I was responding to sue.t's comments so future travelers to AK will know that 50 amp power is becoming more available in Canada and Alaska. Also in the campgrounds we've stayed in, the WiFi has been much better than I expected.
I'm a little confused by the 50 amp issue in this thread. I can see the need for it in warmer and more humid climates, bit coming from someone who mostly boondocks in a class C, what exactly do you need 50 amps for UP HERE? We only run our generator for the microwave, and to top off the batteries if we've been stationary for a while and using the inverter for the TV. Admittedly, 15 or 20 amp service can be tricky to run one these loads.
It's my understanding that 50 amp service allows you to run all 3 of your largest AC loads at once: 2 air conditioners and the microwave. With 30 amps, you should be able to just barely run 2 of those 3 loads. Did you really need more than 1 air conditioner running at any one time, particularly given how cool and wet this summer has been up here in Alaska this season? Don't the hot water heater, fridge, and furnace still have a propane mode on these large class As? Thanks for enlightening me.
I agree whats the big deal on 50 amps? We are just returning from 2+ months in the north and never saw the need for anything more than 30 amps. Just an extension cord would work great most of the time, any way its a lot nicer to boondock outside of towm and enjoy the quite time. I run a newer super C and dont even carry a 50 amp cord with me........... enjoy your trip we had a great time except for a week long bout with food poisening in Fairbanks, but now that over. (watch out for the Boston pizza near Wal-mart)
I'm glad you guys like to boondock for extended periods, but I don't. Plus our generator went out, so we couldn't boondock, but it's fixed now....a relay went bad.
We're not using the units for AC, we're using them for heat. On 30 amp power, only one unit can be run at a time. High end coaches have a lot of electronics so the amp usage is high and ours has more electronics than most. We also have a residential refrigerator, radiant floor heat and a freezer in the basement. Our dryer also requires 50 amp power to run.
Unlike Oldhiker we do have a propane tank, but it's only for the cooktop. The rest of the coach is considered all electric, like OldHiker's. For hot water we have an Oasis unit. If there's not enough power it switches to using diesel. An Oasis unit is much better than a hot water tank, because you never run out of hot water. The Oasis is also a furnace and in the furnace mode it uses diesel.
Even though we're not boondocking, we're very much enjoying our trip to Alaska.
Please understand something. I originally responded to this thread BEFORE I left. Today I finished the caravan in Dawson Creek. No fault of anyone that we returned here, Nature was the culprit.
My response about Good Sam ONLY supplying 30 amp service even if it was available in the campground was deleted by the moderator. Remember, this is linked to Good Sam.
Here is the thread that was deleted. Maybe this time it won't be.
Just to bring everyone up to date. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in the quality of campgrounds that we have visited. To make matters worse, we are only supplied 30 amp hookups whether there is 50 amp available or not. Even if it is in the next row, as it was in Fairbanks. Or in the SAME receptacle, as it was in Dawson Creek. Some had nothing available except 20 amp electric. No water, no sewer.
I have a 45' ALL electric unit and can barely run half my equipment on 30 amp. I can only run ONE a/c at a time. If I want hot water, I must shut off the heat or a/c. They give me grief if I run my generator!
Leader states that Good Sam will only supply 30 amp. If this was stated ANYWHERE in the brochure, website or applications, I would not have used them. It was NOT stated anywhere! I found out when I arrived at the first campground. To late to cancel and get a refund.
Talk about Good Sam cheaping out! What a waste of $7,500! I would pick any other caravan except Good Sam in the future.
Upside, I met a lot of nice people on this trip.
2007 Newmar Essex 2508
Hummer H2
Thor, the Rottie and Casey, the Yorkie (He looks just like a dog, only smaller)
NKK 18494
FMCA 394165
I guess what I don't understand is why you need A/C in Alaska, especially this summer. Life is what you make of it, and if you're given lemons, then make lemonade. Beleive or not, people actually camp all over Alaska with nothing more than a tent and have a BLAST! You're rolling around in a coach that probably cost several hundred thoudand dollars, yet you are complaining. If you can't run certain things without 50 amp, then learn to live without them. No hot water? Use the CG showers. Not enough power for your washer or dryer? Try a laundry mat. No heat? Buy some electric space heaters, they work just fine on 20 amp.
There are ways around the obstacles you have been complaining about. Yes, Good Sam probably should have disclosed the lack of 50 amp CG's, but this is A-L-A-S-K-A, not the lower 48. It is going to be different, and that is a big part of it's beauty and charm. I do not welcome the day that every CG has full hookups, cable TV, and 50 amp. Some things SHOULDN'T change!
2012 Dutchmen Voltage Epic 3795
2010 Dodge 3500 DRW MC
2009 GMC 2500 DA CC
2012 Smart-for-two (sometimes hitches a ride in the Voltage!)
2005 Sundowner Sunlite 777
Remas, You might have missed the core of oldhikers complaint. He paid a premium price for a not so premium service.
He has an all electic coach which presents fewer options than most.
I have camped in minus zero temps, in Alaska, while humting. That was almost 50 years ago. No problem. I have now mellowed and softened. We prefer full hookups. I have seen few campground showers that I enjoy steping into. I aldo don't need caravan service to travel to Alaska. I don't think I would even enjoy it.
I don't require an all electric coach, but it's enjoyable taking a good shower in the RV before steping out into the days activities. It's also more enjoyable when you don't have to jockey for position when talking to other campers depending on which direction the wind is blowing.
Again, I believe oldhikers core complaint is the amount of money paid for the service he got.
Ted
Best Regards, Ted
2005 Mountaineer 326FKBS 2011 F150 EcoBost SCREW, 5.5, 4X4 (on order)
resmas, I won't get into a debate with you. The last debate I got into with someone turned into an insult thread and it was shut down. BTW, my handle came from years of hiking and backpacking prior to a heart attack. If I wanted to live in a tent, popup or whatever, that is my decision, not yours. King27 understood, I paid $7500 for a caravan expecting hookups to fit my needs. This was not stated. Buy a car and then find out it doesn't come with an engine and you get the idea.
Though he has refered to it as an all electric coach, anything in the coach can also be powered by his diesel systems. However, the other caravan members complained about the noise and odor of the diesel powered heat and generator---which I understand. Also the OP took exception to having to pay for the diesel to run his systems.
Yep, actually drove to all of these places---in the last eight years. Missed Rhode Island and New Jersey.
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