Generator Installed or Seperate

Not quite the same animal but after working years in the fire service and having issues with built in generators on our units I found they can be a pain if they develop a gremlin or don't get used often enough. Not sure how they would be filled with a fuel on a trailer since our units are plumbed into the diesel lines for the old systems, the new gen systems we use run off a PTO system from the motor and trans already running.

I have a Honda EU2000 which I can use around home if the power goes out and store it in the garage so that I can run it every month or two, I find it easy to service on my own and if it developed a serious enough issue I could take it to a service center without the issues of having a permanent mount set up.

I'm sure it's convenient to have it built in and that would be a plus if it's used often.

We have an installed generator. Before that we had portables. We love the convenience of an installed generator and if you have pets, you can get auto start which allows one to set the generator to come on in case of power failure or if the RV reaches a set temp. We do not have a pet so we do not have auto start. I would say an installed generator is not the norm for a 5th wheel. At least now we do not have to worry about someone walking off with portables. We used our generator a bunch on our trip to Alaska last year and it opened up a whole new way of camping for us. We are full timers and we have plenty of storage even with the installed generator. We also have a Magnum PSW 2000 watt inverter installed, also a handy addition.

There are many pros and cons. I believe if installed it would run off of propane. If it sits in truck bed having it stolen is always possible, as well as the room it takes up.

I have had both and liked the installed best. If you plan on spending most of your time in RV Parks I would not even get a generator. The on board generator is nice when traveling and stop for lunch. If you are parking on public land and boondocking a portable is nice because they are not as loud in the trailer.

How often do you plan to boondock?

If you will be boondocking a lot, I would get a built in. I would go gasoline as it's easier to bring back a couple 5 gal jugs and get a few more days use. Propane is a lot less convienent to get refilled.

If you will be using it a few times a month, I would go with portable to keep the cost down.

I installed an onboard propane generator. (didn't want to carry gas can)

during one of our recent trips, it was 96 degrees (feels like 102) when we pulled into the campground at 9 pm. I fired up the gen (with managers approval) and turned on the A/C while we waited to register, pulled to our site, and got setup.. soon as the shore power was connected, I turned off the generator. A/C kept running.

thxs to Dbbls, I forgot that I started the gen to be able to use the microwave during a lunch break stop at a rest area.

I also have the wireless controller for autostart.. haven't used it for that yet.

My FW was not gen prepped, another reason I selected the wireless controller. I found a used, not working 7kw gas genset for $200, repaired it ($45), converted it to propane.

Thanks so much for all the great info. This has been a big help. we use to have an A, went to a B and now going back up to the 5th to be a full timer. I like the auto start feature cuz we do have a pet. Looking at Winn. and Grand Design both 36s and looking at the F350 DRW diesel. That truck seems to be the norm for 5th wheelers.

I have had both, portable & installed. Current rig has the installed and I won't go back to portable. Portable is loading and unloading it(mine was over 200 lbs to be able to run 2 AC's, Texas weather), keeping up with gas cans, having to hook it up to use it, worrying about it wandering off if you go into town, leave it in the bed of the truck and you have no AC when you go to town.

Installed is push the button. I do have a toy hauler which has a 30gal gas tank so I don't depend on propane. As for the noise level, it's directly under my bed and at night I will wake up and check the night light to make sure it's still running. It's that quiet in the RV. Outside is different, it's louder outside than inside, mainly cooling fan noise, the exhaust is drowned out by the fan. With the installed tank I have from ~30-50 hours run time depending on how many AC's I use.

Some talk about having the portable at the house for emergency power. My RV is less than 50' from the house and I keep the gas tank full.

In bed of truck in it's own self contained enclosure with it's own 12 gallon gas tank.

Course I have a longbed truck PLUS my 5vr has dual 50A receptacles.
One front and one rear....can plug in shore power cord from either end.
Generator power cord has 50A plug so it can be plugged in either end also.

I also can use generator at home to power S&B during monsoon power outages (fridge/freezer/lights)

Just more versatile for me plus doesn't take up 5vr storage.



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Old-Biscuit wrote:
In bed of truck in it's own self contained enclosure with it's own 12 gallon gas tank.

Course I have a longbed truck PLUS my 5vr has dual 50A receptacles.
One front and one rear....can plug in shore power cord from either end.
Generator power cord has 50A plug so it can be plugged in either end also.

I also can use generator at home to power S&B during monsoon power outages (fridge/freezer/lights)

Just more versatile for me plus doesn't take up 5vr storage.



LINK

I am adding a front 50amp to our rv,did you bother with the transfer switch?

we just need to run the gen when stopped for short periods as we have 2 small dogs that we now have to take with us due to meds they each have to have daily for siezures.
We had a built in on our class A but I am just going to set in truck for now.later maybe permenate.