This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Roger Fell 1 month, 2 weeks ago.
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I’m STILL waiting for my new GMC truck to come in and now we’ve sold our travel trailer. We’ve decided to upgrade to a 5th wheel. We’ve pretty well narrowed our search down to the one we want, but I’m still trying to figure out the specs. I think I want a built-in LP gas generator with auto start. I don’t want to have to be messing around with trying to get little gas engines started in a driving rain storm at night. This looks like to way to go. What does everyone think? I know that it’ll add 3 to 400 lbs. to the weight of the RV, but is this the way to go? The unit we’re looking at only has one A/C unit so I’m thinking that a 4K LP generator will be enough? Your thoughts would really be appreciated.
I think it is well worth it if you plan to do some dry camping, sure wish I had something like that now. 4K should do the trick.
Personally, I prefer to have a generator that isn’t attached to the RV. Like all technology, it’s great when it works, but as I’ve had to work on RV installations, it’s a major pain to access anything on the unit when it doesn’t. I work for a Generac dealer. In most cases, the entire unit has to be dismounted from the unit, even for minor repairs, even oil changes are quite difficult.
LP generators are quite fuel hungry, as propane doesn’t have the energy density of gasoline, you will be hauling fuel bottles quite frequently. The small units are air cooled, and have quite specific oil viscosity requirements by temperature, failure to follow the recommendations will result in your engine joining the many pallets I already have of failed engines. Because they are built in an enclosure to reduce noise, the units are more prone to overheating.
I see very few portable units come for repair, considering the huge numbers of them out there compared to RV installed units, I would consider them far more reliable. Both Honda and Yamaha have excellent reputations, and I’ve found Champion to have an excellent warranty and parts department. I can’t recommend Generac, even though I work on them, I had a IX2000 that couldn’t run a 700 watt microwave. Their portables are Chinese, and a waste of money.
My dream unit is the Honda EU3000, incredibly quiet for a small unit. Be careful of the inverter units, most can’t produce their peak power except at sea level with cool temperature conditions.
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