Unload To Unwind
Hello again, campsite compadres. Watts, here, bringing you more witty wilderness wisdom.
The other day, while reflecting, I thought about how much I used to stress about choosing the right camping gear for excursions and being able to carry all the heavy supplies I needed. It made me realize we all carry things in life: firewood, s’mores supplies, personal regrets about what could have been and the weight of camping gear you swore you needed but never used.
I feel much less burdened when I’m not stressed about figuring out weight savings. So, let’s unpack that burden a bit further together in Watts in the Woods. I’ve found two great hacks for weight savings lately. One is for me to trim my fur quarterly to stay both svelte and suave, but since I guess that one doesn’t apply as well to humans, let me share my other secret: it’s the new Onan QG 7000i DF.
Despite being powerful enough to keep my RV’s AC running at frosty levels, it only weighs 200 lbs. That’s approximately 100 lbs. lighter than most RV generators that crank out 7,000 watts. Just think of all the great things you can carry in your RV with 100 extra lbs. of capacity! My oversized cast iron skillet for making giant flapjacks, a fly-fishing kayak, five bundles of firewood (that’s a lot of s’mores-making potential), just to name a few ideas. But sometimes, the best use of the weight savings is not to pack anything extra and just enjoy being unburdened by extra weight. Now that right there, that’s camping Squatch-style! Not loading down your RV with so much gear and weight that it looks like you’re going into battle against the forest.
While a lot of engineering smarts went into giving this generator such a great power-to-weight ratio, the biggest factor is the engine. At only 550 cubic centimeters, the engine’s highly efficient air handling allows it to pack a big punch despite its small size. The overhead valve configuration is essential for this.
So, to bring this one home, if you need to shed some weight, start by upgrading to the new Onan QG 7000i DF and unload some anxieties rather than leaving the flapjack skillet at home! Do that, and your packing for your next excursion will be 100% “Squatch-Approved!” Until next time, stay wild, free and adventurous, or learn more at Cummins.com.
