Jump to content

Generator for 5th wheel


cockneyboy

Recommended Posts

Hello gang, after getting some great advice from y'all on my first post (advice on quality brands) I have narrowed my search down to a few manufacturers and I feel much more confident and knowledgeable when I look at used fivers. So Thanks

My new question is about Generators. I hope to spend at least part of my travels Boon docking and see the need to have a Generator. So my question is this, is it worth paying a whole bunch more for a unit with an on board genny or would it be better (and less expensive) to have a good size (7-8KW) portable either chained in the truck bed or on the back trailer hitch of the fiver.

Sure will appreciate your thoughst and advice.

Cheers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7-8 kW is hardly portable. Honda and Yamaha both make inverter-type units in that range, but they're heavy beasts. Also, the wiring isn't really set to allow an RV to use the full capacity of the units. Better to get a smaller 2-3 kW unit, or even a matched pair of 2 kW.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm told it takes about 12KW of generator power to give you the full 50 amp service you (and we!) would enjoy. So, a portable genset of that size is out of the question, and nothing that big can be installed in a fiver. So, everyone chooses either a built-in (Onan 5500 or 6500, normally propane. They use a ton of your propane, however, and they add about 300 lbs to your cargo.) Or a single gasoline or a pair of gasoline generators in the 1000-3000 watt range, in which you have to make due with something less than 30 amps of power.

 

Due to our RV having a serious lack of cargo carrying capacity, we opted for one of the most common setups: a pair of Honda 2000 watt generators that we use whenever boondocking. We just have to be aware of our power usage. Otherwise, they just hum along nicely outside the rig.

 

Roy

Fulltiming since 2015, with my beautiful bride, Lori.

2015 GMC 3500HD Denali DRW CC LB TrailerSaver TS3 Hitch

2016 DRV Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MorRyde IS, MorRyde Pin Box

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have been looking at the Champion inverter generators. Our plans would be to boondock occasionally and will not have a residential fridge nor start off with any solar. A friend we met who travels part time had a Honda 2000 inverter but sold it and bought a Champion 775531i 3100 watt inverter generator for a lot less, and it will run one air conditioner. He heard one running at a campsite and said it’s no more loud than the Honda. I noticed Champion also has a new 3500 watt model that has a 30 amp outlet and remote control start button. Friend is mounting his in the truck as he has a sliding cover on the truck bed for times he is not towing.

  • The 3100 watt Champion noise level is advertised at 58 dBA at 23 ft and runs for 8 hours at 25% load with a 1.6 gallon fuel tank. Cost is $795 at Amazon. It weighs 94 pounds (gross weight). That’s manageable. You can also buy a dual fuel generator that runs on gas/propane.
  • Another option is the lighter, more expensive Honda 2000 watt units that you can link together for 4000 watts. I could see one advantage being if you don't want to run the ac, such as to charge the batteries, you could get by with just running one of the two. the Honda 2000 Inverter is slightly lighter weight than the Champion 2000.
  • Yamaha is another popular selection. In 2016 the 3000 watt units weigh in at 136 pounds and above according to my research.

We rented a class C motorhome last year that had a 4500 watt Onan on-board. It sure was nice just to push a button inside to start the generator and the fuel was provided out of the motorhomes fuel tank. Myself, I'm apprehensive about the amount of propane the built in units would use on a fifth wheel. But then again many have them.

 

If we wanted to run both air conditioners and a lot more I would go with the Onan on-board. But for us, the 3100 or 3500 watt portable unit will be good enough.

Mark from Missouri

Our Future in an RV

2018 Ram 3500 Laramie Dually LB 6.7L HO Diesel Aisin Transmission 4x4 3.73 Gears

2019 Vanleigh Vilano 320GK 35’ fifth wheel 16,000-pound GVWR

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks a lot for your responses (is that a word) I will check into the afore mentioned units. What's still a mystery to me is the "Inverter" thing Champion has a regular Rv ready 4kw genny that will run for 12 hours on a tank for half the cost of the Inverter 3.5 KW. Think I'll call Champion and have someone explain the difference. I already have 1 Honda I2000 so I could get another it just seems sill to run 2 motors when 1 will do.

Thanks again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most generators are Modified sine wave. Inverter generators are Pure sine wave. Today most electronics don't like to be run on modified wave for extended periods. Most all the residential fridges you see are run on Pure sine inverters. If you're just going to charge batteries then the modified is fine, anything else then the inverter style is better.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most generators are Modified sine wave. Inverter generators are Pure sine wave. Today most electronics don't like to be run on modified wave for extended periods. Most all the residential fridges you see are run on Pure sine inverters. If you're just going to charge batteries then the modified is fine, anything else then the inverter style is better.

What? :unsure::blink::wacko:

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The non inverter Champion generators are much louder. They aren't much different than contractor type generators as far as noise. They are nicer and are built for the RV market with RV plugs wired in them, but your neighbors (and in my case my wife) will not be happy with the noise they produce.

 

I haven't used one of the Champion inverter style generators personally, but a friend has one. It is reasonably quiet, but not as quiet as a Honda or Yamaha inverter style. It is definitely quieter than the non inverter style Champions though.

2000 Kenworth T2000 w/ Cummins N14 and autoshift
2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard
2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan
2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage)
2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage)
My First Solar Install Thread
My Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the build
My MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet!

chadheiser.com      West Coast HDT Rally Website

event.png    

AZCACOIDIAKSMNMOMTNENVNMNDOKSDTNTXUTWYxlg.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most generators are Modified sine wave.

No generators are modified sine wave it's impossible, some of the low end inverter types may be but not a straight generator.

 

Denny

Denny & Jami SKP#90175
Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie
2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears
2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello gang, after getting some great advice from y'all on my first post (advice on quality brands) I have narrowed my search down to a few manufacturers and I feel much more confident and knowledgeable when I look at used fivers. So Thanks

My new question is about Generators. I hope to spend at least part of my travels Boon docking and see the need to have a Generator. So my question is this, is it worth paying a whole bunch more for a unit with an on board genny or would it be better (and less expensive) to have a good size (7-8KW) portable either chained in the truck bed or on the back trailer hitch of the fiver.

Sure will appreciate your thoughst and advice.

Cheers.

We have a built-in 5KW Generac gas generator and wouldn't be without it, the convenience of just pushing a button when stopped is hard to beat. I mounted a 14 gal Marine fuel tank next to it outside of the gen box. It will run are only a/c and the electric water heater if needed plus charge the batteries. We also have a old Honda 650W generator if we are just watching TV.

 

Denny

Denny & Jami SKP#90175
Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie
2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears
2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cockneyboy. We use the twin Honda units for our 5th wheel. If you already have a Honda 2000 you can purchase the companion 2000 which come with a 30 amp plug installed and 20 amp. If we are just charging batteries or other low load we run one unit. If we want to turn on the ac unit we run both. Been doing it for 5 years with no problems. dick

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have an onboard Onan on our fiver. We use it during the summer time when dry camping or sometimes when pulling off the road for a bite to eat. I do wish though, that Honda or Yamaha would make an on board RV genny.

Honda did make a 6500 that was water cooled, I helped install one and I thought it was noisy and had a lot of vibration but it did put out the power.

 

Denny

Denny & Jami SKP#90175
Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie
2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears
2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Checkout the Boliey 3600. I'm going to purchase one to carry in my 5th wheel. Only weighs about 75 lbs is pure sine wave, will Also run a 15k but A/C. Has a fair run time with the take and has the option of running with an external fuel source.

Around $1350'with remote start and external fuel option.

Google Boliey generators.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, D&J, That is what I wanted to put in when I put this stupid Onan in. But the Honda was just a tad bit larger, side to side, top to bottom to fit in the genny compartment. That model didn't last very long and I'm sure the water cooled idea was a killer.

Cowdog353, I would want it permanently in the compartment. Exhaust and cool air supply would be major drawbacks. Also, need at least 6500 for the 2 AC's and other stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you buy some of those construction type generators your neighbors want be happy. In some places they want allow you to run them if they are above a certain DB level, so you may be wasting your money. Home Depot has a Ryobi Model RYI2200 for $549.00. They are as quiet as a Honda EU2000I, that would be my choice.

Ron
US Army retired
2010 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2016 Ford F150 XLT

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My used HitchHiker came with an onboard Onan propane fueled generator. I wouldn't have ordered one as an option on a new trailer, but since it was already there . . . .

 

I'm really glad I have it. For my lifestyle it is perfect. Uses a little less than a 14# tank of propane in 24 hours of heavy use. Will run my heat pump just fine and I spent several days at around freezing temperatures. I do have to shut down the heat pump if I want to microwave anything, but that aside, it handles everything I need.

 

It is a little hassle to have to get one of the tanks refilled with propane every day :mellow:.

 

It is a little loud and I'm sure some neighbors might have a problem with it. My neighbors didn't mind at all, they knew it was temporary and enjoyed watching TV with the extension cord I loaned them while the power was out. If we were all crammed together boon-docking in Muir Woods or some peaceful sacred place, likely a different story.

F-250 SCREW 4X4 Gas, 5th NuWa Premier 35FKTG, Full Time, Engineer Ret.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm told it takes about 12KW of generator power to give you the full 50 amp service you (and we!) would enjoy. So, a portable genset of that size is out of the question, and nothing that big can be installed in a fiver. So, everyone chooses either a built-in (Onan 5500 or 6500, normally propane. They use a ton of your propane, however, and they add about 300 lbs to your cargo.) Or a single gasoline or a pair of gasoline generators in the 1000-3000 watt range, in which you have to make due with something less than 30 amps of power.

 

Due to our RV having a serious lack of cargo carrying capacity, we opted for one of the most common setups: a pair of Honda 2000 watt generators that we use whenever boondocking. We just have to be aware of our power usage. Otherwise, they just hum along nicely outside the rig.

 

Roy

 

Actually 12KW should produce 100 amps @ 120 V in a perfect world ... Volts X Amps = Watts ... so 120 volts X 100 amps = 100,000 watts or 100 KW. There is always some loss, but to get 50 amps you generally would use a 6 KW gen set.

2017 KZ Durango Gold 381REF, 8K morRYDE IS, Disc brakes, 17.5" Hi Spec Aluminum Wheels w Goodyear G114 H rated tires

2016 F350 King Ranch DRW, 3.73, 4x4, Super Duty Crew Cab, 6.7L Powerstroke Diesel.

26,760 CGVW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Actually 12KW should produce 100 amps @ 120 V in a perfect world ... Volts X Amps = Watts ... so 120 volts X 100 amps = 100,000 watts or 100 KW. There is always some loss, but to get 50 amps you generally would use a 6 KW gen set.

 

Actually, a 50 amp RV service is two, 120 volt legs at 50 amps each. So to get a full equivalent from a generator you would need the 12 kW generator.

Mark & Teri

2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350

Mark & Teri's Travels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...