Taking your generator along.

[danengr1]

Generators take up a lot of space and I was just wondering if most people always take their generator with them or only when going where they know electricity won't be available.

[NMWildcat]

I have two EU2000i Honda generators. There are times I will only take one, but usually take both. Yep, they take up room either in the back of my truck or the front basement area of the RV.
But having them when I didn't expect to use them has come in handy a few times when we didn't make it to our full hookup destination, stopped due to mechanical issues, or the power goes out at the full hookups.
We are notorious for changing our plans during a trip, especially if we find something we want to explore for a few days. It's nice to know that no matter what happens, we will have power.

[TitanMike]

Mine "lives" on it's platform on the rear bumper, even when parked on the pad in my back yard. Well secured against theft.

Even if I was to plan on staying in a full hookup campground I use the generator when I stop for meals at rest areas. Having the generator along makes for a quick cup of coffee or a hot meal. Rarely use the stove on stops like this, just the microwave. Having the generator ready to go makes it easy.

For me, boondocking is my first choice and campgrounds are a rarity.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by danengr1

Generators take up a lot of space and I was just wondering if most people always take their generator with them or only when going where they know electricity won't be available.

I always take mine on the longer trips because we will be dry camping at times.
For shorter 3-5 day trips at campgrounds with power, then i leave it at home.

[cboss]

I have a Briggs & Stratton P3000. It goes along on every trip. You never know when you may need it.
And don't forget the gas.

[jd4010]

We have a Honda EU3000is that remains covered in the back of our truck. It's come in use when a storm has blown in while camping leaving us w/o commercial power for days. Doesn't get a lot of use.....but when needed, it's there.

[5picker]

If we go more than a couple hours from home, the generator goes too. We've used it more times than one would ever imagine when thinking about heading out on longer trips simply because things can happen you DIDN'T think would.

[babock]

Never bring my generator. 700W of solar and 2 Battleborn batteries. I never camp where I need AC.

[dbledan]

I haul mine just in case for most trips. We have to have A/C within a 12hr travel circle for half the year and A/C wont run long on batteries you can fit in a TT. Occasionally I have left it but mostly I have not.

DW does not handle boondocking well so I just don't do it much unless she stays home.

[danengr1]

Lot of helpful posts here. Since I'm new to the camper life, I'm going to follow all of your advice and keep it handy in the truck bed. Thanks fellow campers!

[BehindBars]

Since camping with class C motorhomes beginning in 1998, the generator has gone on every RV camping trip because it is bolted to and permanently wired to the motorhome.

Do any travel trailers, toy haulers, or fifth wheels come with permanently installed generators?

[jd4010]

Originally Posted by danengr1

Lot of helpful posts here. Since I'm new to the camper life, I'm going to follow all of your advice and keep it handy in the truck bed. Thanks fellow campers!

I think that is a wise choice.

In addition to providing our 5er power in the event of a commercial power outage at the park, we have used the generator for on the road issues. We carry an electric 1/2" impact wrench (among a plethora of other tools) and there has been times that I've needed to remove/change a tire while on the road (e.g. highway or parking lot). I use the RV's Level-Up system to raise the side where the wheel needs to be pulled and then use the impact wrench to remove the wheel. Putting the wheel back on, the wrench is used to tighten them and I have a torque wrench to complete the job. It's almost NASCAR fast ---- well maybe not that fast but much faster than doing it all by hand. Plus the generator has the ability to charge 12v batteries which could come in handy if the TV batteries die on me.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Since camping with class C motorhomes beginning in 1998, the generator has gone on every RV camping trip because it is bolted to and permanently wired to the motorhome.

Do any travel trailers, toy haulers, or fifth wheels come with permanently installed generators?

Several models of 5th wheels can be ordered with a genset installed in the front basement compartment. Not sure I've seen that option on a TT but have on a TH.

[TheWolfPaq82]

I don't know what I'd do.........Never owned a generator.

[Dsimes]

We take ours with us because we usually camp in off the beaten path sites where there is no electric. Yes it does take up space in the truck but no more than 3 - 5 gallon water jugs. We have a Champion 3500 generator.

[Chazman]

We just returned (last week) from our yearly month long camping vacation. On August 4th tropical storm Isiais hit and a lot of trees were laying over on power lines, which not only knocked out the power, but kept it off (I assume because the linesmen can't work on removing trees from "hot" power lines) for 28 hours. Fortunately for us, our CG is only 45 minutes from home. We had been thinking about coming home the next day anyway so when we did I decided to throw the genny in the bed of the truck. When we returned power was still out at the gate so I told the young lady not to worry, I had brought our generator back, so power will probably be back on any minute. Pulled up to our site, hooked it up, fired it off, went inside to make sure the ac was on, went back outside and two of our neighbors came out within one minute and said "Hey, power's back on!" Yep, that's one heck of a generator. So I think from now on I'll always bring it with us. I'm sure the rest of the CG appreciated us powering everybody back up.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Do any travel trailers, toy haulers, or fifth wheels come with permanently installed generators?

Never seen any TT with one. Larger 5th wheels often have a generator option mounted in the front storage area. And toyhaulers also often have a generator option, along with a fuel tank.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Never seen any TT with one. Larger 5th wheels often have a generator option mounted in the front storage area. And toyhaulers also often have a generator option, along with a fuel tank.

Thanks for the info. Generators are most often standard equipment in motorized RVs, but I wasn’t sure of their availability or how common they were on non motorized RVs.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Several models of 5th wheels can be ordered with a genset installed in the front basement compartment. Not sure I've seen that option on a TT but have on a TH.

Originally Posted by bikendan

Never seen any TT with one. Larger 5th wheels often have a generator option mounted in the front storage area. And toyhaulers also often have a generator option, along with a fuel tank.

Nash travel trailers can be ordered with an Onan gen set.

[Palinduff]

A lot of Bumper pull toy haulers have gens.