Carla's Camper

[user 22017]

Also, I have seen several weight distributing hitches on marketplace and they run about 1/4 to 1/2 the price of new. Might b one near u for sale. Best Wishes

There are tons of them on marketplace. Ranging from $40 to $275. Most are about $100. Maybe the mechanic will help figure out which to get.

Thanks again!

 

[minanimal]

Some or maybe even most RV bumpers aren't made to support anything mounted on them. Lots have a spare tire mounted there from the factory. Check to see if there is documentation or a sticker left pertaining to this. Racks, especially on the back of a trailer, are subject to tremendous shaking and bouncing. So, dead weight isn't the only factor at work. There are lots of products made to fit on the bumper, but it boils down to how that bumper was fabricated and attached. Some are surprisingly thin metal just spot-welded to the camper frame.

 

[user 22017]

Some or maybe even most RV bumpers aren't made to support anything mounted on them. Lots have a spare tire mounted there from the factory. Check to see if there is documentation or a sticker left pertaining to this. Racks, especially on the back of a trailer, are subject to tremendous shaking and bouncing. So, dead weight isn't the only factor at work. There are lots of products made to fit on the bumper, but it boils down to how that bumper was fabricated and attached. Some are surprisingly thin metal just spot-welded to the camper frame.

I know what you mean. I bought a Jayco popup camper and the bumper is no longer welded to the camper on one side. When I mentioned that on a popup forum, someone replied that Jayco is notorious for doing spotty welding with their bumpers.
The bumper on this trailer seems much stronger, but I think you are right. Not the best spot for my bike. Maybe it will work on the tongue.

 

[user 22017]

I slept like a baby the past two nights under an electric blanket. I was plenty warm enough with the wool blanket, comforter and zero degree sleeping bag, but they don't compare to a toasty electric blanket.

Last night I made the mistake of putting the wool blanket under the electric blanket. It blocked the heat. Heat rises... duh.

Is it ok to pile blankets on top of the electric blanket? I think I should try just the electric blanket and add only what is necessary. Maybe just a sheet under the electric blanket.

In the instructions it says do not use with an inverter. Doesn't my travel trailer use an inverter? I have a power cord from the house to the power cord/plug on my trailer. Any advice regarding the inverter comment in the instructions?

This is the blanket:

https://a.co/d/7WaD8Py

 

[Happy Camper]

You'll want a pure sine wave inverter when using an electric blanket.

MSW inverter power isn't clean enough and will probably kill the blanket eventually.

There are some decent 12v heated blankets and throws. As well as 12v mattress heaters. There have been a number of threads and posts regarding them.

 

[user 22017]

You'll want a pure sine wave inverter when using an electric blanket.

MSW inverter power isn't clean enough and will probably kill the blanket eventually.

There are some decent 12v heated blankets and throws. As well as 12v mattress heaters. There have been a number of threads and posts regarding them.

I could give this one to one of my kids and look for a 12 volt. Is that best?

 

[Happy Camper]

You'll get a lot of opinions on this. The 12v blankets won't get as warm as fast if I recall. But you don't use as much electricity either.

I recall the heated mattress pad was a winner for some that swore by it.

 

[Happy Camper]

I can't recall what you're doing for power. But another thought is keep your existing system and just add this for the few items that require pure sine wave. For $57 it won't break the bank. And you have more options down the road. Plus, you definitely have the space lol.

BESTEK 300Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter Car Adapter DC 12V to AC 110V with 4.2A Dual Smart USB Ports https://a.co/d/fMdaLYE

 

[user 22017]

I can't recall what you're doing for power. But another thought is keep your existing system and just add this for the few items that require pure sine wave. For $57 it won't break the bank. And you have more options down the road. Plus, you definitely have the space lol.

BESTEK 300Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter Car Adapter DC 12V to AC 110V with 4.2A Dual Smart USB Ports https://a.co/d/fMdaLYE

I have a power station. Haven't tried it yet. Can that plug into it? Then I plug the blanket into the pure sine inverter?

This is the power station:

https://a.co/d/eUGXK6R
I gave my daughter the electric blanket, so I'm open to suggestions for what to buy. That blanket was amazing

Thanks.

 

[bullfrog !]

Your power station description says it has a “pure sign wave inverter” which means it will work with most sensitive electronic devices.

 

[WanderingRose]

I like fleece pj’s in cold weather, with the addition of fleece socks if the temps warrant it.

TJMaxx is a good place to find them at reasonable prices.

I would increase what you are wearing to bed before covering an electric blanket.

 

[user 22017]

Your power station description says it has a “pure sign wave inverter” which means it will work with most sensitive electronic devices.

But does it make sense to plug the blanket into the power station and plug the power station into an outlet? Is that possible? Then the power station won't use the battery.... I think. lol. I'm sorry for the stupid questions. It's so hard to learn all this. Especially when I don't want to learn. Ugh. Learning electrical stuff makes my head spin.

 

[bullfrog !]

Most campers do not have a built in inverter. The AC outlets normally only work when the camper is plugged into the grid. Grid power normally powers everything just fine. If you are plugged in to the grid just use your outlets in the camper. If boonducking without grid power you can use an inverter to make AC power with an inverter connected to your battery. There are different types of inverters. Modern computer electronics require a “pure sign wave” type inverter if using a battery power source. It is more efficient to use 12 volt DC appliances powered directly from the battery rather than using an inverter to make AC from the battery to power AC appliances. Your power station is simply everything in one package, problem is it probably won’t have enough stored energy to run it’s built in inverter for very long with out needing to be recharged.

 

[maki2]

…. It's so hard to learn all this. Especially when I don't want to learn. Ugh. Learning electrical stuff makes my head spin.

Yes it is all in your head. You can change that “I don’t want to learn attitude”. That is absolutely within your control. You change it by deciding that life is best on the road when you are self reliant. Then deciding to do what it takes to become more self reliant. What it takes is acquiring more education. Education is so easy to obtain in this age of online lessons and tutorials. Or even one-on-one tutoring from a volunteer teacher.

People sometimes ask how I gained so many skills. The answer is Input myself in the way of learning. Sometimes from
Books and videos, other times from actual classes, sometimes on-the-job. But there certainly have been and still aren’t times when I felt just like you “I don’t want to learn”. But remember you do not have to learn everything about electricity. That there are online calculators that will do math for you and that pretty much everything you need to know is already posted in a how-to video online.

 

[WanderingRose]

Learning electrical stuff makes my head spin.

I understand, as I’m the same way, and am almost dyslexic in this regard.

Important especially as a woman traveling alone that you learn and understand the basics, as you can frequently find good help on the road…but sometimes you can’t.

If you have the owners manual for this rig, get some large-ish post it notes and use those for notes in sections where you struggle.

That’s what I have done now for years, and then I don’t have to try to remember but can refer to my own notes.

Seriously, it’s a lifesaver.

 

[user 22017]

Most campers do not have a built in inverter. The AC outlets normally only work when the camper is plugged into the grid. Grid power normally powers everything just fine. If you are plugged in to the grid just use your outlets in the camper. If boonducking without grid power you can use an inverter to make AC power with an inverter connected to your battery. There are different types of inverters. Modern computer electronics require a “pure sign wave” type inverter if using a battery power source. It is more efficient to use 12 volt DC appliances powered directly from the battery rather than using an inverter to make AC from the battery to power AC appliances. Your power station is simply everything in one package, problem is it probably won’t have enough stored energy to run it’s built in inverter for very long with out needing to be recharged.

So that electric blanket was fine plugged into the trailer outlets? And when I am off grid use a pure sine wave inverter.

I just watched Bob's video about electric blankets. He found that the 110 blanket used half the power as the 12 volt. He was using a power station.

It seems like people use words interchangeably for this electrical stuff. I'm curious if there are multiple ways of saying different things. I need to learn the basics. Like what AC is, lol. Alternating current, I know, but what is that? House outlets and house wires are AC? And 12 volt things use DC? Direct current?

Still want to learn about charging my power station while driving. What kind of power is that? DC? Umm.... I don't really want to learn. I lied

I'll take Maki and Rose's advice and get serious about this... eventually. Off to order post-it notes

 

[bullfrog !]

It is science and really is interesting and useful when you have to become your own utility company. Makes you realize how much society has done to make people’s lives easier but it makes you begin to question at what cost.

 

[NctryBen]

I bought a 12v tv thinking it would be more efficient off a 12v system. For a tv I think it draws quite a bit of power. I’d stick with th 110v blanket... maybe get a second 12v one for backup... but when your on shore power, you would best be served by the 110v blanket. My tv comparison was more saying not everything 12v is the way to go for everything.

 

[RonDean]

My first solution would be to get good warm (wool) blankets and clothing. Just think about the pioneers who had zero electricity. I am old enough to remember visiting my great-grandmother's midwestern house that had no electricity. I learned there were many other options. We could learn a lot from those folks. We are going to fuel our bodies to keep them internally functioning anyway. So, adding a few layers to keep that warmth is probably more efficient than trying to warm our bodies from the outside in. Certain old technologies associated with bed pans, outhouses, root cellars, food storage, ventilation, etc. also added to my knowledge base - but that's another story.

When that is no longer enough, yeah - plug those e-blankets in. I've got a 12v that works fine along with the wool blanket. When I am not in AC grid country I don't want to have the DC to AC conversation losses any more than I have to.

 

[user 22017]

My first solution would be to get good warm (wool) blankets and clothing. Just think about the pioneers who had zero electricity. I am old enough to remember visiting my great-grandmother's midwestern house that had no electricity. I learned there were many other options. We could learn a lot from those folks. We are going to fuel our bodies to keep them internally functioning anyway. So, adding a few layers to keep that warmth is probably more efficient than trying to warm our bodies from the outside in. Certain old technologies associated with bed pans, outhouses, root cellars, food storage, ventilation, etc. also added to my knowledge base - but that's another story.

I use a wool blanket and love it. Here is what I use:

https://a.co/d/bRKkSzJ
And this zero degree bag: https://a.co/d/2WY40Jg

And this comforter (bought because I liked the pattern:

https://a.co/d/c2Lf2mu
And sheets. And stupid memory foam, which I want to get rid of. It came with the trailer.

The electric blanket is for when it is in low teens and below zero. In case I make a wrong turn and end up in northern Minnesota