Common on-board Generators Found on most newer Truck Campers

[JoeChiOhki]

Hey all, quick question, what's the average wattage/size of the onboard generators that some campers have?

I'm digging through craiglist ads and have been seen some Onan emerald/emerald plus 4000 units popping up and I'm wonder how they compare in overall physical size to what's found on the few truck campers that offer an on-board.

I'm currently planning on building a rear assembly on my hitch to mount a modified bed box to (using the same dual tube method my front basket has), in one end of which will be a permanently installed generator.

Similar to AmerigoHauler's rear box:

AmerigoHauler wrote:

[JoeChiOhki]

mkirsch wrote:
There's a reason those Onans are on craigslist. Don't buy someone else's problems.

Hmmm, may end up taking that advice, the Champion 3500 watt unit is $399, save me a hundred bucks in the end :), or I can get the electric start model for $469 with remote control :).

Only reason I was looking into the onboards was that they might be quieter than the champions cage models.

Thanks all, in the end, I pulled the trigger on another Champion, this one with remote electric start and the wheel kit.

[jmcgsd]

My 981 had an Onan Camp Power 2500lp. I never had a problem with it, but it was noisey. My current 880 has an Onan/Cummins 2500lp Microlite. It also works fine and is MUCH quieter. Both handle the stock A/c. Coleman in the 981 and Dometic in the 880.

[mkirsch]

There's a reason those Onans are on craigslist. Don't buy someone else's problems.

[JoeChiOhki]

Boatycall wrote:
I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

Inverters do not drive large roof top A/C units, and I already have three heavy deep cycles and an inverter.

With my original camper, I was able to get by on a 1500watt generator, but I had a little A/C unit. Now, I have a large A/C unit, one of the old Duo-Therm Quick cools, and am stuck looking for a 3200watt generator.

The Onan popped up for $500, so I figured I'd do a little investigating.

NRALIFR wrote:
The Generac's that used to be installed in TC's by Lance and others were 3600 watts. It looks like Generac has gotten out of the built-in RV generator business though. Honda also left that market a few years back. It looks like the only manufacturer of the smaller built-in RV gen-sets that you could use in a TC now is Cummins Onan.

2500 watt is probably about as small as I would go, but it's going to be dependent on what you expect to run on it. If you want to be able to turn the A/C and microwave on at the same time the reefer is running on AC power and the battery charger is pumping out max amps, 2.5K might not be big enough.

:):)

Aye, given I have the Duo-Therm, and it came off a fifth wheel, I'm looking at likely needing at least 3200watts, the unit in question is a 4000 watt unit, so its in the ball park of wattage needed.

[hedgehopper]

Boatycall wrote:
I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

I'd be very surprised if batteries, solar, and an inverter can power an AC, not matter how small.

[Glacier_D]

From what I've seen on newer campers including mine the Onan 2500 Camp Power is the model most are built with. Haven't seen a newer TC with anything bigger than that from the factory. Runs my 11.5btu AC just fine.

[NRALIFR]

The Generac's that used to be installed in TC's by Lance and others were 3600 watts. It looks like Generac has gotten out of the built-in RV generator business though. Honda also left that market a few years back. It looks like the only manufacturer of the smaller built-in RV gen-sets that you could use in a TC now is Cummins Onan.

2500 watt is probably about as small as I would go, but it's going to be dependent on what you expect to run on it. If you want to be able to turn the A/C and microwave on at the same time the reefer is running on AC power and the battery charger is pumping out max amps, 2.5K might not be big enough.

:):)

[Boatycall]

I'm only throwing this out there, but have you considered possibly an extra battery or two and an inverter? I'm a HUGE fan of inverters over generators. That and a couple solar panels and you'd be set.

[KD4UPL]

My Fleetwood has the Onan 2.5 kW. That's about all I've seen in modern TC. 10 years ago or more there were some Generac units. I've heard they gave lots of problems.

[JoeChiOhki]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I have Generac I think 3600W what is needed for AC.
Sometimes I take my inverter Honda for hot days and prefer to have it on front platform. Way better weight distribution.

We've already got a basket on the front for that, I'm stuck upgrading generators as the one I have is way too small to run any roof top A/C Unit.

So, I've been doing what I usually do, which is part hunt. In this case, I found a gasoline powered Onan Emerald Plus that's within my price range, that I may go take a look at.

IF it runs decently, I'll likely buy it.

From what I've read, the Microlite series and their propane line seems to have a fair number of complaints, but I haven't seen anything for the Emerald plus.

[Bigfootchevy]

Onan 2500 watt in Bigfoot.

Paul

[Kayteg1]

I have Generac I think 3600W what is needed for AC.
Sometimes I take my inverter Honda for hot days and prefer to have it on front platform. Way better weight distribution.

[blueglide]

Onan 2500 watt in AF 1150

Not sure physical dimensions