Generator prep - no generator

[Northcote]

Hello - I am new to this forum and have a new 5th wheel 2018 North Point with factory installed prep for a generator. No generator came installed and am wondering if someone has knowledge what a factory installed generator is and should that be a consideration in light of the factory prep option? I need a generator of sorts to run AC etc. Portable v/s factory type install??
Northcote

[Mopar_Earl]

Onan 5500 gasoline or propane. 2018 is likely an LP genset prep as in no gasoline tank.

The 5500 will run two 15k ac units with power to spare.

It's pretty much plug and play but the exhaust system.

Earl

[vcbice]

Yes, it should be a consideration when buying a generator.

But, it doesn't mean you have to buy one and install it in the RV. You can buy a portable generator and connect it with a shore power cord. Many people will do this if they are camping in areas where they don't need the AC.

I also know two people who chose to sell their onboard Onan generators and use Honda portable units instead. They did not like the noise and vibration of the onboard gensets. Putting the generator on the ground at the opposite end from the 'bedroom' made better sense to them. One of them also 'upgraded' in power to a 7kw.

Onboard gensets are VERY convenient. Just flip a switch and you have power. Run off propane tanks, no extra cords, no winches to get it in and out of truck, etc, etc. If you do overnight boondocking they are a great way to go.

[Mopar_Earl]

I'd never go without an on board genset. I put sound deading in my genset compartment. With the bedroom ac on or fan on you don't hear it at all or feel it. The Onan is so quiet I've been asked several times if my trailer has basement air conditioning. I said I wish. Lol
I did the portable genset thing for many years, grew very tired of it. Fuel tanks, battery, cords, man handling it. Getting in and out of the truck to start and stop it. Taking up bed space.

Earl

[glitelover]

We love our Onan 5500 propane generator. Our 375 bhfs came prepped for the generator, and we had the dealer install the gen set before we picked it up. It runs everything, and I hardly notice the noise--it doesn't bother me when we're sleeping. We used to run 2 parallel Honda portable gas generators with our previous travel trailer, and DH was tired of all the work with those, so we let them go with the trailer when we sold it.

[Marine71-76]

Ordered ours generator prepped. Getting an Onan 7000 installed 7/2.

[Mopar_Earl]

I ordered prep on my 2017 Eagle 293RKDS. They didn't offer a factory installed Onan. The dealer was crazy on a price for an Onan. I ended up finding one local with only 6 hours on it for 1800.00. They wanted 2200.00 but settled at 1800.00.


Earl

[retiredmsgt]

how much weight are you adding the pin of a trailer with the onan installed?

[PlayersZ28]

Mine has gen prep. Worked out well for the solar install. I've carried a portable in the past but won't next winter, never needed it. If I had one in the front bay though I'd have to go back to a dually due to the weight.

I don't go camping in the heat of summer though where you might be melting in the trailer.

[Dskyward]

Originally Posted by retiredmsgt

how much weight are you adding the pin of a trailer with the onan installed?

Typical weight for the Onan 5500 is about 300 lbs. I ordered the gen prep for our North Point 377 RLBH. $975. I ended up getting a portable Champion 3100 W inverter. 95 lbs. you can run one 15k a/c, residential fridge, tv, lights. Gets much better ‘mileage’ on gas. It stores in same compartment. Has come in handy a few times as we fulltime at RV campgrounds. Storms. Boondocked only once.

[vcbice]

That means the extra pin weight is around 150-200lb.

[Lyn.007]

Originally Posted by Marine71-76

Ordered ours generator prepped. Getting an Onan 7000 installed 7/2.

I have the same RV Marine71. Could you give an estimate of the cost? What RV dealer did you use?
Thanks

[Lyn.007]

How did install go?

[ETCrockett]

My 2016 Pinnacle 38FLSA came with the gen prep w/gas tank. For now I have opted for portable generator and looking to use a cargo carrier on the rear hitch receiver to reduce the pain of lifting into the truck bed and over the FW hitch. With the front living floor plan, I don't have as much basement storage as most conventional floor plans. I hate to give up the storage area where the onboard generator would go. I have thought about removing the gas tank for the extra space.

[DonaandDon]

My understanding for the LP type gennys is limited but, heard a 30lb bottle last 8hrs?

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

My understanding for the LP type gennys is limited but, heard a 30lb bottle last 8hrs?

Depends on the genset size and the load on it. Manual or spec sheet will tell you how much it will burn per hour at idle, half load and full load. Usually in lbs per hour and/or gallons per hour. Then you can estimate from that.

My Onan 5500 burns slightly more LP than the gasoline version. Slightly! Not the rumors of a lot more, that just isn't true at all. Specs prove otherwise. Add the benefits of no smelly leaky dangerous fuel cans, fuel treatments, less toxic exhaust fumes and an engine that is very clean burning. Plugs last forever and the oil less dirty. Not to mention the big one, no carb issues! Your fuel cans are way more likely to be stolen than your LP tanks. Also the LP has unlimited shelf life. Gasoline has almost no shelf life.


Earl

[Marine71-76]

Originally Posted by Lyn.007

I have the same RV Marine71. Could you give an estimate of the cost? What RV dealer did you use?
Thanks

The install went great. The cost for the 7000 including labor and supplies was around $6258. We used an authorized dealer in Ross, Ohio. Great people to work with. Since the bedroom is right there we also purchased the exhaust extension but haven't had to use it yet. Oh and an extra C02 detector and placed it in the bedroom.

[Lyn.007]

Thanks for info.

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by ETCrockett

My 2016 Pinnacle 38FLSA came with the gen prep w/gas tank. For now I have opted for portable generator and looking to use a cargo carrier on the rear hitch receiver to reduce the pain of lifting into the truck bed and over the FW hitch. With the front living floor plan, I don't have as much basement storage as most conventional floor plans. I hate to give up the storage area where the onboard generator would go. I have thought about removing the gas tank for the extra space.

I have gen prep and no genny. The gen bay is where my batteries, cc & inverter are for the solar. I removed the tank and put a piece of ply in to make a storage spot. I don't carry a portable gen either.

[imjustdave]

Does anyone happen to know the part # for the Jayco Gas tank?
Anyone know if they use EVAP?
Do they still use gas or have all the new units moved to LP?

Thanks