Considering an Onan 5.5kw generator on the next trailer. It will run off LP. Main use would be for power when stopping overnight at rest areas or parking lots. Also, charging batteries during generator hours when camped at national parks. Relevant specs for the unit:wt. - 288 lbsLP usage:.4 gals/hr at idle/ no load.7 gals/hr at half load1.1 gals/hr at full load30 lb propane tank holds 7.5 gallons of propane.At idle, one tank would last 18.75 hrsHalf load, one tank would last 10.7 hrsFull load, one tank would last 6.8 hrsFor those who have this generator using LP as the fuel:How do you manage your generator usage for the LP available on the trailer?Do you carry extra 30 or 40 lb tanks in the truck?Carry extra tanks or a larger tank on the trailer?

I don't have a 5.5k, only a 4k gas Onan. IMO, unless you are running 2-13.5k or 15k BTU rooftop AC units . . . . a lot, your generator will be way oversized and waste a lot of the fuel just spinning with little to no load, especially if you are using it to mainly charge batteries and/or run the fridge, or other nuisance loads.If you do have need for that size genny, your best bet would be to have a larger tank (IMO 24 gallon or larger) installed in the bed of your truck because you will exhaust 30 lb tanks very quickly and change them out often. (about every day or two)Chum lee

We had one on our 5th wheel. We had two 40lb tanks. You will eat through a lot of LP real quick.

Have one in the Sahara but we also have a 100 lb propane tank. I filled the propane before a 3 day boondocking trip last month. Ran the genny once a day for 2 hours and used a quarter tank of propane charging the batteries. They run off the liquid propane.

ours is a older gen set ,runs great has never been a problem and does not eat fuel like some have said, bt we use it for overnight stops,, charge a battery,,, or AC at night ,have never ran it on a contious use, say four hours or more at a time ,I like ours.

I have a friend with a smaller LP generator in his TC. When he goes to the desert towing his Jeep, he goes through a tank a day for the A/C so he usually takes eight extra tanks on the trailer in front of the Jeep in addition to the two in TC.Bill

LP fuel Onan 5.5kw generator | Good Sam Community

dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 04, 2018
I know you have researched this. But, HOW often do you think the Genset will run "just" overnight? As you know, it depends on how hot it is at night. So, in best case scenario, it will run at least 4 hours which will be over 50% of the LP tank. AND, you will need to spend money on a Auto genset system. Nothing worse than waking up at 3am with a extremely warm RV. And have you figured in the loss of quality sleep time when that Genset kicks in 3 or 4 times a night? I doubt you can be immune to that noise. I would think it would be better to have some type of extra Gasoline tank added to your tow truck if you use a truck and use gasoline as the fuel for the Onan. Doug
markm
Explorer
Jul 03, 2018
Midnightsadie: appreciate your feedback. I would use the generator as you have.
Thanks
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2018
like I said we use ours about the same way your going to use one. we still like it. and I,ve never run out of fuel. frig is off the same tank.
markm
Explorer
Jul 03, 2018
As stated in my original post:

"Main use would be for power when stopping overnight at rest areas or parking lots."

Intermittent use for one night.

Obviously, running it for an extended period of time would use a lot of fuel.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2018
I have a friend with a smaller LP generator in his TC. When he goes to the desert towing his Jeep, he goes through a tank a day for the A/C so he usually takes eight extra tanks on the trailer in front of the Jeep in addition to the two in TC.

Bill
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2018
ours is a older gen set ,runs great has never been a problem and does not eat fuel like some have said, bt we use it for overnight stops,, charge a battery,,, or AC at night ,have never ran it on a contious use, say four hours or more at a time ,I like ours.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2018
Have one in the Sahara but we also have a 100 lb propane tank. I filled the propane before a 3 day boondocking trip last month. Ran the genny once a day for 2 hours and used a quarter tank of propane charging the batteries. They run off the liquid propane.
bgum
Explorer
Jul 03, 2018
We had one on our 5th wheel. We had two 40lb tanks. You will eat through a lot of LP real quick.
Chum_lee
Explorer
Jul 03, 2018
I don't have a 5.5k, only a 4k gas Onan. IMO, unless you are running 2-13.5k or 15k BTU rooftop AC units . . . . a lot, your generator will be way oversized and waste a lot of the fuel just spinning with little to no load, especially if you are using it to mainly charge batteries and/or run the fridge, or other nuisance loads.

If you do have need for that size genny, your best bet would be to have a larger tank (IMO 24 gallon or larger) installed in the bed of your truck because you will exhaust 30 lb tanks very quickly and change them out often. (about every day or two)

Chum lee

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