I know you boondockers have your generator preferences. If you spend long periods RV’ing you may eventually find yourself boondocking, either by choice or need. Tell us those stories too. Anyway, please share what you have and why. If you chose a built in option (like Onan), solar, or recommend a portable Cummins instead, let us know. If gas, LP or dual fuel is best and what about sound, how quiet should it be, etc. Pictures are welcomed.

 

My toy hauler came with an Onan 5500 built-in generator. It works well and I never have to remember to bring it. Mine is gasoline powered. I considered converting it to propane or replacing it with a propane version. The retrofit to add propane storage was going to be quite expensive. Plus, I do a lot of cold weather camping and the propane doesn't give as much power in the cold.

In the end, I added enough solar panels on the roof that I rarely run my generator any more.

If I was in need of a generator, I would be looking at the Honda line of inverter/generators.

 

I have a Westinghouse iGen 2500 that I converted to tri-fuel with a kit. I also have solar panels and MPPT charge controller I installed.

EasyStart365 on the AC isanice option as well. We prefer to boondock.

Generator conversion pictures here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...generator.html

 

Used to use a Honda 3000is inverter generator. Other than the weight, it was very nice and would power pretty much what we needed including the one air conditioner we had. Very quiet & fuel efficient.
Our last few trailers have had built-in Onan generators. Love the convenience, but they are pretty loud. We are adding solar & lithium batteries this year so the generator will be back up only.

 

Any QUIET inverter - please.

I carry 2 Honda 2000i's. Have had them for years; they are quiet, dependable, and have powered me for up to 7 days (using just one AC. Have 2 lightweight generators I can move them around, pick them up and just use one if no air conditioning will be needed.

 

Another vote for the Honda line of inverter generators. I had 2 EU2000 units and paralleled them together to get approx 27 amp output. We used them for close to 10 years without issue and they were quiet. I did add an external 6 gallon fuel tank that both units could draw from which gave me 8 gallons total which could run both generators for well over a day if needed.

Current 5th wheel has a built in Cummins-Onan 5500 propane generator, which IMO is quieter than the external Hondas. If I didn't have the on board generator I'd still be using the Honda portables.

 

Ditto on the 2- 2000 watt Hondas for the last 18 years, along with 4- 6 volt interstate Deep Cycle Extreme, 1 solar panel

 

For those of you using the smaller Honda 2000, why 2 rather than one 3k. I imagine you have to run them parallel to keep the a/c on. What about security? Ive heard the concerns about someone walking off with them. Interesting to hear the pros and cons

 

Running the AC while boondocking was key for us when we made our generator selection. The Westinghouse iGen 2500 fit the bill paired with the EasyStart365. The generator fits in the front storage compartment of our 5th wheel, runs on gasoline or propane from the 5th wheel and meets all the power requirements including AC.

It is a Honda 2000 style generator, just with more power and less cost.

You don't need a lot of power, just what you need. Choose wisely.

 

The appeal of using two of the smaller units mostly comes down to weight. Each of the Honda EU2000 units weighs in at just under 50 pounds and they are pretty easy to load in and out of the storage compartment on the fifth wheel. The EU3000is weighs in at 130 pounds, so it's much more difficult for a single person to move it around.

I personally have a Cummins P4500 inverter generator as an upgrade from a single Honda eu2000i unit so we can run our air conditioner. I was looking for another Honda unit to parallel with the one we had, but availability was rough during the time I was looking to purchase and my wife insisted on being able to run the air conditioner on our next trip, so I ended up with the bulkier unit that weighs in at 100 pounds.

If you can find something like the Westinghouse that Sous has and combine it with an Easy Start on your A/C unit it should serve you well even if you don't add the dual/triple fuel kit.

 

Generator Bible

Here’s a great site to compare generators and tailor them to your needs.
Couple suggestions, get a duel fuel generator so you always have propane or gas options.
Get a generator that will power your A/C, I would suggest a 3k or above peak watts to ensure you can start the 15 BTU units also. Honda now has the 3200I that weighs ~60lbs but delivers what the heavier one did. You can also parallel 2 small units to get the weight advantages but please secure them, the lighter they are the easier they walk away.
Even if you can run an a/c on a smaller unit it will be pulling an 80 to 90% load and running for less hours than you want unless you have a extended fuel tank set up. Sucks to get up at night to fill the gen with fuel, my rule it should run at least 8-10 hours consecutively so you don’t have to get up at night. Bigger units will run a/c units on eco and last longer. If you use propane with a 3k and above, the drop in running watts will be inconsequential also.
Helps to have RV ready 20 or 50 amp plug or else you need to buy the adapter. If you are hanging out in California, it will have to comply with CO2 emissions. Oh, and for those looking at generators for the first time, they need to be inverter generators, quiet 62 db or less. This a virtue the Honda and few other can match.
Hope this helps

 

My hunting partner runs a chain through the handles on his Honda generators and then runs the chain through the trailer's stabilizer jacks.

 

That work!

 

I can tell you without a doubt my iGen 2500 with the propane fuel kit on it running on propane supplies enough power for my AC and 12v converter simultaneously. The gasoline tank is small, but the propane tanks in the camper and the BBQ size we carry will supply plenty of fuel. Frankly, we don't even travel with gasoline tanks because that is a hassle in our opinion.

I am not trying to sell you on the generator I have, I am just trying to say don't believe everything you read on the internet and you have options available to you.

I liked the tri-fuel kit I installed so much, I bought one for my whole house generator.

 

Roger, I believe you! Saw a 2200I Honda do the same. But you also know not to pile on too much else and try to run on one tank of fuel for more than 4hrs at 85% load. You’re using propane and with a 20 or 30lb tank you will last much longer. Just a fail safe recommendation for those starting off that may think they can run two A/Cs (many 5th wheelers here), a microwave, stove, and charge their battery all at the same time.

By the way, when did you retire? I’m retired Army with 26 in 2014.