Old man and a generator

[mwdilday]

My vote would be two Honda 2000's or 2200's paralleled. Not the cheapest but they are dependable, light and flexible.

[MarkPW]

Originally Posted by upflying

You plan to tow a 2109S with a Tacoma?

Thanks for your insight. Yes, pulling with a Tacoma. The Tacoma is rated for 6500 pounds. The trailer is 4215 empty and around 5900 gvwr so there's about 10% cushion. I can't remember the exact figures but I checked the combined weight rating and I'm within that. The 100 mile tow home from the dealer in our hilly section of Virgina (some people say 2000' above sea level aren't REAL Mountains!) went quite well. I had no problems up hill and no sway issues.

[MarkPW]

I appreciate everyone's input. Lots to think about.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by MarkPW

I appreciate everyone's input. Lots to think about.

Thanks for replying back..good luck

[jimmoore13]

I've heard a pair of 2KW generators in action. Obnoxiously loud.
A hitch/bumper mounted 3.2KW unit will work much better and be much quieter. If you want to take it off the carrier, consider getting a carrier meant for a mobility scooter that has a ramp:
https://www.discountramps.com/premiu...CABEgKgwvD_BwE

Harbor Freight Predator Brand Generators are not Hondas, but, Consumer Reports tested them, and they are damned close and cost halve as much.
https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-W...tor-63584.html

The Champions are good as well. But they do cost more.

It would make life easier to get a big tire kit to go with it:
https://www.amazon.com/Autoworks-Ter...a-789230455194

I suggest the wheel kit, because... I'm 70, and I'm still pretty fit, but I use one of these to haul my generator around: https://www.harborfreight.com/150-lb...uck-61867.html
I boondock, and when I can, I setup my 2KW generator about 100 feet from my rig, chained to a tree, and connect with a 12/3 extension cord. The cord matches the load, and I get far more peace and quiet. I use that little hand truck to haul the generator to and from its destination. The hand truck fits nicely in my bed-mounted tool box. You could buy a 30', 30-amp extension cord and get your generator almost 60 feet from your camper when the situation allows for it.

For what you'd save on a pair of 2KW Hondas or a 3500 watt Honda, you can buy the Predator, the carrier, the wheels, and have a first-rate class 2 hitch receiver mounted on your trailer to mount the carrier...one that would pull a small ATV trailer, etc.

Being able to run your rig on 30 amps instead of limping along with a compressor capacitor-assisted start kluge and 15 amps....or worse, struggle with two generators - e.g. engines, gas, oil changes, and so on - will be worth the effort and cost. It's the "right" answer rather than some kluge.

Advice on testing ANY new generator. With a 30 amp generator, set it up in the driveway, plug in your rig, and run the AC, microwave, and as many other appliances as you can ... up to the rated load ... to make sure it delivers rate power. Get a bunch of things running, then try to start the AC.
Tax the hell out of it and see when it kicks into overload.

With a 2 KW generator, setup near your home kitchen and run an extension cord from your counter-top or over-the-range microwave and run it for about 10 minutes (boiling water) on high. Start and stop several times, because startup is the hard part. A 2 KW generator should handle that load with ease.

If either generator fails to live up to those performance demands, bring it back and get a replacement.

Good luck.

[RDupre]

Sir, my advise to you is to only camp where you can plug in your camper. I do own a 7KW generator at my home and an adopter to hook up my Fifth Wheel in the event I may need a cool place to sleep for an extended power outage, such as hurricanes we have here in S. Louisiana. Now that I'm over 60, I always look for full hook ups unless it's a one night stay while traveling. But, an electrical hook up is a must. I don't even bring my "honey wagon" any more. I'm getting too old to be hauling a generator or a honey wagon around.

[ppine]

I used a generator for several years. You can make up a power cord from your rig long enough to reach the genrator in the back of your tv. I have back problems and would not own a generator larger than 2000 watts.

Recently I went to solar. It is quiet, it is light and it works. No more hoisting generators around. It cost less than my generator.

[Can Am Camper]

I purchased an Engine Hoist from Harbor Freight to put Cabelas Champion 4750 in my truck bed. Works great!

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Can Am Camper

I purchased an Engine Hoist from Harbor Freight to put Cabelas Champion 4750 in my truck bed. Works great!

This one? Is the truck bed floor strong enough for the leverage?

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton..._q=truck+crane

[Can Am Camper]

No I actually got the rolling Engine Hoist

[upflying]

Originally Posted by MarkPW

Thanks for your insight. Yes, pulling with a Tacoma. The Tacoma is rated for 6500 pounds. The trailer is 4215 empty and around 5900 gvwr so there's about 10% cushion. I can't remember the exact figures but I checked the combined weight rating and I'm within that. The 100 mile tow home from the dealer in our hilly section of Virgina (some people say 2000' above sea level aren't REAL Mountains!) went quite well. I had no problems up hill and no sway issues.

Your payload is around 1150lbs, the tongue weight and generator will use up half of the payload. I pulled with a similar specification Nissan Frontier and I only had 300 lbs for cargo and passengers after attaching my empty trailer. Take your truck/trailer to the scales just to be safe.

[Docjava]

I did my homework and reviewed eight different inverter generators around the 3000 size. I have done the test side-by-side with the Honda 3000 and the Predator 3500 inverter generators. I bought the Predator I've had it three years not one problem. It is RV ready and powers everything in my campers with no trouble at all except the AC and microwave at the same time but that I think it's pretty general with any generator of that size . it also ran several lights and my refrigerator during a power outage at the house. it is an awesome generator. Gave many recommendations to folks and several have bought it and also never looked back.

[Ortep]

I could understand a 2000 generator or even two in parallel might have a problem powering the AC & the microwave together but a 3500 shouldn't have an issue with powering those items together. How many AC units do you have on your camper?

[pmsherman]

I didn't read through all of the replies but another possible solution would be to get a set of Harbor Freight ramps. You can use them to roll the generator into and out of the truck bed. A lightweight block and tackle will make it even easier to pull it up into the bed. It might also be possible to install a winch at the front of the bed which would eliminate all manual effort.


Phil

[Docjava]

I have a 15000btu AC and a 1500wt microwave. If the AC is just blowing and the compressor is not pumping the microwave can run, however if the AC compressor kicks in then the generators orange warning light will flash and may auto shut down for its safety. We rarely use the microwave so turning the temp up on the AC for a few minutes, so the compressor dosent kick in, then thats fine for us. This Predator inverter 3500 generator is great and super quite. NO trouble and starts every time. Elec start and pull cord start backup and only weights 98 pounds.

[jcschultz01]

I went the route of dual Honda eu2000i generators based on the noise level, numerous reviews and they fit under my tonneau cover on a Ram 3500.

I had actually purchased a 3000w Honda generator on Craigslist but much to my surprise, by the time I put some vibration isolation feet on it, not only would the tonneau cover not close but the 5th wheel would have scrunched the top of the generator on turns. Leaving for a trip soon so glad that I checked!

So I sold the eu3000i in a day on Craigslist and lucked out and found dual eu2000i generators. Be careful, the primary and the secondary generator ARE different. And they came with the connecting cable. The 2200 watt models would have been nice but the price was better for used ones and everything in my trailer ran off of the 3000 watt (I used a watt meter) so the dual 2000's should be OK.

These fit under the tonneau cover and I will bicycle lock them to the attachment lugs in the pickup bed for at least some security. I like the suggestion of leaving them in the pickup bed - they are lighter than the eu3000 but not what you would call easy lifting.

Good luck and keep you eye on local ebay/craigslist and you might get lucky.

[lookin48197]

I purchased the Firman 3300i. I found it refurbished for $399.00 plus 50 to ship to Michigan. Had to fill with oil when I got it. Runs like a top very quiet 58db and will run for about 9 hours on 1.8 gallons of gas. Weighs 82 lbs. Has a pull handle that folds down outta site for rolling around and lift handles. When I got this it showed 32 hrs runtime on the meter. Literally new. Fits in bed of truck against cab under a trifold hardcover and still covered when towing 41 ft 5th wheel. No problems.

[czachry]

Originally Posted by MarkPW

Greetings all!

New to RVing (tent camped 37 years ago, but the similarities are few). Just too delivery on a 2020 Rockwood MiniLite 2109S. Thinking ahead to the time I may camp without an electrical hookup and thus I'm shopping generators. I have to have AC due to health conditions.

I like the Champion line, especially the 3400 watt dual fuel model but there's no way I can lift a 90 pound generator in and out of the pickup bed. Anyone have suggestions? A bed mounted hoist isn't possible since my Tacoma has a composite bed.

A possible solution is a pair of 2000 watt units which are much lighter. Then my concern is sound level. If I remember decibels correctly, a 6 dB increase in level is double the volume so a pair of 53 dB generators would be 59 dB. Any thoughts on the noise level of dual generators?

Finally, has anyone used the Harbor Freight Predator line? The reviews are middle of the road but the price point is very attractive.

Thanks for the time to read my post and for any replies!

Most items at Harbor Freight are made in China and quality is questionable. Had a Chinese 2 KW generator and it lasted about two years. Hard to get parts and service. Purchased a Honda generator about seven years ago and have never had any problems.

[lookin48197]

There are tons of stuff here in te US that is made in China that we don't know about unless you dig deep. I agree that Chinese manufacturing sometimes can be sketchy. How ever some can last along time these days. If your pockets are deep then buy what you are comfortable with. If not research the items carefully before buying. Honda is a Japanese made product.

[doulof]

I also had the same problem lifting my champion generator to the bed of my truck. I bought a hitch mount lift that has a deck that I can set the generator on and lift it to the bed of my truck. I then swivel the deck around into the bed and pull the generator off. Copy and paste the link below in your browser.

https://www.discountramps.com/viking...ions-swivelift

Works great for me.