Generator for travel trailer

Just watched a you tube video bout this take a look at " All About RV's" on you tube

I own several gens for differnet reasons. My "new" RV I've had for the past year has a built in ONAN which is great. But for literally 20 years before that I used portable gens. I had a pair of EU2000 since 2006 with no regrets. If I could go back in time and do it over again, I would get another pair of EU2000 if I had to dig through the couch coushions for change.

For a pair of stock EU2000 in parallel running a 1980's era class C including roof air in ~100f ambient, in my experience you are looking at ~8 hours before refueling the gens. If this is the way you are running, in my opinion its worth researching bulk tanks and modified fuel caps.

With my last RV, my older daughter was in 4H and Pony Club for horses for many years. We would pull into a fair or event and crank up the gens, and they would run parallel non-stop 24 hours a day for a week running the AC. Many times over. Zero issues. 4-digit hours on each of them.

I own two Champoins, a 1200 and a 3000. The 3000 is for home/well pump backup because the Honda won't do 240V. I love my Champions and have had no issue with them, but I have not used them anywhere close to as hard as I've worked these Hondas.

Taxman,

At the risk of sounding critical, you still haven't provided us with any real information. OK, you think you need/want a generator....

How deep is a river?

Then comes around to what your other requirements are.
Do you have to be able to lift it?
How much will you actually use it?
And about thirty more.

If you help us, we can help you with better information.

Matt

Taxman2436 wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. I’m leaning toward the Honda 3000 because it will run everything but my concern is the weight. I hadn’t thought about pairing up 2 of the 2000’s. That is worth consideration. How long will they run on a tank of gas?

I didn't see what you're trying to run.

Put on an EZ start on the AC and you can use the smaller generators. basically 3+ hours with AC, or 8+ hours without running AC.

I installed 2 GC2 batteries and an upgraded charger, which provides me with a lot of overnight power. Have a Westinghouse 2500, and with the EZ Start works beautifully!

Same TT for 12 years, solar works great. We stay away from heat in the summer and head for cooler climbs.

We have a Honda 2000 but even with a soft-start device it will still roar. If you really need it go for a 3000W.

I'd love to eliminate the boat anchor on the roof of my TT and replace it with a mini-split. Compressor outside and less watts. A 3/4 ton would work great for our 24 foot.

Taxman2436 wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. I’m leaning toward the Honda 3000 because it will run everything but my concern is the weight. I hadn’t thought about pairing up 2 of the 2000’s. That is worth consideration. How long will they run on a tank of gas?

That depends on what you are going to do with them. If lightly loaded, one of my Honda 2000s will run just shy of 15 hours, the other one will go well over 12 hours on a tank of gas, which is about a gallon. As far as I know Honda is the only one that will let you use an extended run tank which is important to me when the weather is bad and the solar doesn't do anything.

Thanks for all the responses. I’m leaning toward the Honda 3000 because it will run everything but my concern is the weight. I hadn’t thought about pairing up 2 of the 2000’s. That is worth consideration. How long will they run on a tank of gas?

There are only three things to consider:
1. What size generator will you need to power your proposed needs.
2. Will you be moving the generator and how will you lift it or move it.
3. What brand to buy.

To answer #1. add up the load (watts) of every appliance you plan to run at one time. They add up quick. Starting watts of the air conditioner must be considered. Usually,a 2,000 watt unit will run the microwave, lights, but not the air conditioner. To successfully run the A/C, a 3000 plus watt unit is required.

The answer to #2. is just based on your use and muscles. If you will store the generator in a storage compartment and remove to operate, weight is a big factor. IF you will permanently mount it in some homemade device, then not so important. Some smaller, lighter generators can be linked together to give the wattage of a bigger unit but not the weight.

For #3. Consider the initial cost and the ability to obtain factory service. Honda, Yamaha, and Champion all are known to provide service and parts availability. Predator, while much cheaper, have no service or parts availability. If it fails, it becomes useless. The additional initial cost may be worth the ability to get service and parts in the future.

Without many details, I'll assume you have 30amp service and will want to run the a/c. Honda or Yamaha 3000 would be my recommendation. I personally own the Yamaha. Will run 15,000 btu a/c for 9 hours on single tank of gas.

1. Honda
2. Yamaha
3. Champion

I have a Honda eu2000i for the times when I do not need AC. I also have a Champion 3000 inverter genset for the times when AC might be needed. The Champion is just as quiet as the Honda. The Champion also is duel fuel, propane and gasoline.