I am looking at purchasing a lightweight inverter/generator for my pickup camper. Looking at 2,000 to 2,500 watts. Mainly for coffee maker, nebulizer and recharging phones and computers. After reading many review and reviews, I have settled on either a Westinghouse IGen 2200 (46 pounds) Inverter Generator or Champion 2500 Watt Portable Generator (39 pounds). Thought about Harbor Freight Predator. Can some of you that own either of these give me any advise on which one of these would be a good purchase. Or do you own a different brand that you are happy with. Final question, do most of you purchase from big box stores, or try to find a place that will service what you purchase. Thanks for any advise.

We have solar on the roof & good AGM batteries; have only used our 2200 Honda less than 25 hours in 2 years of Full Timing; we also have a suitcase solar setup on a long cord for when parked in shady locations..... If’s you’re gonna be camping in really cold weather then you might have more need for a generator...Honda is more expensive, BUT, is repairable, has known reliability, higher resale value & not made in Communist China... Points to ponder.....

I have two Honda EU2000i generators that I have had for many years, when Honda was the only inverter generator. They are expensive, but mostly trouble free. I say mostly, because anything mechanical will eventually have some kind of problem. My fear with most of the inverter generators on the market is obtaining parts or service.My cousin has a 3100 watt Champion generator with remote start. He has had good luck with it. If I was going to buy anything other than a Honda, I, personally, would probably lean to the Champion,

I have 2 Honda EU2200 generators. They have performed flawlessly.I don't buy anything at HF except storage totes, bungee cords, etc. I don't trust their power tools and I certainly wouldn't buy one of their generators.I have no experience with either of the models you listed. I borrowed a champion 3100 open frame generator once; it had rather poor voltage regulation.

I have two Hondas also but last year I bought a camo Westinghouse Igen 2200 and so far it's a keeper...It's not A honda but darn close in noise...Quite impressed so far..

Opinions on lightweight portable inverter/generators

Bobbo
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2021
zb39 wrote:
I used to have 2 Honda 2k gensets. If I didn't run them once a month they got gummed up. I don't run them that much. After messing with them a few times I sold them and bought one that I can drain the gas out of the carb. It runs my AC or my electric fireplace. $399 at Sams. Love it

But, you CAN drain the Honda carb.

https://youtu.be/Spn8Zx_cIz0
bikendan
Explorer
Nov 09, 2021
zb39 wrote:
I used to have 2 Honda 2k gensets. If I didn't run them once a month they got gummed up. I don't run them that much. After messing with them a few times I sold them and bought one that I can drain the gas out of the carb. It runs my AC or my electric fireplace. $399 at Sams. Love it

What $400 inverter generator can run an a/c?
zb39
Explorer
Nov 08, 2021
I used to have 2 Honda 2k gensets. If I didn't run them once a month they got gummed up. I don't run them that much. After messing with them a few times I sold them and bought one that I can drain the gas out of the carb. It runs my AC or my electric fireplace. $399 at Sams. Love it
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 08, 2021
full_mosey wrote:
moonlightrunner wrote:
My goddaughter works for Harbor Freight. She is a freight supervisor. This is what she tells me.... The Tailgator generator is garbage and no longer sold. If you buy a generator, get the extended warranty and if you have a problem, just return it. She says most of the people who use HF genny's on their RVs or other heavy use, exchange them before the warranty runs out, even if they are running fine. I use her 20% off employee/family discount for everything I buy from HF. My goddaughter knows the return rates on all the HF gennys. There are a couple that she refuses to promote (the Tailgator was one). She recently came home all excited about one of the new inverter gennys. This is the one she is going to put on her new-2-her truck camper (13.5BTU Air). She is also going to add a conversion kit so she can run it on LP. https://www.harborfreight.com/4400-watt-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-technology-epa-iii-57509.html

You're joking, right?
Yea right. That is not small or lightweight.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2021
I get a kick out someone starting a genny thread on here, kinda like asking if you need a dually to pull the pop up. :R

Also seems like the Honda folks are really concerned about needing service and parts. :h

I have run a Predator for house back up and a Champ for camping. No problems or parts needed.
full_mosey
Explorer
Nov 07, 2021
moonlightrunner wrote:
My goddaughter works for Harbor Freight. She is a freight supervisor. This is what she tells me.... The Tailgator generator is garbage and no longer sold. If you buy a generator, get the extended warranty and if you have a problem, just return it. She says most of the people who use HF genny's on their RVs or other heavy use, exchange them before the warranty runs out, even if they are running fine. I use her 20% off employee/family discount for everything I buy from HF. My goddaughter knows the return rates on all the HF gennys. There are a couple that she refuses to promote (the Tailgator was one). She recently came home all excited about one of the new inverter gennys. This is the one she is going to put on her new-2-her truck camper (13.5BTU Air). She is also going to add a conversion kit so she can run it on LP. https://www.harborfreight.com/4400-watt-inverter-generator-with-co-secure-technology-epa-iii-57509.html

You're joking, right?
notsobigjoe
Nomad III
Nov 07, 2021
Just commenting on the generator part of the conversation as I have never had any solar. You are all correct in your points about parts and rebuilding as well as new carburetors. Any one who's had a generator for some time will need a new carb and that's after the first couple of rebuilds. The bottom line is you get what you pay for. Honda has parts readily available but at a premium price, the parts for my two small generators come directly from china with no dealer reps other than Home depot and they send for the parts from china but that was clearly my trade off as I purchased two of them for the price of one Honda. Is the Honda a superior unit? In my opinion you bet it is. With that said I understand they too are no longer made in Japan but China.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 07, 2021
Barry W wrote:
https://www.jackery.com/
I purchased this portable (1500 + 4 100 watt panels) solar generator for my house for short power outages. I took it to cape lookout for our annual fishing trip. It kept my snow river camper batteries Charged for two weeks. I was impressed to say the least. No generator noise the entire trip, Priceless! Barry

4 100 panels = full charged batteries. nada to do with the jackery.

"short power outage". Maybe a couple of hours? My RV needs to run 24/7

My class c currently has more than twice the wattage storage of the (expensive) jackery at 1/6 the cost.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2021
Barry W wrote:
https://www.jackery.com/
I purchased this portable (1500 + 4 100 watt panels) solar generator for my house for short power outages. I took it to cape lookout for our annual fishing trip. It kept my snow river camper batteries Charged for two weeks. I was impressed to say the least. No generator noise the entire trip, Priceless! Barry

I still see $2,699 price tag on your link?
Barry_W
Explorer
Nov 07, 2021
https://www.jackery.com/
I purchased this portable (1500 + 4 100 watt panels) solar generator for my house for short power outages. I took it to cape lookout for our annual fishing trip. It kept my snow river camper batteries Charged for two weeks. I was impressed to say the least. No generator noise the entire trip, Priceless! Barry