Generator or not??

[Bob_E_]

I've been tent camping since I was a kid. The past few years, I've been using my dad's Jayco Eagle Travel Trailer. We always go to campgrounds, usually state parks, with at least basic hookups (elec and water). Now that I have my own family and the kids are getting bigger, I'm looking for my own camper and, since I'd like to be able to take my bike along sometimes, I'm looking at toy haulers.

With regards to generators, I cannot see any need for one for how I camp 99.999% of the time. It would likely just sit, the gas would get old, and if I ever did need it, it wouldn't run right anyways. And looking at the costs of the built-in ones, I'm leaning away from getting one. On the other hand, if I had one, I might be tempted to do more of that sort of camping. I already have a portable Honda generator at home (that cost about 20% of the Onan's). So for the rare occasion that I ever do go camping out in the boonies somewhere, I could take it.

Would I be making a big mistake in not getting a built-in generator?

[ng2951]

Really and truly depends on how you camp, though I would go with the external gensets.

For me and pardette (wife) we do a lot of dry camping. Down here we get plenty of hot nights most of the year. No power, no AC. When we dry camp, having the gensets is great. Biggest problem is that ethanol fuel derates the gensets. You might have to run gensets out of eco mode because they cannot ramp up load fast enough when the compressor kicks in.

Onboard gensets are nice for a variety of reasons. One of the best is remote start. You can leave the AC on in the RV with the genset off. When you get close to a rest stop for lunch, hit the remote start power comes on and so does the AC. You have a cool trailer for lunch.

Onboards are also nice since little setup is required. That is nice when camping at Camp Wally World. On our last trip (2.5 weeks) we spent 6 days in truck stops, rest stops, and Wally Worlds. While I don't have an onboard it takes me about 20 minutes to lineup gensets, tanks, cables. I can do it in as little as 10 minutes.

The advantage of externals is that they can be used elsewhere. It is nice to have generators when we work the range and I can drag around one of the 2000s to run the pole saw.

Generators also give you lifeboat mode at home. During one of the last hurricanes we were without power for a couple of days. I stayed in the TH with AC, satellite, and complete comfort. The mother-in-law who lived with us, God rest her soul (great lady), I could not convince to come out to RV! She said, "You aren't moving me out to that trailer. I said I would never live in one those and my daughter will stay with me!"

So my wife stayed in the house, sweltering, while I and dogs (no fools they) stayed in AC comfort.

So a generator will give you options you do not have, but if you really aren't going to boondock I would not get one.

[Bumpyroad]

I would say that you were making a big mistake if you did NOT get generator prep in the TH.
bumpy

[Bob_E_]

Thanks all for the replies. I really appreciate it.

[time2roll]

Skip the built-in generator. Use the Honda 2000 if needed. Worst case scenario get a second Honda and parallel kit.

Consider 100 watts of solar to keep the batteries up during storage.

[Dakota98]

fj12ryder wrote:
Just color me curious: how do you use a generator for doing BBQ cook offs? Just wondering.

The electric meat slicer of course. 😛

[Dakota98]

Bob E. wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
What model of Honda generator do you have ?

I'm not sure of the actual model number. It's actually a pretty big one that is on a frame and has 2 wheels and a handle to move it around. Looking at the Honda website, I'd guess it is either the EM5000 or EM6500 model, though it looks a little different being an older model. It's enough to run a 220V mig welder without problems, so I'm sure it has enough output. Sam's Club had them on sale last year for about $1000 so we snatched one up. The biggest problem is that it is rather noisy. I was going to see if I could do something with the muffler to quiet it down if I had to.

I always measure my needs & use against cost. In my opinion, & in regards to your camping scenario, I would not get an on-board generator. The one you currently have is a beast & difficult to handle & as you said, is loud. On the other hand, having "options" is going to be an advantage for you in the future, having your own TH & going when & where you like without worrying about having enough Battery power to last. I don't see justification in spending $$$ to get a small Honda or Yamaha, either. Seems to me, unless you are going use Air Conditioning, when dry camping, a small dependable Genny would be a good idea. I will recommend this one in that case. It is very dependable, light weight & has excellent reviews. Yes, I have one myself.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009E26LLC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[fj12ryder]

Just color me curious: how do you use a generator for doing BBQ cook offs? Just wondering.

[djtytrev630]

We have one on our TH, and we use it for mainly for doing BBQ cook offs where there's no land power. But I use the heck out of it when we are getting ready for a big trip, and getting home for clean up. I rarely camp, well I never camp with out hook ups, but it's nice to have power if and when ever I need it, or like a long trip where you want to pull over and sleep for a while, it's just a push of a button away.

[fj12ryder]

Well, not only do you save a fair chunk o' change, but you also gain about 500 lbs. of carrying capacity if you don't get the generator. We got one because the model we wanted was not available without one. We never stay where we don't have at least water and electricity. And they were only going to take a little off if we had it removed, so we kept it and decided we could sell it at some future date if we wanted.

Those Onan generator are certainly pricey little devils.

[Bedlam]

If you mostly camp with hookups or just do weekends, you most likely do not need the additional cost and weight of the generator. If boon docking for more than 3 days at a time, you will need some source of battery charging. This can be achieved by having a heavy charge wire off your tow vehicle, solar panels or a portable generator.

We like the built in convenience of a generator and our current one is LPG which does not have the problem of deteriorating gasoline sitting inside. If we stop somewhere en route, it is easy to push a button and heat something in the microwave verses pulling out a portable model, attaching it, heating your food, letting the generator cool down and stowing it.

The cheaper high capacity generators do not have good power regulation and may burn up sensitive electronics or motors. You may want to check yours for voltage and frequency regulation when loads change. I'm guessing that model may also be generating a modified sine wave that may be hard on induction motors.

[coolbreeze01]

I'm guessing most TH come wired for a generator. Since you already have a good sized unit, no need to pay for an Onan. I'm guessing you could add a built-in later if you wanted. The gen does come in handy. Have fun.

[Bob_E_]

Dakota98 wrote:
What model of Honda generator do you have ?

I'm not sure of the actual model number. It's actually a pretty big one that is on a frame and has 2 wheels and a handle to move it around. Looking at the Honda website, I'd guess it is either the EM5000 or EM6500 model, though it looks a little different being an older model. It's enough to run a 220V mig welder without problems, so I'm sure it has enough output. Sam's Club had them on sale last year for about $1000 so we snatched one up. The biggest problem is that it is rather noisy. I was going to see if I could do something with the muffler to quiet it down if I had to.

[korbe]

When we camp (spending most of our time outdoors), our batteries keep us going for up to 6 days. No need for an annoying generator here.

[Sandia_Man]

Sounds like you answered your own question, but when we purchased our TH we didn't think we needed one either. Toyhaulers and boondocking kind of go hand in hand and it is our preferred method of camping. We purchased a TH to enjoy riding and still have all the amenities of home when in the middle of nowhere, we have used our genny so much more than I would ever have imagined.

You don't need to get an onboard generator although it could hamper selling the rig down the road as the majority of toyhaulers have them, but an inverter 2000 watt generator might fit the bill if you don't plan on trying to power your AC unit. Run most everything including most microwaves and will provide battery charging should you decide to camp without hookups. Ultimately your $$$ your call.

Have many great times in your new TH!!!

[Oasisbob]

No mistake on your part. Sounds like you don't need a generator based on your camping preferences. We can camp 3 nights and still watch an evening movie using our twin group 27 deep cycles. We do carry a Honda EU 1000 for a quick charge after the third night. Gest of luck. BTW We put fuel stabalizer in always and Honda has never let us down.