GENERATOR

For true emergencies, going cheap may be reasonable. But plan to spend at least a little extra for Ethanol-free gasoline and an additive like Sta-Bil.

But consider how cheap generators have multiple disadvantages:
1) Noise
2) Runs at a fixed throttle setting
3) A/C may not be "clean" enough for some electronics
4) Maximum Rated Amps may not be available from a single circuit
5) Parts for repairs/service may be hard to find

My hometown is late to the food-truck craze. One of the guys has a trailer rather than an all-in-one truck and uses a contractor-grade generator. I've told him he has no hope of getting my wife as a customer as the racket from his generator would keep her from spending even the few minutes it takes to order and get the food.

On the other hand, there's another guy with a 58Amp diesel genny on the back of his truck that you can barely hear when you're on the other side ordering.

It all depends on your needs. I have a 2000 watt Yamaha that I take along with me. I only use it in the campgrounds that dont have service. It runs every thing that we need except the A/C, but here in Alaska there is not much need for it, just open the windows.

I have a 2,000 watt generator for our TT that runs everything except the AC and microwave. What I find interesting is that a 2,000 watt generator use to power our old TT including the microwave (no AC) but the same power 2,000 watt generator can't power the microwave in the new TT.

I assume the newer TT have more static power drain than the older trailers. Most 2,000 watt units only produce 1,800 watts continuous. Just something to keep in mind if looking into buying a generator for your TT.

Poohper wrote:
Hello,
I will be looking for a generator shortly as an energy source for my Travel trailer incase we have an emergency. What are some good generators to look at and are they propane or gasoline? I can't spend $1000 so please let me know where I can find reasonable ones if you can.
Thank You!

I would highly recommend Champion as they are dependable, great customer service, & parts are easy to get.

If all you're looking for is an emergency power supply & you don't intend on running the A/C then this one would suffice @ $200 cost.

1500/1200 watt

A step up from there in my opinion would be this one @ $375 "Refurb"

2000 watt Inverter type

Unless you have to have high powered items like the Ac or microwave, you can use a set of jumper cables and the truck in an emergency. Our first trip to the boonies was suppose to be for 3 days but when we extended it to 7 I knew our single battery would not last in the nightly mid 20 degree weather. I used the truck for a hour a night and that made sure we had the power to keep the furnace running.

edbehnke wrote:
for emergencies? you should be able to last several days without recharging your batteries. just have 2 new batteries, you don't need a generator.

I'd agree - I see a generator for camping as a "want", not a "need". Losing power at home during the winter and not being able to run the furnace is an emergency which IMO easily justifies the expense of investing in a genset to keep the house warm ... but when camping?! That said, I've previously owned a Honda EU2000i, simply for the convenience of being able to re-charge my one trailer battery as needed when dry camping AND for (very important!) so my wife can use her hair dryer. :R We sold that camper and the genset a couple years ago, now we have a couple's trailer so I bought another EU2000i ... simply for the convenience. For those of us who don't dry camp all the time and then only for a few days at a time a couple of batteries and no genset can serve the purpose just fine ... as long as you ignore the hair dryer issue! :E

Hmmm ... maybe that's the emergency the OP is referring to ??! :B

I have owned this Champion for about 10 years now. It comes 30A RV Ready. It will run everything as if you were plugged into shore power. Get a good quality separate battery charger for the times you just need to charge to save on gas.

Champion has great service as well.

Run the fridge on propane while in 'survival mode' to save on gas as well.

Someone stated finding gas after a major outage is difficult. This is true. I had to drive 60 miles to refill my tanks after Hurricane Ike.

for emergencies? you should be able to last several days without recharging your batteries. just have 2 new batteries, you don't need a generator.

Poohper wrote:
We just purchased 2 new batteries for the trailer so that is something to start, now to start pricing the generators for the best deal will probably take time. Any suggestions of places besides Cabelas that we should start looking for the generator?

Wise sales
Costco
Home Depot (for the excellent return policy)