Add a 3.6 Onan Generator LP or Diesel?

Well, definitely solar panels are the way to. After your initial expense, all your energy usage after that is free!

I think propane would be second. Using a propane tank instead of a liquid fuel is just much more clean, and not as smelly, and no mess, and I think ... easier to refuel. (just my opinion).

The cost, penny for penny and KW hour per KW hour between propane and diesel, factor in which generator cost more or less, do the math, and I think I still vote for propane.

12lightsacrossthebay wrote:
Hi Friends,
Well,we just got ourselves a nice used 5th wheel Arctic Fox M27-5L Length 27'. I am considering about having a generator installed or perhaps Solar panels might be a more practical addition. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Kind regards
Carl

Carl, you really need to decide on what kind of camping you like to do. If you're die-hard boondockers, then spend the money for a good solar system, battery bank and inverter. If you're balanced between 'docking and full hook up camping, then a smaller solar system and a small generator might be a better choice. Remember, that most improved campgrounds without hookups (state and national parks), will have specified run times for generators, so if you're wanting to run the A/C, you might not be able to do so. If you have the money to spend, a good solar =and= a generator sized to run your A/C would be the ideal way to go, so all bases are covered. :-)

Lyle

Solar.
Diesel.
Propane. Do the math on fuel usage and cost plus difficulty of purchasing.

You did not ask about portables, does this mean you will use it a lot?

If I understand you talking built in Onan generator. I don't think a Onan Diesel would fit the generator compartment in the Artic Fox. If you need to run A/C I would go with a LP generator. For small usages and battery charging I would use solar.

Thanks for the great suggestions, Lyle and Dutchman Sport. We are retired but volunteer as emergency medical responders and in case of a lack of electricity here during a disaster we think it would be advisable to be self-sustained. We just been trailering for a year and primarily are full hook-up camping but many state parks in California do not have hook-ups. Our Arctic Fox 5th wheel says we could handle a 3.6 Onan Gen LP. I have no idea at this point what the costs are for that generator/ best place to buy and same with Solar.
Thanks

If you're pulling with a diesel truck, I'd put an extra tank in the back and go with a diesel genset.

Check what the run time is on a propane generator when running the A/C. A friend with a TC and a built in propane generator can't go 10 hours on a bottle when running the A/C. He spends a lot of time getting bottles refilled.

Bill

Thanks again for all the thoughts and considerations. We hope to go cross country late next year. I could carry a quiet Honda EU2000i portable as well.
Happy Holidays
Carl

12lightsacrossthebay wrote:
Thanks again for all the thoughts and considerations. We hope to go cross country late next year. I could carry a quiet Honda EU2000i portable as well.
Happy Holidays
Carl

If you want to run the A/C I would at least go with the Honda 3000 watt. It gets hot and humid in the midwest of a summer or plan on staying where there are hookups.

I have a built in Onan and it's nice to be able to just hit a switch and have A/C and microwave for a lunch stop.

12lightsacrossthebay wrote:
Thanks for the great suggestions, Lyle and Dutchman Sport. We are retired but volunteer as emergency medical responders and in case of a lack of electricity here during a disaster we think it would be advisable to be self-sustained. We just been trailering for a year and primarily are full hook-up camping but many state parks in California do not have hook-ups. Our Arctic Fox 5th wheel says we could handle a 3.6 Onan Gen LP. I have no idea at this point what the costs are for that generator/ best place to buy and same with Solar.
Thanks

One thing to be aware of with a propane-fueled engine, and that it uses a =lot= more fuel than a gasser and it will also lose more power at altitude than will a gasser. Diesels are =heavy= and a lot more expensive and, while it's nice to have a common fuel between truck and genny, small ones, IMO, just aren't all that practical. Another consideration is to use an inverter-style generator rather than a straight generator. Onan doesn't yet have an inverter generator, so it will either run at idle or run wide open, no matter how small the load on it. An inverter will run just as fast as it needs to for the load, so it is much more fuel efficient. (I still can't figure our why Onan doesn't get this, and offer inverters.) Personally, I'd never own anything but an inverter for camping. Now, if I could tow my dad's Isuzu-diesel-powered 25kv MultiQuip behind my FW... :-) It's not much louder than a Honda 3000!

Lyle

12lightsacrossthebay wrote:
Thanks again for all the thoughts and considerations. We hope to go cross country late next year. I could carry a quiet Honda EU2000i portable as well.
Happy Holidays
Carl

Congrats on the new rig.

I would suggest both. Solar panels and a generator. You could get a pair of EU2000 and parallel them. When you only need to run 1 you can alternate them to balance the hours and save fuel. When you have to run them both you have the option.