Dry Camping Package

If you could design your own Wildcat outfitted for dry camping, what top 5 things would you build in?
Examples might be larger water and/or waste tanks, LED lighting, larger LP capacity, solar power (!), on board generator, etc.

I'd want an option for a propane genny, regardless with a requisite increase in propane capacity.

but for dry camping:

- more freshwater, and therefore more waste tank volume
- battery bank and master controller for more stored power and include ac inverter
- LED lamps

Solar panels

Solar panels
LED lights
AC inverter
couple more 12v outlets
2000 watt. Gen.

Wired for solar, panels (several) installed on roof and inverter.

Solar panels
LED's
Better Battery System
High pressure/low flow shower head and faucets
More fresh water

My wife and I don’t dry camp much, but I would like to see a slide in/out storage rack on the rear of the Wildcat that would allow me to carry my generator and gas can. Also, as others have mentioned, a larger fresh water tank. We have to refill the fresh water tank long before the other tanks are close to their capacity. The only other thing I would like to see offered in an optional dry camping package would be vented space for a second battery.

One thing I personally wouldn’t want would be larger propane capacity unless it was in the form of a third bottle. As it is I struggle to get a full bottle of propane back into the Wildcat, and it seems to get tougher with each passing year.

For 30A service - 5000 w generator, preferably propane (oversized to handle all elevations)
Larger propane supply with T for external add-on cylinders (think...stay awhile)
Larger tanks: fresh, grey, black
Battery bank: 4 - 6 v golf cart = 500 A w/cut-off switch
2000w pure sine wave inverter
Hook-up for optional solar panels
12 V plugs in galley, living, bedroom, and outside
Enhanced suspension to handle wash board roads.
Might even consider a catalytic heater to match the size of the RV (furnace drains power pronto)

Sorry...that's more than five, but they're all important to successfully get away from it all.

Oh yeah...and replace the Concertone with something else.
(Just had to throw that one in for good measure.)

TC

TC wrote:
Oh yeah...and replace the Concertone with something else.
(Just had to throw that one in for good measure.)

TC

I second the motion . . .

Mine has the propane gen and it does work great. I am adding a fresh water pump switch in the bathroom area.
NO TANKLESS HOT WATER HEATER.
LED LIGHTS ALL AROUND.
IF ALL POSSIBLE INSTALL THE GENERATOR IN THE REAR OF THE COACH.

mattebury wrote:

TC wrote:
Oh yeah...and replace the Concertone with something else.
(Just had to throw that one in for good measure.)

TC

I second the motion . . .

Concertone is gone. As I mentioned in a different thread, all new Wildcats feature Jensen AV systems with HDMI cabling and true iPod® connector as well.

JENSEN AM/FM/CD/DVD/USB/WB/iPOD Ready Wallmount Stereo with HDMI Video Output

Interesting, can we retrofit (i.e. upgrade) to this unit?

I’m surprised at the number solar panel responses. Personally I can’t see it. In places where we’ve dry camped it was so shady that solar panels would be rather ineffective. If you park your trailer in sunny areas the temperature inside the trailer would probably be hot enough that you would want to run the A/C anyway. I only know of two RV’ers that have solar panels on their roofs and both carry generators to supplement the solar on cloudy days. It would be hard to justify the cost of solar panels IMHO.

Speaking of cost, a dry camping package that included solar panels would probably be so expensive no one would order it anyway.

Richard,
I had solar installed on my Cameo, cost installed at my house was only $500 for 1 panel and a converter. That panel will keep both of my 12v batteries charged with only 3-4 hours of sunlight. I'm sorry but I do not remember right now what size the panel is, but it measures around 18" x 36". It took the guy about 2 hours to do the install and even inside my barn with a door open, the light will light up on the converter saying that it is charging.

It works great for us because we are typically gone most of the day and when we get back in at night, if there are quiet hours where we are staying, it would be too late to start the genny and run it long enough to charge the batteries. Last month, we spent a week on the Cimarron River in North East New Mexico and only started the generator 3 different times to run the microwave. The battery level would only drop down off of max charge if we were at the camper for the whole day and night. All the time we had 2 fantastic fans running to pull in that great mountain air.

Sorry for the book, I am just very impressed with our solar panel. It would be tops on my list for a dry camping option.

Solar Panel
Larger Propane bottles (I have switched to 40# bottles)
I like the optional "T" to hook in external bottles
Propane Generator (5500 works great for a 50 amp service)
You can never have enough water!!!

Wildcat Chris wrote:

mattebury wrote:

TC wrote:
Oh yeah...and replace the Concertone with something else.
(Just had to throw that one in for good measure.)

TC

I second the motion . . .

Concertone is gone. As I mentioned in a different thread, all new Wildcats feature Jensen AV systems with HDMI cabling and true iPod® connector as well.

TC

I have to second the fresh water tanks. But if you install bigger tanks make sure you design system that works to hold them between the frame without fear of falling out. This way we don't have to retrofit them after purchase.

but for dry camping:

- more freshwater,

Sorry, this just made me chuckle.

BobnPi wrote:

but for dry camping:

- more freshwater,

Sorry, this just made me chuckle.

didn't notice it until you pointed it out.

Carpe Diem wrote:I have to second the fresh water tanks. But if you install bigger tanks make sure you design system that works to hold them between the frame without fear of falling out.

Or sagging, Or screws poking holes in them.

TC

Wildcat Chris wrote:

mattebury wrote:

TC wrote:
Oh yeah...and replace the Concertone with something else.
(Just had to throw that one in for good measure.)

TC

I second the motion . . .

Concertone is gone. As I mentioned in a different thread, all new Wildcats feature Jensen AV systems with HDMI cabling and true iPod® connector as well.

JENSEN AM/FM/CD/DVD/USB/WB/iPOD Ready Wallmount Stereo with HDMI Video Output

When did this change come about??? I have a 2011 313RE purchased in Feb as soon as it arrived at the dealer.......this Concertone model is worse than the one in the 2007 model I traded in.......played a new CD last night, and lousy audio quality and that "mickey mouse" (sorry Mickey) front CD trap door is the pits to operate...

mattebury wrote:Interesting, can we retrofit (i.e. upgrade) to this unit?

Wiring harness for it available I have been told. The only problem that might occur is in the mounting of the radio. FR for some stupid reason redid the entertainment cab on the 30rlbs. The 30 and 29 are the same floor plan (close). The area for the entertainment center is the same. No need to do that redo. Anyway going to be difficult to install in the same place. Then I need to fill the hole since it is wider and the old one is longer. So it just depends on the location of your radio.

Here are the twins. The bottom one is the one FR is using. The top one is without HMI. What ever that is. Also it is not water proof for any of U that try to float your RV.

http://www.jensenrvdirect.com/jensen-am-fm-cd-dvd-usb-wb-wallmount-stereo.html

http://www.jensenrvdirect.com/jensen-am-fm-cd-dvd-usb-wb-ipod-ready-wallmount-stereo-with-hdmi-video-output.html

You have to go to the manual for width, depth, and height. About 10 wide and 7 high

Richard - That is one reason why my solar panels are portable and not fixed on top of the trailer.

Brad - We are the same way with our solar. Let the 135 watt do its thing all day and come home to fully charged batteries and a fun filled night. CA state parks have a 10am to 8pm on gens. That is why mounting it in the front stinks. Put in the back and it is easier to get away with it running.

I keep thinking of something to add at night. I get here and I can not remember it.

My two cents are:

Solar panels (2)
2000W sine wave inverter
All lights LED
6V batteries (4 0f them)
Generator(s) 2 Honda EU2000i 2000w each (easier to move at my age)

I have the installed the above. Lived that way for months last year by myself with two dogs. Watered the plants with the grey water. Needed fresh water about every two weeks. Generators only needed for a/c. Solar powered TV, satellite dish, microwave everything, except a/c. Solar panels will work even when cat is in garage with reflected light.

A bigger shelf in the fridge for beer And a good book.
Sean

My selection would be:

1. Onboard 4K Generator
2. Dubble pane windows (cuts down on heating and cooling)
3. LED interior lights
4. Inverter to run TV/DVD
5. Interconnect Gray water tanks (it increases holding capt.)
6. Increase Fresh water tanks size

I know thats six but we all want more........

#1 Solor
#2 More fresh water
#3 Inverter

All of these are great ideas. What would be really cool would be the option to specify preparation as well as an actual option. So lets say you can't afford solar panels this year but could next, then for a small outlay you could pay for prep for:

1. Solar panels
2. Inverter
3. Generator
4. Decent sized batteries. 6v preferable... or at least a choice.... leave space close to existing wiring.. vents easy to connect to.

Also - and not necessarily related to dry camping:

1. Choice between instant and traditional hot water heaters - we seem to be divided on this one.
2. Washing machine prep
3. BBQ quick connect
4. Second air conditioning prep and / or fantastic fan prep.
5. Perparation for satellite dish on roof.

I also second a few other suggestions & suggestions above:

1. Furnace totally spanks the battery
2. We need more 12v outlets around the place
3. Any inverter has to be pure sine wave
4. Easier way to have extend-a-stay gas connections.
5. LED lamps
6. WTF was that concertone phase all about? That sales person must have been hot hot hot.... what is the inside story? There has to be one. I haven't met a single person who likes their concertone brick.

Rusty wrote:My selection would be:

1. Onboard 4K Generator
2. Dubble pane windows (cuts down on heating and cooling)
3. LED interior lights
4. Inverter to run TV/DVD
5. Interconnect Gray water tanks (it increases holding capt.)
6. Increase Fresh water tanks size

I know thats six but we all want more........

Dubble pane windows ???