We are new to the LQ lifestyle and thus, camping with a generator. Out here in AZ, there is a lot of dust. When we bought the generator, Honda EU2000iA, we were advised to NOT place the unit on bare ground, rather, place it on top of a piece of plywood to prevent the dirt from being sucked up into the unit. The salesman said that this was the #1 reason generators come in for service.

Well, a few camping trips later, we noticed many with portable units do NOT place them on top of a board or some other object to prevent the dirt from getting up in the unit.

We have a handy spot in the back tack for out 2'x2' piece of plywood.

What are your tips/suggestions for maintaining your generator's health?

Dust will eventually kill any unprotected machinery. I would listen to the advice you have been given, and use the plywood. With the price you paid for the generator, it will be well worth your extra time, to take the best care of it you can.

It would be interesting to find out how long the other units last, whilst they are operated in the dirt. Instead of a decade of trouble free duty, they may only get a couple of years.

Regular maintenance consisting of routine oil changes, and air filters, will ensure a long, reliable life. Using synthetic lubricants will greatly decrease the wear the mechanicals normally would endure.

I use to do this with generators, mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, etc but I don't anymore.  I was told that it is better to add Stabil to some fuel and keep your engines full so that things stay lubricated and don't dry out.

Not sure if that is right or wrong but that is what I have been doing for a few years and haven't had any issues.

I got an old 2500 watt generator with a 5 horse L head Briggs... I run it once a year. Tank is full of fresh gas with a double shot of Stabil. You can pull the rope to roll the crank around to compression, pull the second time and it's running. I'll plug in a couple fans to add some load and let it run until it burns the tank clean. I'll refill with fresh gas, Stabil, and start it again, then shut it off until the next year... Been doing this since Hurricane Fran in 1996, hasn't failed to start yet.... Crankcase is filled with Mobil 1 10W30, same as in all of our other gasoline engines.