Generators

[redhawkwidow]

Who runs a generator while driving? Makes no sense to me but this question was asked on a different site. Is that common with travel trailers, diesel pushers,or 5th wheels? I don't know of any gas class C's who do that🤔

[OnTheGo]

Many people run their generators while driving, and it's not unusual to be a Class C. There's no reason you can't do it, but watch your gas gauge. The engine and generator are both supplied from the same tank.

In southern Florida the chassis AC often can't keep the house cool enough to haul kids or animals.

[1950]

Originally Posted by redhawkwidow

Who runs a generator while driving? Makes no sense to me but this question was asked on a different site. Is that common with travel trailers, diesel pushers,or 5th wheels? I don't know of any gas class C's who do that🤔

I run mine , If ya got it , use it. runs AC , TV for grandkids, refer, etc. only uses about a quart an hour . So go for it Enjoy the journey HAPPY CAMPING YALL !!!!

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by redhawkwidow

Who runs a generator while driving? Makes no sense to me but this question was asked on a different site. Is that common with travel trailers, diesel pushers,or 5th wheels? I don't know of any gas class C's who do that🤔

I run mine to run the AC. Otherwise it'll hit 90*F in there and it's a bit uncomfortable.

[bucko]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

Many people run their generators while driving, and it's not unusual to be a Class C. There's no reason you can't do it, but watch your gas gauge. The engine and generator are both supplied from the same tank.

In southern Florida the chassis AC often can't keep the house cool enough to haul kids or animals.

On my Jayco, the gen will shut off if the as tank reaches 1/2 tank. This keeps you from running the tank too low that the chassis engine would die out.

[Jerry713]

I'm assuming you're talking about generators that run on gas or diesel. Those types of generators should be fine in most states. If it is a propane powered generator check with your states laws. It is illegal to travel in your RV with propane on in some states. As I understand it the primary reason is in the event there is an accident a fire and/or explosion could result.

[Pfflyer]

You need to exercise it with a load anyway so why not. With my Sprinter chassis class C, I get approx. .5 better MPG with the generator and house air con with no dash ac verses just the dash ac. Your results may vary.

[redhawkwidow]

I will give it a try when I take her out later this month. Do you start it before or after you get under way?

[jyh818]

I start the generator, then start the RV engine. I don't think it matters because the 2 run off separate batteries.

[Pfflyer]

I also start the generator before the chassis. I let it warm up before I add a load, so I start it when we are doing the final loading. If it is really hot outside, I start it earlier so it can start cooling while we load. During colder trips, I run an electric space heater as a load for exercise. We usually take a trip a month so what better time to exercise the generator. Before I got into this routine, I was running it under load while parked and no one inside.

[pconroy]

And I start the engine first and then the generator. Doesn't seem to matter.

[redhawkwidow]

Well I tracked my mpg on my last trip and ran the generator. My mpg prior on average was 9.2 mpg. On this trip it was 10.1 mpg. Thanks all!

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by redhawkwidow

Who runs a generator while driving? Makes no sense to me but this question was asked on a different site. Is that common with travel trailers, diesel pushers,or 5th wheels? I don't know of any gas class C's who do that🤔

When it is hot and need more AC - we run it
When it is really cold - we run it for our bay heaters
When we want more coffee from the coffee maker - we run it