Generator Prep

[mike24]

I am going to order a new rig soon. So I was wondering if I should order Generator prep I do not boon dock but some day I might buy a portable Gen.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

I thought I would post a few pictures of my project. Hope that's okay with the OP.

The Onan 3600 LP installed in the front compartment. A bit of a tight fit but enough room for my 2 - 6 volt GC batteries next to it.


My 50 amp automatic transfer switch along with a 1000 w pure sine wave inverter are mounted on the wall separating the front compartment and the pass through storage.


The remote start switch is mounted in the trailer just above the fuse panel.


Anyways, I wanted to report some financial considerations as well. In my case my trailer did not have an optional "generator prep" option so I don't know how much that cost would have been and therefore how much I would have saved on installation as a result but I did get 3 estimates from my dealer and 2 independent RV repair shops for this work. My quotes ranged from $8,000 to $9,000. I purchased my generator and ancillary parts (transfer switch, remote start, harness, etc) from an online store for $3,700. I paid a mobile certified RV repairman $2,200 for installation including all miscellaneous wiring, boxes, switches, etc. So, overall I came in at $5,900.

[sdetweil]

Dtank wrote:
...

BTW - "Traveler II" - gasoline gens can be converted to LP (dual fuel or tri-fuel) for about $100. See US Carb or Central Maine Diesel.

.

I used US Carb, and the 'kit' was $187 (plus shiping).. last week they had a 1/2 price sale.. too bad I already had the kit.

[Dtank]

Poppy's 5th Wheel wrote:
The idea that a generator, on-board or portable, is only needed if you dry camp is only half the picture for us. We travel a lot so having an on-board generator is beneficial. We often stop during travel to sight see or have lunch or whatever and if we are in the middle of the summer we can just push a button and have A/C for our puppy when we leave her in the trailer. Before our new trailer we always carried 2 Honda 2000 generators and to have A/C or run the microwave we would have to connect them and then break out the heavy shore power cord and hook the trailer up. I installed an Onan in our new trailer and now all we do is push a button. Super convenient 🙂 I didn't have the generator prep from the factory and I wish I did. It cost more for my install in the long run.

The "need" (or lack of need) for generator prep is only half the picture also!

The main expense for generator prep is the transfer switch and wiring.

It's not necessary - unless you *must have* the "push a button" convenience.

You can still have an on-board generator without that "perk" - and of course you could add that feature later if you find you can't live without it (as Poppy did)..:C

Ken Lenger's on-board generator setup - with *manual* transfer is an easy solution.

BTW - "Traveler II" - gasoline gens can be converted to LP (dual fuel or tri-fuel) for about $100. See US Carb or Central Maine Diesel.

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[Mile_High]

If you are ordering, get every prep they offer, because it is a bear to install it later. W/D, generator, satellite, anything they offer. The cost from the factory less your discount off MSRP is trivial.

[sdetweil]

Traveler II wrote:

kennethwooster wrote:
Bought a Cameo in 2011 that had generator prep. Service man in Amarillo salvaged an older MH with an Onan Marquez 7000. It only had 400 hours. He went through the generator, and made sure all worked great. He did an excellent install. I don't dry camp but do use the generator quite a bit. Very glad to have it.

What type of fuel are you using to power this used generator? Most MH's generators are not propane and all the 5th wheel generators I've look at are. I like your idea, we have the gen prep on our Cameo and I would like to put one in.

Thanks.

I found a used onan 7kw gas genset for $200 + $45 parts to repair, and have converted it to Propane. about $250. kit and an electric shutoff valve. my FW was not gen prepped.

I will still be in about $1500 to make the gen usable

conversion kit & valve, Transfer switch, power cord wiring, metal box, some steel work to mount the gen on, and a wireless remote control system to start the gen on demand, misc piping and wiring. I am doing all my own labor. Onan charges $100/hour, Camping World can't even return the call with an estimate.

[Traveler_II]

kennethwooster wrote:
Bought a Cameo in 2011 that had generator prep. Service man in Amarillo salvaged an older MH with an Onan Marquez 7000. It only had 400 hours. He went through the generator, and made sure all worked great. He did an excellent install. I don't dry camp but do use the generator quite a bit. Very glad to have it.

What type of fuel are you using to power this used generator? Most MH's generators are not propane and all the 5th wheel generators I've look at are. I like your idea, we have the gen prep on our Cameo and I would like to put one in.

Thanks.

[Poppy_s_5th_Whe]

The idea that a generator, on-board or portable, is only needed if you dry camp is only half the picture for us. We travel a lot so having an on-board generator is beneficial. We often stop during travel to sight see or have lunch or whatever and if we are in the middle of the summer we can just push a button and have A/C for our puppy when we leave her in the trailer. Before our new trailer we always carried 2 Honda 2000 generators and to have A/C or run the microwave we would have to connect them and then break out the heavy shore power cord and hook the trailer up. I installed an Onan in our new trailer and now all we do is push a button. Super convenient 🙂 I didn't have the generator prep from the factory and I wish I did. It cost more for my install in the long run.

[RustyJC]

Our 5th wheel has a partial generator prep package, but it does NOT have the generator box in the basement. Rather, it has a 4 pole 50 amp twist-lock Marinco receptacle on the front of the 5th wheel adjacent to the front compartment door. This allows me to run 2 each Yamaha EF2000is generators in parallel in the bed of the pickup to power one of our 15000 BTU A/Cs to precool the 5th wheel while we're traveling. Living in Texas, that works for us.

Rusty

[kennethwooster]

Bought a Cameo in 2011 that had generator prep. Service man in Amarillo salvaged an older MH with an Onan Marquez 7000. It only had 400 hours. He went through the generator, and made sure all worked great. He did an excellent install. I don't dry camp but do use the generator quite a bit. Very glad to have it.

[colliehauler]

If it's a TH you want to at least have the generator prep.

[Sandia_Man]

Generator prep is for onboard generators, too much $$$ to just store a portable generator in it since portable generators are not designed to operate in such a confined space. Since you don't plan much camping off the power grid, a portable will suit your needs better than the expense and maintenance of an onboard genny.

A 2000 watt inverter genny will run most items including most microwaves where a 3000 watt or higher inverter genny is needed to run most AC units. Nothing wrong with having the generator prep done by the manufacture as they tend to do the best job. Who knows, you may change your mind and add an onboard later down the road. Either way it should add to the resale value.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Just hook your 30amp cord right to the generator then.

I am assuming of course that 30 amp will be the service on the fifth wheel.

Don't need generator prep to do this.

[stripit]

If your not planning on installing a generator then spending the extra money for the factory prep is not something I would do. It also will give you a barrier in the basement storage that you may not like. They build a structure to separate the generator from the open space.

[2oldman]

then you don't need gen prep