Generators for 5er

[dogvetia]

After 35 years in motorhomes with on board diesel generators, we are downsizing to a 32 foot fiver. Have a ton diesel to pull so that should not be an issue. Issue will be generating enough juice to power both airs and a couple of frig wine cooler.. want something quiet since we dry camp some.. is a generator mounted on a rear rack or one carried in pick up bed better? Is a single 7000 Honda better than 2 smaller generators hooked together to provide adequate power better? I would theft maybe issue on rear rack mounting. Ant advice from experience would be appreciated. I fear the move won't be pain free but to look on it as a challenge. Thanks

[laknox]

Lantley wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
What is the fixation with high KW gennys? No heat. No air.

When it come to higher KW gensetsTHe fixation is the A/C.
If no A/C is involved any 2000 watt unit will do. But A/C is a real concern that requires more power. Sleeping/living in a hot RV is not an enjoyable experience

Correct! "If mama ain't happy; ain't NOBODY happy!" 🙂

Lyle

[laknox]

n0arp wrote:
I recommend considering an Onan 5500 onboard generator if you have the space for one. That will power both air units, a residential fridge, and have plenty to spare even at elevation.

Our fifth wheel when it was configured with 2x Dometic 15K AC units, a residential fridge, and a lot of miscellaneous electronics would consume 2700W with both AC units running full force and fridge on defrost. We could start both AC units with the Onan no problem, without soft starts. You don't need a 7kW generator. Depending on where you camp (altitude) and whether or not you have soft starts, a single 4500W would likely suffice.

Thing is, the Onan gensets are constant speed, wide open, all the time, even when load is not demanded. Personally, I'd opt for the biggest inverter I could get and build up a beefy rear rack with a "gen box" to contain the generator, 50a plug and transfer switch. I saw one that had a built-in 20gal fuel tank, too.

Lyle

[Lantley]

Veebyes wrote:
What is the fixation with high KW gennys? No heat. No air.

When it come to higher KW gensetsTHe fixation is the A/C.
If no A/C is involved any 2000 watt unit will do. But A/C is a real concern that requires more power. Sleeping/living in a hot RV is not an enjoyable experience

[Veebyes]

What is the fixation with high KW gennys? At home in Bermuda I have a portable 3.5KW genny as backup for hurricanes.

It has been needed a number of times. It runs the house just fine which includes two water heaters & a shallow well pump, two fridges, plus all of the small stuff. Cooking is propane. No heat. No air.

[MikeRP]

I recommend you just go with one generator. I just have a predator 3500 that is very quiet and handles my needs. I use only gasoline. For $650 it’s worthwhile to try then you can sell it and not lose much if you want to move up.

If I decide I need more later, I still will not have two,

[wantabe351]

I put a 5k Gen in our front cargo space and also ran a fuel line with a marine outboard fuel connector down and out the front part of the front cargo space, I bought a 7gal portable marine fuel tank and between the tank connector and the Gen fuel connector I made a 6' fuel line with the female ends.... So weather driving or stationary I could run the Gen and AC units....This would cooldown the RV when we pulled into or camp site, especially nice in HHH weather..A 5k Gen could run both AC units with no problem...

[Bionic_Man]

I have a built in Honda 6010 that runs on propane. As others have said, it is very thirsty. But it is secure, reliable, and incredibly convent. I also have a Yamaha 2000 that I carry when I just need to charge batteries (yes, I know I should go solar).

We also have a 7000 Honda that we use on our houseboat. That generator is awesome. Much quieter than either the 3500's, or the 2000 that I have. But it is also a tank. I can't imagine trying to maneuver it by hand.

[gtnsmlr]

I carry a 6.5 kw Honda in the back of the truck in an all weather enclosure, installed a remote start and it runs everything just fine. Only drawback ,if you're boondocking in 100+ weather you'll be going thru 4-8 gallons a day running ACs, we stay mostly in state parks and most of those have 50A power. In 4 years fulltiming we put about 600 hrs on it and have never regretted the purchase.

[edatlanta]

I have the Onan 5500 that was factory installed with a 10 gallon gasoline tank built in also. I don't think RV manufacturers offer the gasoline option now but not sure. I do know my gas 5500 works great, runs both a/c's and everything else I use at the same time and runs a bit north of 20 hours on 10 gallons depending load. 11 years full time use, 650 hrs on the Onan and not looking back.

I do use non-ethanol gas and still put stabilizer in every tank plus running the generator every month for 1 hour under load.

[Cummins12V98]

bgum wrote:
We owned a Onan powered by propane in our 5th wheel. It could eat through a lot of propane. My choice for portable generators is gas and for home generators is natural gas.

I have a Cummins 6500 Commercial 220V. It is Very thirsty. Should have gone Diesel.

[theoldwizard1]

bgum wrote:
I would go with 2 Westinghouse i4500 with a 50 amp parallel cord. We have two of their i2500 and they are strong and quiet with good fuel mileage. Two i4500 will provide all the juice you need and at times you will want to run only one.

You can get 50A out of two iGen4500 but only at 120V ! That means only ONE A/C unit !

If you are willing to have an electrician do some wiring, you can change you 50A plug to two 30A plugs. You will need a second breaker panel installed and you won't be able to run any 240V appliances.

[Rigdon]

unless the rear cargo carrier is extremely built and the trailer frame reinforced it will not be capable of carrying the weight of a 7000 watt gen.

[bgum]

We owned a Onan powered by propane in our 5th wheel. It could eat through a lot of propane. My choice for portable generators is gas and for home generators is natural gas.

[n0arp]

I recommend considering an Onan 5500 onboard generator if you have the space for one. That will power both air units, a residential fridge, and have plenty to spare even at elevation.

Our fifth wheel when it was configured with 2x Dometic 15K AC units, a residential fridge, and a lot of miscellaneous electronics would consume 2700W with both AC units running full force and fridge on defrost. We could start both AC units with the Onan no problem, without soft starts. You don't need a 7kW generator. Depending on where you camp (altitude) and whether or not you have soft starts, a single 4500W would likely suffice.

[mhardin]

bgum wrote:
Electric and remote start. They also have a dual fuel for $1100.

I cannot imagine trying to run two 4500 Watt generators on Propane unless connected to a bulk tank too big to be hauling around in a pickup and 5er. They would blow through a 20 pound bottle in no time.