hi, i'm new to trailer camping and just bought a 05 Fleetwood Pegasus 27FQS today. its in perfect condition and great for a first camper. we are going to use it this summer and see what we like and don't like then maybe move to something different. I have a question though, I would like to get a generator and one that would power everything yet be small, light and quiet so how many watts do I need. I don't have the trailer here now so I don't know what the wattage of the ac and other items are THANKS ! Jay D.

Generally, a 3000w inverter generator will be what you're after if you want to run A/C. If you like the idea of redundancy, many 2000w inverter generator options allow for pairing of two units to increase output. Some people also go that route because a 3000w generator isn't particularly light.If you can live without A/C and probably the microwave, a single 2000w generator is plenty. You could possibly go even smaller if the maximum draw of your converter allows.Popular brands are Honda and Yamaha. Many people, myself included, find the Champion inverter generators to be good value for the money.

I have two Honda EU2000 generators. They run everything including A/C in my TT.I had the EU3000 but in the mountains it would not run my A/C

1000W will keep your batteries recharged and keep basic things like lights on and plugs for low draw things like a TV or computer2000W does all of the above + will allow you to use higher draw things like the microwave, toaster, coffee maker and hair dryer (although not more than any one of those at the same time).3000W = all of the above + you should be able to run an A/C in most circumstances.Of course, there are exceptions but that should be pretty close. I love my Honda 2000. Quiet, fairly easily portable and I can make the kids microwave popcorn :)

Get yourself a Champion 2000 generator and a Micro-Air for your AC and you would be good to go for under $1000.

There's the new Generac IQ2000, quieter than any other 2k watt and they can be paralleled to run a 30A load. Not super cheap at ~$1600 for two and the kit but cheaper than some of the alternatives. Another interesting option is the Champion 3k dual fuel, runs on gas or propane (great for those using an SUV or van to tow or a class b/c without an onboard since you don't have to have fume producing gas cans in the vehicle)

generator | Good Sam Community

TomG2
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
There is a lot of noise in the typical parking lot, your generator will hardly be noticed. Having said that, common sense and the Golden Rule applies to RVing as well as other things in life.

I use a tri-fold bed topper to protect my generator and other stuff. There are custom covers available from the manufactures.
Floridastorm
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
As mentioned, most of us haul our generators in the bed of the tow vehicle. Some are already pre-wired with a 30 amp RV plug which makes it as easy to use as RV park service. Towing with a SUV or van is not as simple.

If it can go in the bed of the truck tow vehicle how do you keep it out of the elements? I would imagine you could use a topper if not towing a 5th wheel. Also, when you stop at a rest stop, Walmart, or some other place outside of an RV Park, is the generator loud enough to annoy other people?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2017
Soundguy, no reason to upgrade your battery if you are comfortable and not drawing down to damage levels.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Floridastorm wrote:
Does it plug into the outside receptacle for the shore power when not hooked up in an RV park?

Yes.
And most people who ADD a generator just carry it in a storage space, the location of which depends on what model TT you have.

Then you take it out of it's storage compartment, fill it with fuel and run it OUTSIDE the trailer.
TomG2
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
As mentioned, most of us haul our generators in the bed of the tow vehicle. Some are already pre-wired with a 30 amp RV plug which makes it as easy to use as RV park service. Towing with a SUV or van is not as simple.
Floridastorm
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
If one purchases a standard TT and wants to have a generator and then purchases a portable Inverter Generator to power the AC, where does one put this inverter generator? Is there some sort of carrier built on to the rear of the TT? A decent capacity portable generator is going to weigh about 100 lbs and be a pretty good size.I imagine it would also have to be covered from the elements. Does it plug into the outside receptacle for the shore power when not hooked up in an RV park?
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Floridastorm wrote:
Thanks very much for the information provided. So, I imagine it is neither practical or smart to try and put an on board generator in anything but a motor home.

Not necessarily true on either count.

It depends on whether or not you have space in a particular model to safely mount the generator......for good cooling air flow and exhaust pipe routing.

Doing the fuel supply safely might be a bigger problem than the generator itself.
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Floridastorm wrote:
Thanks very much for the information provided. So, I imagine it is neither practical or smart to try and put an on board generator in anything but a motor home.
It is pretty common for toyhaulers to have them.

So if you can live with a a TH, then a built in generator may be feasible.
Floridastorm
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
Thanks very much for the information provided. So, I imagine it is neither practical or smart to try and put an on board generator in anything but a motor home.
Floridastorm
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
Huntindog wrote:
Floridastorm wrote:
Can't believe that nobody has been able to comment on my previous message. Have I posted it in the wrong forum?

It seems as though most folks are discussing portable generators. Have a couple of questions:

Are there Travel Trailers or 5th Wheels that can come with ONBOARD generators similar to what are in Motorhomes? Do many of the dealers now offer that option with new units?

Are most TT's wired and plumbed for a generator even though they might not have one?

Is there an Inverter or a series of them that will run an RV AC? This may be an implausible question. However, I have never claimed to be a technician.

I'm quite sure that most RV owners, in Florida or Arizona, don't want an RV that does not have AC capability off the grid.

The only TTs I am aware of that have a generator option is Arctic Fox/Nash.
Those are propane generators.

I installed a 4.0 Onan Microquiet and a 26 gallon fuel tank in my last TT. It worked great. I never lacked for power, and could run the AC while under tow.

But.... It was a BIG project, and unless one has advanced DIY skills, it would cost far too much to pay to have it done.

I elected not to do that to my present TT.
The advent of portable inverter generators make it so easy to have electricity at an economical rate, that the onboard generators have lost their appeal for me.

For some reason, inverter technology hasn't made the jump to the built in units.

Thanks again. Appreciate the info.

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