Generator/Inverter Help

Hello Ladies and Gents,
I'm looking into purchasing either a new generator or inverter for my Toy Hauler. This will be my first time having to buy one, and since everyone on this forum gives great ideas on how to spend money, I figured this would be the best place to ask. What does every recommend?

 

My thought for when I finally get a trailer someday. I’m leaning towards two 2000 Honda generators. You can pick them up yourself and piggyback them to have them run in series. And the best part is you can use them for other things. Sometimes you only need one, now you don’t have to run a big ass generator for something small.

 

If you run AC you need 3000 watts. I have had several different sizes. Honda EU 3000 is what i recommend. Buy once and be happy.

 

If you need portability, get two 2kw generators. If it's going to live in the truck, get a 3kw+ generator.

I have two smarter tools 2kw generators from Costco. If we are dry camping in the summer I bring both, if spring or fall just one.

 

Appreciate the input guys, I think I am going to end up going with the Honda 3000 Handi. A bit pricey but I would definitely rather just have to buy once.

 

I gotta tell ya, I picked up a “champion” dual fuel inverter generator 3100 watt on a Black Friday special, and it’s pretty good as far as the Chinese stuff, quiet, and can be paired up if you need 240 v 30A. I have only run it on propane, so disconnect the tank ,put it in the garage no fumes or fuel to worry about, carb won’t get gunked up. I have only put about 10 hr on it or so, so longevity is yet to be seen, but I think it is pretty handy.

 

Do it right the first time!

yamaha ef3000iseb



Love mine! And has wheels!

 

Honda! By once.

 

I ended up going with the Champion 3400 for the sole purpose of being able to use it with propane vs gasoline. Used it once so far and works great. CS is excellent too. One of the parts arrived broken and they over night a replacement part!

 

We run them all the time in construction imo Honda #1 Yamaha #2 watched lots of other brands die on the job. Cheaper brands say 3000 watts but cannot deliver their advertised watts. Just something to watch

 

Ok so now I'm really stuck here. I went to purchase the Handi 3000 and prior to purchasing the unit, the salesman mentioned that I might want to consider buying two 2200 Watt Honda generators instead of the single Handi 3000. I don't have alot of experience with purchasing generators, so I'm looking for a little bit of help from my Tundra brothers to make the best decision possible.

 

How heavy is the handi, and do you want to live that much in and out of your truck bed?

 

I think they are 2000. I’m not 100% but one of them acts like the brain and the other one just gets piggybacked. You need the cord to marry the two. They also make a gravity feed gas tank so that you don’t have to fill them up every 6 to 8 hours when you are running them hard. I like the fact that you can split it and only use one if you need to.

Also at Costco they have a Yamaha engine 2000 generator I think it’s 1600 running watts. It has the same capabilities as the Honda but it’s under $500 . Now obviously it’s not a Honda and it won’t come with every little thing you like but don’t rule it out. I have one and really like it. I’d like to get a second.

The hard part about the Hondas are the fact that they are $1000 apiece plus accessories.

 

While I agree that Honda and Yamaha are top notch, they also command a top price. Of the "cheaper" units, Champion has the best reputation, they also have a long warranty and great customer service (from what I hear, haven't yet had to contact them). I picked up a 3400w from Walmart last year for $850 shipped free. It has had no problems running my AC in my travel trailer.

They also come standard with a RV ready plug (no adaptor needed) and something no Honda or Yamaha has, remote electric start/stop. It is so nice on a cold morning camping to not go outside and start the generator. Just stay inside and press the button on the key fob. This has the added benefit of my wife not waking me up early to go start it, she can do it herself while I sleep in.

 

I might get the Generac 3000i one of these days. I currently have a Ryobi 1.8 kW generator and it runs well enough but then I don't try to run an AC unit off of it. It runs my 1.6kW microwave just fine though.

 

How do you feel about lifting that a bunch of times.

 

Some of us don't have a money tree anymore ! I'm stuck with my 2000 watt Ryobi. So far so good. And luckily my Ac unit is a small. Lol

 

No one mentions the Harbor Freight Predators. Consumer Reports rates them a best buy and they score almost as good as the Hondas and cost 1/3 the price. I am not knocking Honda's because they are the best. I am just bringing up the cost/benefit consideration if you only use a generator occasionally.

Large Inverters (220 Volts)
OVERALL SCORE
79
HondaEU7000is
Recommended
Price: $4,000
Shop

Type:Large Inverters (220 Volts)
Includes low-oil shutoff, which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low. Also displays a low oil light to tell you why it shut down. Includes electric start. Wheels are standard. Has a 5.07 -gallon tank. Has a fuel gauge. Has 4 power outlets. Has power meter for monitoring electrical wattage use.
See Ratings


Mid-sized Inverters (110 Volts)

OVERALL SCORE
88
HondaEU3000is
Recommended
Price: $2,000
Shop

Type:Mid-sized Inverters (110 Volts)
Has fuel shutoff, which lets you draw gas from the fuel system to keep it from fouling parts if it degrades during storage. It also prevents leaks. Includes low-oil shutoff, which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low. Also displays a low oil light to tell you why it shut down. Wheels kit is optional. Has a 3.43-gallon tank. Has a fuel gauge. Has 3 power outlets and electric start.
See Ratings


OVERALL SCORE
86
Predator3500
Best Buy
Price: $770
Shop

Type:Mid-sized Inverters (110 Volts)
Has fuel shutoff, which lets you draw gas from the fuel system to keep it from fouling parts if it degrades during storage. It also prevents leaks. Includes low-oil shutoff, which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low. Also displays a low oil light to tell you why it shut down. Has a 2.6-gallon tank. Has 3 power outlets and electric start. Comes with wheels.
See Ratings


OVERALL SCORE
83
Champion100261
Recommended
Price: $1,050
Shop

Type:Mid-sized Inverters (110 Volts)
Has fuel shutoff, which lets you draw gas from the fuel system to keep it from fouling parts if it degrades during storage. It also prevents leaks. Includes low-oil shutoff, which protects the engine from overheating if the oil level dips too low. Also displays a low oil light to tell you why it shut down.

 

I ended up going with 2 Honda eu2200 generators vs a 3000. Running together I get 4400 and when I only need one it’s nice to have a smaller lighter option. Rented the Honda 3000 for a weekend before buying mine and at 130lbs it’s much easier to haul two 46lb 2200s

 

This is exactly what I did, two Honda EU2200. Only 46lbs each and plenty of power in parallel together

 

The Harbor Freight ones work well, at first, but there is a problem. I first picked up a Predator 3500 and really liked it. Ran everything and super quiet, but like I said, there is a problem. After a few trips, it started running rich and basically flooded itself. I swapped pugs, cleaned up and got it going again only for it to do the same thing again.

I figured I had just got a bad one and HF exchanged it with a new one at no charge because I had only had it a short time. Over the next few days while breaking it in at the house (under varying loads) the new one did the same thing right at about 9 hours on it. I returned it and bought a Champion which has worked well.

The Predator works well at first for a short time, but there is a design or part problem with the carburation.

 

I have a Yamaha EF2000IS. It been pretty good but if I did it over I would buy the Honda. I beat the crap out of my Honda at work and it just keeps going.
You can buy 2. They get wired in parallel to give you more available wattage. (Power). Sorry if I missed it but do you have any idea what your total power demand will be?

 

I have the same one and love it. I can elec start it from inside my camper and I never have any issues. I’m sure Honda’s are great because everyone says so, but I’d like to know why.

 

Because they are proven. Their inverter technology is outstanding. I have a 2000 at work that takes a beating and never fails. It’s like Toyota. You build your reputation over time for being tough and reliable. I’m glad your Champion is working good for you but IMO they just don’t compare. It’s kind of like Generac. They will probably be solid for a while but I can say from personal expierence dealing with quite a few untis connected to substations that they are total POS.
If I’m spending the money I’ll take Honda or Yamaha all day long.

 

I agree 100 percent twice the money for ten times the generator