On Board Generator vs Portable Generator

northmeck0255 wrote:
Our fiver has an onboard gennie, and I'd never want a rig without one. If we're in proximity to other folks, we use the Gen-Turi to take care of noise and exhaust fumes.

So I checked into this gentry and the home made version as well. Thinking i might build one. How much does it quiet the gen set down?

X2

marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
My travel trailer came with an Onan 2500 LP built in.
I also use my Honda 2000i and always bring it with me camping.
Pros: Honda is portable, take it anywhere or don't, its quiet, long run time.
Onan LP super convenient push button, built in, no theft, no gummed up carb if it sits.
Cons: Honda wants to grow legs so you have to chain it down, limited power, lug it along.
Onan LP eats propane under load, more noisy and some vibration since its mounted on the trailer.

placergold wrote:
We are researching the purchase of a new toy hauler. And one of the options we are struggling with is whether or not to go with a portable generator, or the factory installed generator. Your opinions and experience on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

On board all the way!
I stand alone 3K generator won't run both of your AC units.

Your onboard will run everything!

Our fiver has an onboard gennie, and I'd never want a rig without one. If we're in proximity to other folks, we use the Gen-Turi to take care of noise and exhaust fumes.

placergold wrote:
We plan to be on the road for a year or more. So we will be camping/traveling in all temperature extremes. It sounds like the best way to go is to have a built in Onan, and a portable generator too. But, storage will be a factor, so it has to be one or the other for us. The Toy Hauler(s) we are looking at are max 28' overall. To help with battery charging, we will definitely be getting a solar panel. Were also going to get a cab high truck bed shell, I have a wood framed raised bed for it. Its great when you want to leave your trailer behind and use your 4x4 truck to get back in the hills and camp out for a few days.
colliehauler, I looked at the TH forum first, but it didn't seem very active. But, I'll take your suggestion and post the question there and see if I can get any valuable feedback, thanks.

My travel trailer came with an Onan 2500 LP built in.
I also use my Honda 2000i and always bring it with me camping.

Pros: Honda is portable, take it anywhere or don't, its quiet, long run time.
Onan LP super convenient push button, built in, no theft, no gummed up carb if it sits.

Cons: Honda wants to grow legs so you have to chain it down, limited power, lug it along.
Onan LP eats propane under load, more noisy and some vibration since its mounted on the trailer.

BTW I have my metal detector and pans ready, just need some land with gold on it.

If its a propane generator on board I'd take a portable in a heart beat. The propane tanks you get on a hauler or really any fifth wheel or MH aren't big enough and it is a PIA to take them down and get them filled when you are burning through them with heavy get set useage.

If you have a diesel or gas built in with dual 30 gal tank in the hauler then built is in the way to go. Easy decision. Just match your fuel type to your toys or truck depending on your needs.

Otherwise I'd get the portable. If your going to have to deal with swapping tanks or hauling small gas cans you might as well just deal with the portable and gain the extra storage in the unit. If you have a builtin with the convenience of a large holding tank for the fuel than a built in is the way to go.

My experience, if you can get a toy hauler, get a gasoline powered Onan generator to go with it. It won't disappear like portable ones do, has a -lot- of runtime (a 30 gallon tank can run the genset for days at a time), is easy to service, and will always come in handy. Plus, with a fuel station, the generator's gasoline tank can be used for additional fuel storage for the main vehicle.

My next rig will have an inbuilt generator. It is worth it.

I have a couple of generators. Next trailer will have an on board unit, probably a gas version in a toy hauler. Gas seems like it would be less of a hassle compared to refilling propane tanks.

We plan to be on the road for a year or more. So we will be camping/traveling in all temperature extremes. It sounds like the best way to go is to have a built in Onan, and a portable generator too. But, storage will be a factor, so it has to be one or the other for us. The Toy Hauler(s) we are looking at are max 28' overall. To help with battery charging, we will definitely be getting a solar panel. Were also going to get a cab high truck bed shell, I have a wood framed raised bed for it. Its great when you want to leave your trailer behind and use your 4x4 truck to get back in the hills and camp out for a few days.
colliehauler, I looked at the TH forum first, but it didn't seem very active. But, I'll take your suggestion and post the question there and see if I can get any valuable feedback, thanks.

Another option is to ask in the TH forum where people actually own toyhaulers. Or ask the moderator to move it to the toyhauler section.