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11-14-2017, 06:47 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Titusville
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #20786
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Generator or No Generator?
Considering options for a 3121RL. It sure would be nice to have an onboard generator but not too excited about the fuel usage rate/consumption (LP gas).
What a delima....
> not sure I like the iN-Command but it'd be sure would be nice to remote start a gen to get things cooled down before stopping
> I don't consider the Onan LP gen a viable open when dry camping due to fuel usage
> not overly difficult to wire in a Champion remote start generator so there is always that option (leave it in the bed of the truck, start it before stopping for the day to get things cooled)
Which brings me to my question(s)....
> if you have an onboard generator, do you use it a lot? Any regrets? Would you get it again.
> if you chose not to get the generator and have an external gen... do you wish you had an onboard gen?
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11-14-2017, 06:54 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,657
M.O.C. #9969
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We have the on board Onan 5500, don't use it a lot, but really nice when you do need it, to just push a button and get power to run everything.
Anything external/portable have to be setup/connected and disconnected/put away when done.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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11-14-2017, 07:19 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: ALAMEDA
Posts: 227
M.O.C. #20448
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On my previous trailer keystone laredo had an onan 3500 powered everything remote start etc. etc. Now weight is the problem need an onan 5500 $8k from camping world. Purchased a honda 2000. Takes 20 minutes to set up but saved 7K. I can live with it.
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 310RE
2017 Ram 2500 Diesel, 4 wd crew cab, slr, pulrite super glide, short bed, 2 ea 100 Ah LiFePO4 12 volt Deep Cycle Battery
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11-14-2017, 07:39 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Paola
Posts: 5,739
M.O.C. #4961
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We have one and loved the fact that I can remote start it and have the unit nice a cool inside when we stopped. If you do not boondock much a Honda 2000 will work just fine. Like you said it is nice to just push a bottom and have everything working.
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Dennis & Linda Ward
Paola, Kansas
Montana 3735MK Legacy Edition
1200 watts of Solar
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11-14-2017, 09:59 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,914
M.O.C. #19755
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[QUOTE=traveldawg;1079713]
> not sure I like the iN-Command but it'd be sure would be nice to remote start a gen to get things cooled down before stopping/QUOTE]
This is not an option. When driving, the In-Command system goes into "Travel Lockout" which disables the slides, awnings and I'm pretty sure the generator. Travel Lockout can only be disabled on the screen in the trailer; not remotely.
We like the convenience of having an on-board generator and avoiding the work of setting up a portable generator, cords, etc. We dry camp most of the time and have not found the fuel usage a problem, but we only run the generator a little bit. It will run about six hours on a tank.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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11-15-2017, 05:50 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,923
M.O.C. #20477
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Very happy with my set of 2 Honda 2000I. Not hard to set up or use and very quiet. Boondock about 20% of the time and try to stay in cool places where a/c is not required but can still run 1 a/c if needed.
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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11-15-2017, 05:57 AM
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#7
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Stratford
Posts: 94
M.O.C. #12538
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Our current trailer has an on bored Onan 5500 we use it very little. (boon-docking a few times a year)10 years it has 60 hours on it. you are correct about LP usage 85* day we used 30lbs of propane to run generator for 1 day for the AC to run. We have a honda 3000is and that was used on our last trailer that's what we will use for our next trailer. I would also like to order our next trailer with generator prep so the 50 amp power cord is brought to the front of the trailer where I would then put a plug for the generator.
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11-15-2017, 07:14 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,547
M.O.C. #2283
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I have an Onan in my MH a Micro Quiet 4000 and a Honda IS 3000 for my HC Montana. The Onan is small but quiet forget that it’s junk compared to the Honda. Get a Honda.
Lynwood
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11-15-2017, 08:40 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SWFL
Posts: 964
M.O.C. #17801
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I think I would prefer onboard, but chose not to have one because I was concerned about more pin weight. I didn't consider fuel usage at all. It's not too difficult to lift my Champion 3500 in/out of the truck, but I can imagine as I age further it might be tough.
__________________
2016 Montana 3711FL
2005 Ford F350, 6.0 diesel, short bed
Demco Hitchiker Auto Slide hitch
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11-16-2017, 07:44 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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Never had one, never needed one....always have hook ups.
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11-16-2017, 07:58 AM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Aptos
Posts: 427
M.O.C. #11462
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Glad we have it!!!!!!!
We have the Onan 3500 which has been a trip saver at least 3 times. First time we were camping and the power went out at the resort for two days suddenly. This trip we had been to four resorts and just checked in at the fifth and the shorepower switch gear failed. It was a 5 - 10 day lead time for replacement. Found one at Arizona Salvage for $100. Took a few hours to change over due to location under stairs and wire size, saved $$$$$ big time doing it myself. Not looking forward to doing it again.
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11-16-2017, 06:01 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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If serious boondocking, then large solar, 4x6vdc, 2K inverter. Casual boondocking wither 1 or 2 Honda EU2000's. Skip the Onan. Too much of a fuel hog.
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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11-16-2017, 06:53 PM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Wise
Posts: 13
M.O.C. #20417
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I have the onan 5500 lp. Done the install myself, would do again. Don't have to have another fuel source"gasoline". I have purchased 4 40lb tanks extra. Can dry camp for a week no problem. Just like the ability to push button and go, no unloading and worrying about someone else taking a likening to my generator.
__________________
2017 High Country 381TH
2012 Dodge Mega Cab 4x4
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11-16-2017, 07:19 PM
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#14
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Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Titusville
Posts: 21
M.O.C. #20786
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lots of good info - thanks to everyone. I guess we all have our certain situation that drives these decisions. It's good to hear about more than just my narrow thinking.
For sure I'll get the gen prep just so they install the switch (thanks for the photos, Wheelhouse).
I have 2 Honda 2000i's that I've used in the past. Just getting lazy as the years go on and considering the remote start Champion if I go that way. I figure I can then sell the 2 Honda's (and cover the cost of a new generator).
Still no decision on my part but leaning toward the Champion.
keep the feedback coming.
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11-17-2017, 07:02 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We do not boondock. We have a 3K gen in the back of the truck.We have not used it in years to power the Rv in a emergency. We do run it 1/2 hour each month.We find little use for a gen under normal circumstances now days.
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11-17-2017, 10:19 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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We are serious dry campers and that is why we went the solar route. We do have a Honda200i in case we get a couple of days in a row without sun. The space that is taken by a onboard generator is where we store the Honda and the 4x6 volt batteries.
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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11-17-2017, 04:34 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: North Bay Area
Posts: 351
M.O.C. #19469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlb27537
If serious boondocking, then large solar, 4x6vdc, 2K inverter. Casual boondocking wither 1 or 2 Honda EU2000's. Skip the Onan. Too much of a fuel hog.
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Yeah, what he said! except buy the champion 3400 with remote start. I payed a little over $1200 for mine. It runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas. On gasoline you get more run time and use less fuel and more watts. The remote start is great,sitting in the RV it will go through the walls and out to 80'. you can leave the 2 switches on for a month without the battery going dead. It also has wheels and a handle to pull around. I love the Honda also but for the price and the options of the Champion, your going to be seeing a lot less "RED" and more "YELLOW" around in the future.
__________________
2004 2955RL 2nd owners 400 watt solar, 2000 inverter/charger 4-6volt golf cart battery's & a champion 3400 remote start dual fuel genny
2000 F-350 swd crew cab long bed 7.3 power stroke transflow 77 gal fuel tank.
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11-18-2017, 02:01 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bee Branch
Posts: 2,620
M.O.C. #20693
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Good thread. We don't boondock but there are occasions where we will stop at a rest stop or truck stop overnight. I can weld and Hobart has a welder/gen unit for $3K that will fit nicely in front of our hitch in the long bed one ton so that is what I plan to go with. Only thing I question is how "clean" the power will be and if that will be an issue? Anyone with deep knowledge on the subject I would appreciate comments please.
Only reason an onboard unit would be a must have is if you had a reason to run the A/C when you had the tow vehicle away from the vehicle (say if you had a spouse or dog (BE ADVISED NOT COMPARING SPOUSES TO DOGS!) that was going to stay behind while you went somewhere in the tow). I don't think that will be an issue for us because we would only use the gen. when stopping overnight and we have the 381TH and most likely our motorcycle in the basement garage (Points for the 381TH---insert smiley face with tongue sticking out).
We have had a couple of Onan in Class A motorhomes and they always seemed to be having issues. Not to mention they are hard to work on when built in and dang pricy. Honda seems to be the gold standard of the outboard gens and are certainly quite and well built. We own a 3500w Champion at present but have found it won't pull even a single A/C (it will start it initially but first time A/C cycles it will kill the gen.). I think the Honda's are underrated on actual wattage while the Champions are overrated. Big advantage to the Champions is the price but I don' think they are built as well as the Honda. In particular watch out for the Champion gas tank which can form cracks in the fuel tank (we had that happen to us and spill fuel all over a trailer).
But I have to wonder why anyone who owns a 5th wheel would be concerned about fuel economy? Seriously folks? LOL
As for running a cord up to the truck, you might want to consider what I plan to do and run a plug all the way up to the pin box where you will only need a very short cord to connect the gen up to your camper.... Would be wise to use one long enough that you could pull out from under the hitch though. But at least it would all be contained in the back of your truck.....
Oh yeah and that room in front of the hitch that allows for the generator. One more reason the LONG BED wins the day!!!
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11-18-2017, 02:57 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,547
M.O.C. #2283
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I agree with what mtlakejim says.
The guy that worked on my Onan generator says they are junk. He has worked on them for 40 years. Can’t disagree with that mine with 36 hours on it. Honda is the gold standard. Pulling a 12 or 15,000 pound fiver why would anyone worry about fuel mileage. One mile more or less what does it matter?
A plug-in at the pin box works great.
Lynwood
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11-18-2017, 03:52 PM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ardmore
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #20841
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If not the 5500 Onan. What is a better option for a permanent mount unit?
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