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  • The Best Lectric eBikes for Camping, Travel and Outdoor fun

    As I am sitting here in line, waiting for pickup at the pharmacy, I am thinking about our upcoming camping season. We had purchased an Lectric eBike 2 years ago and loved it to go exploring. But, because we only had one my husband and I could not go together. We liked the bike so much that we decided to buy another late in the camping year last summer. As it was late in the season, we did not get a lot of time to go riding together. My wandering mind as I sit here is thinking about how much we will be able to go riding together this season and cannot wait.

    What we appreciate about the bikes are that they are foldable and fit nicely into a 55 gallon heavy duty wheeled tote, that we can easily load onto the cargo rack of our camper. They also fit nicely into the cargo area of our SUV, for times we just want to take a quick day trip to a location and go exploring.

    The bike we purchased has a nice cargo rack on it that you can strap small coolers on, or other items as needed. They are well built and you can feel confident in riding on rough biking trails or just down the road. The wide tires make for a more stable ride and better comfort while riding. The company also has many accessories that you can purchase to enhance your bike and ride!

    After doing much research, we opted for the Lectric brand E bike because of its reviews and better price point. I will tell you they do not disappoint. The customer service has been excellent and the quality of the bike has been amazing!

    One thing I would recommend when purchasing is to get the long range battery for your bike. It may cost a little more but it is worth it!

    It is not to early to start prepping for your next camping season and I can say that the Lectric e-bike will be a great option for your exploring and just running around the campground or town you may be visiting!

    LECTRIC XP™ Lite 2.0 Electric Bike | Adult Folding Bikes - Weighs...

    LECTRIC XP™ Lite 2.0 Electric Bike | Adult Folding Bikes – Weighs…

    • Motor: 819W peak rear hub motor combined with our Stealth M24 technology delivers a quiet motor that’s built for the lon…
    • Battery Power: 14Ah, 48V Lithium-Ion battery certified to UL 2271 to power your ride for up to 80 miles. The Lectric XP …
    • Hydraulic Brakes: Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes paired with 180mm rotors.
    $999.00
    Buy on Amazon

    This website participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products, services, and resources that I personally use, have researched, or genuinely believe will add value–especially for camping and outdoor living in Midwest conditions. Any compensation received helps support the time, effort and costs associated with creating and maintaining this blog.

  • Epic Weather Hits Again.

    Midwest winter weather
    Winter Wonderland–wonder where I am at, on the road or in the ditch?

    Midwest weather, you have to love it! With record low temperatures -20° F and -40° F wind chill it can cause you to worry about what happens if the electricity goes out. And for those in states to the south and east of us the Winter weather going on, I am sure they are very concerned right now about the situation.

    Which brings me to what do you do if the power goes out? In today’s economy, to lose food in the fridge or meat in your freezer would be costly. . Especially for those on a tight budget. Even more disastrous would be no way to heat your home or keep you and your family warm. Everyone needs to be prepared for these situations. Whether winter weather or severe summer storms, this can be a real possibility. Or maybe you are thinking about boondock camping this year.

    WHY NOT A GAS GENERATOR?

    I know many people in the midwest have a gas powered generator and they are great, but what happens when you run out of fuel and unable to get more? With the generators I reviewed, you have the back up solar charging capabilities that could be a real need. In any of the above cases, having a back up power source is crucial. Even though they can seem expensive to purchase, it is well worth the investment in protecting your family and the food in your home. The portable generators can then be used while camping also.

    In doing research on different power sources, I did comparisons on the Ecoflow and Jackery portable generators. During this research I have come to the conclusion that I would lean toward the EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator 4096Wh DELTA Pro 3 with 2X400W Portable Panels. It has 120/240V 4000W AC Output and is a Solar Generator for Home Use, Emergencies, RV’s and Power Outages. This system is expandable and has several features that made my decision in choosing this unit. It can be recharged several different ways– 7 to be exact. The unit cost is less expensive and includes the two solar panels in the price, where the Jackery unit did not have these included.

    FeatureJackery Explorer 5000 PlusEcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Portable Power Station
    Battery Capacity (Wh)~5040 Wh (base, expandable up to ~60 kWh with extra battery packs)  ~4096 Wh expandable up to ~48 kWh with extra batteries and parallel units  
    Battery ChemistryLiFePO₄ (long life, 4000+ cycles at ~70-80% capacity)  LiFePO₄ (~4000 cycles to ~80% capacity)  
    Rated AC Output~7200 W typical running (up to ~14,400 W with two units)  ~4000 W with 120V/240V output (can exceed with X-Boost or parallel setups)  
    Surge PowerUp to ~14,400 W when linking two units/extras  Up to ~6000 W with X-Boost (surge) in single unit scenario  
    Solar Input (Max)Up to ~4000 W solar input (very fast with compatible panels)  Up to ~2600 W with dual PV ports (high solar input for quick recharge)  
    AC Charging Speed~1.7 hrs from AC with high input (fast for its size)  ~50 min to 80% via high AC input, very rapid on a unit this size  
    ExpandabilityYes — up to ~60 kWh with extra packs and parallel units  Yes — scalable up to ~48 kWh (more with multiple units in parallel)  
    UPS (Backup)Yes — 0 ms swap for critical devices  Yes — ~10 ms fast UPS for sensitive tech and home backup  
    Port TypesMultiple AC (120/240V), USB-C/A, 12 V, expansion ports  Multiple AC (120/240V), USB-C/A, DC, Anderson/And so on  
    App ConnectivityYes (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, smart transfer/charge settings)  Yes (EcoFlow app for energy management and priority charging)  
    Best Use CasesLarge home backup, whole-house essentials, heavy motors and appliances  Home backup, off-grid living, high-output scenarios with expandability  
    Approx. Weight~117 lb (heavy but wheeled)  ~115 lb with wheels and handle  
    Typical Price TierPremium whole-home backup segment (higher cost)  Premium but often lower entry price vs full expanded Jackery system  
    EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator 4096Wh DELTA Pro 3 with 2X400W Portabl...

    EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator 4096Wh DELTA Pro 3 with 2X400W Portabl…

    • Energize Almost Everything. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 supports 120V/240V voltage and has a 4000W output (6000W with X-Boos…
    • Forget Refueling. Featuring a 4096Wh LFP battery capacity, expandable to 48kWh with extra batteries or smart generators,…
    • Plug and Play. Experience hassle-free power with the DELTA Pro 3, a versatile portable power station that’s easy to set …
    $2,899.00
    Buy on Amazon

    This website participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products, services, and resources that I personally use, have researched, or genuinely believe will add value–especially for camping and outdoor living in Midwest conditions. Any compensation received helps support the time, effort and costs associated with creating and maintaining this blog.

  • Great Budget Friendly Camping Trip Planning Tip

    Let’s face it Winter in the midwest is a time for slowing down and allows us time to think about the upcoming camping season. It allows us to research new campgrounds or places to go. When can we plan our first trip. Maybe you are thinking about the equipment you will need to upgrade on this year.

    Either way it gives us something to look forward to on those cold winter days and of course, time to prepare for the upcoming season.

    As I explained in my introduction page, I will share information on camping and research on different products not just for camping but also general Midwest living. I will share my personal insights and/or the research I have done and look at best values.

    Today I will share information on something I recently learned about Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds. They have sites throughout the United States and are very reasonably priced for those on a budget or like me who can’t resist a bargain. You can access the information on the different campgrounds on https://www.recreation.gov. Below is information also on those who qualify for discounted rates.

    You can get discounted rates at Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), federal campgrounds by being age 62 or older, qualifying as a U.S. military member/dependent, veteran, or having a permanent disability, with seniors eligible for a $80 lifetime or $20 annual America the Beautiful Senior Pass for 50% off camping/day use fees, available through Recreation.gov or in-person. 

    Who Qualifies for Discounts:

    • Seniors: U.S. citizens/permanent residents age 62 and older.
    • Military: Current U.S. military members, dependents, veterans, and Gold Star Family members.
    • People with Disabilities: Citizens/permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
    • 4th Graders: Students in 4th grade can get a free pass. 

    How to Get the Discount (Seniors):

    1. Get a Pass: Purchase the “America the Beautiful Senior Pass” (Lifetime for $80, Annual for $20).
    2. Where to Buy: Apply online at Recreation.gov or in person at federal recreation sites.
    3. Benefits: Get 50% off camping fees and free entrance to federal lands with entrance fees. 

    Hope, you find this information helpful and can start dreaming about your upcoming camping season, also!