On board 5th wheel generator

An Onan 5500 lP will be the most convenient option. Since your 5'er already has propane tanks there will be no need to: transport,handle, install or deal with gas cans of any sort.
LP gensets use more fuel than a gas unit, so if you plan on using your genset a lot you may prefer the efficiency of gas vs. the convenience of lp.
Lp genset are often more reliable than gas because they burn cleaner and do not have stale fuel and carb gumming issues.
On board is more expensive vs. portable however on board gensets are about convenience not savings.
No loading/unloading gensets. No security issues. No set up.
on Board gensets provide electric power at the push of a button. No cords,no keys,no need to go outside.
Just push the button and turn on the microwave and or A/C!

donn0128 wrote:
Two Honda 2KW generators. Much cheaper and versatile

I too had the generator prewired and bought a 2 KW generator (Yamaha). I also had the trailer prewired for solar. I put 600 watts on the roof and it is rare to use the generator. We spend the winter in the desert southwest and the summers in the northwest a is rare to use the air-conditioning when we boondock.

Onan 5500 will run everything. Ah now the old LP, Gas or diesel debate :B

352 wrote:
Make real sure you have a good working carbon monoxide detector. It is a matter of life or death.

x7 - Better to wake up with a headache that to wake up dead.

Make real sure you have a good working carbon monoxide detector. It is a matter of life or death.

aruba5er wrote:
yeh, I got 2 hondas work great if you are 1, parked, 2, have an extended run tank for both. 3, willing to go out in bad weather or dark or early morning to start them or it 4, not worried about someone stealing it (them) If I could have had a permenant genny, I'd do it in a heartbeat but alas no height to get one in the basement and to get one in the center front door i'd have to get a bigger door and maybe the cross shaft on the landing gear would be in the way. Go for the on board.

Good point regarding weather and having to pull start them. But they are secureable. Can you pull that Onan out and use it in the boat, at the house, on the work site or loan it to a friend who has a need? Then there is the noise/vibration factor of the Onan being right under your bedroom. Guess there are pros and cons both ways.

yeh, I got 2 hondas work great if you are 1, parked, 2, have an extended run tank for both. 3, willing to go out in bad weather or dark or early morning to start them or it 4, not worried about someone stealing it (them) If I could have had a permenant genny, I'd do it in a heartbeat but alas no height to get one in the basement and to get one in the center front door i'd have to get a bigger door and maybe the cross shaft on the landing gear would be in the way. Go for the on board.

I have an onboard Onan 5500 HGJAB propane generator rated for 45 amps continuous. This propane generator provides all the backup power needed for our fiver, but does add 280 pounds of weight. The Onan 6500 weighs about 290 pounds.

Two Honda 2KW generators. Much cheaper and versitile