Adding on board Generator

We have an OEM Onan 5.5 Propane Generator in our unit. Most factory installed Gennys in Trailers are Propane powered because of the lack of a place for a fuel tank, unless you have a ToyHauler that has it's own fuel station.
We can run almost every thing in our unit, but under full load it burns through approx a gallon of Propane per hour, so it will empty a 40 tank in approx 8 to 10 hours.

We have the same 5.5 Onan that Michelle.S has, but gas version. Will run both A/C's plus frig, tv, etc. We have a toyhauler so we have 60 gal. of fuel capacity onboard

I think you'd want a diesel 6 or 8K unit based on your rig. It should be plumbed into your onboard engine tank.

You only have about 2 choices for an onboard genny, Onan or Generac. A number of years ago, Honda made an onboard RV genny. It was water cooled and never really got established in the RV market onboard picture. If Honda would bring out a genny to match the size, etc. of aforementioned gennys, those two would be out to pasture. I have an Onan Marquis Gold 7000 gas in our fiver. It will pull two AC's, hot water heater and numerous other things. But one thing to remember is an Onan is like an old woman, needs a lot of TLC.

Since you have a diesel rig you need to get a diesel generator. Cummins/Onan is the brand you want. Stay away from Generac. Those are basically the only two choices.

Actually, Generac no longer makes built-in RV generators either. They make some dandy mobile (towable) gensets, however! :W

Your only choice is Cummins Onan.

:):)

Are you asking for the pusher that is in your signature and photo, or a 5er, like the forum you posted?

On my 5er, I have one of the built in Honda's. I'm happy with it, but it does burn a lot of propane. I had it installed way back when we bought the trailer in 2002. Only 200 hours on it. When I bought, there was an option to somehow use an outboard boat motor fuel tank. That would have given me longer range and maybe easier to fill, but then you have to worry about the carbs when the generator isn't used often. I guess propane was the right way to go.......

Part of the noise is you are pushing the 3100 extremely hard. I'm surprized it will run two roof air units at the same time.

Yamaha makes a 4500 watt, and Honda a 6000 watt inverter generator. See if you can go listen to them at a dealership--and plug in your RV as a test.

You may wish to investigate a sound baffle box around any generator.

A totally quiet alternative would be a large solar farm with a BIG battery bank.

Sorry about the picture need to change it as I no longer have a motorhome (Totaled out)
Now own 2013 fifth wheel Heartland landmark.

roachcoach wrote:
Sorry about the picture need to change it as I no longer have a motorhome (Totaled out)
Now own 2013 fifth wheel Heartland landmark.

Don't go to a propane generator. You may be visiting the propane supplier every day if you do.

Bionic Man wrote:
Are you asking for the pusher that is in your signature and photo, or a 5er, like the forum you posted?

On my 5er, I have one of the built in Honda's. I'm happy with it, but it does burn a lot of propane. I had it installed way back when we bought the trailer in 2002. Only 200 hours on it. When I bought, there was an option to somehow use an outboard boat motor fuel tank. That would have given me longer range and maybe easier to fill, but then you have to worry about the carbs when the generator isn't used often. I guess propane was the right way to go.......

Propane is definitely the way to go, having had the Onan 5500 LP in my last fifth wheel, ordered with it. Its a nice option for short term power, pretty impratical to run hours on end. When I sold the fifth wheel it was nearly 13 years old with 176 hours on the generator, not much, for having to give 4K something for it at the time.

All I can add is if you want to run them for hours on end you better have a good propane source. If you are too far off the grid be prepared be going after propane quite often .