Fifth Wheels with an onaboard Onan

How about we all agree that everyone has different needs and preferences? One is not necessarily better than the other.

As for us, we like our onboard Onan for when we need two ACs, and know that we will need to refill the propane tanks. That would be the case with a gas generator too when running two ACs all day in 100+ heat and full sun. We have the portable Onan 4500 on order for the other trips where we don't need two ACs. This is the set up that works for us. My father in law runs twin Hondas and that works great for them and their set up (one AC). Solar works great for other people too, but without spending tens of thousands of dollars, wouldn't work for us and our needs.

Besides, this is way off topic. This post is about what models have the onboard Onan available.

We know the Onan can run 2 A/C but can the Honda's and solar you guys are touting do the same?
I'm not pushing anything. But if you want to compare what an Onan can do vs. what a Honda 2000 can do, than keep it factual.
I understand you prefer the Honda, much in the same way I prefer the Onan.
But lets not pretend they are equal in terms of power output and ability to run high current appliances.
A Honda 2000 can do most anything the Onan can do except run both A/C's. Once you cross the dual A/C threshold/requirement the units are no longer equal in ability as some imply.
If you don't need dual A/C the Honda is a viable option. However if you do need dual A/C the Honda won't get the job done.

Lantley wrote:

work2much wrote:

Lantley wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have a factory installed Onan 5500 lp and it's a fantastic option.
I agree if your camping style involves hunkering down off the grid and using the gensets all day long for days in a row, gasoline is a better option.
However if you are a convenience user and use the built in for rest area breaks, lunch stops, overnighting, leaving the dog in the camper. The built- in Onan gives us lots of options vs. a portable genset or no genset at all.
There is no planning , no hauling ,no carrying no set up, no cord pulling, no carb issues, no stale gas or ethanol talk no security issues.
Just push button convenience and you can have full electric wherever you are.

I too think its a fantastic option ,if one needs it . In my case it was a pretty much wasted 4500 dollar option, that one Honda 2000 could have served "OUR" needs , and now does with my present fifth wheel without the onboard generator. For us it was live ,and learn :(

Very few actually need an onboard genset or must have one in order to camp. However the Onboard genset expands your camping options.
You can overnight most anywhere even in extreme hot weather because you have electric for AC available. You can leave dog in RV on a hot day while you go to lunch or tour an attraction.
You can boondock or visit places and have full use of your RV without planning.
The genset gives you the option to do more. Taking advantage of these options is up to the end user. However without the genset many of these options are unavailable.

We have all those same options with our solar/lithium system. Also with a propane generator you still have carb issues, planning for the purchase of propane and planning for normal maintenance. Just pointing out that having a propane generator (and I used to) isn't trouble free, carefree nirvana. Ours quit working more than once..

I can't speak for anyone else's experiences, only my own. My Onan has been Nirvana. No carb issues in the 8 years I've owned the trailer. Just oil changes.
Are you able to run 2 A/C's all day long with your solar set up?

This thread is going in circles, been there with the Onan, yes mine would run two AC's ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, we all know that ,and I know after a couple days or so of that ,and you are going after propane, or you got a bunch of tanks, no thanks. You can push these Onan onboards all you want, there are other alternatives , been there done that with Onan , and now I don't, and haven't missed it for a second. Matter of fact now I don't have to go out ,and run it an hour a month .

work2much wrote:

Lantley wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have a factory installed Onan 5500 lp and it's a fantastic option.
I agree if your camping style involves hunkering down off the grid and using the gensets all day long for days in a row, gasoline is a better option.
However if you are a convenience user and use the built in for rest area breaks, lunch stops, overnighting, leaving the dog in the camper. The built- in Onan gives us lots of options vs. a portable genset or no genset at all.
There is no planning , no hauling ,no carrying no set up, no cord pulling, no carb issues, no stale gas or ethanol talk no security issues.
Just push button convenience and you can have full electric wherever you are.

I too think its a fantastic option ,if one needs it . In my case it was a pretty much wasted 4500 dollar option, that one Honda 2000 could have served "OUR" needs , and now does with my present fifth wheel without the onboard generator. For us it was live ,and learn :(

Very few actually need an onboard genset or must have one in order to camp. However the Onboard genset expands your camping options.
You can overnight most anywhere even in extreme hot weather because you have electric for AC available. You can leave dog in RV on a hot day while you go to lunch or tour an attraction.
You can boondock or visit places and have full use of your RV without planning.
The genset gives you the option to do more. Taking advantage of these options is up to the end user. However without the genset many of these options are unavailable.

We have all those same options with our solar/lithium system. Also with a propane generator you still have carb issues, planning for the purchase of propane and planning for normal maintenance. Just pointing out that having a propane generator (and I used to) isn't trouble free, carefree nirvana. Ours quit working more than once..

I can't speak for anyone else's experiences, only my own. My Onan has been Nirvana. No carb issues in the 8 years I've owned the trailer. Just oil changes.
Are you able to run 2 A/C's all day long with your solar set up?

ford truck guy wrote:

TxGearhead wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
2014,

Is yours a Bergs system, or do it yourself?

I had the Bergs dual feed system when I was dry camping at the tracks in the heat, what a great set up ! My 2 Honda's together runnngthe AC's could run forever !

I have the 2 Honda's as well with the Berg tank. Worked well last November at the Charlotte Dirt Track. All we needed to run was the refrigerator and the furnace. We're thinking about Bristol and Martinsville this spring along with Richmond since we have left over tickets for Richmond and will be there. Bristol will likely snow rather than needing A/C. We have 30 amp at Richmond.
Martinsville who knows. Have you ran two 15K A/C's off the Honda's?

I have NOT run the 2 15k AC's on the twin 2200's.. Just never tried to do so...

As far as the race goes... We are thinking about the Dirt Bristol race but that will be a lot of talking DW into as she does not like the cold.. I know that Bristol March race has already been delayed due to snow and sleet.. last year I think??
My Richmond 2021 season is paid in full and I was looking ta the schedule... ONLY the Big Boys in April, no other race is scheduled.. ALL 3 (Big Boys, Xfinity, trucks) in September again..

We just got off the phone with Bristol and Martinsville. One ticket for me for Bristol. Wife can't handle the near vertical grandstands. Two camping spots side by side. Two tickets in turns 1/2 at Martinsville and 2 camping spots. Then our leftovers for Richmond.
Yeah it might have been 2 years ago. Rain, sleet, and snow at Bristol. Dang it was cold. If you go there is a private CG on Copperhead Road that's decent. "Start Your Engine" CG. FHU. $400.

TxGearhead wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
2014,

Is yours a Bergs system, or do it yourself?

I had the Bergs dual feed system when I was dry camping at the tracks in the heat, what a great set up ! My 2 Honda's together runnngthe AC's could run forever !

I have the 2 Honda's as well with the Berg tank. Worked well last November at the Charlotte Dirt Track. All we needed to run was the refrigerator and the furnace. We're thinking about Bristol and Martinsville this spring along with Richmond since we have left over tickets for Richmond and will be there. Bristol will likely snow rather than needing A/C. We have 30 amp at Richmond.
Martinsville who knows. Have you ran two 15K A/C's off the Honda's?

I have NOT run the 2 15k AC's on the twin 2200's.. Just never tried to do so...

As far as the race goes... We are thinking about the Dirt Bristol race but that will be a lot of talking DW into as she does not like the cold.. I know that Bristol March race has already been delayed due to snow and sleet.. last year I think??
My Richmond 2021 season is paid in full and I was looking ta the schedule... ONLY the Big Boys in April, no other race is scheduled.. ALL 3 (Big Boys, Xfinity, trucks) in September again..

Toolguy5 wrote:
We have Jayco NorthPoint with a built in Onan generator. Runs off of propane and it came with 3 40 lb propane tanks.

I am curious how all three are connected at the same time.
Have only seen regulators with two inputs.

ford truck guy wrote:
2014,

Is yours a Bergs system, or do it yourself?

I had the Bergs dual feed system when I was dry camping at the tracks in the heat, what a great set up ! My 2 Honda's together runnngthe AC's could run forever !

I have the 2 Honda's as well with the Berg tank. Worked well last November at the Charlotte Dirt Track. All we needed to run was the refrigerator and the furnace. We're thinking about Bristol and Martinsville this spring along with Richmond since we have left over tickets for Richmond and will be there. Bristol will likely snow rather than needing A/C. We have 30 amp at Richmond.
Martinsville who knows. Have you ran two 15K A/C's off the Honda's?

edatlanta wrote:
Update:

My power came back on after the storm 2 days ago after being out 3 1/2 days. During this period I was not only keeping my batteries charged and making coffee, etc (OK a bit of TV watching too). I was providing coffee, etc. to several of my neighbors in this area. Total Onan 5500 usage for me over the past few days 31.8 hours. Total time on the generator since new 10 years ago 596.6 hours. I'm certainly glad I bought it.

I sold my fifth this past spring with the Onan 5500 LP with 126 hours on it , it would of been 13 years old this month, I looked at my order sheet on it ,it was $4500 option. I suspect out of those 126 hours , a lot of that was just running it that hour a month, which I really didn't follow as well as I should have . If so that would have been approximately 150 hours right there on the hour a month, so as you can see, that 4500 for me was not a wise choice. The $600 choice was a lot smarter for "ME" for the Honda 2000, that I bought from a friend used .

My point is some rave about the onboard for good reason, others like me ,not so much .My advice is just don't order one unless you are sure . What you did with that Onan for 3 1/2 days , I just did in 5 days of hunting with that Honda 2000 ,enjoyed my coffee, watched TV when not hunting.

We have Jayco NorthPoint with a built in Onan generator. Runs off of propane and it came with 3 40 lb propane tanks.