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DMiller 
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
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 Topic: Adapting the LQ Trailer
Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 4:25am |
Been hard at upgrading the Living Quarters trailer we purchased, hung a 12v TV in it for the wife, have a better Antenna system coming, bought a Used Onan generator and have 'enganeared' a drawer system to mount that where will be slid Outside the body to run and utilize. Is all slowly coming together.
Generator may not be expected to be used much but will be there Just In Case should we decide to Boondock off BLM areas.
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ac hunter
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Joined: 05 Jan 2011
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 8:18am |
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Nice results to your project. Sounds like you are getting ready to go somewhere.
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DMiller
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 8:29am |
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Vacations!!
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tadams(OH)
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 1:01pm |
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Sounds like everything is coming together nicely. Enjoy
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Gary
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Peterborough,On
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 1:07pm |
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Dave
Which Fuel is required for your on-board Generator?
G
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DMiller
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 1:24pm |
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LP, bought a 40# bottle just for the genny.
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Gary
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 1:29pm |
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I just read it could burn up to 6 gals. per hour. Isn't that close to a 20 lb. cylinder.
Another question: Is there an electrical Plug on the Generator to plug the Trailer Power Chord in to, or are you hard-wiring in to the Trailer?
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DMiller
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 1:53pm |
Will be hard wired. And at max consumption CAN burn up to .7gal but expected at .5gal per hour/Half rated load. Half Gal expected. Around Eight hours continuous duty to run the AC if not on Shore Power connection. Should I get a Diesel or Propane (LP) RV Generator?
I also changed from a Stowed at entry point cable to a Plug in on the outer wall for electric power, the added connection for a generator is already on the Breaker Board panel.
Edited by DMiller - 15 Feb 2025 at 2:08pm
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 3:49pm |
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6 gallons per hour would be Outrageous.... My B at 25 HP does not burn 2 GPH.. closer to 1.5
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 8:12pm |
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Dave, have you ever done any long term Vacation or Camping ? We use to have a 5th wheel when the kids were 10 years old.. Took them everywhere. Wife enjoyed it.. After 2 days i was always wanting to go home and do a little WORK.. Im not much for travel or camping past 2 days..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Gary
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Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 9:41pm |
Dave Well it is certainly obvious that I missed the Decimal Point in the 6 gal per hour, and that it is really .6 Gal / Hour. Sorry about that, but I see in your reply that you knew the actual usage. Gary ..................................................................... found the Post where I misread the .6 gallons/hour Cummins Onan A055E865 RV QG 3600 LP - 3.6KYFA-26120 Electric Generators Direct https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com › Cummins-O... ... a load is being applied to the generator. When operating at 50% load (1800 watts), you will be burning .6 gallons/hour of propane. Here's our video guide to ... $4,759.00 · In stock · 5.0 · Jared G. · Free delivery · 30-day returns Missing: per | Show results with: per
Edited by Gary - 15 Feb 2025 at 9:50pm
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 4:28am |
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Dave just curious, was that a storage compartment before?
Nice work looks like it’s made to go in there.
This rig will be much better made than a camper only.
Impressed.
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 6:11am |
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The compartments were for feed or hay storage for the manger above them so could feed from outside. Just happened to be adequate to install this. Was seriously looking to a portable genny when this one showed up on a search for less than half new price. Most take outs if catch one at salvage yards are near to new price.
Camped for a number of years far cruder than this Steve. Our old hunting ‘cabin’ was a 1980 GM 60 passenger school bus, built it to a RV level. Used it for extended stays working at the nuke during refuels even bought a older fifth wheel for replacing that we used for camping vacation times. We changed to riding the motorcycle touring where have gotten too beatup to manage long duration rides anymore. This will haul it so can enjoy both.
We also used to tent camp, that was another consideration prior to the concept of a hard shell camper. Back on air mattress was bad in the 80s cannot imagine that today.
Edited by DMiller - 16 Feb 2025 at 8:52am
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 6:49am |
Curious, Is that compartment SEALED really,really well ??? if not , maybe spray some 'flexiseal' to 100% of it Concern is gas fumes getting in.
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 8:45am |
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Gen will not be Inside to run it, such is why in a Drawer and not a fixed shelf, also aids in keeping Cooling air across Gen Electronics packages and Engine. Most RVs have a dedicated Under Floor Open bottom package stowage point with a grating Door or cover to allow that air flow, will see the tiny exhaust pipe pointed Out from under those locations on most of those. Ours will be Unstowed, operated Externally and then returned to stowage after shut off. Did not wish to Cut access holes all over the body just to have a Generator aboard.
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 8:50am |
This is "The Bus"!! Has weathered pretty severely in the nearly twenty years been sitting at BILs Farm
Edited by DMiller - 16 Feb 2025 at 8:53am
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DaveKamp
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Location: LeClaire, Ia
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 9:31am |
Propane is around 4.1lbs/gallon... density varies a bit with temperature. One gallon is good for 91,452 btu per gallon... the 20lb tank is 4.8 gallons.
1 KW/Hr is 3412 BTU... so in theory, one gallon of propane is the EQUIVALENT ENERGY of 26.8kw/hr... but no conversion machine is 100% efficient... internal combustion engines are most efficient at turning dead dinosaurs into noise...
So at 0.6gal/hr, the 3600w gennie is burning 91452*0.6= 54871btu/hr which is 54871/3412 16.8kw of THERMAL energy. The generator's rated output is 3.6kw of that, so that means the generator is 3.6/16.8 = 0.214 or 21.4% efficient... and that means 16.8-3.6= 13.2kw or (13.2 * 3412) 45,038 btu/hr is turned into noise, vibration, and heat.
Now, while this seems pretty terrible efficiency, that's not all. When the engine is running, but at very little generator load, it's STILL using a considerable amount of fuel... the fuel demand is NOT linear- it requires a significant amount of it's throttle load JUST to RUN... field excitation, cooling, oil flow, and generating all that noise and vibration constitutes a big chunk of fuel consumption. Going from minimum load, to maximum load, accounts for around 50% change in fuel consumption, so you're halfway to that 0.6gal/hour JUST TO RUN.
This brings forth a note... IF you're boondocking, and want to get more value for your fuel, find a way to recapture the waste heat for domestic use. Liquid cooled generators are easy about that... air-cooled units can be set up to recover that, too, it takes some creativity and plumbing. A heat-exchanger in the exhaust is the quick first step.
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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DaveKamp
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 9:32am |
LOVE that bus, D!!! 
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Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 10:13am |
Thanks DK, the current LQ Camper is a test or Pilot Program! The Missus is liking the ideology so far, Gen extends use into less 'Improved' zones she would care to go see. Such as Arches and Monument Valley areas where not only is Camping limited as far as RV Sites but Hotels as well, this will give us a few days on site for early or late day hikes, walks, motor bike runs, then can move to another location.
That bus was quite functional for Me as to a limited scope Bedroom and two meal support place, makes a Fine Deer Camp for BIL and his son. Woodstove will flat run one OUT if stoke too heavily. This works out for Her and I then will look to a Better similar trailer just set up from the start as I am setting this one up. Merhow, Featherlite, Lakota and Bison all have Toy hauler lineups, Norstar and a few others are attempting to enter that same market where are Aluminum or Steel(Bison) Framed with Aluminum Skins, whereas most 'Road Palace' RV Brands the Toy Hauler is a afterthought for structural. Are Prettier and More internally Expansive yet also quite a bit more 'Tender' using FRP or other Composite Side panels over metal or even wood firing stud frames, roofing is generally Applied Synthetic Skin over Plywood and balloon frequently, steel framing under is not all that strong overall and these age really badly.
KW is still my Baby, will likely end up as a Sale Item to attain a Smaller Class 7 Crew cab with smaller diesel and Auto trans the Wifeepoo can manage to drive. That end result would MAYBE/Possible/Could End Up get RV Licensed as will be undoubtedly be only used for that. The LQ style Toy haulers are quite well appointed, have walked thru new ones but cannot bring myself to that depth of Prices just yet. Sit Lower, have not the on board storage capacity for larger adult or children numbers but fine for a Couple as we.
Wife walked thru one as these, Wanted REALLY BAD.
They seem to Sell really QUICK when seen. Just cannot or rather WILL NOT see the New Price tags, over $100K
Edited by DMiller - 16 Feb 2025 at 10:24am
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DMiller
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Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 10:49am |
RV Toters are as these, and NO will not be buying New!!
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DMiller
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Posted: 28 Feb 2025 at 3:20pm |
Generator is completed for our use, will be a outside start not remote and a cord to the Shore Power plug on the trailer to feed thru.
It is a Backup, should we use a site No Shore Power available or 'Boondocking' in unimproved sites.
Edited by DMiller - 28 Feb 2025 at 3:23pm
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DMiller
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Posted: 09 Mar 2025 at 6:17am |
First Reservation been made for a State Park south of here, Shut Ins. Will be toward end of April and set the trailer down there a couple days then return home. Good Hiking Trails, wife wants to see how well she can handle 'Roughing It' even as better than most see for camping. Many call RV Camping 'Glamping' nowadays.
Beyond that will be headed to the Trucking company yard this morning, check the schedule to see if even have me doing anything this week. Last two weeks has been below Spotty, got 16 hours first of the two, then last week managed 7 hours for Monday as only day worked. While I realize was hired Part Time, and more or less fill in, if stays this weak will be calling it all off as has hired full timers for Dump and End Dump drivers since I was brought back as a fill in, should be plenty there to take up the slack now. I really need/desire the time for my own purposes if not pushing for a Paycheck and not all that handy not being able to set own schedules should they have a urgent need for a load hauled during that period.
Also still considering Scaling Back, wife been whining again about all that I must do around here, that without assistance I am only beating self into a shallow hole faster. She would prefer we sell off 60 acres and not have the 'Farm' even as was 'her Idea' when sis in law was causing grief. And YES she admitted that the other day. Been on the place fifteen going on sixteen years now, built the barn, shop, house, and repaired a bunch of faults but age is catching me faster than can get it all done anymore. Sold the 7G as was more work than function, still need land and grade work done where the costs are seriously more severe now, may be time for someone else's hand on the irons.
Did note to her should we sell, will likely sell easier should we sell ALL of the place. Then can retreat to a smaller set of digs and eliminate a bunch of 'Stuff' that gets in the way. IE Really Retire, she has but two more years and can hit that Retired Gig too. Was thinking maybe set up house keeping down by Brother and his kids at Jackson MO out in the county there. At least better potentials of Health control and care at Cape Girardeau, less land work, someone to look in should contact become quiet as with Gene Hackmann as we have no one here. Have but two more projects to complete and could essentially list the entire place as would be done to My Satisfaction.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 09 Mar 2025 at 8:56pm |
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If you can actually GIVE UP or drastically cut back on the Mechanical / Shop work... and Enjoy doing the RV travel.. Now is the time... Too much older and it will be out of reach..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: 10 Mar 2025 at 3:53am |
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Steve, trailer lacks very little to be ready currently, the tricks are only at maintenance levels now where my old Impala needs a heater core(8 hour book time). I am
Situated to start the tours as of last month and have two reservations set in state parks.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 10 Mar 2025 at 6:00pm |
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YEA.... my question is can you give up the BIG SHOP with crane, welders, tractor access... and move to "the smaller place".... I dont have a "BIG" shop but i cant stop working on "STUFF"..... Small tractors , truck, car ( not engine or trans pulling / overhauls)... just routine maint.... and helping out the kids / neighbors with their "mechanical problems , welding , repairs " ............ i just can't set around, .... and not much of a Traveler..... Downsize is nice... but keep a small shop for tinkering !
Edited by steve(ill) - 10 Mar 2025 at 6:01pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Posted: Yesterday at 5:41am |
Will make certain still have Shop Space, you would be one of the few that understands once a wrench bender cannot seem to ever stop!!
Wife was put on Search Duty to see if could even find such a site. No Luck so far so we stay here. May eventually sell the 60ac fenced away from House region to the Sheep Herder north of us and if he should not want then just open sale.
Should we actually find and swap places or even just sell off the 60, would seriously look to build a 50x100 Red Iron Building with some sort of closed Office, Shelter, Storage, secondary rooming space inside for other type work, to get the LQ(Potentially newer Toy hauler) and toter under roof, to get my Pickup inside and be able to keep the vermin away from the machinery. Give me a easier place to deal with the work I find as a Necessity to do.
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