Adding a Gen Set

[Gary Cheris]

We recently acquired a 2006 Montana 2955 that has no generator and, as far as I can determine, it was not pre-wired for one either. The only thing it has is the floor in the front compartment is slotted for air flow.

We are considering buying a used Onan, either 7000 or 5500. Found a Marquis Gold 5500 on CL from a 2005 unit that has 137 hours on it for $1500.

Two things, is that a good unit and does anyone have experience installing one from scratch, i.e., where to install a gas tank, where to route the exhaust etc. that can offer sound (no pun) advice.

I am pretty handy and never know well enough not to do things.

[DQDick]

The ones that come with Montana's are propane fired. If I remember correctly the generator prep didn't just include the floor, mine has that and wasn't generator prep, it also included wiring and baffles to protect the wall from heat.

[jcurtis934]

The slotted floor allows for part of it to be cut out to fit the genset. My diesel onan in my previous pusher was a real jewel. With that small of a fiver, a 7k would be way overkill power and weight wise. I think you would be better served with two honda genies. John

[Art-n-Marge]

2 EU2000 Honda gennies only provide 30 amp and last less than 4 hours unless you have extended run tanks and hoses. 2 EU3000 gennies can provide 50 amp but are so large you might as well get an installed 5500. That $1500 price is good when you consider two EU3000 will cost over twice that. Whatever the case and type of fuel you decide you'll want to make sure you get a good runtime.

Biggest thing to consider is what it does to your weight limits and ratings for your rig and tow vehicle. Keep things safe and going over your weight ratings is not safe.

Personally, I use two EU2000 gennies and no extended run gear for rare usage and am greatly annoyed having only 3 hours runtime. Unfortunately it is so rare, I haven't been able to justify the cost just yet.

[PNW Fireguy]

Just did the same thing on our Monty. I found a LP 6.5k commercial Onan. Ordered various accessories from Cummins locally as well as other sources including my original dealer. My unit is LP can't help you with gas tank and not sure I would even install a gas or diesel unit. The floor cutout was the easiest part. The front compartment door had to be removed to fit the sheet metal firewall. The wiring is pretty straight forward. Check your generator well before buying that CL's deal.

[boat391]

I have a 5500 in my toy hauler it runs on gas but my toy hauler has a 30 gallon fuel tank in the rear of the unit for the gen set and to use in my side by side. I have over 900 hours on it and it runs flawlessly. I change oil every 100 hours. The wiring is pretty simple you will need to install a transfer switch and you will wire to that your main shore power will also wire to this switch. You will need to cut a vents in you front hatch door but that is pretty easy. Your exhaust will run out the bottom of the unit then through the bottom floor then run it to the drivers side of the unit it isn't a real big deal if you have a welder to join the pipes if not a muffler shop can do it very easy. I have added solar to my hauler and don't really use the gen set all that much unless I want the a/c or the wife uses her hair dryer thing everything else will work off of my inverter and solar. If you need a hand just shoot me a pm I would be happy to walk you through the install. Happy camping

[Gary Cheris]

Thanks Folks for all of your input!!!! Quite enlightening. Can anyone provide photos of their install. DQDick, with the floor cut out does the genset extend below? PNW Fireguy, was the LP gen used, what did you have to give for it? It looks like I have a metal rear wall in the front compartment, is the firewall you installed in addition to it?

[PNW Fireguy]

The unit sits atop a frame that bolts to the floor of the front compartment. The cutout lines up with the air intake and exhaust. My exhaust is routed to the ODS at a bit of an angle to clear the bedside window. The sheet metal enclosure is in addition to the back wall. Both of those parts are available from Cummins or most RV dealers as well. You will then need a ATS, search this site for lots of information on those. Don't recommend going cheap as failures could prove to be costly. My genset was used, it was a bit of a unique situation. It came off a commercial food truck. I got it for 1k and < 70 hours. You can download the manual from Cummins and it contains the parts including remote kits and wire harnesses.

[Gary Cheris]

Ok, started looking again. Gave up on the CL unit since it was gasoline - it just makes better sense for my situation to go LP/propane because the install, over all, is easier to deal with and Lp doesn't go old. Thanks to all for your quite helpful advice and sharing experiences. If you see an LP Onan 5.5k-7K out there for sale please let me know, I'd really appreciate it!!!!!!

[PNW Fireguy]

One in SF almost new on CL today.

[h2ojocky]

We have the same 2955 and opted for the EU 2000. We won't camp anywhere without full hookups if we think we will be using the air conditioner. So far when we Boondock 1EU2000 Honda has worked fine for us. Many have installed solar panels with inverter.So far when we boondock 1 eu 2000 honda has worked fine for us.

[Gary Cheris]

Thanks, I look for it today!!!

[PNW Fireguy]

One in SF almost new on CL today.