Towing an Airstream with Gen14, and ProPower 7.2

[dannko58]

Avoid the power tailgate, glass roof, and 20” wheels if you need payload. My PB King Ranch Mac Tow came in at 1575 lbs payload with those omitted

don't have moonroof or power gate, but do have 20"s. Yet some 20 tires are lighter than 18 tires, so to me that is a wash.

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[MnTom]

don't have moonroof or power gate, but do have 20"s. Yet some 20 tires are lighter than 18 tires, so to me that is a wash.

20’ wheels are 22 lbs heavier Pe Ford, plus 8 lbs for the tires; per Tire Rack, not big numbeRHS…

 

[PungoteagueDave]

20’ wheels are 22 lbs heavier Pe Ford, plus 8 lbs for the tires; per Tire Rack, not big numbeRHS…

30 pounds per wheel rolling unsprung weight is HUGE. I switched to actual truck tires on my KR PB, adding another 21 lbs per tire (went from 37 to 58), dropped 3 mpg. Worth it for towing safety, but wrecks havoc with efficiency.

 

[MnTom]

30 pounds per wheel rolling unsprung weight is HUGE. I switched to actual truck tires on my KR PB, adding another 21 lbs per tire (went from 37 to 58), dropped 3 mpg. Worth it for towing safety, but wrecks havoc with efficiency.

Divide by 4! Those weights are the total vehicle weight gain, not single wheel….

 

[Timbuck2]

Found this today. Good read https://www.cars.com/amp/articles/g...ower-onboard-for-off-the-grid-camping-437816/

 

[EricR]

...
Here's a little cheat sheet that helps. It also has a built in safety factor. Feel free to download it to use. I add different tabs to measure with different campers.

Payload Calculator

The above link doesn't work for me. My browser says: " It looks like gentry-r.synology.me closed the connection".

Has anyone else been able to download this?


Thanks!
-Eric

 

[dhrandy]

The above link doesn't work for me. My browser says: " It looks like gentry-r.synology.me closed the connection".

Has anyone else been able to download this?


Thanks!
-Eric

Try this - Payload Calculator
Backup - Google Drive Payload Calculator

 

[EricR]

Bingo! The first link worked.

Thanks!

 

[dog_tired]

Try this - Payload Calculator
Backup - Google Drive Payload Calculator

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[RexTX]

My similar use case is to charge my bass boat batteries on the move.

I used to charge my race car battery by the trailer running lights. Battery was fully charged by the time we got to the track.

 

[Jack in Prescott]

FYI here's just a single data point re: towing while using Lane Centering to share with the group: I'm finding that LC works reliably with my towing set-up at 60 mph and lower. That's my PB towing a two-axle 24' 5500# Lance trailer while using an Andersen WD hitch.

 

[Bearii]

#60​

ddruker 4 Rivet Member 1999 27' Safari Palo Alto , California Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 280 Images: 1

I ordered parts today to convert my Airstream from having a single hard-wired cord and plug in the rear bumper to having two automatically switched stainless steel 30 AMP power inlets, one at the front and one in the rear. I also ordered a marine grade 30AMP power cord, plus adapters for both standard 120V 30AMP RV outlets found in trailer parks, as well as the 240 V 30AMP outlet in the back of the F150. The setup includes an automatic transfer switch, which will sense which of the two power inlets is energized, and will automatically switch to the active source, and will isolate the unused source. It will also never allow both power sources to energize to the Airstream simultaneously - only one can ever be connected at a time. Parts are: Stainless steel power inlets (2) - > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hole saw for power inlets -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Wiring for Inside Airstream -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...S12FR6OS&psc=1 Automatic Transfer Switch -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Power Cord -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 F150 dogbone power adapter -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 RV Park power dogbone adapter -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I hope this shopping list helps. I will post pictures as I perform the installation. __________________ - Dan

[/QUOTE]

Dan - your post inspired me and I'm doing something similar to my Grand Design TT. I currently have hard wired Hughes Watchdog surge protector wired in. Would you recommend installing the surge protector before or after the transfer switch? Thoughts? I was thinking before so that it will protect the transfer switch as well. Appreciate any input...

 

[YankeeOne]

I just had my RV dealer install Battle Born Towable 30A 200AH GC2 kit into my trailer. The kit includes a Battery Guard Auto BGA 225 that apparently installes between the truck battery and the trailer plug and acts like a check valve and prevents back flow of power back into the truck when the trailer is connected but the truck isn't running. The dealer wasn't sure how to connect it because I have a '21 F-150 Powerboost Hybrid truck. Has anyone installed a BGA 225 in a hybrid F-150? My dealer said to just unplug the trailer from the truck if I stop for any length of time like having dinner. Seems like a hassle for top of the line gear.

 

[bushpilot]

Has anyone solved the ground fault issue thats caused by the Converter/Charger?

The issue im having w/ our RV (50a) - I've isolated the issue to the AC to DC Converter/Charger (not an inverter)....


Using the correct "dog bone" (NEMA L14-30P to 14-50R) adapter I CAN power the entire RV from my F150 7.2kw pro power generator....as long as I keep the Converter Charger off (via the motor coach breaker).

If I flip the breaker ON for the Converter/Charger the F150 triggers a ground fault error and shuts off the power to the motor coach.

I see on other RV groups (specifically the airstream forum) that others have also isolated the issue to their converter/charger - but I have NOT seen a resolution.

I am able to run TWO air conditioners and several other appliances - but I am not able to turn on the AC to DC Converter/Charger.

Does anyone here know why the rv converter/chargers cause the ground fault OR how to resolve the problem?

 

[turbopilot]

Has anyone solved the ground fault issue thats caused by the Converter/Charger?

The issue im having w/ our RV (50a) - I've isolated the issue to the AC to DC Converter/Charger (not an inverter)....


Using the correct "dog bone" (NEMA L14-30P to 14-50R) adapter I CAN power the entire RV from my F150 7.2kw pro power generator....as long as I keep the Converter Charger off (via the motor coach breaker).

If I flip the breaker ON for the Converter/Charger the F150 triggers a ground fault error and shuts off the power to the motor coach.

I see on other RV groups (specifically the airstream forum) that others have also isolated the issue to their converter/charger - but I have NOT seen a resolution.

I am able to run TWO air conditioners and several other appliances - but I am not able to turn on the AC to DC Converter/Charger.

Does anyone here know why the rv converter/chargers cause the ground fault OR how to resolve the problem?

I have been following the issue on the Airstream forum. Same reports for the PPoB 2.2 kW version. Has to be a design problem with all the reports, not an installation problem.

I removed the stock converter/inverter in my Airstream and put in a Victron MultiPlus. Works great.

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