[bjfreeman]

http://www.rvnetwork.com is a whole community.
I am 70+ and have some mobility problems.
I have lived in my motorcoach since 89.
I just spent 10+ yrs caring for my parents.
I am about to retrofit the Coach and take off.
I doubt I will Join the Snow Bird group when is ten of thousand strong.

And yes if is almost impossible to find a companion that share the closed in space as I do.

[bjfreeman]

Originally Posted by PStechPaul

My arthritic joints and bad back limit my ability to enjoy such strenuous activity

This off topic but thought is was important.
http://www.lifespanmedicine.com/regenokine-program
The process starts at about $5K, the New health care should cover it.

[PStechPaul]

That might be what I really need. I recognize the many factors contributing to arthritis and I probably have 90% of them. So thanks for the link. I will consider that.

Someone else I know claims that similar health problems can be caused by the mercury in dental amalgam fillings, and she said she had incredible improvement after having the fillings removed and partaking of a nutritional program designed to cleanse the body of toxins. But it's also possible that just the nutritional changes as well as the psychosomatic effect of expectations could have been the main reason.

[jk1981]

Originally Posted by This is Bill

The electric RV.

I don't like driving all day long, so traveling 200 miles at 55mph in one day is great. Besides this leaves more time for camp set up. Some mountain grades can be very steep so the ability to go at least 5% grade at times is a must.

The existing generator will be left as is to assist in its normal functions (air conditioning, and other ac power) but it will also be able to help slow the main battery packs from depleting.

The long flat roof is ideal for solar panels.

When I get to the camp site and pay my $25, I could re-charge the batteries...big gas savings especially the more I use the RV over the years.

Or just not mess with and have a regular motor home with it's factory warrenties and shell out $2000 for gas each trip. Plus all the maint cost.

200mi @ 55mph is going to need something loosely in the region of a 300kwh battery. 3Ton and ~$100k of Lithium. Doable but ultimately pointless. <based on 6T weight, 0.65Cd, 5sqm frontal, 0.015Crr>

Adding/Re-tasking a generator to make it a series hybrid just makes it a really really expensive gas guzzler.

Solar panels won't make a dent in running this or charging the pack. Even if you can squeeze 1kW out of a big array and you get maybe 8hrs of good sun a day you're looking at well over a month to charge the pack.

Plug it in to a 50A outlet (110V?) and you could charge it in around two and a half days.

Yeah... I'd just spend the money on a stock RV and fuel.

[bjfreeman]

Originally Posted by jk1981

Adding/Re-tasking a generator to make it a series hybrid just makes it a really really expensive gas guzzler.

It is a given that for the storage Gas/diesel gives you the best bang for the buck.
And using a ICE to drive a generator is not the most efficient.
but most power is getting the RV up to speed, So this is where the Electric comes in.
Also it is a step till the Hydrogen PEMs replace the ICE and generator.

an old saying if you have to ask the cost, you can't afford it.

Yeah... I'd just spend the money on a stock RV and fuel.

However what is the cost to the environment

[PStechPaul]

Originally Posted by bjfreeman

It is a given that for the storage Gas/diesel gives you the best bang for the buck.
And using a ICE to drive a generator is not the most efficient.
but most power is getting the RV up to speed, So this is where the Electric comes in.
Also it is a step till the hydrogen PEMs replace the ICE and generator.

an old saying if you have to ask the cost, you can't afford it.
However what is the cost to the environment

If ICEs were used only where they make the most sense, such as recreation and travel to remote areas, the impact to the environment would be minimal, AND fuel prices would bottom out to about $2/gallon. The major environmental nightmare is due to unreasonable long commutes by individuals in overpowered inefficient vehicles which spend most of their time in stop-and-go traffic or speeding 90 MPH trying to make up for lost time, or just venting frustration. RVs probably contribute no more than 2% of the total CO2 and noxious gases that harm the environment, and they very likely consume a similar low percentage of all fossil fuels.

Also, RVs are large enough that they can make use of modern diesel hybrid technology, which may be able to achieve 50-60% overall efficiency compared to 20-30% for standard ICEs, and they may be able to incorporate scrubbers and other technology to reduce emissions. Because of their low overall percentage of fuel use, and because they are often driven and parked in rural areas near farms, they are prime candidates for biofuels.

Unless there is a tenfold improvement on battery technology, I think all-electric RVs are beyond what is practical, affordable, and acceptable for most RVers. I would put more effort into solving the overall wasteful and inefficient and unnecessary energy consumption by the 90+% of people who take it for granted that they should live in a McMansion many miles out in the country or suburbia and make a 100 mile or more commute every day into cities to work at jobs that allow them to live such lavish materialistic lifestyles, yet have so little time to enjoy the natural surroundings and instead isolate themselves in their large climate-controlled rooms totally absorbed in video games, internet social media, and high tech entertainment.

[bjfreeman]

Originally Posted by PStechPaul

If ICEs were used only where they make the most sense, such as recreation and travel to remote areas, the impact to the environment would be minimal,

the RV demographics are all over the place and the number total equal that of a city the size of new york. Most are mobile when tansistioning from a mild climate turning to blistering hot or freezing cold to a climate that is moderate.
the other group is one that plans around the country scenic drives.

Because of their low overall percentage of fuel use, and because they are often driven and parked in rural areas near farms, they are prime candidates for biofuels.

most park in RV parks. Except for ones like me that Boodock far from civilaztion without be cut off Technically.

Unless there is a tenfold improvement on battery technology, I think all-electric RVs are beyond what is practical, affordable, and acceptable for most RVers.

Agreed, HEV are the only way, except for fixed Transit systems that Have fixed recharging points.

I would put more effort into solving the overall wasteful and inefficient and unnecessary energy consumption by the 90+% of people who take it for granted that they should live in a McMansion many miles out in the country or suburbia and make a 100 mile or more commute every day into cities to work at jobs that allow them to live such lavish materialistic lifestyles, yet have so little time to enjoy the natural surroundings and instead isolate themselves in their large climate-controlled rooms totally absorbed in video games, internet social media, and high tech entertainment.

Again I agree but not the topic of this thread.