Old man and a generator

[colretired]

have you thought about putting a hitch on the back of the trailer and then using a hitch platform for the generator. Much lower to the ground and if the generator has wheels you could take along a couple of pieces of wood to use as a ramp to put the generator on and off the platform. We use a eu3000i Honda unit and if I fuel it up just before bed it will run all night. Our camper has two air-conditioning units so we only run the one over the bedroom at night and the other one over the living area during the day. Your other alternative is the smaller dual setups but the issue is they typically don't hold enough fuel to run all night at load-typically 5 hours or slightly less at 75% throttle at full load they only run just over three hours. Too bad Honda doesn't set them up so you could feed them with a separate fuel tank like an outboard motor.

[fivergeezer]

I too am old, but not too old to tow my new 33' Flagstaff fiver with my old 2007 Chevy diesel dually. I have been carrying a 5600 watt Honda inverter/generator in the bed since 2006 when I purchased the truck. At 300 pounds, it goes with the truck. But it will run both A/C units & my wife's BIPAP. It has never failed to start & it is only on its 2nd battery. With it running & attached to the truck, we cannot hear it while sleeping in the bedroom only about a foot away. It will run about 12 hours on a full tank of gas as I used it to power a freezer in an enclosed trailer we used to tow back & forth to FL. Honda's cost a little more but that's because they are worth it.

[NorSnrub]

I use this carrier and haven't had to take down. In have a predator open frame. Just run cord to it.
https://cdn3.volusion.com/alnhr.alvrm/v/vspfiles/photos/05-0019-2.jpg?1559834153

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by colretired

... Too bad Honda doesn't set them up so you could feed them with a separate fuel tank like an outboard motor.

That's an easy DIY modification for which pre-made parts are readily available in the after-market.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hond...g+running+tank

[NorSnrub]

I go a cap on eBay, air tight with hose attachment, and run it to boat tank.

[NorSnrub]

https://www.ebay.com/p/Red-Extended-...RoCnncQAvD_BwE

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by MarkPW

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.

I like the Champion dual fuel too. Mine's a 3500 watt, electric start and here's how I carry it on my MicroLite






I reinforced the bumper with the Safe -T-Struts and used a "Genny to Go" mount to carry the generator. Secured to both mount and rear bumper with two Master "Python" 3/8" cable locks.

I adapted a GenTuri exhaust system to it so I can run the generator and not have the exhaust smell (and CO) discharged where it can accumulate and infiltrate the trailer or blow into the seating area under the awning.

When idling along during battery charge it's quiet enough to actually stand next to and carry on a conversation. When running the AC it's no noisier than any other permanently installed generator on a TT or MH.

Generator cost me 1/2 the cost of two Honda 2kw units and the electric start is great.

The weight on the rear bumper doesn't have any effect on how the trailer handles while towing. With all the gear in the front storage compartments and a full water tank the extra 100+ lbs is a non issue.

With the generator on it's platform stopping for lunch (using the microwave) is a piece of cake. Start Generator, Plug in, make lunch, and only task remaining is to roll up cord and put it in it's compartment. No generators to "wrangle".

[oceanprey]

I have two Champion 2000W inverter generators. They are lite enough to pick up easily (I'm 72) and the noise level is very low, not offensive at all. Have never tried to run 16000 btu a/c on only one generator for fear of damaging a/c, but I can run the a/c and all other 120V equipment in the trailer with the two generators hooked together. Got these just last year and I like them a lot, easy to start and run well.


oceanprey
2011 Rockwood Signiture UltraLite 8293RKSS

[EmersonTT]

I hope your enjoy your 2109s. We've put 50,000 miles on our 2013 model, including Alaska/Yukon twice and Newfoundland/Labrador. I put a Honda 2000 generator on a rack I installed on the bumper, but I reinforced the bumper first.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by oceanprey

I have two Champion 2000W inverter generators. They are lite enough to pick up easily (I'm 72) and the noise level is very low, not offensive at all. Have never tried to run 16000 btu a/c on only one generator for fear of damaging a/c, but I can run the a/c and all other 120V equipment in the trailer with the two generators hooked together. Got these just last year and I like them a lot, easy to start and run well.


oceanprey
2011 Rockwood Signiture UltraLite 8293RKSS

One thing I noticed with a single 2Kw generator on a recent trip to the boondocks was that it definitely was quiet as long as it was running in it's "Eco Mode". While charging batteries and running lights very pleasant. When the owner's wife turned on the coffee maker and it shifted to full power output it was surprisingly very noisy. About twice as loud to the ears than when eco-mode was turned off, forcing it to run faster like is done when most YouTube videos are made showing how quiet the generator is.

An engine under a heavy load is a lot louder than an engine that is just running unloaded at the same RPM.

This is why I prefer the larger 3500 W Inverter I have. Almost everything I run can be handled under eco-mode and when it does speed up I rarely am loading the engine to it's max HP. As long as I don't run AC and Microwave at same time my genset is noticably quieter than my "neighbor of the weekend's" little red 2KW trying to power a coffee pot. Even when I switched Eco Mode off.

[Major Oz]

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!

The simplest solution is what I did to mine........weld a rack on the back (or get a folding one, that many dealers have), put the genny on it....and you're done.


Strap a gerry can beside it.

[Ruggybuggy]

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!

I have almost the same setup as you. I have a 2018 Tacoma and pull a 2019 Coachman Freedom Express 204RD. I use a Firman W03081 and it easily run my AC. I leave it in the back of the truck and have a hard cover tonneau cover. The generator sits at the front of the box and I use a Toyota bed divider to keep it in place. I open the cover when I want to run it and just leave the generator in the truck bed. You could use a ramp to move the generator in the box if the truck and just leave it in there. Use the hard tonneau ro keep it dry and secure.

https://www.firmanpowerequipment.com...verter-w03081/

The reason I picked the Firman is because it was the only generator in the 3,000 watt range that would fit under the closed tonneau cover of the Tacoma.

[Tcullum]

I have the exact same trailer. I use 1 Honda 2200 Generator with no problems. Runs all night on idle speed. Revs up when the AC comes on then back to idle after the unit is running. I have a 15000 btu ac. Your 13500 should work even better. No need for a soft starter, it’s a waste of money. Buy a husky plastic tote container at Home Depot. Cut out the ends so you can put the generator in it and still let it breathe and access the plug ins. Works better than a gen tent at 1/4 the cost. We love our trailer, perfect for 2 and it’s pulls so good. Use a blue ox sway control. Happy camping.

[Wishart]

The Champion generators are heavier and noisier (also less expensive) than Honda or Yamaha. We have a Honda 2200 which works great - light, quiet, and runs our 33' 5th wheel just fine. But it won't runt the A/C. If that ever comes up, I will get the companion and daisy chain them. I can lift one at a time.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

... I adapted a GenTuri exhaust system to it so I can run the generator and not have the exhaust smell (and CO) discharged where it can accumulate and infiltrate the trailer or blow into the seating area under the awning. ...

As the Gen-Turi redirects the exhaust upward, does it result in any further noise reduction?

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by Cherin55

We also need AC when boondocking and came up with our current set up - Stromberg Carlson tongue tray with a Westinghouse IGen4500 Inverter generator (weighs approx. 100#). Hubby is 71 and I am 64 and neither of us wanted to be lifting a generator in and out of the back of our Expedition. The generator is awesome and quiet - our bedroom is right behind the front glass windshield and it is not bothersome at all and runs our 15k AC without any hiccups!! We secured it with 2 ratchet straps and a rubber-coated thick steel cable w/2 padlocks (with a cover for when we travel and it's not in use). Because of this set up we had to give up the hard plastic propane cover in lieu of an ADCO soft cover with a top zipper but it's working quite well. It's not a dual fuel generator, but we purchased a 2.5 gal. gas can and a small step stool to add fuel when needed....also has remote start which worked out great when we stopped at Cracker Barrell and it was raining on our last trip We calculated the tongue weight of our TT, plus the weight of the genny & tray and made sure we purchased the correct WD/Sway hitch for our Expedition (9200 lb. tow capacity) and ended up with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200 lbs. which has also been great.

Best of luck with your search and setup....happy camping!!

We have this same generator and it works well with our large AC unit. The problem we had was that we had to turn off the generator and AC by 10 pm due to CG rules! We thought it would cool down at night on the east coast like it does out West, but no, you need AC at night at the beach

Despite zero hookups, The rule exists for quiet hours, but you cannot hear the igen 4500 over the AC running-it really is quiet. It is also really good on gas. It will run 18 hours on 3.4 gals on eco mode and 10 hours with the AC running.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

... you cannot hear the igen 4500 over the AC running-it really is quiet. ...

You can't hear it inside the trailer but can the same be said for your neighbors outside their trailers?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

but you cannot hear the igen 4500 over the AC running-it really is quiet. It is also really good on gas. It will run 18 hours on 3.4 gals on eco mode and 10 hours with the AC running.

If it's so quiet, why aren't the noise level rating at the standard 23ft listed?
All it says on the Westinghouse website is, "as low as 52db". That could be at 100 yards away.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by bikendan

If it's so quiet, why aren't the noise level rating at the standard 23ft listed?
All it says on the Westinghouse website is, "as low as 52db". That could be at 100 yards away.

My Son In Law has an open frame generator you can't hear from the end of his driveway. However he lives in the country and his driveway is 1/4 mile long


People also shouldn't get their undies tangled in the db ratings. Some generators can have the same dba ratings yet under the same load "SOUND DIFFERENT" to different people. This is especially true with inverter types where the engine speeds can vary thus changing the noise frequency slightly.

Kind of like two people listening to the same piece of music and each hearing different tones yet it's being played with the same dba number coming from the speakers.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by bikendan

If it's so quiet, why aren't the noise level rating at the standard 23ft listed?
All it says on the Westinghouse website is, "as low as 52db". That could be at 100 yards away.

It’s as quiet as a Honda 2200 in the campsite next to us when we stand outside and both generators are 20 feet away. When we run the AC, the generator is chained to the rear bumper not more than 3 feet, and you can’t hear it inside.

By far, the most popular generator we saw while camping in multiple places was the predator 3500. These were fairly quiet as well.