First off look for an Invertor type generator. They provide a cleaner sine wave type of power that any high tech device will require ( flat screen TV, Microwave, Cell phone chargers etc)

I personally like Honda or Yamaha.

I bought the Yamaha EF2400is.  Because it has 2400 peak watts and 2000 constant watts. The A/c in most LQs need around 1800 watts to start up. So the Yamaha 2400 will start and run the A/C.  While the Honda 2000 is just a little to small. The next step up for Honda is the 3000.  Which if you can afford it and don't have to move it, Is a great choice.

The Yamaha 2400 is 72 lbs.  The Honda 3000 is 135 lbs.  So it's a One man vs two man job to load and unload .

I use a Yamaha inverter as well.... Hour meter is broken and it has better than 1500 hours of hard run time, not real sure how many hours it has now. No problems with it other than a battery replacement and the hour meter quit...  I use Mobil 1, 10W30, full synthetic engine oil.

http://www.yamahagenerators.com/yamaha_generator_ef3000iseb_pr_18.html

I am using a Generac inverter gen. iX2000. Nice and quiet, although not as quiet as the Honda. I bought it off Craigslist new unopened box for $350. For the price, I couldn't pass it up and I'll deal with the couple db's more than the Honda. This gen runs at 56 db @ 21ft (self tested) at its quietest stage which is very comparable to the Honda, however, when its highly loaded (microwave) and the engine kicks up to its highest stage is when it is noticeably louder than the Honda, but it is still quieter than a standard briggs & stratton or those little 2 stroke gens.

There's been mixed reviews on them, but I've ran it pretty extensively this year and it starts on the 2nd pull every time. I know they are (new) about $400 cheaper than the Honda.

Keep an eye on Craigslist. Honda, Yamaha, Kipor, Generac, etc are commonly on there in my area. You'll spend extra for an inverter gen, but its worth it.

Ours is a Cummins/Onan P4300ie (just an over sized Honda 3000ie).  And we lok it, but it is not a one person generator.  But we got a heck of a deal on it last year (was almost 1/2 of what the Honda was).  Money talks!

"...quiet as possible..."  means an inverter type generator.   I took my home back-up generator to a well known endurance ride last year.  Everyone was camped door to door in a field .  I was too embarrassed to run it because it was SO LOUD.

This year I got a Honda 3000i  It IS heavy, but here are my purchase reasons:

When camping, it stays in the bed of the truck.  I use the tractor to lift it and there it stays.  A security cable to the GN hitch break-away loop helps keep it there.  No five fingered discount, it'll take four arms besides a cable cutter.

The electric start is very nice when I'm tired after a ride or just groggy in the morning.

Sound level is a function of the percentage of rated load.  A 2400 watt generator running at 100% is louder than a 3000 watt generator running at 80%. 

Two 2000i ' s will need a tank kit or several fuel fills to equal the runtime of one 3000i tank.

Lastly,  SHOP and Bargain... I was able to get my Honda locally for less than the best internet price.  It seems that construction supply and equipment rental places also sell the Honda. 

I never use the generator in the truck hooked up to the trailer when camping.  The noise of the Honda isn't a problem.  The bed sides & cab seem to block the noise, low level as it is.   The Honda has soft rubber feet to isolate the genset from the truck bed.  The issue is:  the exhaust would be too close to the the sleeping area.  I may be too cautious but it is a once-in-a-lifetime mistake.  Long cords are only a problem when the size of the wire is too small for the load.  Because of the a/c, I use a 50' 10 gauge cord.  This keeps the voltage drop very low.  I carry another 50' 10 gauge cord to use together if needed.

Jim Bob ... Thanks for reinforcing this point.  Even if you have the windows closed on the GN, the underside of the GN is not sealed gas tight.  CO will find its way into the sleeping area and kill the occupants

I always pull the truck away from the trailer to use the genset while camping. 

I have 2 Honda 2000 generators and I am extremly happy with the setup, when we don't need the AC I just run one and when we do run the AC I run 2 in parallel.  They are very light and easy to move around.  I think the Honda 3000 is an awesome generator and I went back and forth but ultimatly decided that I liked the portability of 2.

Mike

My husband gave me a Honda 3000 for my birthday last year in anticipation of getting a LQ trailer. I never realized what a wonderful thing they are!! I can't load the Honda myself, but my husband can. We keep it in the rear tack of the trailer and I can always get someone to help me move it when I get my camp set up if hubby isnt around. It is very quiet and runs everything I need in my trailer. It is kinda annoying that I can't move it myself, but I surely will give up that little bit of independence for the luxury of just being able to plug in and run!!

http://www.yamahagenerators.com/yamaha_generator_ef2800i_pr_7.html#detailed-specifications

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/modeldetail.aspx?page=modeldetail&section=P2GG&modelname=EU3000i Handi&modelid=EU3000iHAN

yes...

I asked the same questions when I was looking for generator...basically is the sound additive and the answer I got was the sound is somewhat additive but not very much. If you look at the specs for the 3000 it is 49db at idle and the 2000 is 53 db at idle.  If you have ever heard a 3000 that is running at slow idle it is extremly quiet, the 2000 is also very quiet at idle but the 3000 is almost unbelievable.  Both are around 58 at full throtle still very quiet.  I have had my double 2000 set up for one summer and a lot of people have walked by my generators and commented on how quiet they were.  I guess all of that is a long way of telling you that while the parallel 2000s may make a little more noise than the 3000 both are going to be so quiet that the difference in sound should weigh very little on your decision as to which generator to go with.

Sorry ... sent before I finished..  Yes two eu2000i will be louder than a single Eu3000is (Not the Handi tho)

From this site...  http://www.hayesequipment.com/honda/generators/honda_super_quiet_generators.htm

eu2000i :  53 -59 dBa

eu3000is : 49 - 58 dBa

I think one thing is being overlooked, when people are considering the amount of noise the various generators produce. This Honda, for instance, is given a DB noise value at 1/4 of its rated output. In addition, its fuel consumption is also measured at this lower value. When these generators are under load, which is why they were purchased in the first place, they will not be sitting there running at an one quarter idle. Under any normal loading, they will be burning much more fuel, and making more noise.

When you compare the specifications of the various manufacturers, make sure the ratings are compared equally. It would be a stretch, but someone could say his generator used no fuel and is absolutely quiet...until it's started.

I'm familiar with Honda's "Eco-throttle" and that's exactly my point. Consider Honda's EU30001. It is a 3000 W generator that is advertised that it will run 7.7 hrs on a tank of fuel, produces 57 DB and weighs only 78 lbs. Impressive figures, but they are attained at a 1/4 throttle which is not enough to power a microwave, air conditioner, coffee maker, hair dryer etc. When the generator is run at its available power, the 3000W drops to 21.7 amps, the run time drops to 3.6 hrs, and the noise jumps to 65 DB.

Compare that to a Yamaha EF 28001 which has a different rating system. It is advertised it can run 15 hrs at half throttle, and from that power setting to a full run, has a noise rating of 60-67 DB. It too is a 3000W generator weighing 66 LBS, but produces a  continuous rating of 23.3 amps. It too has a variable RPM depending on the electrical loading called "Economy Control".

I am not promoting one generator over another or trying to change anyone's buying habits. I am trying to show, that the initial claims of features have little to do with real world performance. By digging into the specs of a working environment, you can then determine which generator has the better features. Then if you compare pricing, you'll find that one lists for almost $1000 less than the other. It pays to shop.