harley hitchiker
south west pa.u.s.a.
Full Member
Joined: 01/23/2005
View Profile
|
If you had an option with new 5th wheel with generator would you select propane or gasoline as a fuel and why?
|
M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2001
View Profile
 Offline
|
First I have never opted for a propane generator...very expensive option as the propane is used fast...
The second half is I would opt for the generator that matched the fuel on your tow vehicle whether that be gas or diesel...when we bout our new 5er last year the only option was a built-in Onan 5500 gas gnerator which is wonderful - runs everything in the 5er
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fith wheel
Onan 5500W Marquis Gold gas generator (HGJAB - 1038D)
KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR OUR SPRING 2010 RALLY!
|
ML
Livingston TX
Senior Member
Joined: 02/14/2004
View Profile
|
A couple questions to ask before you consider either.
1. Where do you travel, camp etc? Do they have full hookups?
2. If you stay in an RV park how much does it cost per night?
3. How many times could you stay there to break even on the cost of a generator?
Lets say a new generator is $4,000 including install. That would be 160 nights in an RV park at $25.00 a night. Plus you would need a fuel can and refill it periodically.
To keep in it working order you would need to run it at least an hour once a month.
If you mainly boondock then see which fuel is easiest to obtain in your travel locations: propane, diesel or gasoline.
ML
|
Mile High
Lone Tree, CO
Senior Member
Joined: 02/05/2008
View Profile
|
When we chose our onboard stationary 5500 Onan generator, we went with the logical fuel choice - Propane 
- It's clean burning - not offensive to neighbors
- it's safer than carrying flammable or combustible liquids onboard
- It's always fresh the next year
- It is almost identical in efficiency to the Onan 5500 gas counterpart in liquid gallon to liquid gallon comparison (almost 1 gal per hr at maximum load given 30lb LP = 7 gal).
* This post was
edited 11/12/09 10:56pm by Mile High *
Brad & Dory
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2007 Montana 3400RL 5th Wheel Our Rig - Our Mods
Visit Us, Our previous rig - 2003 2955RL
|
Newstuff
Sandy, Utah
New Member
Joined: 01/05/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I went with propane because that's what the trailer I was interested in had. If I had a choice I would still go with propane because I don't have the hassle of the carb gumming up during the winter storage months. Propane stays fresh and gasoline does not.
2006 Dodge 3500 4x4 CC LB 5.9 Cummins
2008 Grand Junction 335TRL
|
|
|
dave17352
LINCOLN, NE
Senior Member
Joined: 09/20/2004
View Profile
|
I chose a portable honda eu3000. The dealer who has been here for a long time suggested that instead of a installed one. That was 5 years ago. I have been very happy with this set up and we have used it for running ac overnight and I don't think they suggest that in most onboard generators. We have also used the generator off the rig many times. I keep it on carrier on the back and it is very handy. Now I also know having a onboard has its advantages but for me this has worked out great. I would rather search for gas than propane any day but it is very true you need to deal with the gas gumming up or make sure to run it dry. So to each there own. JMHO
|
ol Bombero-JC
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/24/2004
View Profile
|
HH - also check out the Tech Forum.
LOTS of generator talk & info over there - inc'l gas vs propane.
Enter "Generator" (or /s), "Propane Generator", etc. in the search box - and select the posts that apply to your question (application).
Limit the search to the Tech forum.
Should be an hour or so of reading.
~
|
Bionic Man
Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 04/03/2009
View Profile
|
I had the Honda RV generator installed in my 5er the year after we bought it. It is LP.
I chose LP also because I didn't want to haul around additional fuel. It will go through LP pretty quickly though. When we boondock at a lake, I can go through a 30 tank in about a full day of use.
If I had to do it over again, I would strongly consider running two EU2000 in parallel.
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 HO Cummins
2002 Sea Hawk 32' 5er
2004 Crownline 216 LS 350 MAG
|
the bear II
Torrance CA.
Full Member
Joined: 02/14/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
My gas Onan generator in the 5th wheel died after 12 years of part time use.
We were on a trip so I bought two Honda 2000 generators with the parallel kit. I figured we could use these on the remainder of the trip and then have them for use around our house or for construction sites.
That was 5 years ago and we still use them in the 5th wheel. It's great, I can take one if we won't be using the A/C or both if we need a lot of power.
Plus I can use them other places.
The portables give us more flexibility of use. But they aren't as convenient as the Onan was. Never have to go outside to start the generator. The portables are pull start, so you have to go outside and also make sure they are well secured from theft.
For convenience the propane is the best choice, but with the right gas can (autofill neck)..it's not so bad carrying the extra fuel or filling up the generator tank.
|
NEVERSWEAT7
Bakersfield, Ca. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/02/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I went with propane. The rig had it already installed and the Emerald was phased out due to emissions standards. I have a third bottle kept in the storage bay which totals me at over 21 gallons on board as opposed to two 40 lb. bottles at 20 gallons.
2010 F-450 King Ranch Loaded. AeroTank 65 gallon auxillary tank/toolbox with timer,
2005 Alpenlite Portofino/ loaded/ 500 watts Kyocera Solar
Reese 24K Signature Series Fifthwheel Hitch Sig Series 30K Gooseneck
|
|
|
