A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Hi-
I recently purchased a conversion van for a more comfortable place to sleep instead of my tent. I am used to tent camping and enjoy cooking over a campfire, but I figured it was time to get up off the ground for sleeping and enjoy a few more comforts while camping. My dog, Agate, who got her name because her coloring which is that of the Lake Superior agates, and I will be off in search of rivers to kayak on. I enjoy camping in more rustic areas (which usually do not have electricity) surrounded by trees, near water, and with nearby bicycle trails. I'm trying to decide if I should go solar or use a generator. Any recommendations because of your experiences with either solar or generators would be appreciated.
Kathy

Welcome to the forum. I almost never dry camp so will leave it to others to offer an opinion. I can say, however, that many people dislike the noise of generators, especially out in the boondocks, so solar is less likely to irritate any neighbors you might have.

Welcome, Kathy, and thanks for the intro. I love solar, but think about where you camp. If often forested, you'd have to consider that. If you feel you could usually find a place to run a line for a portable solar panel, that's what I'd do. But a small generator might be better. You know how you camp. The generator works forested or not.

Bethers makes a good point about solar and trees! It is very hard to find a treeless campsite east of the Mississippi. I know because I like treeless sites so I can get a satellite signal. And you said you like camping in spots with lots of trees.

Welcome

The benefit of solar is also effected be how many batteries you are able or willing to carry. In a conversion van I am guess that you wouldn't want to carry many. Solar (Unless you have a billion batteries....) is not going to be used to run your microwave, your electric heater or your AC. If you cook mostly over the campfire or with propane (or you are parked next to Mitch you is a much better cook than most of us and fixes all that fancy stuff) you don't need to worry about needing a generator for cooking. There is no one answer fits all. Your style of camping and comfort level, and pocket book determines the answer.....

Welcome ...I use both but have a 5th wheel and like to stay up later...
sheila

Hi from Illinois Kathy. Not much help on your question(s) since I'm new to this RV thing as of last year. Glad you found us and maybe we'll get a chance to GTG since I consider IL, WI, MI & IN close by

Welcome from another cheesehead! You'll be glad you found this forum of smart and funny women who have loads of knowledge about RVing. I have no advice for you about either generators or kayak-hauling, but there are many opinions to be found here. Personally, I don't like the noise or smell of generators, which is why some CGs limit hours, but reasonable minds disagree, and we're all right!
Think about coming to an upcoming GTG in Illinois or WI this summer; we'd love to make your acquaintance in person.
Eileen

Welcome from your northern MI neighbor. Can't help you with either as I have a travel trailer and prefer to stay where I have electric. Mostly state parks. But I have done the van, pickup route in past years, mostly using my folks' van or truck for short jaunts. Am thinking that some day, might go back to the van route again.

Hoosier Welcome

We're full hookups for medical reason, so not much help on the solar or generator question.

Welcome from FL, formerly IL. You've got so many beautiful places in WI, enjoy your new rig!!

I used to be a full-timer. Had a large rig with a generator. No solar. If boon-docking in the heat of the east, running the AC for cooling got to be a miserable experience. Out in our western desert, I would run the gen for two hours each morning. That amt of electricity into the batteries lasted me all day and night. I am not a T v watcher, and no need for cool air in winter in desert.
When I down-sized to my truck camper, I put a 100Watt solar panel on the roof. That is fine for me now. Solar Panels are so efficient today that if under trees, the trees must be very thick to prevent the sun from chargIng them.
It all comes down to what you need electricity for. There are charts available to find what each appliance uses in the way of amps.
Hope this helps a little. Lyn