We have just purchased a new Open Range with generator prep, and I have a friend who has an Onan 5.5 generator for a really good price.
But, this generator is gasoline powered and there is no provision for an on board fuel system. We dry camp at R/C events all over the US and have been using a Honda EU3000 and will continue to use it, but would also like the added convenience of having the on board generator. Looking for suggestions! There is a "tool box" under the floor of the main storage compartment that is big enough for a fair size fuel tank. This doesn't look like a safe place, as the furnace occupies the rear section of the storage compartment.
Another thought is the area under the propane bottles.
3rd idea is a shallow but wide fuel tank under the camper.
superdutyjayco wrote: You could always add a portable marine gas tank with a shut off valve inline.
Hi All.
Yep, an Extended Run Tank. But you better make it a very big tank, or plan on filling the Extended Run tank quite often. That Onan 5.5 sure isn't going to sip gas like your Honda 3000 does. I find it pretty odd, that if it was preped for a genny in the first place, that they didn't allow for a place for fuel ??????
If you already have a Honda 3000, maybe you could use the Extended Run Tank for both ???. I think it would just be a "PITA" to have to hook it up when ever you decided to run the 5.5 Onan. Good Luck. Happy Camping. Dan & Jill
1997 Ford F-250, H.D. Extended-Cab, Short Bed, 7.3 PSD, K&N Air Filter, 5000 lbs air bags w/compressor w/guage, SuperChips Tuner/Programer. 1996 Nash 24fter 5er, 15K "Lil" Rocker Hitch w/BedSaver, Twin EU2000i Gen's W/Kit. Nam-Vet, 66-67-68,& 70-71
That's a nice item, but the Open Range uses 4 20 lb LP bottles. Bummer.
I'm not beyond taking a never used 20lb tank and building my own.
Yes, we like the fuel economy and low noise of the Honda. We'll continue to use it for long dry camping trips, but need the convenience of the built in unit for the rest of our travels.
To be legal, any gasoline tank mounted in the RV should comply with all DOT regulations for fuel tanks like any other vehicle licensed to operate on public roads. That would, for example, prohibit gravity feed to the generator. At least that is my understanding of the law even if most on board gen sets are not in compliance. Just FYI.
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders since '01
'03 GMC 2500HD D/A EC SB, Jordan controller, custom RKI bed/hitch, Putco boards, TF 45gal tank, grey Speedliner
'04 CrossRoads Cruiser CF29RK, Mor/ryde IS, Carefree Eclipse 12V awning Rig Photos
Saftman wrote: Most preped for a genny are for the propane type. They tie into the existing bottles.
I agree, our LP Onan install was practically "Plug-n-Play" with the generator prep option. it even had a tap for the gas line.
However, I do see a lot of onboard gas type installed. Keystone even did it for a while, then stopped for some reason. I really like the LP tank/gas tank system shown in the above link, as long as it's DOT approved. Innovative idea for sure.
We bought an Open Range (385RLS) in April 2009 and I about flipped when I found out how much the 5500 Onan propane fueled generator was compared to the gas generator. We could not figure out how to safely haul the gasoline so settled for the safe, but expensive route of the propane generator. Good luck
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