I know this has been ask a 1000 times if it's been asked 1 time...
Looking for a mounted generator and looks like my only option is going to be a roof mounted unit, since we need all of our tack space and mangers are pretty full too along with an extra 40 gallon water tank mounted in the bottom of the mangers..... Went from a 4 horse with midtack to a 3 horse and no midtack!
Looking at the Genrac and Onan units, but can not figure out which is best for the money. Also LP vs GAS I have 2 huge LP bottles already mounted on the front of the trailer and it already has a hard line run half way to the rear for a side mounted RVQ grille. I mentioned this because room is limited and I can not see how I could mount a fuel tank for a gas unit.
Do not want to get a piss match started, just a little help.
Posted 2013-04-22 7:04 PM (#151486 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Rockin;I have an Onan, and it is LP. I like the ease of use, and since it is permanently mounted, I don't have to lug a heavy unit up into the bed, or move one. I do know that using LP, you have very little smell, and the oil stays clearer because it doesn't burn with a lot of carbon like diesel, or Gasoline. Some thing to be aware of.....since it does NOT smell much, you could get a CO poisoning perhaps easier than if you smelt gas or some other exhaust. So mount it well, and have both lots of ventilation around it, and a CO detector when you are buttoned up for the night. Can't be too safe.
Posted 2013-04-22 9:20 PM (#151492 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
Thanks for the info... We had an LP unit a few years back but the fools mounted it low under the gooseneck right next to the slideout it was quite but finally figured out why we was having headaches every time we used it.... Needless to say we no longer have that trailer.
My only mounting option is going to be on top of the trailer, so hopefully it will have more air flow....
Some of the other post I seen from a few years back someone mentioned about the LP freezing up in the heat and in the cold weather and all I can find on that is they must have had a leak or the LP was over full..
Posted 2013-04-23 7:34 AM (#151497 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Elite Veteran
Posts: 658 Location: Rayne, LA
I have a Generac in my trailer that I am about to pull out. I have never made a full trip with it working start to finish. When it does run it is nice and quiet, but has been in the shop to many times. I have always brought it to an authorized dealer for service and have spent three times the purchase price on repairs. I kept thinking well this will be the last time and all the bugs will be out of it.
Posted 2013-04-23 9:59 AM (#151503 - in reply to #151497) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
What problems are you having out of your genrac??? I have had the Onan 3600? LP and a Large Genrac 5500?LP unit and both worked great but the Onan was less noise.... But only had both trailers for just over a year before trading or selling.
Posted 2013-04-23 10:53 AM (#151507 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Elite Veteran
Posts: 658 Location: Rayne, LA
My Generac problems have been different things. It is a 5500 gas. Some times wouldn't start, several times wouldn't produce voltage. Once an oil line broke. I ended up having to carry a back up generator. It is powerful when it runs but can't be counted on.
Posted 2013-04-23 11:32 AM (#151508 - in reply to #151507) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by cajunmuleman on 2013-04-23 10:53 AM
My Generac problems have been different things. It is a 5500 gas. Some times wouldn't start, several times wouldn't produce voltage. Once an oil line broke. I ended up having to carry a back up generator. It is powerful when it runs but can't be counted on.
Ok thanks, that is why I was thinking of going with the LP unit since I have large bottles already intstalled, just because of the crap gas being produced then the fact of the gas being stored in the fuel tank when not being used sounds like the same problems I have with my portable generators when not being used every weekend.
Posted 2013-04-23 2:08 PM (#151510 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
Working on that now.... The last trailer we had with an Onan mircoquite 3600LP using the same size bottle I have now we was able to run the gen all weekend (8pm Friday night til 4pm Sunday afternoon) with the a/c running in the summer heat. And this is using the water heater at night.
I am waiting on a price right now to compair Onan to Genrac and gas vs. LP but everyone is telling me I have to have a hay rack to install it on my roof!
looks like my portable is not such a bad deal after all.
Posted 2013-04-25 9:53 PM (#151558 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
Well we will be keeping our Onan P4300i portable generator for now..... At least till we upgrade trailers again....
The cheapest price I was told to install either an Onan LP or Generac LP unit was $5000.00 to $6000.00 if they used my manger or in the bottom of the rear tack and anywhere from $6500.00 to $8000.00 on the roof! GEESH that is a little freaking high since the generator with remote kit is $2000.00 for the Generac and $3000.00 for the Onan, that means labor is $300.00 to $4000.00 for 4 to 6 hours of work!
Posted 2013-04-26 4:14 PM (#151567 - in reply to #151484) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Veteran
Posts: 218 Location: Ohio
Rocken,
I feel for you on the price of a mounted generator. I would love to have one too but when we ordered our trailer in November of 2011, we opted to not get one. Even on a new trailer you talking $5k and up for a mounted generator. The convenience would be great but we just don't do dry camping all that much to justify the expense. A Honda ultra quiet generator is about $2k. I think we will get one of those instead.
Posted 2013-04-28 10:27 PM (#151631 - in reply to #151567) Subject: RE: GENERATOR
Member
Posts: 37
Originally written by Goz63 on 2013-04-26 4:14 PM
Rocken, I feel for you on the price of a mounted generator. I would love to have one too but when we ordered our trailer in November of 2011, we opted to not get one. Even on a new trailer you talking $5k and up for a mounted generator. The convenience would be great but we just don't do dry camping all that much to justify the expense. A Honda ultra quiet generator is about $2k. I think we will get one of those instead.
We did not either till this year.... Now we are going a couple of time per month and getting to be a pain ow with warm weather getting close. I bought Cummins Onan P4300i 2 years ago just before they was discontiuned and really like it other than having to get out of the trailer to start or stop it. I just find it hard to believe labor is $3000 to $4000.00 for 4 to 6 hours of work.... I am in the wrong buisness thats for sure.
GENERATOR
