold...like lows in the low 20's at night.  I discovered that running my heater at 68 a tank of propane only lasts about a day and a half!  Luckily I have the two tanks on the trailer and I brought two more with me.

15 hours ago, agesilaus said:

Well how long a trip? Arizona is packed with camping opportunities and so is NM. Utah is probably the number one destination for RVers. Cali is avoided by many Rvers because of the social atmosphere there and the high fuel and camping costs. But it too is loaded with spots.

It's too early for the North Rim but have you done Grand Canyon South Rim? There is also Petrified Forest/Painted Desert. Lots of Indian Ruin parks. Arizona State Parks are good. Chiricahua NM is difficult since your TT is too long for their CG and I could not find any boondocking close.

NM could have a list that goes on for a long time. Utah starts with the Grand Loop and has other attractions too.

Boondocking takes more than just a generator (a quiet inverter type I hope) there are a number of adaptations you need to make to pull it off successfully. Folks over in the Boondocking forum will be happy to educate you on that.

So feed us more info and we will flood you with ideas.

I am a FF so one day off gets me 5.  That will be our typical trip length except for a couple "big" ones per year.  Thinking a couple of weeks for those.  We have not done any Grand Canyon with the trailer, but I have hiked up there before.  I have a Champion 4000 watt inverter genny.  Researched a ton and I think I have all the connections, adapters, surge protectors, etc... a man can buy! LOL  I agree with you on Cali, but I got roped into it.  Excited to explore!  Living in the desert sucks, I am from Michigan.  My whole family hates the heat so all of our May - September trips will be up and away from the heat.  What would be a good June trip from NW Phoenix to beat the heat?  Thinking about 8 days total with drive time.

15 hours ago, dirtyboots said:

What part of California....it's a BIG state....or are you heading to Canada?

Also, where are you leaving from?

We are headed to Silver Strand state park in California.  A buddy from work talked me into spring breaking with his family.  Leaving from NW Phoenix.

Hello All!  I new to the forum but am hoping to get some good suggestions.  We (wife, 2 girls, and a dog) just bought a 35 bumper pull trailer.  I have used it once in Northern AZ back in December, we have a CA trip planned in March, and a trip down to Kartchner Caverns in April.  Looking for suggested places to head and check out.  We have not boondocked yet but have a generator so am open to that.  Eventually we want to work up to long trips of a few weeks.  Just dont want to be those people that buy a trailer and use it twice per year. Thanks in advance for suggestions!