Factory installed Gen Set

ted 95 · 03-25-2016, 01:32 AM

This question is 2 parts.

First for the people who have an Onan factory installed. Do you use it all the time or do you virtually never use it and regret spending the $$$$ on one.

Second for the people who did not order their unit with a Gen set and do you regret not getting one. Or do you get along fine without it.

I have always had one when we had a MH. And I'm trying to figure if it is really needed in a 5th wheel. We definitely will have the res fridge. And if we go without I will add Batteries so the fridge will not suffer.

Ford truck guy · 03-25-2016, 02:52 AM

We don't have one, but would like one... The few times a year that I need to , I use twin Honda's wired together..

It would be great to just be able to flip a switch , and not drag out the genny's , gas , hook them all up.. Ect...

Grizzby · 03-25-2016, 02:58 AM

Our RW didn't have generator when we bought it. We did have a portable generator and have been carrying it around for 3 years as we full-time. We have never used it. Think we are about ready to stick it in storage. Generator use will be determined by your RV'ing lifestyle. We don't boondock...we enjoy using all the amenities of a resort/campground.

Bob and Debbie

Rosey · 03-25-2016, 02:59 AM

Ordered mine with the factory (propane) genset. Don't use it that often, but don't regret getting it. We travel with 3 dogs & nice to have it to run the AC when we keep them in the coach when stopping for dinner/bkfst at Crackerbarrel etc. when on the road, or power outages at the campground, etc. Just press the button and instant power.

travelin' texans · 03-25-2016, 03:06 AM

I agree Grizzby, it all depends on your planned lifestyle. In our case we've had several rvs in the last 40 years & never had a generator & has only been a handful of times it would've been handy to have. Since fulltiming I needed the storage more than the gen set & don't regret not getting it.

atom ant · 03-25-2016, 03:08 AM

I've had mine for 13 years. Love the convenience. It was a frivolous expenditure, but so was the camper.

danrn · 03-25-2016, 03:45 AM

Like many have said, it depends on your camping style. I had a generator in my last camper and I did use it once in a while. I don't have a generator in my RW, and if I got one, it would be a portable one for that just in case I need one moment.

rob_fla · 03-25-2016, 03:52 AM

I do not have a Generator in my Redwood, been fulltime 4 years now in a SOB 5er and the Redwood (neither 5er had a generator), there have been a couple of times in 4 years when it would be nice to have a generator but do not miss having one, like the extra storage better.
If I was ordering a new unit today, I would not order a generator, it just does not fit my lifestyle.
I do not boondock, I like full hook ups.
Everybody has a different lifestyle and wants something different, get what fits your lifestyle.

Shane Wood · 03-25-2016, 03:22 PM

I installed the onan and would not be without it. I look at it as the same as having a 4 wheel drive. nice to have when you need it. They are a lot of money but so was the trailer. The LP does go through a lot of fuel. we boondock occasionally so it helps to keep the batteries up and the air running for our dogs. I would bye one again for the convienience

spindrift · 03-25-2016, 03:59 PM

Because of personal circumstances I installed the Onan myself. As others have said, it totally depends on your lifestyle. I wouldn't leave home without it.

coloradolivin · 03-25-2016, 04:21 PM

We are pre-wired for one, but with the sale of the rig, we negotiated a Yamaha 2000. Have since bought a 2nd Yamaha to have the ability to run them together for at least 30A. If we used on a regular basis, would definitely consider an Onan.

rob_fla · 03-25-2016, 05:42 PM

My next investment is the Titan Disk Brakes for my 38FL, for me they are much more important than investing in a Generator

After the Disk Brakes are installed, I may have Santa Clause bring me some 17.5s for Christmas.

5th_Time · 03-25-2016, 05:42 PM

We ordered ours from factory. We've used it several times boondocking at the beach after batteries went low.
Side benefit - I wired my house to use Onan during multi-day winter power failures - which have happened a couple times & saved our you-know-whats...

spindrift · 03-25-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

which have happened a couple times & saved our you-know-whats...

I think you meant to say...Bacon.

mhs4771 · 03-26-2016, 02:06 AM

We ordered the Onan in both of our RWs. Don't use them alot, but just a push of the button and you have power. We had the Dual Hondas with our Montana and they were nice, BUT you had to drag them out, hook everything up, and chain them so they could walk away. Then when done using them you had to let them cool before packing them away, real PITA.

Watersm · 03-27-2016, 12:15 AM

Like Rosey and Shane, I have factory propane Onan, but seldom use it, and I am really glad I have it. The trailer keeps blowing the 30 amp 12 volt supply in the truck, then the trailer batteries go dead with the inverter running the residential fridge. If shore power isn't available, result is no power to lower jacks and disconnect truck! I have to use a spare 12 volt car battery to start the Onan to charge batteries and run hydraulics.

IshF281 · 03-27-2016, 04:26 AM

We love ours. Use it a lot, usually on our last fuel stop I turn it and one of the a/c units on so we start with a cool camper at our final location.

ted 95 · 03-27-2016, 04:36 AM

so you travel with the gen running?? I used to do that when we had the MH but was not sure when traveling with a 5er.

bergeman · 03-27-2016, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watersm

Like Rosey and Shane, I have factory propane Onan, but seldom use it, and I am really glad I have it. The trailer keeps blowing the 30 amp 12 volt supply in the truck, then the trailer batteries go dead with the inverter running the residential fridge. If shore power isn't available, result is no power to lower jacks and disconnect truck! I have to use a spare 12 volt car battery to start the Onan to charge batteries and run hydraulics.

Take a look inside the J-Box on your Pin box where the cable goes into. This includes the clamp for the cable. On mine, the power lead was grounding out, the symptom was as you described, I had to be connected to shore power to operate the Hydraulics.

atom ant · 03-27-2016, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted 95

so you travel with the gen running?? I used to do that when we had the MH but was not sure when traveling with a 5er.

I do that a lot to precool.

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