1. Do You Need A Generator For A Travel Trailer At A Full Hookup Site Video
2. Do You Need A Generator For A Travel Trailer At A Full Hookup Sites
3. 5.5 Kw Rv Generator

Generator in a rv can be of much help. When you are camping at sites without electricity hookup, its the generator that comes to your help. Having a generator is so much necessary, but at times people just avoid buying it because of various reasons like extra cost, weight or they just don’t feel the need of it. Whether you are renting an RV on Outdoorsy for the first time or purchasing an RV for travel or to rent out to others, it’s important to learn the basics of RV electrical systems. Read on for a basic understanding of your RV electricity systems, how they work, and what to be aware of in terms of safety. A generator is an important equipment for your RV if you are dry camping or boondocking. When the electric hookup connection is not available for RV, generator provides AC power for all the appliances that need 120 Volt for operation. Generator can also charge and store power inside RV’s DC battery for later use. So, what is a full hookup campsite? A full hookup campsite is a site that will have access to all the amenities to hook to your motorhome or travel trailer. These amenities include a hookup for your water lines, a hookup for your electricity. This will include a 50 amp service, 30 amp service or both. Also, there is usually at least one 110v. Answer: From what you have told me here, your generator is functioning and running properly but you do not have any AC power in your RV, at times. If this is the case then you need to have a tech check out the 'power generating' portion of your Generator.

How to Connect an RV to Full Hookups

As a newbie to RVing we had no idea how to connect an RV to full hookups when arriving at a campsite.

Of course our dealer didn’t explain any of it to us other than “just pull in and connect” (typical salesman) so we had to learn from experience and a little trial and error. After many years on the road I think we have a pretty good idea of what works and which products are necessary for hooking up an RV at a campground.

Surge Protector

Our first two RVs didn’t have a built in surge protector so we had to purchase the external kind. I can honestly tell you a surge protector is worth every penny as it’s saved our electrical system several times over the years. Sure they’re bulky and expensive but trust me on this one, it’s better than getting fried. Below is the link for the 30a, 50a and built-in surge protector models we’ve owned. I’ve also included the Prime brand 50-30 step down “dog bone” which I feel is better quality than other brands plus it has a built in light to show power.

• 50 or 30 AMP Hardwired Surge Guard – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1WF6XCF
• 50 or 30 AMP Serge Guard – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1VgYbt9
• RV Electrical Adapter, 50 Amp to 30 AMP – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1VgYkg8
• RV Electrical Adapter, 30 AMP to 15 AMP – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1SEoPhM

Water Regulator

The PEX waterlines in most modern RVs can handle 100+psi but most RV manufacturers recommend keeping incoming water pressure between 40psi – 60psi. Since water pressure varies by campground you should “always” use a water regulator. Now I say always because we didn’t spend the big bucks on the adjustable water regulator, if you measure the pressure first and it’s under mfr. recommendations then you’re good to go without the regulator. We purchased the Valterra brand because it allows 20% more flow than the Camco version.

• Lead-Free Water Regulator – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1WF9GvM
• Brass Lead-Free Adjustable Water Regulator – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1VgZgBn

Water Filters and Softener

A constant battle with traveling across the USA is water quality and taste. You never know what quality of water you’re getting from that hose connection. In the first couple years we used to test our water at each campground but it was such a pain, now we always use a filter system. A standard hose carbon filter is a great starting point for filtration, we prefer the Culligan brand because it has a higher flow rate and lasts longer than the Camco version (both are fine). From there we run our water through the softener which removes more contaminants and reduces calcium which can destroy plumbing, fixtures and your water heater. We have the “Double Standard” model which is a bit larger and heavier than the “Standard” model so check the specs before purchase. Our final step is “countertop purification” and for that we’ve been using a distiller but we recently began using the Waterlogic Firewall Hybrid instant filter that utilizes UV and Carbon Filtration that uses a fraction of the power but delivers water that’s 100% safe to drink and tastes great.

• Culligan Exterior Water Filter – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1Vh0dtl
• Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1SEr3Om
• Waterlogic WL-3101 Firewall Hybrid Home Water Purifier – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1SEr5FM

Cable

A simple coax cable works for most RV parks that have a cable hook-up, and we’ve found 50ft is plenty long. Of the few RV parks we visit in our travels only a small handful have cable, and of those only a couple have a quality non-static signal.

• 50 feet Low Loss Coax Extention Cable – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1Vh0CMv

Sewer Connections

We have an entire article about sewer connections along with tips, tricks and product links that you can read (and watch the video) here:

If you’re new to RVing we hope these simple full hook-up campsite connection steps will make your life a little bit simpler when arriving to a campground, if you’re a seasoned RVer and feel we’ve missed something that helps your connection process please share in the comments below. See ya on the road!

A big THANKS to Fleetwood for hiring us to create this quick tip video and wanting to provide helpful information to RV’ers.

RV hookups can make or break your camping experience — and no, we’re not talking about “hookups” of the romantic kind. (Though come to think of it, those would certainly have an effect, too.)

For our purposes, though, we’re talking about the ways you connect your RV to the amenities that might be available at your campsite, like water, electricity, and cable television. After all, the whole point of RVing is bringing creature comforts to camping; even the most scenic vista in the world is improved with freshly-brewed coffee, your favorite shows watched from a comfy couch complete with a cozy throw blanket, and, of course, air conditioning.

RV hookups might seem pretty darn self-explanatory. You just plug your rig into the amenities and you’re done, right?

Well, it’s certainly not rocket science — but there are a few things you should know in order to make your RV hookup experience even easier and more efficient.

So whether it’s your first time and you’re looking to familiarize yourself with the setup before you get to the campground, or you’re an old hat looking forward to a trip in a new make or model of RV, here’s the skinny on RV hookups and what you need to know about them.

RV Camping

Before we dive into the details about full RV hookups, let’s get one very important thing settled upfront: not all campgrounds offer them!

Camping without RV hookups, otherwise known as dispersed camping or boondocking, is one of the best ways to experience some of the wilder, more untouched areas of the country. However, it also means working hard to conserve your water, as well as potentially running a noisy, smelly generator if you want access to electric power.

This brings us back to RV parks that offer hookups, which provide a source of water, power, and sometimes even cable TV and WiFi so you don’t have to worry about “roughing it” while you’re in your camper.

Main RV Hookups

Which hookups are available will depend on what kind of park you’re staying in. For example, privately-owned, resort-style campgrounds usually offer the full monty, including water, power, and RV sewer hookups, too. More modest public campgrounds may offer some, but not all amenities, or only offer 30 amps of power (as opposed to the 50 amps a large Class A motorhome might draw).

We’ll talk more about how to find great campgrounds with full hookups in a moment — and even save you some money in the bargain. But for now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

What Are RV Hookups?

There are three basic RV hookups that take care of the “essentials,” and a few extras that may or may not be offered depending on the poshness of the campground you visit.

Let’s start with the basics.

Do You Need A Generator For A Travel Trailer At A Full Hookup Site Video

RV Electric Hookup

If an RV park is going to offer any kind of hookup, it’s likely to be this one: shore power.

When it comes to an RV electric hookup, it is pretty much as simple as plug and play, but it’s important to power down all your electronics before you do so — just in case the campground’s power source has any faulty wiring that might fry your electronics. You can also invest in a polarity tester to ease your mind before you plug in, as well as routing your devices through surge protectors just like you would at home.

Another important note: RVs draw different amounts of power, or amps, depending on size and design. Your rig might come with a 30 amp plug (three prongs) or a 50 amp plug (four prongs), and you may need to invest in a converter if the site you’re staying at doesn’t offer an exact match. Keep in mind, too, that if you can only draw 30 amps of power, you’ll be able to use fewer electric goodies at once — makes sense, of course, but it’s a good reminder!

RV Water Hookup

Next on the list: water. With an RV water hookup, you can run your kitchen and bathroom sinks, flush your RV toilet, and even shower on board without worrying about using up your fresh water supply. However, when you go to connect your hose, there are a few things you should know.

First off, if you’re planning on drinking your tap water (ensure it’s from a potable source first!), or even just brushing your teeth with it, it’s wise to invest in a certified potable water hose, which won’t impart any funky odors or flavors to your H2O. The good news is, a drinking water hose is easy to spot — it’s always pure white in color!

Other accessories that’ll protect your RV’s plumbing and improve the quality of your water include a water pressure regulator and a filter system.

RV Sewer Hookup

When you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go — and the same is true for your RV!

While some campgrounds offer RV sewer hookups at each site, many opt instead for a centralized dump station, which is both easier for the park to manage and honestly more sensible for the camper, too. You never want to leave your holding tank valves open, so you’d still only be dumping your tank about once a week or so — which is about how often most campers pick up and move anyway!

No matter which options your campground offers, just be sure to invest in a high-quality RV sewer hose. That’s one piece of equipment you don’t want to run into any trouble with. 😉

Hookup Sites

As we discussed above, not all campgrounds have hookups. And campsites with full RV hookups are sometimes pretty darn expensive — like up to $75 per night or more, depending on when and where you’re traveling.

That’s why we recommend all campers pick up a Passport America membership, which gets you 50% off your campsite accommodation fees at almost 1900 RV parks across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Many of those parks offer luxurious amenities as well as full hookups, and at less than $50 for your whole year’s membership, it’ll easily pay for itself the very first time you use it.

Do You Need A Generator For A Travel Trailer At A Full Hookup Sites

So there you have it, campers: everything you didn’t know you needed to know about RV hookups! Now you’re ready to go… so what are you waiting for?

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5.5 Kw Rv Generator

Looking for more helpful tips? Check out How to Set Up Your RV at a Campground the First Time