The reasons why I prefer to boondock

[John Hilley]

For your size motor home this would work out nicely, Xantrex Prowatt SW 2000. The easiest way would be to feed the whole motor home with it. This shouldn't be a problem with your size motor home. How to do it depends on whether you have a transfer switch or not. Easiest way would be to mount near battery with large cables and then plug the shore power cable into the inverter, this would save adding a transfer switch and or sub panel.

[DumOleBob]

A small comment on your post where you said, "Zion NP campgound -- which is infested by tent caterpillars"

Actually we are the infestors, not the caterpillars.

Still they make my skin crawl too!!!

[Wanabee FTer]

Originally Posted by okmunky

Any idea what it would cost to add a built in inverter big enough to run a microwave? I am going broke $100 at a time with this coach. Does upgrading ever end? Oh yeah, then there's the $100 a hit for maintanence, too. It's hard for us early retirees to keep up. One more year until social security starts helping to support my lifestyle. Not that I ever regret quitting work at age 60.

I can relate to the going broke $100 at a time thing as I also retired early.
Easy for me to say get a 2000 watt inverter to solve your problem.

I have a 600 watt Prowatt SW inverter and must fire up the genny to use the microwave, but so far has not been a problem for me.

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by DumOleBob

A small comment on your post where you said, "Zion NP campgound -- which is infested by tent caterpillars"

Actually we are the infestors, not the caterpillars.

Still they make my skin crawl too!!!

You are right, but...

They would not be a problem for campers IF the NPS had left the trees alone. With the route to the trees blocked the bugs are climbing EVERYTHING, but seem to prefer dark colors. My tires were a solid mass of writhing catterpillars spinning sticky webs.

I have seen similar bugs strip and kill trees in OK, so I can understand and appreciate the NPS trying to save the trees in campgrounds and around buildings. There are millions of unprotected trees nearby for the caterpillars to eat.

[okmunky]

For now I'm going to skip adding an inverter. It's just not cost effective for the limited time I run the microwave.

It feels good to save that cash

[Bob and Inga]

Originally Posted by laj

Ok curious
Why only able to heat food at those times in a campground

laj,

It is very common in NP's to have generator use limited to 2 or 3 2-hour blocks. BLM areas are not so restrictive. We simply believe that there is nowhere better to be than boondocked in an NP somewhere.

Also, we never call it camping, with or without hookups. Hot & cold running water, two TV's, cold beer in the refer, heat or AC depending on location, a nice warm bed to sleep in, lights, stove, etc. That ain't camping in our book, that's living large.

Bob

[laj]

Yes, that I new. What thru me was not being able to use propane to heat food. The more I read, the more I know, the more I like boondocking. Thinking about getting a mh more conducive to that style, but thanks for the clarification

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga

laj,

Also, we never call it camping, with or without hookups. Hot & cold running water, two TV's, cold beer in the refer, heat or AC depending on location, a nice warm bed to sleep in, lights, stove, etc. That ain't camping in our book, that's living large.

Bob

You are so right Bob! But with a 25 ft moho I won't say we are living large, LOL We are certainly living the good life. Friends said I'm living the all American dream. I'd have to agree.

[Wanabee FTer]

Originally Posted by okmunky

Friends said I'm living the all American dream. I'd have to agree.

Hummm, My friends just say I'm crazy
Maybe I need some new friends.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by okmunky

Any idea what it would cost to add a built in inverter big enough to run a microwave? I am going broke $100 at a time with this coach. Does upgrading ever end? Oh yeah, then there's the $100 a hit for maintanence, too. It's hard for us early retirees to keep up. One more year until social security starts helping to support my lifestyle. Not that I ever regret quitting work at age 60.

Depends on what you want and if you do the work yourself. Figure $2,000 to $3,000. Inverter, sub panel, transfer switch, min of 4 6 volt batteries and a good idea of how to work with electricity.

[okmunky]

Originally Posted by Wanabee FTer

Hummm, My friends just say I'm crazy
Maybe I need some new friends.

Sounds like a great plan to me. I'll even share some of my more enlightened friends with ya.

[Murf2u]

I think long before I put $2k to $3k into batteries & an inverter I'd have a 2000 watt Honda generator sitting next to my coach.

Half the price and no batteries to replace or recharge.

[Trudinator]

Somehow I don't feel sorry for any of the early retirees. I still have to work another 8 years, 3 months, 14 days and 7 hours. And thats only if my 401K doesn't tank before that. Feel lucky you're retired and able to do what you want, when you want and not have to be a slave to a desk with a mountain of paperwork. Think I'll be able to depend on social security? Not 100%.....

[okmunky]

Trudinator,

About 10 years ago I decided to live on less vs slaving away longer. I inheirited enough to let me buy a small moho and traded in my paid off Prius for a Smart car that I could tow easily. I have dipped into my investment account more than I would have liked, but there is still enough there that most months I live off the interest alone. I live a frugal lifestyle by choice and feel that my quality of life now will also add to my longevity.

In 1 year and 7 days I will qualify for social security and look at it as getting a BIG raise. It's not likely that I will change anything about the way I live, but it will be nice to have a buffer for increasing gas prices.

I hope that the time until retirement passes quickly for you, or some windfall comes your way. I read somewhere ..."If I'd known retirement was this much fun, I'd have taken that path right after college".