Which Generator?

[aparton]

My wife and I are getting ready to go full-time in our 38RL. One decision we need to make is which generator to install? Diesel and gasoline stink and I wonder where you install a fuel tank? Has anyone installed a Cummins-Onan 6500 watt LP generator?

[atom ant]

Oh ya - we installed the 5500LP because we already had it. Practically plug-n-play on the Redwood!

[BasilFawlty]

We opted out the generator. Bought a 1000 dollar Honda 2000i, converted it to propane , just for emergencies. Have been fulltimers now for 6 month and never used it. So think twice before ordering it. It is expensive and heavy. We are not overly fully loaded with things but already slightly over weight with empty tanks.

[Dave&Ginny]

I have the factory installed 5500 and love it. I wouldn't have an RV without it. We use it all the time

[5th_Time]

We ordered the Onan 5500 as well. When you think about, what could be better than an Onan LP. Genset?

If you are retrofitting, you might be able to get the harnesses and exhaust system from Redwood. Onan also makes a 6500LP if you're using it to power your home during power failures like I do.

[coloradolivin]

Ours came without a genset, so we had the dealer throw in a Yamaha 2000 as part of the deal. We then got another 2000 and the parallel cord that combined will make 30A, enough to run one AC. Gives a lot of flexibility w/o much weight (around 88# total)

[Blue Dogs]

Have the Onan 5500 LP dealer installed, love it. Use it quite a bit we camp in a lot of places that only have 15 amp service so we need the gen for air and heat pump. Burns about 1 GPH heavy load. Add the 10 gallon tanks as LPG requires mass to keep from freezing under heavy use. I can run both air conditioners on the 5500 but you can't run both and the micro. Not sure you would really need the 6500 unless you do all dry camping. If you plan to stay in a lot of RV parks then the gen is only backup. Onan is the best choice IMO for a hardware install.

[Elliott & Vicky]

We have the 5500 and wouldn't be without it.

[atom ant]

I might ad that we bought our Onan 5500 back in 2003 with our first 5er and it's still going strong. It might be a heavy investment, but it has lasted us over a decade and 3 5ers!

[almcc]

Originally Posted by BasilFawlty

We opted out the generator. Bought a 1000 dollar Honda 2000i, converted it to propane , just for emergencies. Have been fulltimers now for 6 month and never used it. So think twice before ordering it. It is expensive and heavy. We are not overly fully loaded with things but already slightly over weight with empty tanks.

I second these comments. I thought that we would need a generator when we retired as we would do some serious RVing. I bought a Honda 3000 and it's been used only about twice in 8 years (other than the monthly running to keep it in shape) for camping, and those times we really didn't need it.

It did provide power for making coffee in the driveway last month when we had a scheduled power outage however! It will be retained for emergency back up power at home but for RVing it was a waste of $$.

[Redwood2012]

I have an Onan 5500LP on my 2012 and have over 50 hrs of use so far. I would not by a RV without one.

[atom ant]

I've had my Onan 11 years and it only has 4.2 hours on it Could be the new hour meter in the Redwood

[Redwood2012]

Originally Posted by Redwood2012

I have an Onan 5500LP on my 2012 and have over 50 hrs of use so far. I would not by a RV without one.

We use it a lot to cool the RV down just before arriving to a location, especially when the temp is around or above 100F. We have had so much service warranty work done our RV that we use the A/Cs when we are unloading and reloading our RV prior and after the service. We have owned the unit 32 months and has been in for service 8+ months out of that time.

[ksaltman]

I think it is important to understand your camping style before deciding what type of generator to get. Once you decide that you can choice between no generator, a small Honda EU2000i style or a full on Onan 5500.