Seems Class B industry going back to Generator, opinions?

[kenkolen]

I am about to make my purchase on a Thor 20A with the 200ah lithium, 3K Inverter and UHG (under hood generator)
But here is the question, all the new units coming in have gone back to the generator with a 1K inverter and I am guessing deep cycle batteries.
Sales people don't know much, but one salesperson said the reason they are going back to generators is that it is cheaper to manufacture.
I tend to think this is correct.
What is the consensus amongst the users out there?

[robertj1979]

I was curious and just checked the Thor website for the Tellaro. There was no mention of a generator option, only a 2560 watt lithium (lite) package and the 6000 watt lithium, both with 3000 watt inverters.

My 2022 has a Onan 2800 watt generator, 200a/h lithium batteries and 3000 watt inverter but it was one of only a few that were made like that for 2022.

Not a fan of the UHG systems and personally would rather have a generator but seems like most new ones are set up that way now. MSRP of the "lite" system was showing close to $147k and the larger battery option was in the $160k range which we all know is inflated at least 30% over actual prices.

[kenkolen]

I visited the Port St Lucie FL location of La Mesa and almost every in-stock Class B has the Generator and AGM, not sure the size of the inverter.
I am waiting on some repairs to be completed on my 20A, I am still glad to have the lithium, UHG & 3K Inverter. If I need a generator, I will use a Honda 2200.
Not many replies to my post but I am convinced the manufacturers are saving money going back to the Generator/AGM construction.
I am glad to see an experienced RV'r as yourself has a Thor 20K. Hoping you are happy with it.
I still have my 2020 Jayco 34G with Full Body Paint. I am not selling it until I am secure with a Class B.

[creativepart]

The modern RV - of any class - that has a large LFP battery bank, a large inverter, lots of solar and possibly a secondary alternator costs $10,000 to $15,000 more than one with a generator, small inverter and AGM batteries.

So naturally dealers are stocking the cheaper units because they sell better. If they stocked the high priced versions it would decrease the overall sales.

It's simple economics. But it doesn't make the modern RV less desirable, it's just less affordable.

[USMCRET]

Originally Posted by creativepart

The modern RV - of any class - that has a large LFP battery bank, a large inverter, lots of solar and possibly a secondary alternator costs $10,000 to $15,000 more than one with a generator, small inverter and AGM batteries.

So naturally dealers are stocking the cheaper units because they sell better. If they stocked the high priced versions it would decrease the overall sales.

It's simple economics. But it doesn't make the modern RV less desirable, it's just less affordable.

This.

Everything is headed towards electric, but at a premium to the consumer. Dealers are ordering what people want. Personally, I’m not green enough to add $10K to the cost of a class B.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

This.

Everything is headed towards electric, but at a premium to the consumer. Dealers are ordering what people want. Personally, I’m not green enough to add $10K to the cost of a class B.

Dealers want easy sales and they know people want CHEAP when it comes to buying an RV. But there are plenty of buyers demanding a more capable modern approach, too.

Look at the many thousands of folks with "conventional RVs" that are upgrading to Lithium and solar in their TTs, 5ers, Vans and Motorhomes. So, it's no wonder the factories are making new RVs that have these features already installed.

Won't be long naysayers will look around and be in the ever shrinking minority. Kind of like the horse and buggy folks that swore that they were never going to go with one of them new fangled gas auto machines.

[Winger2]

Having just bought a lithium class b van, I have to disagree. The manufacturers are selling what the dealers order. Having had to look for an LI version of two different brands, they were selling rather quickly.
I can run my ac non stop on a 90 degree day for 8 hours. The placement of the generator on many of the class b vans, basically makes them a zamboni. The gen is literally 4" off the ground, yes I measured it. But nt the reason I went LI.
The only naysayers I have found on the li models are the ones who still would own a black and white tv because the color ones are not "ready" yet.
So many rvers are converting to lithium, its the future of rving.
Having said all that, it mostly depends on ones desired use of the rv, the LI works for me. I can leave the ac on in a parking lot (for my pet) and go for a 3 hour hike without running the generator. I can park overnight and not have to run the generator for ac

[dmb496]

Just finished reading this thread. We are sitting in an open field at a winery/Harvest Hosts location.

12 volt air conditioner is on
TV is on
Starlink is linking
3000 watt inverter/charger is on
Getting ready to fire up the microwave and stove top induction surface to cook dinner


All this is powered by a lithium battery bank.

No generator involved. Tomorrow morning we'll head out and the lithium batteries will be recharged by the 2nd alternator.


Life is good.

[Punkinhead]

Originally Posted by dmb496

Just finished reading this thread. We are sitting in an open field at a winery/Harvest Hosts location.

12 volt air conditioner is on
TV is on
Starlink is linking
3000 watt inverter/charger is on
Getting ready to fire up the microwave and stove top induction surface to cook dinner


All this is powered by a lithium battery bank.

No generator involved. Tomorrow morning we'll head out and the lithium batteries will be recharged by the 2nd alternator.

That's exactly how we travel. I'd probably want a generator if we made a habit of sitting in one spot for a week or more in oppressive heat. But we don't do that. And if we did boondock in the same spot for a week or more in oppressive heat, we wouldn't have chosen a Class B.

[Winger2]

Originally Posted by dmb496

Just finished reading this thread. We are sitting in an open field at a winery/Harvest Hosts location.

12 volt air conditioner is on
TV is on
Starlink is linking
3000 watt inverter/charger is on
Getting ready to fire up the microwave and stove top induction surface to cook dinner


All this is powered by a lithium battery bank.

No generator involved. Tomorrow morning we'll head out and the lithium batteries will be recharged by the 2nd alternator.


Life is good.

Originally Posted by Punkinhead

That's exactly how we travel. I'd probably want a generator if we made a habit of sitting in one spot for a week or more in oppressive heat. But we don't do that. And if we did boondock in the same spot for a week or more in oppressive heat, we wouldn't have chosen a Class B.

Bingo!

[kenkolen]

Nice unit that you have. You have the 48 volt 210amp battery, larger UHG and 12 volt AC. The unit I have on order in principle is similar but no where near as powerful. Nice.
Of course my question really was why are all the units on display here in South Florida at two of La Mesa's locations using AGM Batteries and Generators? Seems like a step backwards?

[dmb496]

Originally Posted by kenkolen

Nice unit that you have. You have the 48 volt 210amp battery, larger UHG and 12 volt AC. The unit I have on order in principle is similar but no where near as powerful. Nice.
Of course my question really was why are all the units on display here in South Florida at two of La Mesa's locations using AGM Batteries and Generators? Seems like a step backwards?

Most likely because the price of those units is more appealing to the majority of potential buyers, than the cost of the lithium-equipped units.


Folks who purchased an AGM/generator equipped RV, but actually prefer to boondock versus always having to plug-in, will eventually be disappointed they didn't invest more $'s for a lithium system.

[van-gogh]

Originally Posted by kenkolen

I am about to make my purchase on a Thor 20A with the 200ah lithium, 3K Inverter and UHG (under hood generator)
But here is the question, all the new units coming in have gone back to the generator with a 1K inverter and I am guessing deep cycle batteries.
Salespeople don't know much, but one salesperson said the reason they are going back to generators is that it is cheaper to manufacture.
I tend to think this is correct.
What is the consensus amongst the users out there?

First this is news to me as an owner of a 2021 Coachmen Galleria with Li3, I get a good clean 10-hours of battery life running TV, 12V A/C, C-pap and with recharge when on solar, are faster if I start the MB 3500XD engine in 2-1/2 hours. Now a point under the hood are two items that look like alternator's, and one is the other is also often referred to as generator with a belt that charges the Li3 system. Click here to learn more http://coachmenrv.com/galleria

[Winger2]

Originally Posted by kenkolen

Nice unit that you have. You have the 48 volt 210amp battery, larger UHG and 12 volt AC. The unit I have on order in principle is similar but no where near as powerful. Nice.
Of course my question really was why are all the units on display here in South Florida at two of La Mesa's locations using AGM Batteries and Generators? Seems like a step backwards?

Because the LI units are selling. Just in the last week in Fla, three LI units I was following sold.
Second, you have the folks who are afraid of new technology. They fear change. Dealers are not ordering a lot of the LI because of the "color tv" syndrome.
Finally, the choice between LI and a generator could be due to desired use.