My wife and I are going to a 5th wheel. Were not sure whether to have a gen installed at purchase or buy one separately. Were going to go full time for a while. What have you all found to be the best method? Installed or separate?

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.

Generator Installed or Seperate | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2015
avvidclif1 wrote:
Did you read the note about covering the exhaust pipe outlet (mouse hole on right side) when using the down exhaust. There are 3 to be covered. On another group the hot air melted the door in front of it, wasn't pretty.

Yes, thank you for mentioning it!

I have the aluminum tape just need to find it!
avvidclif1
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
Did you read the note about covering the exhaust pipe outlet (mouse hole on right side) when using the down exhaust. There are 3 to be covered. On another group the hot air melted the door in front of it, wasn't pretty.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2015
Full time get the built in! Weekend warrior portable!

6500 Cummins/Onan propane Commercial 120/240V
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2015
We have a built in 3600 watt Generac, and never use it. I use the Hondas exclusively.
Lantley
Nomad
Sep 09, 2015
golf_bears wrote:
Built in is always more convenient. But if it has to be serviced, and it will, chances are you'll need to take your 5th wheel some place to do so. You may be able to find a roving tech person to come to your site but if your boondocking I wouldn't count on it.

If a portable breaks you are going to have to take it somewhere as well.
In either case if the genset breaks be it portable or built in it's gonna be a hassle.
TGPILOT
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
I agree that installed is nice, but, for a cheaper way, and to use the unit for other things. Putting one in the back of the bed of the truck works out too.

This summer I went on a five state five thousand mile trip. I took my old Honda 3000C with me and it worked okay, but was noisy. So, while on the trip I broke down and bought a Honda 5000IS that weighs about 140#'s. When I was youngeeeer...lol I could have handled it but not now. I have a large tool box in the bed of my truck that sits forward of the 5th wheel hitch. With the wheel kit on it just barely fits in my truck.

After the dealer loaded it, I chained it to my fifth wheel hitch to keep it from walking off! I've only used it one time, but the electric start was nice, it ran twelve hours on one tank and all I have to do is run the power cord from the back of the trailer to the truck and plug in just like I do at an RV park and I have power that runs everything in the RV without a problem. Yes, it takes a moment to get out the pwr cord and plug it in, but I have power. A friend gave me a brand new 2500 lb winch and I had a bracket made up and installed it under a deck that I could back under by my garage and I can lift it in/out without a problem and I lost the use of my left hand in Viet Nam, so it really helps me out. It's then a matter of rolling it fifteen feet into/out of my garage. So, being portable isn't all that bad, yes no pwr to the rig if I leave for the day because the gen rides with me. Small price to pay.

I need to put a plug in the front, probably a 30 amp, as that is what the gen has on it. Anyone know what it cost to do that, and the best way to go?
avvidclif1
Explorer
Sep 09, 2015
golf_bears wrote:
Built in is always more convenient. But if it has to be serviced, and it will, chances are you'll need to take your 5th wheel some place to do so. You may be able to find a roving tech person to come to your site but if your boondocking I wouldn't count on it.

Why, changing the oil and filter is easy. Spark plugs, same thing. new air filter or fuel filter, easy. The new Onan's have it all on the side and easy to get at. On mine facing the front and a lot easier to change the oil and filter than the portable I had.
Bellpr
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
Another thought... Have your 5er GEN Prepped at least for a Permanent GEN. Then if you want later you can have a unit installed in the 5er or you can buy an external unit and sit it in your truck bed. Either way you have a GEN. Final thought and I shut up. When buying it new with the 5er, you can add it to the financing and it may only increase your payment by $25 over 15-20 years. if you Finance your 5er Purchase.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Sep 02, 2015
sayoung wrote:

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

Originally YES. Both 50A sources went to ATS then to RV Main AC Panel

ATS failed.....left us w/o either source, no power for 5 days while waiting for warranty replacement to be shipped. (Failed on Thursday afternoon........new arrived late Tuesday)
New was defective right out of box......ATS company stated send it back we'll ship new upon return. We've had some issues. DUH!!!

Went down to hardware store.......125A subpanel, some #6 wire, 3 junction boxes and couple 50A double pole CBs with mechanical interlock.
Wired up my own 'manual' transfer switch.
Both 50A sources go to individual CBs then to RV Main Panel
Only one source CB can be closed at a time.
Simple........and replacement parts (CB) $14 at most any hardware store.

AS to the 'gen enclosure'.........it is insulated for sound.
Runs very quiet. No extra exhaust stack or anything else.

Informed others we would be using gen in a CG. They said go ahead and run it. We already had it running......just a mild hummmmmmm is heard. due to enclosure and way exhaust flows out.
golf_bears
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Built in is always more convenient. But if it has to be serviced, and it will, chances are you'll need to take your 5th wheel some place to do so. You may be able to find a roving tech person to come to your site but if your boondocking I wouldn't count on it.