Generator Prep

If you are ordering, get every prep they offer, because it is a bear to install it later. W/D, generator, satellite, anything they offer. The cost from the factory less your discount off MSRP is trivial.

Poppy's 5th Wheel wrote:
The idea that a generator, on-board or portable, is only needed if you dry camp is only half the picture for us. We travel a lot so having an on-board generator is beneficial. We often stop during travel to sight see or have lunch or whatever and if we are in the middle of the summer we can just push a button and have A/C for our puppy when we leave her in the trailer. Before our new trailer we always carried 2 Honda 2000 generators and to have A/C or run the microwave we would have to connect them and then break out the heavy shore power cord and hook the trailer up. I installed an Onan in our new trailer and now all we do is push a button. Super convenient :) I didn't have the generator prep from the factory and I wish I did. It cost more for my install in the long run.

The "need" (or lack of need) for generator prep is only half the picture also!

The main expense for generator prep is the transfer switch and wiring.

It's not necessary - unless you *must have* the "push a button" convenience.

You can still have an on-board generator without that "perk" - and of course you could add that feature later if you find you can't live without it (as Poppy did)..:C

Ken Lenger's on-board generator setup - with *manual* transfer is an easy solution.

BTW - "Traveler II" - gasoline gens can be converted to LP (dual fuel or tri-fuel) for about $100. See US Carb or Central Maine Diesel.

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Dtank wrote:
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BTW - "Traveler II" - gasoline gens can be converted to LP (dual fuel or tri-fuel) for about $100. See US Carb or Central Maine Diesel.

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I used US Carb, and the 'kit' was $187 (plus shiping).. last week they had a 1/2 price sale.. too bad I already had the kit.

I thought I would post a few pictures of my project. Hope that's okay with the OP.

The Onan 3600 LP installed in the front compartment. A bit of a tight fit but enough room for my 2 - 6 volt GC batteries next to it.


My 50 amp automatic transfer switch along with a 1000 w pure sine wave inverter are mounted on the wall separating the front compartment and the pass through storage.


The remote start switch is mounted in the trailer just above the fuse panel.


Anyways, I wanted to report some financial considerations as well. In my case my trailer did not have an optional "generator prep" option so I don't know how much that cost would have been and therefore how much I would have saved on installation as a result but I did get 3 estimates from my dealer and 2 independent RV repair shops for this work. My quotes ranged from $8,000 to $9,000. I purchased my generator and ancillary parts (transfer switch, remote start, harness, etc) from an online store for $3,700. I paid a mobile certified RV repairman $2,200 for installation including all miscellaneous wiring, boxes, switches, etc. So, overall I came in at $5,900.