Forum Discussion

Sunshineinal's avatar
Sunshineinal
Explorer
Mar 15, 2015

Adding generator to Fifth Wheel

We are wanting to add a generator to our fifth wheel and want to know if it has to be put in a basket or something on the outside/back of the fifth wheel or can it be put in the basement while in use. I've noticed in motor coaches the are inside compartments either in front or under.

23 Replies

  • Nice set up, jasult! How loud is that Champion? Ever wish you had a different one?
  • me on the other hand made a heavy bumper to replace light one and fabbed up 3 hitches to hold the weight. Been on there for 5 years now and zero problems. It is great when boondocking. I also stayed at Hershey Park PA RV Show in parking lot and everyone had genny running up till quiet hour and then all quiet.





  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Might not be a good idea at all mounting one on the outside somewhere. They will be thief prone.

    It would worry me big time having my High Cost Honda sitting out in the open unattended when parked at a camp site.

    My sister's 5th wheel setup using two Honda's in the back of the truck bed which is enclosed and locked when they are parked.

    Being a new member you might want to check out where you can use a generator when camping on the East side of the US. Seems like most of the camp grounds all have generator run time restrictions in place usually from 8AM to 10AM and then again from 4:30PM to 7:30PM. Never allowed to run all night long...

    About the only time you use one to do any good when be on the side of the road somewhere or perhaps at one-nighter parked in WALMART parking lot or Rest Area.

    Generators are really neat when you are doing some DISPERSED CAMPING off the power grid somewhere. These type of places are mostly out west.

    There are a few PRIVATE CAMP spots you can use them like NASCAR or some private fishing camping somewhere.

    Check with the camp grounds on how they handle generator run time restrictions.

    The MH and Trailers that have the built-in generators can sometimes get away with running them. Can't tell if it is the motor running or the generator I guess...

    I put my extra monies into beefing up my trailer to run from larger battery banks to make it through the night and then only run my smaller generator for three hours at 8AM the next morning when allowed to run my generator just to recharge my battery bank so I can do this all over again the next day/night run off the batteries...

    It is Sorta what you want do when camping I guess...

    Roy Ken