How do you use your Onan generator?

[Quahog]

So in doing research on what we hope to get in our next 5th wheel, I'm leaning towards getting an installed Onan 5500. I realize it would be great for boondocking situations but I'm curious how others use their units.

Someone mentioned to me that he turns his on about an hour before hitting the campsite so the trailer is already cooled down when hooking up. That implies it's running while underway. Do you do this with yours?

Also, I could definitely see the benefit of being able to cool the place down while packing for a trip or stopping for lunch when shore power is unavailable.

Other uses?

[LkptRvPilot]

Mike,

I have a MH, but I definitely run my generator underway. If it's a really hot day, I'll run the A/C. But mostly I use it on long trips to power the TV and game console for the kids to play games or watch movies.

And yes, to use the microwave when stopped for lunch/dinner.

Kris

[NC Roamer]

We use it when traveling to fire up the microwave for a lunch stop or to make morning coffee when Wal-camping.

[Quahog]

So it sounds like it's a standard practice for you MH guys to run it while underway. Does anyone with a 5th wheel do the same?

[edatlanta]

I don't run my generator when traveling since no one is in the 5'er, why cool it? It doesn't take that long for it to cool down after stopping anyway even for a quick bite of lunch or a nap. When I arrive at a site if it is really hot outside I will start up the Onan and the a/c to start cooling it down while I'm getting set up. This also keeps the voltage up when putting the slides out. When breaking camp I will use the generator at times to keep the voltage up when putting he slides back in. I will have already put my shore power cord away which keeps me from forgetting to do that prior to driving away.

I always run my generator at the first of each month for 1 hour under load and I always keep stabilizer in the gas. Non-ethanol gas is used 99% of the time. After just over 4 years of service I have 216 hours on the generator. Oil and filters are changed once a year in the fall.

[Quahog]

Non-Ethanol gas is hard to find sometimes but I agree, if it's available, I definitely prefer it. Thanks for the input, Ed.

[snowbird47]

Originally Posted by NC Roamer

We use it when traveling to fire up the microwave for a lunch stop or to make morning coffee when Wal-camping.

Originally Posted by edatlanta

I always run my generator at the first of each month for 1 hour under load and I always keep stabilizer in the gas.

This. We also use when Wal-camping to cool down and watch TV in the evening, but shut it off for overnight.

[SMS1115]

Originally Posted by Quahog

Non-Ethanol gas is hard to find sometimes but I agree, if it's available, I definitely prefer it. Thanks for the input, Ed.

I use this handy website when searching for Ethanol Free fuel.

Pure Gas/

I know the Apple App store has an app for the iPhone. Not sure about Droid or windows.

[Quahog]

Yeah, unfortunately the closest station here in Houston is 40 miles away from me.

[Imnaha.Mansion]

I mostly boondock so my Onan 5500 is a must. Ours is LP and I wouldn't run it while driving. I use it for microwave, coffee maker, cool down the trailer and to charge the batteries. I does suck a bit of fuel.

[carey965]

i know up here in canada all premium fuel 91 octane and better is ethanol free
is it not the same in the states?

[Quahog]

I've only run across a few stations in these parts that sell non-ethanol gas so the answer is no, it's not a same.

[Nighthawk 96]

The Pure Gas app is available for Android. You would be surprised at how many non-ethanol gas stations there are and some are in very rural areas, at least in South Carolina.

[LabMan]

Good luck finding non-ethanol in Illinois. I seldom find it until I get out west. Midwest farm lobby makes sure we support their corn prices.

[Quahog]

Houston has very few but look at Louisiana and it's loaded.