Community Forums

HUGHP · 07-13-2016, 10:16 AM

Looking at 2 of the same RVs but one has a 5500w at a better price. I know a 7000w is better but how much gain? Would you consider the better priced RV at the loss of 1500w of generator power?

ahicks · 07-13-2016, 10:23 AM

Define better price? 100. better, or more?

Would you ever need more power than it would take to run both AC's at the same time?

Do both gen sets run on the same fuel, or does one run on LP?

HUGHP · 07-13-2016, 10:52 AM

Both RVs have same electrical needs. Both Onans are gas fueled. $2000 difference in asking price.

Rorytug · 07-13-2016, 10:55 AM

I have two AC's and all the other "Stuff" in a modern coach. My 5500 runs everything just fine, mostly. Remember that generator power can drop as much as 50% at high altitude. I am good to go at 5000 feet and below as long as I don't run additional plug ins like electric heaters. It all depends on how much boondocking you will do and the load you will need to supply. The coach with the bigger gen-set probably has a bigger load on board. 3 AC's or electric cook top or bigger water heater, etc.....

jrocker · 07-13-2016, 10:56 AM

I had a salesperson tell me once that the 7000 was quieter. Of course, that was someone wanting to sell an RV with a 7000 on it...

But, if it were true, I would be more likely to shell out a few extra nickels for it.

I'm sure someone with some knowledge will reply soon enough.

ahicks · 07-13-2016, 11:16 AM

Thinking 5500 here. 2K will buy a lot of miles on the next long vacation.

HUGHP · 07-13-2016, 12:07 PM

Quiter is a plus since we tailgate(dry camp) each fall for 7 to 8 football games. With the genset right under the bedroom headboard would directing the tailpipe away to the rear of the RV help some with the noise?

Rick Jay · 07-13-2016, 04:19 PM

HUGHP,

When we bought our GBM motorhome back in 2004, the Onan 7000W was a $750 upgrade from the 5500W, but that INCLUDED an upgrade on the rear AC from 11.5k BTU to 13.5K BTU, like the front AC. I thought that was a good deal, so the ACs are "swappable" should the front one fail.

Electrically, I believe the difference is that the 7 kW has two 30A breakers and the 5.5kW has a 30A (for front AC & stuff) and 20A (for rear AC). Again, I liked the idea of extra power...just in case. Hey, we were special ordering it, so I did.

If there is $2k difference now, I'm thinking there MUST be some other difference between the units. Are these new motorhomes or used? If used, is one on the Ford chassis and the other on the Workhorse? When we bought ours the Workhorse was an extra $2214 over the Ford (I chose the WH).

Anyway, I'm not sure I'd pay $2k extra for 1500W on a 7K over a 5.5K...in fact, I know I wouldn't...that would buy a Honda 2000W generator with change some to spare. There must be some other differences. I'd check carefully.

Good Luck in your search,

~Rick

mojoracing · 07-16-2016, 07:13 AM

Is it a Bounder you are talking about? If so, you get a lot more in the pkg that comes with the 7k gen.

Kiawah · 07-16-2016, 07:00 PM

Hard to think that the two coaches are effectively identical condition and features. But if so, you could always offer the 7k owner, the price of the 5.5k unit. If he takes it you get the larger generator. and he gets the sale. Otherwise, you have a very acceptable fallback unit.