Portable Generator

Here is what happened. I was traveling from Michigan (where I live) to North Carolina to visit family. Onan Emerald Plus 5000 worked just fine for 7 hours. . .stopped to get dinner and it would not start. It chugged violently and backfired and then started and ran for the rest of the trip (another 6 hours). I tried many different things (from suggestions on another forum. . .thanks to everyone who tried). I changed the spark plugs, oil, and air filter. I took off the air intake and held the choke open hoping it would clear out. I tried starting fluid. Finally out of pure frustration, I took it to Camping world and they said it needed a new carburetor ($800). I wanted a second opinion, so I took it to nearby Cummins Atlantic and had a certified Onan repair person look at it. That is the place that said I needed over $4000 worth of repairs (Carburetor, Fuel Filter and line, electric rotor and stator, voltage regulator and all gaskets)??? I figured they would know exactly what they were doing???? I don't know why they didn't just try to sell me a new generator. . .one of the new self-contained 5500's is about $3700??

So. . .that is why I asked the question, because I don't have the money for a new one or to make those repairs (which would be stupid, in my opinion). Thanks to everyone for responding!