Found a diesel pusher Im interested in. Its got a propane generator. Being new to all this I pose the question-- Why a propane generator vs diesel/gasoline ?

Cheaper to build. My 98 Discovery had that setup. My 2007 has a diesel. Needless to say I like the diesel much better. But I am sure I paid for it. If you don't use the generator to much the LP will work ok. ;)

Cheaper and usually not as big as probably a 30 amp rig

A LP generator is much cheaper to do maintenance on. Usually they come with a separate 40 gal LP tank. If you don't plan on dry dock camping a lot. It is not a big deal. I have one on my MH and it gets most of its hours every year just exercising it every month for 1-2 hours. And a few hours when driving and outside gets above the high 80's and dash AC can't keep up.If you plan on using a generator a lot. Then look for a MH with the diesel one.

Lighter, smaller, less expensive to buy and maintain.As said, if you foresee occasional generator use, no big deal. If you use a generator all the time, a diesel generator is better.

My first RV was setup that way and it was a terrible mistake. Yes, it works fine but your fuel supply is so limited when you really need it that you have to fill up frequently. Also, the smell of propane exhaust is something you either like or don't and my wife could not stand the smell.Now, I have a diesel coach with a diesel generator. There's no more fueling and then moving to the propane station to fill again and, since I have a 200 gal. fuel tank I am carrying close to 300 hours of generator usage! That's important to me and I have over 9000 hours on my generator (yes, it's an old coach).

Diesel Rig-- so Why Propane Generator ? | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2013
We had to dry camp in the heat of Summer in VA with a propane genset (with pets) which meant we had to run the generator 24/7 to survive the heat. After 48 hours we were just about out of fuel. Fast forward many years and we have a diesel generator and found ourselves working in the New Orleans area after hurricane Katrina and in one stink we had to run the generator for 9 days straight but did not need fuel. While these are obvious extremes the diesel generator handled the situation without missing a beat.
dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 28, 2013
I would bet the OP is looking at a RV older than 2001/02. Back in the mid to late 90's, Diesel RV APU's were very expensive compared to LP models. So, the standard was a LP with the Diesel an expensive upgrade. The OEM's did not care about the fuel tank size and its limitations. Once the Diesel Pusher market took off in the 1999 model year, the Diesel APU's came down in cost due to the amount of APU's and Diesel motorhomes being built. The plain fact is--- having a LP APU on a Diesel pusher is a cost downgrade. I personally would NEVER have a LP Genset as (I am a RV Tech), have seen way to many problems with the fuel supply on LP gensets. If running the APU is not something you would need, then get a RV with a LP APU. If you plan on running the Genset for days at a time, then Diesel is the way to go. Doug
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 28, 2013
our is 6200w LP
the only time i wish we had diesel is when extended dry camping in hot weather needing the A/C

with 9 hours of A/C per day we get 3 days per fill up

other wise, i have NO regrets,
Sez_Hoo_
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
When my coach was still at the factory, a 6kw propane gen was standard equipment. The person that ordered it from Country Coach ordered the upgrade, which was a 7kw 3 cyl kabota diesel gen. I'm glad they did.
down_home
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2013
larmcintsh wrote:
Sure hate to see all the bad talk about a LP gen. I have a 1994 32' Monaco Dynasty (purchased new), it has the Kohlar LP gen 5000. It has a 45 gal propane tank. We have over 132,000 miles on the RV, and we dry camp 99 percent of the time. We have a 2000 watt invertor, charger, and I have never been close to running out of propane. The gen runs twice a day when dry camping to keep our 2 4D batteries charged. So anyway we think it is a great setup. Have a great day. Larry

Please don't think I was bad mouthing LP powered generator. I waas weight pros and cons as best I can judge it right now. If we get one here, at home, I'm sure that is what it will be unless the price of diesel/heating oil goes down. Might be cheaper anyway. We don't have a NG pipeline here in the boonies.
larmcintsh
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
Sure hate to see all the bad talk about a LP gen. I have a 1994 32' Monaco Dynasty (purchased new), it has the Kohlar LP gen 5000. It has a 45 gal propane tank. We have over 132,000 miles on the RV, and we dry camp 99 percent of the time. We have a 2000 watt invertor, charger, and I have never been close to running out of propane. The gen runs twice a day when dry camping to keep our 2 4D batteries charged. So anyway we think it is a great setup. Have a great day. Larry
down_home
Explorer II
Dec 27, 2013
Both are good but I vote Diesel.
Easy to always have a big fuel reserve.
Reliabiltiy, one vs another ,I don't know but when we change the oil and filter it doesn't look very dirty nor does the air filter. We don't have but about 300 hours or less, by memory, on ours.
The_Shadow_Nos
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
I had 2 coach's that had Propane generator. The second one the previous Owner said it was $5000 more for the diesel that was in 1995.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
Diplomat Don wrote:
Yes, they do work and those who have them will obviously say they're not a problem, but they are. They're very loud and you will constantly be worrying about running out of propane.

Yes, there are negatives to propane generators, but noise is not one of them. 67 to 66 DB-- not much difference.

Propane: 67 DB: http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/navigation.do?pageId=978&parentId=533&linkName=RV%20Generators

Diesel: 66 DB: http://power.cummins.com/onanpowerWeb/navigation.do?pageId=962&parentId=533&linkName=RV%20Generators

Also note 290 lbs vs 420 lbs and size difference.
jferre9570
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
I have a propane gen-set. The size and weight considerations are why. I have converted my system so that it runs from high pressure vapor. I have now set up my propane system so that I can run everything in my coach, including the gen-set, from external tanks/cylinders. The only time I use internal propane is when I'm on the road, so I'm moving anyway.