We are at the SKP Co-Op at Coarsegold, CA and the way the electricity and propane is priced makes for some interesting choices. The daily rate of $21 includes electricity. The monthly rate of $480 does not. The cost of electricity is based on a tiered pricing schedule. The first 513 Kwhr is 13.6 cents per Kwhr. The next 154 Kwhr is 15.5 cents per Kwhr. After that the price skyrockets to 32 cents per Kwhr or higher. If the weather is mild, it is easy to keep usage within the first tier but this past month has seen daily high temps in the 90s and A/C use has been high.

During our first month, we paid the monthly rate and used 656 Kwhr at a cost of $92.06. By using propane for the refrigerator and water heater, we were able to avoid going into the 3rd tier where the cost is 32 cents per Kwhr. But we also used 2 more bottles of propane than we normally use. Even at the low price of $2.61 a gallon for propane, that added about $35 to our utility costs. So, during our first 30 days, our utility cost was a total of about $127 or about $4.25 per day.

We extended our stay for three weeks and began paying the daily rate of $21 which is $5 more a day than the monthly rate ($480/30 = $16). All total, we are now spending 75 cents a day more but we no longer have to worry about moving into the 3rd tier of usage. The forecast for the next week is high 90s with a couple of 100+ days and we will be using both A/C units a lot.

We spent a month in May and early June of this year in Albuquerque, and used 1100 KWH of power at $.11 per KWH. It was HOT during the day. We have been in Redwood City CA for the past two weeks, and so far have used 260 KWH, at a much higher rate that New Mexico. We are parked next to the Bay so it is reasonably cool (65-75 degrees) during the day and in the 50's during the night. Residential Refer, washer, and dryer do add to the load, and we do run the A/C's instead of open windows and fans due to wife's allergies. If I get out of here for under 600 KWH after a month, I will be a happy camper.

I won't be full-timing for another 4 1/2 years, but by then I expect electric rates to no less than double due to our President's promise that our electric rates will "necessarily skyrocket" after his emission regulations which will phase out all coal fired power plants by 2016 which currently produce over 40% of our electricity. (Please, no judgments. I'm not trying to get political, just stating a fact.) Consequently, I'm planning on adding solar to supplement my electrical needs with a grid-tie/battery system. Its a lot of money at first and adds lots of weight, but as the price of solar continues to fall while electric rates continue to rise the break-even point will drop, making solar more cost effective as time passes. A lot can happen in 4 1/2 yrs though - major technological breakthroughs, changes in EPA regs, etc.. Anyway, I've got 4+ yrs to make my alternative energy decision. Hence I'm now looking for a TT with around 4,000 lbs of CCC (1,000 lbs more than I had previously considered) making my choice of available TT's very small indeed. In fact I've only found these models that interest me: a Gulfstream Conquest or Trailmaster 295sbw and a Palomino Puma 30RKSS. If anyone knows of other high CCC TTs (under 8,000 lbs UVW) with at least one super-slide in the 30+ft range, I would greatly appreciate a recommendation.

Thanks,

Chip

With your requirements, you may be forced into a Toyhauler.

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=model&make=desert&id=1045

Newt

  On 6/27/2014 at 5:11 AM, Newt said:

With your requirements, you may be forced into a Toyhauler.

 

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=model&make=desert&id=1045

 

Newt

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look at some more toyhaulers.

That particular model has no slides and is just a tad heavy for my needs (with 8,447 ULV) due to my limited capacity TV ( an F-250) and we need a walk around bed. I'll look at some more toyhaulers though, maybe I'll find one that's suitable. I really like the back porch I've seen on several units, but most lightweight models have no slides, are pretty spartan inside and some have less CCC than many conventional TTs. I really like the Nitro 31FQSL by Forest River. Too bad there are no specs on it yet. I'll bet its too heavy though.

Chip

  On 6/27/2014 at 5:52 AM, sushidog said:

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look at some more toyhaulers.

 

That particular model has no slides and is just a tad heavy for my needs (with 8,447 ULV) due to my limited capacity TV ( an F-250) and we need a walk around bed. I'll look at some more toyhaulers though, maybe I'll find one that's suitable. I really like the back porch I've seen on several units, but most lightweight models have no slides, are pretty spartan inside and some have less CCC than many conventional TTs. I really like the Nitro 31FQSL by Forest River. Too bad there are no specs on it yet. I'll bet its too heavy though.

 

Chip

If you can find a Northwood product that you can live with, I think you'll find their construction quality above average.

Newt

Chip

Totally go for it. Get Harbor Freight's cheapest solar setup for your current A Liner. 45 W, converter, plus two trouble lights. Buy an auto inverter at K Mart or Think Geek. I more than made back the cost in just a few months. This is actual electric fees in a small trailer. You can use it for your current RV, and to charge stuff in the S&B. Then just move it over to the new trailer. Then add panels and batteries as you can. You can leave these as dedicated batteries, or just enlarge your converter/inverter setup later. I love this lifestyle. I find freedom from the grid empowering.

Thanks for the advice, Grace. I currently have a small generator and inverter I use with my Aliner that serves me adequately for now. My 1,500 watt generator will run the 5,000 btu ac in my Aliner and charge my single group 27 battery just fine.

On my planned FT TT I have a large solar system in mind. I'm planning on adding a high efficiency heat pump for off-grid air conditioning and heating. They seem to be getting more efficient, and solar panels cheaper all the time. I'm thinking of a super high efficiency mini-split Ac such as this HSAC-12H/C: http://www.geinnovations.net/Specifications.html It produces 12,000 BTUs of cooling power using only 560 watts of 48v DC power (less than 12 amps!) and 12,500 btus of heat using only 600 watts! Plus the system doesn't turn off and on like a conventional ac, but has a variable speed rotary compressor that will ramp up and down, varying the BTU output from 5,000 - 12,000 btus as needed, reducing power consumption even more.

For comparison, a typical 13,500 BTU RV ac uses 1,300-1,800 watts to run (50% more for starting.) Heating is even worse, a 1,500 watt electric heater only produces 5,100 BTUs making resistance generated electric heat impractical for off grid applications. Such a system will require a battery bank of 8, GC-2 (golf cart) batteries and 1,500 watts of solar panels, adding at least 1,000 lbs. to the TT, but will give me the ability to extend my boondocking season to all but peak times of heat and cold for my snowbird lifestyle. If necessary, a 1600 watt portable windmill like this http://www.amazon.com/Missouri-FreedomTM-Wind-Turbine-Generator/dp/B00LLQ679U/ref=psdc86_t2_B00I2UQ5UO_B00LLQ679U or this one http://www.amazon.com/Missouri-FreedomTM-Wind-Turbine-Generator/dp/B00I2UQ5UO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R3A7JE3R1PH2GGX7MPY or even a small EU2000 Honda generator can be used to add additional charging power at night and during periods of low sunlight and high electrical use too.

Chip

Edited October 27, 2014 by sushidog

There is a chart on the home page for SKP co-op park Evergreen-Coho that gives equivalent prices for electricity versus propane.

Look about half way down the home page. http://www.rollinrollin.com/evergreen/

WDR