generator

What size gen do i need? 2011
What size.. 2013
Which gen.. 12/2013

Lots of generator posts in the Tech issues section.

badsix wrote:
I don't have the trailer here now so I don't know what the wattage of the ac and other items are THANKS !

All the answers will be just wild guesses unless someone actually has that same model.

I think the answers provided already pretty much cover it.....as educated guesses go.

If you will be visiting places where A/C will be required after dark, noise level is (or should be) a major concern. Many of the cheap generators are quite noisy.

TomG2 wrote:
How do you plan on using a generator, or do you just "Want one"? Many of us fall into the latter category and haul one around for thousands of miles without needing one.

Boy, can I ever attest to that! I've owned 2 different Honda EU2000i gensets, even built a really effective quiet box for the second one, but ultimately found I rarely actually used either one. Fortunately I bought each of them used, in great condition with low hours, so was able to later resell each for what I paid for them. It turned out to be such a PITA to drag around a genset time after time but never use it that I eventually stopped doing that. Ironically, on one of those later trips in the fall we lost campground power for 36 hours because of an unexpected snow storm that dropped a foot of snow and brought down power lines all around us, and where was my genset? - back home in my workshop. :S I sold it not long after. :W

FWIW, I still only run our trailer with one G27 battery even though I also have a 1000 watt PSW inverter installed for those times each season we inevitably lose campground shore power. Under heavy load the inverter does struggle a bit at full load with just a single G27 supplying power but using heavy 4 gauge charge cables to load support with my truck (idling) solves this problem entirely. Eventually I'll upgrade to a G31, maybe even a pair of GC-2s, but for my needs I've proven I can get along just fine without a genset.

The OP already has already received several opinions but I would like to hear the answer to a simple question first. How do you plan on using a generator, or do you just "Want one"? Many of us fall into the latter category and haul one around for thousands of miles without needing one. Do you plan to run a generator for hundreds of hours while camping around other people, or just occasionally in a truck stop? Those are just two examples of how we use them with our travel trailers.

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)

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

1000W will keep your batteries recharged and keep basic things like lights on and plugs for low draw things like a TV or computer

2000W 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 :)

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

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.