What size of generator do you have?

Similar to rpbru, I assumed we would "need" a generator, but a friend suggested I wait until after a few camping trips before buying one. That was 13 years ago, and I've never bought a "camping" generator. When we rustic, or no hookup, camp we have found that with careful use the battery on the TT can easily last a long weekend, and if needed we bring an extra battery to make sure we are set for a whole week.

Certainly get a generator if you need one. Just try to get the quietest one you can (even a very small difference in dba rating is noticeable), and be considerate of other campers as to the times that you run it.

RvingSailor wrote:
I know that anticipated load is what should be driving my decision but I'm figuring rv'ers with an 18' TT 'should' have the same size AC that I do. I've been looking at the Champion unit from Costco that's rated at 3500wt running/4375wt peak. I think this should be plenty to run my A/C. Cheers! ~rs

Believe it - NO ONE will be saying Cheers to you when you start up that racket maker where there's anyone within a 1/2 mile. :M. If you plan to use a genset anywhere there may be others do both yourself and everyone else a favour by investing in an inverter genset that while not "quiet" (no genset truly is despite manufacturer claims) will at least mitigate the racket to some extent.

RvingSailor wrote:
Thank you everyone for your replies. I know that anticipated load is what should be driving my decision but I'm figuring rv'ers with an 18' TT 'should' have the same size AC that I do. I've been looking at the Champion unit from Costco that's rated at 3500wt running/4375wt peak. I think this should be plenty to run my A/C. Cheers! ~rs

That's alot of generator and at 68dba you're going to get those "Looks" if anyone else is around you. That's not crazy loud, but some people live to complain.

NO generator that is not an Inverter is going to produce the "Clean" output that an Inverter/Generator will.

If you don't want to spend the bucks for the Honda or Yamaha, look at this one from Champion.

http://www.costco.com/Champion-2%2c800W-Running--3%2c100W-Peak-Digital-Inverter-Gas-Generator-%28CARB-50-State-compliant%29.product.100139466.html

Some claim it will run the A/C and Microwave. Some say it won't. The obvious is shut off the A/C for a minute to run the Microwave. No big deal.

And it's 58dba which is a big difference with others around. And for YOU if you want to sleep. I've been around both units and I'll be getting the Inverter/Generator before fall this year. And my trailer is 38 foot, not that length matters, it's all in what you want to run.

I'm also in the East, so my A/C will never be run off this unit in November thru March which is what I need it for. Campground shuts down at that time.

I looked at a small unit "just in case" and decided the chances of a power failure were small and an extended outage even less. In 23 weeks of camping over the last two years we lost power once for 11 hours. Also, for extended off grid camping, running one appliance at a time would get old quick.

So, we decided a minimum 2000 watts would handle our needs.

That said we are not off grid or boondock campers and I certainly don't need another maintenance item when I camp. So we opt for no generator.

When we do go into the wilderness it usually involves a canoe and tent.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I know that anticipated load is what should be driving my decision but I'm figuring rv'ers with an 18' TT 'should' have the same size AC that I do. I've been looking at the Champion unit from Costco that's rated at 3500wt running/4375wt peak. I think this should be plenty to run my A/C. Cheers! ~rs

352 wrote:
ECHECUNG generators are the best on the market.

Huh :h

ECHECUNG generators are the best on the market. I have a 2000 watt sinewave that I think is more quiet than a Honda. I have had it for about 7 years. I was very lucky to be able to buy one of these at the price I did

SoundGuy wrote:
Honda EU2000i - 1600 watts continuous, 2000 watts surge that it can easily sustain for up to 1/2 hr, and will reliably power anything in the trailer except for A/C. Since I'm not prepared to run any genset hour after hour, day and night, in order to run A/C and carry the fuel necessary to do so a 2K genset that otherwise can "do it all" is a no-brainer. :B

Same here

2300 watt rated Kipor. Never bring it camping.

675 watts of solar works for me along with a 2000 watt inverter to run anything but air conditioning. I plug in if I need air.

We went with the Honda 3000 over two 2000s due to the much longer run time of the 3000.

We live in South Texas. AC is a requirement 11 ½ months a year.