I posted the hy-brid unit only because you mentioned solar might be added to your 5th. The unit works great where you can use your batteries/ solar power and have a small generator to supplement work loads.

I have used mine running the AC off batteries with a Honda 2000w gen but your setup might have to be more involved than you want. More toward boondocking than campgrounds.

 

It is an interesting setup for sure.

Steve

 

How many watts do you have on the roof feeding how many batteries?

Steve

 

500AH GBS LFMP (400AH usable)
PT-100 controller
Magnum Hybrid 3000W inverter
8 panels, CTI 160 (1,280 watts) had it wired so 2 more panels can be added later if we want.

 

Wow, that is quite a setup you have. Your entire roof must have panels covering every square inch. This is a very similar setup I am planning to install minus the lithium batteries, they are still out of my price range.

 

Yes, it's a little pricey but I figured a good investment especially if you are off grid exclusively and still want all the modern conveniences.

No not totally covered more can be added.


Here's a good read if you haven't stumbled across this in your research it still applies to regular batteries in a sense.
The Big ?Beastly? Solar/Battery Upgrade Part I ? Why? ? Wheeling It

 

This is why FTE is a valuable resource that I capatalize on every chance I get. Real world experience from those that live the life my wife and I aspire to live. We love to boondock and frankly would never stay at a campground if we didn't have to at times. We currently have a 30 ft 2008 Springdale travel trailer that was a "trial run" to see if we enjoyed the RV life. Well, we love it and want to go full time in the future once other obligations are no longer around.

We are just about dead set on a Montana High Country 313RE as our full time rig, but also contemplate the idea of Something like the Glacier Peak F26RKS for a bit more mobility and ruggedness.

Just for those following this thread, in addition to the link provided above by Scraprat, check out this one... Solar Power for RV's and Boats

 

That's a good link also. I've read it a couple times.

I did year's of awning to dining slide in the campgrounds and it got old pretty fast. Now unless we have to there's more options. In the past 4 months since adding it we did 2 weeks in campground only because my pup got pretty ill and needed to be near civilization for a vet. I figure in about 2 years the system pays for itself.

 

A big investment for sure. We tend to mix it up between living off and on the cord, but are fussy as to sites in campgrounds in terms of space. I only have 2 - 65 watt panels on the roof, but even with that as long as none of the "power pigs" in our camper are online, it is still possible to boondock. We have a 2400 generator on the truck and with the 100 amp charger built in the inverter, it is possible to bring battery level back up fairly quickly and it handles the AC without a problem.

Steve