Several months later, the repair work on my 2006 T130 is finally done, there are no leaks now, I'm $3000 poorer, but I'm finally back and it's time to get the functional things functioning. I'm even more confused about batteries! "Group 31 batteries" seems like that might be helpful information. What does that mean? Looking on Amazon, only one comes up that includes Group 31 in the description, and I have no clue!
ProfDan, since you mentioned solar, please allow me to display my ignorance. I have a GoalZero Yeti 1400 with solar panels. It's not a battery - or is it? It's heavy enough to be something like that! (I guess it's a "portable power station".)
https://www.goalzero.com/shop/portable-power/goal-zero-yeti-1400-lithium-power-station-app/
But is there a way to use it and its solar panels? Or would that just be complexifying everything?
LJAZ, you said you could help if I knew how I plan to use this little FunFinder. I've thought about how to answer that. Since I've done absolutely nothing with it yet, I'm not sure if we'll quickly become friends, or if it will be one of those love-hate relationships. If I can figure out the things that are not in my skillset and make it work, it will help!
A good friend gave me driving/backing lessons a couple days ago. I would NEVER have figured that out by myself! I tried and tried to backup, applying the "turn the opposite of where you want to go" and it didn't work. I knew it was because I had no idea at all of when to straighten out, etc. My friend gave me the basics, or I would never have been safe or competent pulling this tiny trailer. (He said it's actually harder because it responds immediately. That made me feel better.) I am forever grateful for his kind tutelage. Oh, the same friend added the fence-post sewer pipe holder to the back (courtesy of ProfDan's LMIC blog, I believe). That was another major obstacle for me. And he installed LED lights for me, too, and we worked together with a glue gun to attach screen to the backs of the refrigerator vents. Hurray! No more piles of gross, dead flies!
Now that progress has been made, I'm trying to figure out what else I need to do.
I believe I can attach a new fire extinguisher, although I'm wondering about the location of the original - down near the floor right by the doorway. Is there a better place?
And I'll put the combo smoke alarm-co2 detector by the door, not by the bed.
The table is just too heavy for me to work with. I may just take it out and use a folding aluminum table - and slats of marine wood to fill in the platform for a bed, or something else. I guess that's another functional feature I need to take care of before I can go.
But it's not as important as the battery(ies)!
So if I expect that I'll go boondocking, what do I need to get? (I'm pretty sure that answer is quite different than if I plan to stay in RV parks all/most of the time.) If I think I may end up spending longer times in my FunFinder, what should I do? The tongue does have a battery box on it, but do I put double batteries there? And I think I saw but can't find again, recommendations for gauges and such that warn about battery level, propane level, water levels, etc. Oh, and surge protector/converters for times I may be in an RV park. Any help in those areas would also be appreciated. While I was waiting for the repair to be done, I did watch videos to try to learn what I need to do, but I didn't take enough notes - and some of the different ideas were also just confusing.
All that to say, I am and will be grateful for any help you can give me! (Even recommending specific models of this and that, or links) I definitely don't have deep pockets or an unlimited budget, or I'd have a little larger, 4-seasons RV, but I don't want to skimp on the things that make a real difference. I'm sure you all can help me take out a ton of guesswork and make good choices!
