The Cracker Barrel/Walmart Question

[whereigo]

We have a 30 ft travel trailer, one slide out, and do not want a generator.
How much power does one need to have to run the side out?
The Power jacks?
The micro?
The refrig?
the ac?

I ask because some folks seem to like the free campsite by a store/restaurant
(even the ones that paid over $100,000 for there rig)

so with my travel trailer how can I run all of the above off the car battery?

(Assume its over 80)

I think I could do without the ac if it was cool but what about the other stuff?:help:

[drfife]

No to the microwave and AC, unless you have a HUGE battery bank.

[JEBar]

single camper battery in good shape, slide/tongue jack/frig/lights no problem overnight .... heater depends on temp and how much the fan runs, 12V appliances vary with current draw .... as Russel notes, no AC or microwave .... don't suggest you leave the camper's 7-wire connector plugged into the tow vehicle, it can drain them .... should you drain the camper's battery overnight, plugging up to the tow vehicle and starting its motor will make it possible to run the slide, tongue jack, etc

[Joezilla]

On our first 5th wheel, we boondocked at Winstar Casino in Oklahoma for one night. (This was probably 15 years ago) We left the bathroom fan running overnight so as to create a breeze with the windows opened. By morning, the battery was dead and would not bring in the slides. We had to go purchase a new battery in order to be able to leave.

We since have done exactly ZERO boon docking. ha!

Joe

[garyk]

Agree with others, you would need a good sized gen set and at least 4 deep cycle batteries , along with around a 2000 watt inverter to run the AC and Micro, that's a minimum. If th refrigerator stays on gas that won't draw much 12 v but gas furnace sure can..

[whereigo]

So how do those crazy folks stay at these places in the summer? (assume above 80)

[norty]

They are cheap! When I was little, air conditioning was not invented. Somehow we survived.

[drfife]

They are cheap! When I was little, air conditioning was not invented. Somehow we survived.

You are old.

Carrier invented air conditioning in 1902. It gained popularity in the 1920's and aided the population migration to the Sunbelt.

Russell
Dallas, Texas

[norty]

First Ac room I ever entered was a drugstore in Summerville, SC at age 10. We did not have an ac home until I was in high school in the late 50's.

I feel old!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[07PSDCREW]

single camper battery in good shape, slide/tongue jack/frig/lights no problem overnight .... heater depends on temp and how much the fan runs, 12V appliances vary with current draw .... as Russel notes, no AC or microwave .... don't suggest you leave the camper's 7-wire connector plugged into the tow vehicle, it can drain them .... should you drain the camper's battery overnight, plugging up to the tow vehicle and starting its motor will make it possible to run the slide, tongue jack, etc

Just to add a side note, you should wait a bit before trying to use any high amp devices after having a dead trailer battery. Even though you are plugged into the vehicle and the alternator is charging via the trailer charge circuit, it is still only a 15-20 amp circuit. Give it time to charge the battery a bit, so you don't blow the fuse. I've fixed many "my trailer battery will not charge" complaints in the past. Some were trying to use items without a battery present on the trailer, and the factory circuit isn't designed for that type of load.

[wowlites]

Wal-Mart not so Free

I found this poem on that other site. And it does contain a whole lot of truth...

Here I sit on Wal Mart’s lot
Kinda tired, feeling shot.
Lots of drivin’, body’s crampin’
Thank God for this freebee campin’.
Lots of conflict in my head
Go to Wall-Mart; go to bed?
Dried up food I ate before
Cheap, hot chicken in the store,
Wife is cranky, she did yell,
Go get a chicken, or go to (Target?)

Six dollar chickens can’t be beat
Milk and donuts for a treat.
Don’t forget the beer and wine,
chips and salsa, would be fine.
Get some canned food for the cat
and a brand new bathroom mat.
A couple towels, a bar of soap,
A nice big bottle of minty Scope.
The old TV is really crappy,
get a new one, make it snappy.
Buy a Cosmo magazine,
Orders from the Wal-Mart queen.

So off I go to get my dinner,
Who’s the loser, who’s the winner?
Lots of stuff, I know I need it
Six buck chicken, who can beat it.
Two big baskets, bags and boxes,
I wonder just how far Fort Knox is.
I feel just like a lottery winner,
$800 for a chicken dinner?
Take a tip from camping scholars,
KOA – just 50 dollars.

Not my poem, but its good.

Cheers Rick T

[Restcure]

Awesome poem Rick, and although you are not REQUIRED to shop at Wal Mart when you camp there, I'm guessing lots do.

There's no such thing as a free lunch...

[bukhrn]

I found this poem on that other site. And it does contain a whole lot of truth...

Here I sit on Wal Mart’s lot
Kinda tired, feeling shot.
Lots of drivin’, body’s crampin’
Thank God for this freebee campin’.
Lots of conflict in my head
Go to Wall-Mart; go to bed?
Dried up food I ate before
Cheap, hot chicken in the store,
Wife is cranky, she did yell,
Go get a chicken, or go to (Target?)

Six dollar chickens can’t be beat
Milk and donuts for a treat.
Don’t forget the beer and wine,
chips and salsa, would be fine.
Get some canned food for the cat
and a brand new bathroom mat.
A couple towels, a bar of soap,
A nice big bottle of minty Scope.
The old TV is really crappy,
get a new one, make it snappy.
Buy a Cosmo magazine,
Orders from the Wal-Mart queen.

So off I go to get my dinner,
Who’s the loser, who’s the winner?
Lots of stuff, I know I need it
Six buck chicken, who can beat it.
Two big baskets, bags and boxes,
I wonder just how far Fort Knox is.
I feel just like a lottery winner,
$800 for a chicken dinner?
Take a tip from camping scholars,
KOA – just 50 dollars.

Not my poem, but its good.

Cheers Rick T

You could easily substitute Cabela's for WalMart.

[bukhrn]

You are old.

Carrier invented air conditioning in 1902. It gained popularity in the 1920's and aided the population migration to the Sunbelt.

Russell
Dallas, Texas

You mean I migrated South incorrectly ? I never owned an AC (car or house), till I moved to Va. in 1984, not much need of one in Central NY.

[Jim]

You mean I migrated South incorrectly ? I never owned an AC (car or house), till I moved to Va. in 1984, not much need of one in Central NY.

Back 20-30 years ago, there was no need for an AC in the Northeast. These days the Summers are MUCH hotter and just about every house has at least window AC's. The whole house AC's are also becoming much more common. We installed a whole house AC about 5 years ago after spending all too many days and nights sweating in the house. It was worth every penny....