Generator

[Bill Brown]

I want to purchase a generator to use with my 3295RK. I will have to haul it in my P/U. As you know, the 50 amp service is in the rear of my trailer. How would be the best way to utilize a gen? Long 30 amp cords? etc.
Thanks, Bill Brown

[firetrucker]

Let's start by asking how big a generator are you considering?

Bob

[richfaa]

We have a 3KW generator that we carry in the rear of the PU.It weighs in at @ 137 lbs with fuel so it isn't easy to load and unload.When we need it we just drive the truck around to the rear of the 5th wheel.(it is a 30 amp generator..Kipor)

We do not boon dock and have only been to "Q" twice where we did use it. In the past six years other than "Q" we have not had to use it at all due to Campground power failures.They are few these days and usually of short duration. We do run it for 1/2 hour every month as regular routine maint. We have used it more to provide power to run electric grills at rallies.

IMO if we were considering a generator for our style of Rv'ing we would not spend the $$$.

A few years ago campground power failures were not uncommon.They are uncommon now.

[snfexpress]

We use our generator(s) a bunch. We like to boondock. Our solution was to build a carrier for ours and wire a 30 amp male to 50 amp female and keep it connected to our primary generator (we have two Honda 2000's). It takes no more than a few minutes to get juice to the 5er. Oh, and 1.1 gallons in one generator with no major appliances (other than the fridge) will run our rig for about 6 hours.

Here is a pic of our carrier:

[bncinwv]

The alternative we went with on our previous rig was to add a receptacle at the front of the rig. It does require an automatic transfer switch, a little over $100, a pricey receptacle (we used the marine type - $60) and some limited wiring skills. This enabled us to actually provide power to the rig when we were in transit. We have the same generator as Richfaa and for convenience I added a 50 amp receptacle to the rig and used a 30 amp to 50 amp shore cord that was twenty five feet long to connect up the two since we also carried the genny in the bed of the pickup. We carry the furry parts of the family in the rig when we travel and this enabled us to run the 13,500 air conditioner in transit on excessively hot days. At the time I posted, schematics, pictures, etc. of the process if you are interested in pursuing this option.
Bingo

[RickW]

I have done the same as Bingo. The recepitcal up front also comes in handy when the power pedestal is closer to the front of the trailer than the rear.