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?

[Bob_E_]

Thanks again all for the replies and advice. It is greatly appreciated. I looked and my generator is actually not a Honda generator...but it is some no-name brand (Black Maxx or something like that) "Powered by Honda". But it is a big unit at 7000w.

Resale isn't something I had thought about. My intent at this time would be to keep the camper for a long time. I'm doing a lot of research to figure out what I want and what best suits my needs, even considering my future needs. But we all know how that goes...needs and wants change so you look to upgrade in a few years or possibly downsize as the kids grow up. Or, with this economy, I could end up in a situation where I have to sell it. So the resale thing is a good point, even if I rarely use the generator. And, even though $5000 is a lot of money, it only amounts to about $30 or so per month on a 15yr RV loan. So it isn't horrible. Definitely something to think about.

[64thunderbolt]

If you plan on keeping that trailer forever don't get one. If you ever want to sell or trade it will make you money. My gen controls are @ the foot of my bed. Something about waking up and making coffee in my underware. Here in the desert we lose power sometimes during our monsoon storms. I have spent several nights in the trailer instead of spending the night in the house with temps approaching 100*. Once I was half way to completing dinner when a storm knocked out power. Fired up the gen in the trailer & turned on the a/c. Took the dog & my pots out. Finished dinner, watched tv went to bed. Next morning the power was back on. I heard it big time from neighbors that didn' get any sleep. About 99% of toyhauler owners drycamp so trying to trade or sell without a gen will be tough and cost you more than initial cost IMO.

[Broccoli1]

smkettner wrote:

thebudman wrote:

paulcardoza wrote:
I'm sure that it'll be a selling strength if we trade it in someday, but I don't see us using it, barring some natural disaster that knocks out power for days.

What if one of Ted Kennedy's kids drives off another bridge and knocks the power out for a couple of days? Then you'll wish you had the dealer run the generator for you.

Or just use the Honda 2000 that he already owns, worst case get a second for parallel.

i don't think the OP has a 2000watt
"I'd guess it is either the EM5000 or EM6500 model, though it looks a little different being an older model."

but yer correct- he can use the genet he has- although he did mention the noise factor. For the few times he would probably use it It probably won't matter much.

[Dirtclods]

Bedlam











Our home does not have air conditioning, so I will hop in the camper if we get a heat wave and crank up the air while I watch my neighbors wilt in the heat.

2nd that!

[rkortes]

RUFFSTUFF wrote:
Generators are like 4WD... you don't always need it but when you do you'll be much happier with it than without.

Perfectly stated... I agree!

[Bumpyroad]

smkettner wrote:
worst case get a second for parallel.

in any "emergency" situation the second one won't be available for purchase.
bumpy

[RUFFSTUFF]

I have a great storage location that unfortunately does not have water or electric so having a generator has been invaluable...

[time2roll]

thebudman wrote:

paulcardoza wrote:
I'm sure that it'll be a selling strength if we trade it in someday, but I don't see us using it, barring some natural disaster that knocks out power for days.

What if one of Ted Kennedy's kids drives off another bridge and knocks the power out for a couple of days? Then you'll wish you had the dealer run the generator for you.

Or just use the Honda 2000 that he already owns, worst case get a second for parallel.

[thebudman]

paulcardoza wrote:
I'm sure that it'll be a selling strength if we trade it in someday, but I don't see us using it, barring some natural disaster that knocks out power for days.

What if one of Ted Kennedy's kids drives off another bridge and knocks the power out for a couple of days? Then you'll wish you had the dealer run the generator for you.

[paulcardoza]

When we went shopping for our TH, we found our current model which had everything we wanted plus the Onan that we felt we didnt need. When we took delivery I told the dealer not to put any gas in the storage tank and there was no need to run the genny for me. I'm sure that it'll be a selling strength if we trade it in someday, but I don't see us using it, barring some natural disaster that knocks out power for days.

[Dirtclods]

I'm either at the beach or the desert so it's nice to have the AC when needed push the button. If you choose to mirco something you have it. Or if the wifey wants to blow dry her hair your covered. I've found that since I converted to running two deep cycle 6 volt batteries and changed out all my lights to LED I'm not using the genny as much. But if I choose to with a few movies at night I'll fire up the genny. Some others here have great insight on using solar panels also that's another route you may want to look into.

[Muddydogs]

I don't use my on board genny all that much but it’s sure nice to have it. Forget to take dinner out of the freezer or want to microwave something then all it takes is a push of the genny button to have power. Hot day and the trailer is still baking at bed time, well fire up the genny and cool things down before bed. Few cloudy days and the solar didn't keep up with the battery’s well a few hour running the gen set and all is well. I don't have to worry about throwing a genny and gas in the truck, setting it up or theft. It was a no brainer for me as I knew it would be used some and the price of the genny is wrapped up in the trailer cost so I wouldn't be running out and spending another bunch of money on a genny that would do half of what my on board will do.

I keep ethanol free gas in my on board tank in hopes I might not have gas related problems.

[RUFFSTUFF]

Generators are like 4WD... you don't always need it but when you do you'll be much happier with it than without.

[arhayes]

Even though we don't dry camp, I did put an on-board generator in our rig and in 3 months we've already used it twice because of power failures in parks due to weather. When you're stuck inside in 90 degree heat with 100% humidity, it's nice to be able to run AC. With that said, your portable sounds like it has about the same load capacity as an on-board, so I'd save the expense and use what you've got.

Best of luck!

[Bedlam]

My toy hauler had a 5500w Onan with a dedicated plug for 50A output. I was able to reasonably run my house off our toy hauler that I had parked on the street plus I had 40 gallons of gasoline on tap. Our truck camper generator is only 2500w, so we just move to the camper instead of trying to power the house but we can plug our house fridge and freezer in to the TC with long extension cords.

Our home does not have air conditioning, so I will hop in the camper if we get a heat wave and crank up the air while I watch my neighbors wilt in the heat.