Built-in Genset on 2021 F-150

Reisender wrote:
One of the you tubers tested an F150 hybrid with charging an older BMWi3 Electric vehicle for a couple hours. Another used a Tesla. Both with well documented results. Looked impressive to me.

Essentially the Tesla Cybertruck will have the same facility. Specs have been varied but 3.6 KW to 7.2KW. Both 120 and 240 depending what you read. The only difference being the Tesla getting its power from the big a$$ battery under the truck. :). No need to wear out the 3.5 litre motor. I’m sure they will have this on the electric F150 next year.

I’ll see if I can find the link on the ford later. It was a good video.

Anyone else see the irony in this post? Plug in your Tesla so it can charge up and then discharge running appliances or charging the neighbors EV that need to be plugged in...

That is basically what I am setting up on my truck, 100amp charging from the truck, 675ah of batteries and a 2800 watt outback inverter. I am using it to power my commercial cap and truck camper when I get it. I can use the remote start and get charging from the truck for using the a/c or larger loads.

Here is the ford video. It is a good video indicating the Ford truck RPM, temperatures, how much fuel was used. Etc

I think this would be handy for contractors in certain trades. The video gives the economy of it etc. Seemed reasonable. No idea hot the ware and teat would be on a motor idling like that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEIN6-cVLRg&t=877s

Below are a couple pics of the Tesla Cybertruck 1/2 ton. On its debut they showed an Electric quad driving in the back of the pickup and then plugging into the receptacle on the lower rear right on the inside of the box. Kinda cool. You can see it in a couple of pics. Again it should be handy for contractors. That and the crop of Electric quads that are hitting the market lately. Beats setting up a genny and hauling gas I suppose.

The other thing either of these trucks would be good for is Triple A duty for EV drivers that can't read a gauge. A quick 15 minute charge to get them to the next Supercharger or fast charger or home or wherever.

One of the you tubers tested an F150 hybrid with charging an older BMWi3 Electric vehicle for a couple hours. Another used a Tesla. Both with well documented results. Looked impressive to me.

Essentially the Tesla Cybertruck will have the same facility. Specs have been varied but 3.6 KW to 7.2KW. Both 120 and 240 depending what you read. The only difference being the Tesla getting its power from the big a$$ battery under the truck. :). No need to wear out the 3.5 litre motor. I’m sure they will have this on the electric F150 next year.

I’ll see if I can find the link on the ford later. It was a good video.

mich800 wrote:

Groover wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Groover wrote:
$1,900 is a whole lot less than an inverter drive standalone generator of that capacity, if you can even find one. The closest Honda makes 2,000 less watts and costs $3k more.

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure where you are getting pricing.

A 2400w honda isn't $4900 (7500w is way overkill for a 30amp RV so not really relevant). Heck helped friends pick out a 3100w Champion last year for $550. That will handle pretty much anything a 1/2ton truck can pull. So far the only real advantage is you save some bed space.

Is the Ford system rated for peak or continuous load?

Also, Honda and every other generator manufacturer produces larger units that can put out 2000-2400w continuous.

If you are really worried about bed space and lugging it around, a simpler option is to add a generator platform to the A-frame on the trailer and bolt/lock it down.

If all you want is 2,000 watts, which is all that the Honda put out continuously, you can get that option on almost all of the 2021 F150's for $995. And that is less than the comparable Honda also. Plus, no fuel to mess with, it is always there and it is a lot harder to walk away with.

The only thing I would add it the Honda cannot put out 2000 watts continuously. I have tried, it cannot it will overload.

If the Ford rating, Peak or Continuous? If could easily be the same situation.

Also Honda and every other generator manufacturer puts out a wide variety of wattage rated generators.

Really if it's just keeping the bed clear and not having to lug it around, you can be a mount for the A-frame of the trailer that can be bolted/locked down with a cover.

Groover wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Groover wrote:
$1,900 is a whole lot less than an inverter drive standalone generator of that capacity, if you can even find one. The closest Honda makes 2,000 less watts and costs $3k more.

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure where you are getting pricing.

A 2400w honda isn't $4900 (7500w is way overkill for a 30amp RV so not really relevant). Heck helped friends pick out a 3100w Champion last year for $550. That will handle pretty much anything a 1/2ton truck can pull. So far the only real advantage is you save some bed space.

If all you want is 2,000 watts, which is all that the Honda put out continuously, you can get that option on almost all of the 2021 F150's for $995. And that is less than the comparable Honda also. Plus, no fuel to mess with, it is always there and it is a lot harder to walk away with.

The only thing I would add it the Honda cannot put out 2000 watts continuously. I have tried, it cannot it will overload.

Here is an interesting test with a good discussion on usefulness.

Car and Driver test

And a camping test.

F150 runs 2 campers simultaneously.

TFL has run several interesting tests.

valhalla360 wrote:

Groover wrote:
$1,900 is a whole lot less than an inverter drive standalone generator of that capacity, if you can even find one. The closest Honda makes 2,000 less watts and costs $3k more.

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure where you are getting pricing.

A 2400w honda isn't $4900 (7500w is way overkill for a 30amp RV so not really relevant). Heck helped friends pick out a 3100w Champion last year for $550. That will handle pretty much anything a 1/2ton truck can pull. So far the only real advantage is you save some bed space.

If all you want is 2,000 watts, which is all that the Honda put out continuously, you can get that option on almost all of the 2021 F150's for $995. And that is less than the comparable Honda also. Plus, no fuel to mess with, it is always there and it is a lot harder to walk away with.

Grit dog wrote:
This is a fairly well thought out option, with enough power to actually be useful (in all 3 configurations) and not prohibitively expensive (that's relative, of course, to the cost of the truck).

But the marketing to "contractors" and "pros" is just that. Marketing.
Anyone who thinks different, isn't a contractor or a "pro."

It is, however, a cool option for the weekend warrior, boondocker and home handyman.
Good job Ford for thinking out of the box, but let's don't blow this too out of proportion either way, rvnetters!

BTW, a real contractor wouldn't park his truck that close to the work. I've actually fired people who repeatedly couldn't keep their truck out of the line of fire! Big no no in real work.

I would agree. We boondock more often than not and it would be handy to not have to lug my cheapo genny out for the limited times we actually need a little juice like a hot afternoon or to run an electric coffee pot or whatever. Or even better the Honda that I leave home a lot because it weighs a metric ton, even though it's a lot nicer to use. I bet on an average 3 or 4 day camping trip we probably run one for a collective two or three hours, if that, and for that type of usage this would be perfect. Unfortunately an F150 wouldn't cut it for us, so It would be nice if this migrated into the HD models. In theory, anyway - I'll probably keep my truck for another decade. I'm cheap like that.

valhalla360 wrote:

Groover wrote:
$1,900 is a whole lot less than an inverter drive standalone generator of that capacity, if you can even find one. The closest Honda makes 2,000 less watts and costs $3k more.

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure where you are getting pricing.

A 2400w honda isn't $4900 (7500w is way overkill for a 30amp RV so not really relevant). Heck helped friends pick out a 3100w Champion last year for $550. That will handle pretty much anything a 1/2ton truck can pll. So far the only real advantage is you save some bed space.

You raise a valid point. Much like a built in genset on an RV. Ii is very convenient to have push button power via a built in Onan on an RV.
Ford is offering that convenience in a tow vehicle vs. having it in the RV. That convenience vs. a stand alone genset means no lifting ,hauling or carrying. No security or gas cans issue.
No need to plan for having the genset it is always with you and not in the garage when you need it!
I will also finding a TT with a factory installed genset is rare/impossible. Ford is offering a built in option to TT haulers who desire built in but are not able to get a built in in the RV, they can go for the next best thing a built in in the TV.
Similar to a built in RV genset you will pay a premium for the convenience of a built in TV genset. The hybrid option coupled with the genset option is quite a bit more than a stand alone genset, however you do benefit from the conveniences.