Generator

[Colo_Native]

It is necessary to have a generator in a 5th wheel, I know some have them some don't. We are looking to go to a 5th from our class a and we really don't use ours a lot now.

[kzoocamper]

jnharley wrote:
With the onboard Onan generators, you can buy a wireless remote start that is programable. Even in a park with electric hookups, you can program the remote start to activate if the power goes out so your pets will be safe.

That sounds like a great option, thanks.

[Mile_High]

jnharley wrote:
With the onboard Onan generators, you can buy a wireless remote start that is programable. Even in a park with electric hookups, you can program the remote start to activate if the power goes out so your pets will be safe.

That is a cool option. We bought ours before that was available but it would be fun to add.

[kzoocamper]

Thanks for the info, this was not even something I was aware was an option until recently. All of our 5th wheels have been in the 30 ft. range and used mostly for weekends and 2 or 3 yearly vacations so I guess we had not given it any thought.
We will need to take that concern out of the con column for 5th wheels.

[jnharley]

With the onboard Onan generators, you can buy a wireless remote start that is programable. Even in a park with electric hookups, you can program the remote start to activate if the power goes out so your pets will be safe.

[Bionic_Man]

kzoocamper wrote:
We are in the process of deciding between a class A and a 5th wheel for our retirement unit and one of the concerns we have with a 5th wheel is stopping to do some sightseeing ect. during our travels and not having an air conditioned place for the dogs. Does anyone use an on board generator in their 5th wheel to solve this problem. If this is an option it may be another tic in the pro column for an on board unit.

Another yes from me. In fact, most of the hours on my generator are from leaving the dogs in the AC when it's hot out.

[Lantley]

kzoocamper wrote:
We are in the process of deciding between a class A and a 5th wheel for our retirement unit and one of the concerns we have with a 5th wheel is stopping to do some sightseeing ect. during our travels and not having an air conditioned place for the dogs. Does anyone use an on board generator in their 5th wheel to solve this problem. If this is an option it may be another tic in the pro column for an on board unit.

We often use generator this way.We leave the dog in the 5'er. With A/C on if we stop to check out something interesting or if we just stop for lunch.
The genset creates lots of options.

[dezl_dr]

Yes. Use the generator for dogs, the family or just charge the battery.
No difference in gen sets for MH or fiver. Costs the same to run them. I guess the class A folks accept the cost of comfort and fivers sweat it. Lol

[Mile_High]

It would work great for that. We don't do dogs, but I've used the AC on roadside stops for myself. Wife calls me an old dog, so maybe that's the same thing.

[kzoocamper]

We are in the process of deciding between a class A and a 5th wheel for our retirement unit and one of the concerns we have with a 5th wheel is stopping to do some sightseeing ect. during our travels and not having an air conditioned place for the dogs. Does anyone use an on board generator in their 5th wheel to solve this problem. If this is an option it may be another tic in the pro column for an on board unit.

[MdMike1007]

We did 10 weeks from East Coast to West Coast, hitting many of the National Parks while on our trip.

While we had electric everywhere we had planned to stay for everything longer than a night, we wanted to be prepped for any possible overnights if we needed to stop at a Walmart lot, rest area etc... A Honda 3000UI was purchased prior to our trip and was secured in the bed of my truck in case it was needed.

The other thought was what if we lost power in a campground? That has happened to us before so we took no chances... This to me was like an insurance policy, there if you need it but OK if it is not used!

[sdetweil]

I'm in the process of adding a onan gen to the front compartment on my FW, it was not 'gen ready'.

I found an Onan 7kw gen (120v only, GAS) that needed repair (a pulley and a belt)
got the compartment floor cutout template
had the enclosure made

need to get the propane conversion kit for the generator (santa let me down this year!)
and an Automatic transfer switch. Then run some wire from the front compartment to mid rig where the shore power enters the rig.

Onan makes a wireless controller, EC-30W, the receiver just plugs into the genset. Then you can program it to turn on at a particular temp, avoid campground blackout times, ...

I'll still have over $1000 by the time I'm done.

propane kit = 250
EC-30W = 550
ATS = 220
enclosure = 150
wire = 100
gen + repair = 250

I have tested the gen (on GAS), running all the systems at once, both A/C units, microwave, coffee maker, and a hand held hair dryer. and it does great.

edit: propane conversion so I don't have to carry additional fuel source, and is less low use maintenance than gas (which will gum up)

[Dtank]

Colo Native wrote:
It is necessary to have a generator in a 5th wheel, I know some have them some don't. We are looking to go to a 5th from our class a and we really don't use ours a lot now.

If you don't use your gen a lot now - you probably don't need one.

You can order a 5th "generator ready" - but without the gen.

Then *if* you decide you need/want a gen, add it later (which will most likely be at a better price).

OR -
as others have indicated, carry a portable gen in the back of your pickup.

.

[Mile_High]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
that will be nice! We stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs a lot. Half park is 30 other is 50A. We like the 30 A side much better so now we can cool when others are sweating and dry clothes to boot. I am getting more excited about this new toy!

Another benefit is pre-set your ACs and then about 30 minutes out from the campsite, fire the generator and pre-cool the house! Remote start is even better!

[Cummins12V98]

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Mile High wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do any of you with bigger 5500/6500 gen sets carry an extra propane bottle?

My rig has two 40s. I don't really have a good place carry another, but never really had a need to. I use the generator for roadside stuff, cleaning the coach, occasional backup, but never long run boondocking. The little EUV gensets are better for that.

This is all new to me. I have two 40# also. The 6500 should open up other camping possibilities.

One thing I thought of not all parks have 50A but I will have 240V for the dryer. So if we need to dry a load then on goes the gen.

That would make short work of it. Also nice when you have 30A campground only and you want to cool the rig down with both ACs for a while, then drop back to one AC on the 30A.

that will be nice! We stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs a lot. Half park is 30 other is 50A. We like the 30 A side much better so now we can cool when others are sweating and dry clothes to boot. I am getting more excited about this new toy!