Location of generator in fifth wheel trailers?

I have a 6.5 kw Onan in my DRV, it's under the bed , more or less. It has 33 hours on it in 5 years so noise is not much of an issue. I also have a 2.6kw Onan in my TC mounted in the very rear of the unit. Neither one really bothers me when I am sleeping.

Ours in front with the factory generator prep is ideal for us. All service is through the front panel and open bottom. There is a valved oil drain tube out the bottom, along with the filter in the bottom that is easily accessed. Adding oil, spark plugs, air filter is all accessed by opening the front RV cabinet and snapping off the front cover of the generator (which you could never do on that Horizon unless there was a panel inside to access it - but who wants that mess inside their coach)

However, this configuration would be just as easy in a side cabinet, rear, wouldn't matter as long as there was open access to the bottom and front panel of the generator. Onan requires the bottom to be open for combustion air, routing exhaust, and the fan driven cooling system that draws air from below and discharges it out below.

janegowest wrote:
Then....where is the IDEAL location for the generator?

Since most Onans are designed for service from one side. Anywhere you can get at that side easily. Never seen one designed to be serviced from the bottom. Middle of the frame doesn't fit that description. Most I have seen in 5th wheels are in front with the service side facing forward. Other than that I don't have a clue. The Class A I owned had it on the side under the dinette. BUT the frame rails on a Class A are a lot closer together than a 5er therefore more room outside the frame rails.

A valid question I don't have an answer for. Maybe if we knew how the center mount genny was serviced we could form a better opinion.

Then....where is the IDEAL location for the generator?

bigdon68 wrote:
Here is the New Horizon generator location. Access would be from under the trailer.


New Horizon Generator

bigdon68

That location and easy access just don't go together. Service has to be a pain. Think about checking the oil etc....

No thanks...

That would suck to change the oil, unless there is an access plate from inside the trailer.

Here is the New Horizon generator location. Access would be from under the trailer.


New Horizon Generator

bigdon68

avvidclif1 wrote:

bigdon68 wrote:
The New Horizon 5th wheels have the generator mounted mid-frame right behind the rear tires. Plenty of access for maintenance and it helps with weight distribution.

bigdon68

I'm having a hard time picturing that. Middle of the frame behind the back tires and easy access just don't compute. Unless there is a big hump in the middle of the floor.

Not hard to imagine, that's where many Motorhomes put it.

bigdon68 wrote:
The New Horizon 5th wheels have the generator mounted mid-frame right behind the rear tires. Plenty of access for maintenance and it helps with weight distribution.

bigdon68

I'm having a hard time picturing that. Middle of the frame behind the back tires and easy access just don't compute. Unless there is a big hump in the middle of the floor.

The New Horizon 5th wheels have the generator mounted mid-frame right behind the rear tires. Plenty of access for maintenance and it helps with weight distribution.

bigdon68