Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > 5th Wheel Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-19-2017, 10:33 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Wundertaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
Question What size GENERATOR do I need???

My wife and I just bought our first Fifth Wheel...2013 Cedar Creek Silverback 33RE. It has ONE 15,000 Air Conditioner and all the other normal stuff. My wife and I want to do a fair share of BOONDOCKING/DRY CAMPING and will need to get a GERERATOR/INVERTER GENERATOR. We don't need one to power the Space Shuttle BUT would like one that's adequate to run AC if needed and TV possibly along with Charging 4 Golf Cart Batteries and my CPAP Battery. Would anyone have any recommendation(s) as to what we may need. I'd like to get one that I could get in/out of my Coach and/or Pickup without doing serious bodily injury to myself. Also, I don't believe our Fifth Wheel has an inverter (not sure) so wonder if I need one of those also??? Thank you all.........
Wundertaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 01-19-2017, 10:57 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Skip426's Avatar


 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,266
I carried a 2000 watt, Honda , in my, 2005, 5er . It would power the, single 15,000, A/C and the converter charger .ONLY, while set to full throttle ; you can't use the auto idle function. . no other 120 volt loads, while the A/C was running; never tried the TV at the same time , most spots no reception. .

JMHO: You need 3,000 watts or if that unit's size is an issue , a pair of the 2,000 watts unit linked together.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Skip426 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:02 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Wundertaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
Thanks...those new Champion Inverter Generators look pretty nice...I think they have one that's 3100 watts...not too bad a price either...
Wundertaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:08 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
chaps2018's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,194
I had a champion 4000w start/3500w run ($300) and while it did start my 15k btu AC the growning sound the AC made when starting convinced me not to use the gen for AC.

Based on the link below, the 15k btu requires 3500w to start. My thinking is that 4000 starting watts was just not enough with all the other stuff (fridge, converter, lights, etc). running.

Just wanted to let you know what did not work.

https://www.steadypower.com/pages.php?pageid=133
__________________
Brian
2016 RAM 3500 6.7L DRW
2018 Chaparral 360IBL, Andersen Ultimate II hitch
chaps2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:12 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
vsheetz's Avatar


 
Fleetwood Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
I have the champion 3100 now for a few years. Works well, runs one air conditioner. 30a RV connection. Well made, starts easy. Wheels and handle make it easy to move around. Bought from Costco at a good price and easy return if it did not work out. Newer models - now some include electric start, dual fuel, etc. Would buy again.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
vsheetz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:14 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Unplanned Tourist's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,305
I would suggest the Honda EU2000i. They are very quiet, something your neighbours will appreciate. Also nice and light to pack around (<50 pounds). If you need more power, they can be hooked in tandem, giving 1600 x 2 for 3200 watts or 2000 x 2 for 4000 watts for a short time (15 min.) JSTF.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
Unplanned Tourist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:17 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Podivin's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Jacksonville, Fl
Posts: 3,542
I believe RVs with only one AC often have a 4000 watt generator.
I wouldn't expect the manufacturers to be putting in anything extra (because that would cost more) - so 4k is probably the baseline.
__________________
2013 Winnebago Sightseer 36V
Podivin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:18 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Rickeoni's Avatar
 
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,663
Another vote for the champion, Runs my A/C unit just fine.
As for the inverter, if you want your 120V items to work without the gennie running you will need an inverter.
__________________
2008 F450, 2016 Outdoors RV Glacier Peak 26 RKS
Rickeoni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:21 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Unplanned Tourist's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,305
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wundertaker View Post
Thanks...those new Champion Inverter Generators look pretty nice...I think they have one that's 3100 watts...not too bad a price either...
85 pounds, may be a fight getting into a storage compartment How's your back?
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
Unplanned Tourist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:39 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Wundertaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
Thanks Brian...It's nice to know what "doesn't work" also... At this point I'm thinking that between 4-5,000 watts should do me ok....thinking I should go with the Inverter type also...reviews on those are fairly good.
Wundertaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:42 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
BrianGlenn's Avatar
 
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Alberta
Posts: 1,591
I have run 3000EU and 2000EU Honda generators, as well had camping buddies with the Champion, Kipor, Yamaha inverter style generators. What ever you do - please do not buy a construction style generator (way too loud for camping near others). Stick with the inverter style units - usually quieter and better quality electrical output for sensitive electronic equipment in our RVs

By far the Honda and Yamaha are better build (quality) brands, where the inverter generator component is higher quality and can accept/sustain a higher inrush (starting) load than the Champion, Kipor. But price point can be a deciding factor for many and the Champion is a good price point.

If i was buying again to support a 5th wheel similar to yours, my preference would be a Honda 3000EUi (with wheel kit) and I would leave it in the back of the truck near the cab (chained down) and I would run the 30A extension cord to the generator. In the back of the truck you can electric start the Honda 3000, it idles lower than the 2-2000s ganged together for the same load, and has a longer run time with larger gas tank.

At idle charging the batteries the 3000 is very quiet. It will start a 15K A/C without a problem. My 2-2000s would scream at high load with the 15k.

My thoughts,
Brian
__________________
Towr: 2007 Country Coach Allure 470 - 37 Sunset Bay Cummins 400 ISL, Coach #31563
Toad: 2016 F150 King Ranch - 3.5L EcoBoost 4x4 Supercrew (curb weight 4,775 lbs)
Toad: SOLD 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, it has a Hemi) (curb weight 4,720 lbs)
BrianGlenn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:46 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Wundertaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
Vince and Susan...That 3100 Champion is looking fairly good. At my age 63 (almost) my back is still able to lift 100 lbs without much trouble, but who knows for how long??? Only difference is we have a 50 amp connector...can we still hook into that 3100???
Wundertaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:48 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Wundertaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,009
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickeoni View Post
Another vote for the champion, Runs my A/C unit just fine.
As for the inverter, if you want your 120V items to work without the gennie running you will need an inverter.
Thanks for that confirmation..I was thinking that I'd need one anyway for when I'm running off of Bat Power...
Wundertaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 11:51 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 1,172
I have one of the champion inverter 2800/3100 units. Its the dual fuel model - Propane and Gas. It was $899 at Costco.

Its a heavy sucker, nearly ~100lbs - I'm a big guy and I mostly run it just....in the basement with the doors open cause I get sick of picking it up, lol. If we're boondocking for an extended time, I'll move it out side or just leave in the truck bed.

However, it will run a AC, charge the batteries, run the microwave etc just fine - depending on the load you may have to turn off the auto throttle.

It IS louder then a Honda Eu2000, but rated for nearly twice the power - I think they are 1600w each continious.

I like the fact I don't have to carry two generators, do two oil changes, keep track of 2 sets of hours, etc etc etc. Its still WAY QUIETER then a construction type generator, especially when its just idling along charging batteries. It was also considerably cheaper then 2 Hondas...

Finally - I like the option of running off propane , as we always carry plenty of propane and its much nicer to transport then gasoline, though it produces less power on Propane.
__________________
2017 F-350 6.7 Diesel, CCSB SRW - 2005 F350 6.0
2018 Alpine 3660FL - 2005 Alfa SYF30RLIK
--Full time 2016 to 2019-- Seasonal now
mrgrayaz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
generator



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What size generator do I need? RPT2015 iRV2.com General Discussion 12 05-15-2015 06:42 AM
What size do I need? Size DOES matter! thrushl Monaco Owner's Forum 17 08-27-2013 10:07 AM
Is the Dinette size standard? Looking for Sightseer size ctcamper Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 1 08-30-2010 05:59 PM
Michelin size = other brand size--?? PlayItForwrd MH-General Discussions & Problems 7 06-07-2010 08:58 PM
Motor Size vs. Trailer Size Cayman Dave Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 8 10-21-2007 08:50 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.