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Inverter generator for travel trailer

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Tundra234, Aug 13, 2020.

  1. Aug 13, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    #1
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Looking to see what you guys are using for inverter generators for your campers. I am looking for one as a campground backup as well as for power since there isn't any power where my trailer is stored. Thanks.
     
    Hondoman likes this.
  2. Aug 13, 2020 at 4:35 PM
    #2
    Mwray8909

    Mwray8909 New Member

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    WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant, Black/orange
     
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  3. Aug 13, 2020 at 4:44 PM
    #3
    dittothat

    dittothat New Member

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  4. Aug 13, 2020 at 4:52 PM
    #4
    Azblue

    Azblue Beer is Good Ban Moderator

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    The Dirty T
    With generators you have basically 3 options. 1. Top-end, these would be Honda and Yamaha. Great generators, but big $$$. 2. Cheap. many different brands. Everything from Harbor Freight to stuff on Amazon and at Home Depot. 3. Middle ground. Exactly what it sounds like. Cheaper than a Honda, better than the cheapos.

    After much research, I went with a Champion. These are a well known brand with a good reputation and great customer service, which I have used and yes, received great service. Not as much $ as the top end ones, not as cheap as some, but overall a good product.

    Watch WalMart, these go on sale every now and then. I got mine from WalMart for $849. Also, the remote start is awesome!

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion...Generator-with-Wireless-Remote-Start/52591204
     
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  5. Aug 13, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #5
    Catmann1972

    Catmann1972 New Member

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    FWIW, I am a generator mechanic for the largest generator company / manufacturer in the world. and believe it or not I am a big fan of this exact product, Champion. I have one and use it for my camping experiences, as well as at home when we lose power on occasions. Great product and it does perform as stated. very quiet, smooth running and easy to operate. Highly suggested in my opinion
     
  6. Aug 13, 2020 at 5:08 PM
    #6
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    I'm glad you started this thread, as I'm looking for one as well. My gut says get a Honda, wallet says maybe not. I wish Honda had a 4000w or so model . They jump from 3K to 7K.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #7
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Honda 2200 Watt set and friends that have them too and we double them up as needed.
    My Casita has an AC unit that will start and run from only one of them and that is all I really need!
     
  8. Aug 13, 2020 at 5:36 PM
    #8
    pickupjason

    pickupjason New Member

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    How big is your A/C unit? I thought the A/C unit on trailer will need two generator "connected" together and some sort of mod (soft-start??) to make it work properly?
     
  9. Aug 13, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #9
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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  10. Aug 13, 2020 at 6:36 PM
    #10
    Tundyfundy

    Tundyfundy Petunia The Tundra, and her sidekick Colbie

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    https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2...Vcxh9Ch23CQFqEAQYASABEgJsK_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds



    I have one of these and I absolutely love it. Has an app that monitors load, gas level, remaining running time, and will shut it off from inside the trailer!
    Its small and portable. light enough for pretty much any adult to lift into the bed of a truck, and has wheels and an extendable handle.
    Powerful enough for most scenarios although it wont run my AC,Fridge, water heater, microwave all at once. They are expandable though and can be linked together which I like because one is small and light for most jobs and you can add the second if your gonna be summer camping and want the AC and everything else simultaneaously.
    Also 2 is easier to manage than one big one.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2...Vcxh9Ch23CQFqEAQYBCABEgJsn_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
     
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  11. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:01 PM
    #11
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Yes they can be expensive for good ones. I have a Coleman 5,000 watts that I bought in 2004 and a CAT 8,125 watt that I bought this year. No way am I lugging that heavy ass thing into the truck to take to the camper lol.
     
    Azblue[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:04 PM
    #12
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Alot of them
    I looked this up earlier.

    Screenshot_20200813-191833_Chrome.jpg
     
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  13. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:08 PM
    #13
    Dorks68

    Dorks68 New Member

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    I bought this Champion dual fuel 3500/4375 because I wanted to run on propane. $430ish. I ran it for 5 hours to break it in. IMO it worked great but was louder than I anticipated. I have experience using Honda’s and Predators (Harbor freight brand) and both of them are quieter than my Champion.

    ECD9EEEF-A259-4557-B314-41703CCD3A47.jpg
     
  14. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #14
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    For a travel trailer, DO NOT GET A OPEN FRAME GENERATOR! Those bastards are loud and can really ruin a lot of peoples day.
    I would stick with one of these:
    Honda (best inverter)
    Yamaha (best engine)
    Champion (made in murica!)

    On paper, they are all just about the same loudness, but you'll walk past a pair of honda generators, and they are quieter.

    I ended up with two SmarterTools 2kw generators from Costco. If im going to the coast and do not need A/C i'll bring just one (i have a hard start cap on the A/c so it'll go with just one, but thats it). If i'm going inland and i'll need A/C or if the wife wants to bring the Nespresso machine then they both come. In my research, i found that the SmarterTools generators use yamaha engines, so its was the best value for me. I think there are different brands that use the same engines so with a little research you can get a good value.

    If you have $2k you are willing to throw down on a pair, i would go with honda. Looking at the used market, these things hold their value really well and the majority of people you'll see are using them.
     
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  15. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #15
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Yes I have seen some used Hondas with a fairly high price tag. Definitely no open frames for campgrounds. They wouldn't even be allowed.,
     
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  16. Aug 13, 2020 at 9:32 PM
    #16
    kparrow

    kparrow New Member

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    I run a predator 2000 inverter
     
  17. Aug 14, 2020 at 9:18 AM
    #17
    rockmup

    rockmup New Member

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    I've has a Predator 3000 for 5 years and have 1500 hrs or so on it with zero issues. You can have a conversation standing next to it un like non inverter styles.

    For an RV I'd get the 2000, its quieter than the 3000 and if you need more power you can get a second and run them in series
     
    kparrow[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Aug 14, 2020 at 9:52 AM
    #18
    kparrow

    kparrow New Member

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    My boss has the 3500 and loves it because he can run his AC with it and split run 2 campers off one gen when needed. I got the 2000 used for the steal of $300 from a guy that used to run them in parallel but he opted to get the 3500 instead. I don’t have a roof ac, I have a portal rolling one and it can handle that. I rarely use it because I have dual batteries so for a weekend or even 3-4 days I’m usually fine on power
     
  19. Aug 14, 2020 at 12:18 PM
    #19
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    For those running two 2k's cabled together, will they run overnight using the ac without refueling during the night?

    I dont know if they had the fuel capacity or not. I know you can get the "boat tank" setup to extend the run time. I'm just not sure I want two generators, a cable kit and external fuel tank setup or not.
     
  20. Aug 14, 2020 at 12:52 PM
    #20
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    What are you running overnight if not the AC?
     
  21. Aug 14, 2020 at 1:46 PM
    #21
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    Just the ac.

    I'm using a borrowed frame style 3500w peak generator now, and it handles the 13500 btu ac fine (but not with the refrigerator). I don't think a single 2k would work.

    The borrowed unit will run for 12+ hours with the ac on but it has a decent sized fuel tank.
     
  22. Aug 14, 2020 at 1:56 PM
    #22
    Warreng

    Warreng New Member

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    can anyone explain the thought process that goes on when a person starts a generator and points the noisy exhaust wnd towards everyone else?
    I mean, if u need power that bad, shouldnt you point the noisy end towards you and your camper?
    Im genuinly curious.
     
  23. Aug 14, 2020 at 2:31 PM
    #23
    mtTundra

    mtTundra New Member

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    Longer list than the wife needs to know about....
    I have a champion. Works great but as others said its noisy.
    I've since upgraded to 2 Honda 2000 generators with the parallel cable.
    Gives me enough to run my AC, will usually only run 1 and only breakout the 2nd when i need the AC. If you are using a microwave while camping your doing it wrong.
    Yes they can run all night if needed, although I've never needed to run them that long with the AC, just needed one to run the heater/fan as I'm in a northern climate.
     
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  24. Aug 14, 2020 at 2:36 PM
    #24
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Sorry I read your first post wrong somehow and thought it said without running the AC?
    What a Day!?
     
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  25. Aug 14, 2020 at 2:37 PM
    #25
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    There are plenty of selfish assholes camping everywhere is my guess.
    This is just one example.
     
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  26. Aug 14, 2020 at 2:47 PM
    #26
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    Thanks. I need to run the ac all night in the summer. Its 102 degrees here in Texas right now.


    Won't be an issue in the fall and winter.

    I get what you are saying about the microwave. Not sure why they put them, stoves and ovens in rvs. I have no use for any of them.
     
  27. Aug 14, 2020 at 2:57 PM
    #27
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I use the hell out of my Microwave.
    I dont really want to but if by myself I just can not stop myself?
     
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  28. Aug 14, 2020 at 3:21 PM
    #28
    Warreng

    Warreng New Member

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    I agree, but this is standard practice. Have never seen anyone point their generator towards their own camp. Maybe im the asshole.
     
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  29. Aug 14, 2020 at 3:23 PM
    #29
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    same there....you know how long it takes to bake a potato......
     
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  30. Aug 14, 2020 at 3:23 PM
    #30
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I bet its because the controls point at the trailer that way and like I said they might not be much but they are all they think about?
     
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