My wife and I are thinking about getting a 5th wheel this year and are trying to plan things out. We travel about 45 nights a year and like to go to races where we would use generator power for up to 4 days at a time. I was thinking about a Onan 5k or doing 3 Honda 2000's. We would use the generator twice a year when traveling to our vacation sites on breaks and at night. We would also use it once a year at a track. If you use your generator when traveling I would like to hear about your experiences and options.

Hi,I would get a hybrid inverter which will take of the start up surge and a single generator. I did splurge and have electric start on the Yamaha Sieb that I purchased.

We have a 13,500 Ac unit in our FW and power it with a Honda 3000 remote start bolted in the truck bed. I also built metal enclosure that is ventilated with a 10" axial fan.. I ran an 8 gauge cord from a transfer switch up along the pinbox. We also power the hair dryer and microwave. We invert for the 40 in television and other small stuff.

When we had our trailer, it had a single 13K AC and a microwave oven. I purchased an EU2000 Honda, and it had difficulty starting the AC, but would handle the microwave ok. So if you will have "more" 120vac appliances than that, I would go with either dual EU2000 units or a single Eu3000 unit. Please stay away from those contractor type generators you find at Home Depot/Lowes as they are so loud they'll cause your neighbors to get a mite upset.RonPS...By the way, you're asking for "advice" (a noun), but some one can "advise" (verb) you on what to get. These are often misused along with break and brake, to and too, and lose and loose. I'm sure there are plenty others...

I'll advise you, but first, why so much power?You haven't read any of the hundreds of generator posts on here?

We used a portable generator when we camped with our travel trailer and it did everything we needed it for. When we went to a toy hauler I was looking for one without a genny because I "didn't need no stinkin' built in generator". The length we wanted all had Onans. We don't use it that often but it's so nice to roll out of bed on a cold desert morning, hit the starter button and within minutes have coffee perking. I'm so glad I don't have to fight a portable or multiple generators. Resale might be another consideration. It may be hard to sell the trailer without a built in generator... In my opinion..

Generator Advise | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Jan 23, 2016
avvidclif1 wrote:
Why don't you just toodle down to Texas in August and you'll figure out why battery banks and solar just don't cut it.
Single Honda 2000 combined with a Magnum or Victron inverter that combines power will easily run an air conditioner 24/7 in all conditions. Will also run the microwave or hair drier when needed at the same time as these units synchronize and combine power with the generator. The start surge or additional load is carried by the inverter until done then any excess power is charging the battery. Solar would be charging all day as needed. Need an extended run fuel tank for a TX Summer.

Although if such convenience is desired I am not sure why a built-in generator was not optioned.
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Look again at hybrid inverters with a smaller generator. My RV behaves as if it is on shore power all the time and I can run any two high draw items as well as all the low draw. When I do run the Yamaha generator the Magnum inverter/charger takes care of any surges and I can run it in economy mode.

ianmac23 wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Why do you need so much power?

Because my wife loves the RV and not roughing it

Why don't you just toodle down to Texas in August and you'll figure out why battery banks and solar just don't cut it.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 22, 2016
Hi,

Look again at hybrid inverters with a smaller generator. My RV behaves as if it is on shore power all the time and I can run any two high draw items as well as all the low draw. When I do run the Yamaha generator the Magnum inverter/charger takes care of any surges and I can run it in economy mode.

ianmac23 wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Why do you need so much power?

Because my wife loves the RV and not roughing it
ianmac23
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
Why do you need so much power?

Because my wife loves the RV and not roughing it
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 22, 2016
Why do you need so much power?
avvidclif1
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
Three potential problem areas or one your choice. Three tanks to fill,etc....

No-brainer to me.
ianmac23
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
smkettner wrote:
http://durationpower.com/store//index.html

I am thinking about 3-2000's or 1-7000.
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 22, 2016
http://durationpower.com/store//index.html
laknox
Nomad
Jan 22, 2016
pianotuna wrote:
That's why one would invest in a significant battery bank. 2000 amp-hours of LI would laugh at a night of air.

Works for me. I'll PM you my address and you can send 'em down! Either that, or send me your CC#. :-)

Lyle
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 22, 2016
That's why one would invest in a significant battery bank. 2000 amp-hours of LI would laugh at a night of air.

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