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When DW and I were planning our fiver purchase, this was one of the issues we addressed. While underway, our Chihuahuas ride in doggie comfort (sometimes) in the back seat which has been "fixed up" for their traveling needs. Our question was, "What do we do when we stop someplace for just a while?"

The answer we found was the generator prep, an Onan generator, and the Onan Energy Command 30. The EC30 can be installed on new generator preped RVs. It has monitoring links that connect to the thermostat and the convertor. For example, when the EC30 is on "Auto" mode, I can set the front AC at, say, 75F and the rear AC at 80F in the morning when we start traveling. When the bedroom area warms to above 75F, AC attempts to start. The EC30 interrupts the AC starting and puts it on hold. The EC30 sends a command to the generator to start. Once the generator starts and the ATS allows it to connect, the EC30 sends a command to the thermostat to start the AC. Once the temperature is lowered and the AC stops, the thermostat sends a "Quit" command to the EC30, that sends a shutdown command to the generator. This can also work while camped and disconnected from shore power, but the EC30 also can be programmed with "Quiet Hours". And before "Quiet Hours" commence, the EC30 checks the battery charge level to see if it needs "topping off".

Now what happens if all this fails or the generator runs out of fuel? I have installed a Visonic monitoring/alarm system with its own GSM (cell phone modem). On this monitoring system, I have CO and fire monitors in the utility basement area, additional sensors in the living space, plus in the bedroom area I have a temperature monitoring system. I can set a "High" and a "Low" temperature that when attained, the Visonic sends me a text message and calls my cell phone with a warning.

And finally, what if there is no cell service? Well, in that case one has to practice "good judgment". As one source points out, traveling with pets is not a problem if you are committed to that pet. You will make adjustments to accommodate your companion that you value.

Ron