Forum Discussion

jbstack28's avatar
jbstack28
Explorer
Oct 13, 2014

Generator Yes, or No ?

Well we started looking at Class A motorhomes to begin our journey fulltiming it across the country. We wound up with a fifth wheel. Looking at differences, one big one is a Generator. Do we need one? Why, and how often. Built in or Portable. If portable, what keeps someone from walking off with it?

Thanks so much,

Charlie Stackpole

28 Replies

  • Do we need one? They are nice to have

    Why, and how often? You may want to dry camp on a longer trip during the hot weather. It's always nice to have at a truck stop or rest area just to be comfy while taking a break. We have a residential fridge but no inverter, so after about 12 hours it's nice to get it some electric power. If you want to run an ac unit then a 3500 watt with a surge to 4000 is gos to have. They are not too large and easy to transport in a truck bed or rear platform.

    Built in or Portable. We have a portable unit. We like that as it does not take away from out bin space. As full timers, storage in everything!


    If portable, what keeps someone from walking off with it? We have ours either on the truck bed or on the rear platform. We put a chain around the frame of the generator and have never had a problem.
  • It depends. We have an external generator that we carry in the truck. We consider the peace of mind and flexibility that it gives us as worth the extra weight. That said, we like to wander around in the boonies without reservations. We do use it a few times on every long trip. This summer we were caught in New Brunswick when Hurricane Arthur hit. We also found a nice unserviced campground in Nova Scotia where we wanted to stay a few days. The back of our truck is packed with all kinds of stuff including the generator. So far nothing has been bothered. lizzie
  • We too have a generator and always have it on hand, locked in the front bay when needed. Even when we have hookups, it's nice to have just in case. En route last year, we stopped over at a FS CG with electricity. Our power pole showed a fault with our surge protector so we used our generator instead to watch TV that night. We didn't always carry it with us, but after heading to Canada one Fall, with the plan to use full hookups the entire time. Well, most hookups in the provincial parks were taken so we stayed in the dry spots. We were ok, but it would've been so much nicer to have a generator. After that trip, we take it no matter what. We prefer our Honda eu2000 because it is economical and quiet.
  • They may camp where there is alway's electric hook up's, BUT WHAT IF power goes out due to a storm?...Has happened to us several times.....I'd opt for a generator, better to have one and not need it, then to not have one and your batteries run down and you want electricity..
  • If you always camp at places that have electric then you'll just be hauling extra weight and paying for something you don't use.
  • You tell us if you need one, how do you camp? Resorts? RV Parks? Campgrounds? Boo Docking?
  • Do you need one? Depends. Do you plan on camping where there is no hook ups for more than a day or two? If yes or maybe might as well get a Generator. We can camp three days on only our twin group 27 batteries. We then use a HONDA EU 1000 portable gen set to charge. If you have room go with a built in unit. May I also ad don't scrimp on quality. Get a quiet reliable unit such as Yamaha or Honda or Onan. Stay away from the cut rate units IMHO Best of luck
  • I have a big one built in. I would highly recommend one. Don't need it that often but when you do, you do.