What’s the Best Way to Power My Teardrop Trailer?

For some, figuring out your power needs can be a daunting task at best. The worst-case scenario can leave you wanting to roll your eyes back in your head and curl up under the blankets at home rather than chance freezing or roasting your buns off in the great outdoors. A little self-reflection can go a long way in helping you determine the best way to power your Teardrop.

AC, DC, inverters, propane, batteries, a generator, and solar power – it can all seem so complicated! Short of a thorny lesson in calculating Amp Hours, the question for most Teardrop adventures is simple:

Is it necessary for me to augment my Teardrop energy system?

The answer is equally simple: If you plan to camp only at RV parks where you’ll have access to onshore power (the 30-50 AC power available at most RV parks), you don’t need additional battery power to run your Teardrop and keep your battery charged comfortably.

If you plan to dry-camp or boondock (camp off the grid), the answer is not as straightforward. You’ll very likely need a way to consistently recharge the batteries that run everything from your computer charger to your refrigerator or coffee machine and to keep up and running for the duration of your stay. You’ve got several options, but basically, it comes down to knowing your needs and setting yourself up for your camping style.

Know your needs vs wants?

If you need a CPAP machine to sleep at night than you will require additional power every night to sleep well.  Since each night adds up, determine how long your typical camping trips are.  A hair blower is not a “need” in most situations.  If it is really hot and humid at night than an air conditioner may be desired and that would likely require a generator to run your AC at night. But if you have no CPAP machine, no refrigerated cooler, and no AC needs, and camp over a weekend than a $450.00 battery with an inverter will likely suffice.  Remember that larger batteries cost more (on average a $1.00 a watt).

So ask yourself a few simple questions, such as:

How Long is my stay and how often will I use my Teardrop trailer?

If you camp for weeks on end and have a low probability of sunlight  a generator may be a good option.  You can purchase a generator for as little as $350 and go to $1250 – or more depending on size and power load.  Solar panels begin at around $150 apiece for a 50W panel and they can go up to $500 for a 200W panel (they start getting heavy to move around at 100W).

Where will I be camping?

Will you be camping near others or in a location so remote there’s nobody to bother but you!? Generally speaking, generators make noise (although there are some on the market the tout lower volumes). A generator that runs nearly 24/7 can be an annoyance to others and can take away from your leave it all behind experience. If it’s solitary quiet time you’re looking for, solar might prove the better option for you and doesn’t require gasoline to tote around.

What are the climate and weather patterns of my destination?

Climate considerations are crucial to selecting a power source. Solar doesn’t work with out sun, so if you’re camping in the winter or somewhere like the Pacific Northwest, a generator can prevent powerless days due to overcast weather.

What type of appliances, gadgets, devices, and temperature control systems do you want to use while on your adventure?

Solar provides DC current, which is generally insufficient to run things like your microwave or other heavy draw appliances and can drain your battery fast. If you want to watch movies, charge your devices and other gadgets, and use all of your appliances, you may find solar alone to be inadequate. A generator, which provides AC current (the kind that your household electric supplies to outlets) is a better choice for those who don’t want to rough it.

If you’re a seasoned camper who is in it for the long haul and you have the financial means, the best solution could be solar panels AND a portable generator as backup. This will ensure enough power to keep all the bells chiming and whistles blowing on your off-grid adventure.

Contact our team for a lesson in determining your Amp Hour Usage and to learn which options might work best for you!