How many of you are happy with a NO GENI 5th wheel trailer?

If you get a built-in generator, get a gas or diesel powered unit. The propane units use too much fuel. Last thing you want to happen is using the last of your heating fuel on a very cold night - ask me how I know. Last rig was propane; current one is gasoline.

I have a tiny 300W MSW inverter to run 2 TVs, sound system, PC and phone charger. I hate having to run the generator just to watch TV.

My generator is on a cargo carrier. I use it on the front of TC rig on back of 5th wheel. I prefer this. I have had 2 factory mounted. To much vibration and exhaust. Wouldn't be without because of AC. JMHO

There's a video of a couple on YouTube who installed a big enough solar system on their Class A to run their AC.
Cost them $15K but it really worked.

All this talk about air conditioners makes me realize how lucky we are here in the colorado mountains. Boondocking at 9-10,000 feet have never once used the A/C and on occasion run the furnace at night. We do bring a gen with us but it only runs for a minute or two for the microwave.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to the built in generators.

I added mine within about a year of when I bought my trailer new, way back in 2003. As of today, I think I have less than 200 hours on it.

Advantages:
Always have power and it is very convenient.
Less worry about theft.
With the right built in, you can run everything at once with plenty of power.
Mine is at least as quiet as the inverter styles - but only when they are under load. They are much quieter if they were just charging the batteries.

Disadvantages
Lose quite a bit of storage.
As mentioned, they use a LOT of propane. I figure on one 30 bottle per day if running the AC.
More expensive than buying or running an inverter generator.

If I were to buy again, I would skip the built in, and just go with two 2000 Honda's or Yamaha's.

And I don't think it is practical in any way to run the air conditioning without a generator.

Large Solar systems are very expensive compared to a generator. It only makes economic sense based on your camping experience. However, a small 5 watt without a charge controller solar panel does make sense for more people to keep their batteries up to charge while in storage.

edatlanta wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I have a gen for boondocking BUT it is NOT installed in 5th wheel

Factory 5th wheel gen is in front compartment (under bedroom) or on the roadside basement compartment area (again under bedroom)
No thanks!
Noise, vibration, exhaust.


My 4kw gen is in forward area of my long bed truck in its own enclosed gen box that has its own fuel tank and is insulated. Plus air intake and exhaust are designed to provide sufficient cooling air, air for combustion and quiet exhaust

I have 2 50A twist style receptacles .....OEM rear and an added one forward under overhang.

I can plug gen into either one depending on parking situation OR into front one while in transit so rig is cooled down when we arrive

Manual transfer switching with inter-locked 50A circuit breakers (one one set can be closed at a time.....power only from one receptacle)


Factory option..........not necessary


Course good solar system...panels/batteries and one can also go 'gen-less'

Noise - Can't hear mine

vibration - There isn't enough to feel

exhaust - Genturi when in crowded campgrounds. Never been a problem.

Same here.

greende wrote:
I use a portable because I can use it when I lose power at the house or need power away from my electric service etc. For me it is about versatility for the money spent.....

Interesting . I do not have a portable because I want push button convenience. Just push a button and I have all the power I need.
No setup,no cables,no gas cans, no lifting, no carrying, no locks.
Just push button convenience.
For home use, or I can run a few cords from the RV to the house. Or I can simply retreat to the RV depending on how long the outage is going to be.
A genset is not mandatory for a 5th wheel trailer. You can certainly do without it.
However a genset gives you lots of options and opportunities that do not exist without a genset.
Want to Walmart overnight when it 90ºF outside hot and humid?
Just push a button and you can have A/C.
Want to make lunch in the RV while traveling? Just push the button microwave and A/C are available.
Want to stop and leave the pets inside the RV during the summer?
Again push the button and you have A/C.
Want to boondock,stay at a friends house or stay anywhere other than an RV park. A genset give you lots of options.
A built in can give you lots of versatility as well, but it is also has the advantage of push button convenience.

No factory genny.wedont boondocks. I did add transfer switch & plug to front wall so Icould use Gen sitting in pu bed. Use it to run AC when stopped for lunch

As we primarily boondock, when in hot areas....obviously the geni is needed. If stopping for only one night, a built-in geni is very practical, as you’re not having to set up geni ( in our case... 2 x 2000’s) and then put away the next morning. Of course having a 3000+ in the truck bed alleviates much of the geni handling.

That said, we had a propane fueled built-in in a previous unit....never again. Propane consumption was outrageous! If I had the option of a gasoline fueled “on-board geni....then yes!

On our previous “on-board” geni... noise, vibration, and fumes, were a non-issue. Only “feeding it”!