Generators in a 5th wheel

[smarks1632]

We are looking to buy a 5th wheel, about 34' and hope to do a lot of off the grid camping...boon docking...dry camping. I see that most 5th wheels don't have a genset and wonder why.

I do see that some of the manufacturers will install one or do a gen prep set up so it can easily be installed later.

My biggest question is noise and vibration. It appears that the generators get installed in the large front storage compartment in the front of the rig...basically under the bedroom. Does anyone one have any experience with gen sets in 5th wheels and how intrusive are the noises and vibrations?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sandy

[tinner12002]

Definitely go with the 5500 over the 4000, much quieter. A good case of bigger is better! I would also suggest a gas gen over LP gen.

[Lantley]

I have a 5500 LP Onan installed in the front compartment. It is relatively quiet. Sort of a constant humming sound. No vibration. The genset is hardly noticeable on the interior. Especially with A/C on

[C-Bears]

TheAmRheins wrote:
I would like to see a diesel generator that could run for 150 hours on a single tank as a factory option. 4 days at a race track In 100 degree heat. And I don't want to mess with fuel at the track

Our last boat (40' 1990) had small twin diesel engines. The gen set, an Onan, was of course powered by diesel. With a load it would use just under a gallon per hour. Systems were similar, 2 air conditioners, battery charger, 2 frigs, water pump, plus other electronics.

So to accomplish that feat at the race track you would need about a 125 gallon tank of diesel.

[jbmoo]

I too, am relatively new to rving, we only use a generator enroute also, so we went to tractor supply, got a champion 3500 watt generator for about$300.00 it might be a shade loud, but in a rest area it isn't noticed. we use air and tv. and microwave. it uses 2.5 gallons of gas for about 11 hrs. then we go to a full hookup campground the next day. I would use it anytime though and if it ever gave me trouble, I would loosen 4 bolts and give it away and go to tractor supply and get another one. we are happy with ours. it is on a rack on the back of the fiver.

[time2roll]

TheAmRheins wrote:
I would like to see a diesel generator that could run for 150 hours on a single tank as a factory option. 4 days at a race track In 100 degree heat. And I don't want to mess with fuel at the track

I have heard of bus conversion with two ~100 gallon fuel tanks. That should keep you running for a week.

[TheAmRheins]

I would like to see a diesel generator that could run for 150 hours on a single tank as a factory option. 4 days at a race track In 100 degree heat. And I don't want to mess with fuel at the track

[cummins2014]

smarks1632 wrote:
We are looking to buy a 5th wheel, about 34' and hope to do a lot of off the grid camping...boon docking...dry camping. I see that most 5th wheels don't have a genset and wonder why.

I do see that some of the manufacturers will install one or do a gen prep set up so it can easily be installed later.

My biggest question is noise and vibration. It appears that the generators get installed in the large front storage compartment in the front of the rig...basically under the bedroom. Does anyone one have any experience with gen sets in 5th wheels and how intrusive are the noises and vibrations?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sandy

I have the factory install Onan 5500 LP , quiet, and convenient . It pretty much stops there. They burn a lot of propane , and are pretty impractical for boondocking, unless just using for an hour or two a day for charging batteries. You would better off with a couple honda 2000's, but there is drawback to them too. Hauling them ,gas etc. A lot less weight with the honda's .

I use one honda 2000 when boondocking or hunting, and the Onan sparingly if more power is needed.

[army_guy1]

I installed the onan 5500 LP and love it. It is quite and you don't notice the hum. I like the LP for convenience mostly. We've boondocked a few times and do use it at Walmarts. If it's hot enough out to need ac to sleep, I look for a real campground with full power. Works best for us.

[northmeck0255]

Go back and read my initial response. I said we use the genny while traveling ENROTE to a campground.

[time2roll]

northmeck0255 wrote:

smkettner wrote:
Do you need to run the air 24/7? Otherwise 200 to 500+ watts of solar, some additional batteries and 2000 watt inverter will be silent and vibration free.

Trust me, south of the Mason-Dixon Line it's practically impossible to sleep without a/c in the summer months. Sure, we could all swelter inside a plastic box, but WHY???

OK and the OP lists Denver as location.
In the deep south I would be looking for hookups over running the generator 24/7.
JMHO

[retispcsi]

We have a 6500 Onan. I bought it for the ease of use. We travel with dogs. If we are not in our fiver and the power goes out the auto start feature will kick in at a set temperature. That way the dogs won't cook in the heat. At rest areas turn on the generator with the flip of the switch, run ac use micro. even watch tv if you want. The noise for a 5500 or 6500 is rated the same by Onan. With an LP generator you will need to run it for one hour per month under half load to exercise it, per Onan. We are full timers and the convenience is well worth the cost.

[RLGetman]

Installing solar, getting 30% of cost back from taxes, carrying a Honda 2k ($700 online) for breakfast and dinner time and to charge up on cloudy days. Do your homework on solar so you know more than the installer and get it done right the first time. Have fun and live off the sun!

[chuckm99]

Is the lp onan a lot quieter than a similar capacity gas onan? The specs on a 5500 seem to show that it will run about 9 hours on a 40 lb tank. Seems awful short, if correct.

Thanks.

Chuck

[jnharley]

We had an Onan 5500 propane generator installed after build and we love it. No worries about the portable generators walking away. It has opened up a whole new type of camping and got lots of use on our trip to Alaska this past summer.