Generator for travel trailer
I’m trying to decide on a generator to use with my travel trailer and hoping to make a better decision based on your experience. What suggestions do you have?
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
