RV FEATURE
Yet when you’ re touring, you need 240V power. We often stop for a roadside coffee or a quick meal, and having 240V on hand would make life much easier. With fuel prices climbing, cooking your own meals is one of the best ways to save money on the road. But without reliable power, that can become a challenge.
So I found myself at a crossroads: spend $ 120,000 on a new caravan with a modern electrical system, or upgrade the caravan I already love.
As David discovered, opting for a portable power solution made a great deal of sense, both in practical and especially financial terms.
STARTED BY A STICKER
I visited a specialist caravan centre to explore upgrading my existing setup. I was quoted nearly $ 12,000 for a complete new 12V / 240V system, including 400Ah of LiFePO4 batteries, a 3000W inverter, solar, wiring and installation.
There was an additional quote of $ 2000 to add a smaller second battery and inverter to the tow vehicle.
Suddenly, the‘ upgrade’ option was sitting at $ 14,000, and for the handful of times we go fully offgrid each year, I knew I’ d never see a return on that investment. Nor would it add much to the resale value of my caravan.
So I did what any caravanner does when faced with a big decision. I asked around, I spoke to GoRV colleagues, industry experts, and then dove into the online rabbit hole. One name kept popping up again and again, Bluetti, a brand leading the charge( pun intended) in portable power systems for homes and off-grid living.
/ 53