Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-25-2016, 12:32 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 325
Factory installed Gen Set

This question is 2 parts.

First for the people who have an Onan factory installed. Do you use it all the time or do you virtually never use it and regret spending the $$$$ on one.

Second for the people who did not order their unit with a Gen set and do you regret not getting one. Or do you get along fine without it.

I have always had one when we had a MH. And I'm trying to figure if it is really needed in a 5th wheel. We definitely will have the res fridge. And if we go without I will add Batteries so the fridge will not suffer.
__________________
Meet Teddy Bear
Make Every Day Count
2016 Denali 3500 Diesel SRW
2015 38 GK
Cheryl & Wayne
ted 95 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 01:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Ford truck guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,285
We don't have one, but would like one... The few times a year that I need to , I use twin Honda's wired together..

It would be great to just be able to flip a switch , and not drag out the genny's , gas , hook them all up.. Ect...
__________________
2020 F-350
2020 3991RD with-
17.5 Goodyear 114's , Titan Disc brakes, MorRyde 8K IS, Onan 6.5..
Ford truck guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 01:58 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 392
Our RW didn't have generator when we bought it. We did have a portable generator and have been carrying it around for 3 years as we full-time. We have never used it. Think we are about ready to stick it in storage. Generator use will be determined by your RV'ing lifestyle. We don't boondock...we enjoy using all the amenities of a resort/campground.

Bob and Debbie
__________________
Bob and Debbie (both retired) with Senior FurBabies Grizz (a German Shepherd mix) and Bailey (a Lab mix)...and sometimes a Grandkiddo or 2! Full Time RVers since July 2013 Redwood: 2012 36FL with sliding patio doors
Tow Vehicle: 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD with 6.6 DuraMax Dually
Grizzby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 01:59 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Rosey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 307
Ordered mine with the factory (propane) genset. Don't use it that often, but don't regret getting it. We travel with 3 dogs & nice to have it to run the AC when we keep them in the coach when stopping for dinner/bkfst at Crackerbarrel etc. when on the road, or power outages at the campground, etc. Just press the button and instant power.
__________________
Mike & Gayle
Our 3 fur children "Ting-Tang"&"Saylor"(Shih Tsu's) &"Kai" (Finnish Spitz)
2007 Silverado Classic 3500 LT C.C. Longbed Dually,
Duramax, Allison Tranny, 62 Gal. Titan Tank
2016 39MB 5.5 Onan, Residential Package, Goodyear G114's, Mor/ryde heavy duty Shackle/bushing upgrade.
Rosey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:06 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
travelin' texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,353
I agree Grizzby, it all depends on your planned lifestyle. In our case we've had several rvs in the last 40 years & never had a generator & has only been a handful of times it would've been handy to have. Since fulltiming I needed the storage more than the gen set & don't regret not getting it.
__________________
Danny & Linda
Full-timed 10+ years
Former '13 FB owner
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Currently rv & truckless
Replacement undetermined
travelin' texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:08 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
I've had mine for 13 years. Love the convenience. It was a frivolous expenditure, but so was the camper.
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:45 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
danrn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 362
Like many have said, it depends on your camping style. I had a generator in my last camper and I did use it once in a while. I don't have a generator in my RW, and if I got one, it would be a portable one for that just in case I need one moment.
__________________
Dan & Connie
2021 Chevy Silverado High Country Dually
2017 RW390
2015 Polaris RZR 900
danrn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:52 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
rob_fla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
I do not have a Generator in my Redwood, been fulltime 4 years now in a SOB 5er and the Redwood (neither 5er had a generator), there have been a couple of times in 4 years when it would be nice to have a generator but do not miss having one, like the extra storage better.
If I was ordering a new unit today, I would not order a generator, it just does not fit my lifestyle.
I do not boondock, I like full hook ups.
Everybody has a different lifestyle and wants something different, get what fits your lifestyle.
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch

rob_fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:22 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Shane Wood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,032
Send a message via AIM to Shane Wood Send a message via MSN to Shane Wood Send a message via Yahoo to Shane Wood
I installed the onan and would not be without it. I look at it as the same as having a 4 wheel drive. nice to have when you need it. They are a lot of money but so was the trailer. The LP does go through a lot of fuel. we boondock occasionally so it helps to keep the batteries up and the air running for our dogs. I would bye one again for the convienience
__________________
2015 36RL pushing a 2015 Denali
Shane Wood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 02:59 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Because of personal circumstances I installed the Onan myself. As others have said, it totally depends on your lifestyle. I wouldn't leave home without it.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 03:21 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 429
We are pre-wired for one, but with the sale of the rig, we negotiated a Yamaha 2000. Have since bought a 2nd Yamaha to have the ability to run them together for at least 30A. If we used on a regular basis, would definitely consider an Onan.
__________________

2014 38GK, disc brakes, MorRyde SRE 4000, 2-Yamaha 2000 gennys, G14's, dual awnings, Progressive EMS.
2014 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW with Luverne Bull Bar and skid plate.
coloradolivin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 04:42 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
rob_fla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,674
My next investment is the Titan Disk Brakes for my 38FL, for me they are much more important than investing in a Generator

After the Disk Brakes are installed, I may have Santa Clause bring me some 17.5s for Christmas.
__________________
Robert & Sheryl
2014 Redwood 38FL
MoRyde 8K IS, Disc Brakes, MoRyde Pin Box
17.5 Goodyear G114's, RV Armor Roof
2018 RAM 3500 DRW, Curt Q24 Hitch

rob_fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 04:42 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
5th_Time's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,136
We ordered ours from factory. We've used it several times boondocking at the beach after batteries went low.
Side benefit - I wired my house to use Onan during multi-day winter power failures - which have happened a couple times & saved our you-know-whats...
__________________
Mike & Pam '12 36RL, Kodiak Discs, 17.5" G114s H-Rated, SRE4000 w/HD Shackles, Joy Rider Shocks, Flex Air, 5.5 Onan, W&D, DW, 4 Scare Lights, (2) 6V Trojan T-145s; Progressive EMS-HW50C, Winegard DTV Sat, Sony/Denon 4K Home Theater, WiFiRanger EliteAC Pack, weBoost 4G-X Cell Booster.

2022 RAM 3500 Limited CC, LB, 4x4, DRW, Max Tow, Cummins HO, AISIN, 4.10, Mopar 30K w/OEM Prep, Transfer Flow 70gal Aux Tank/Toolbox.
5th_Time is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 08:11 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,856
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5th_Time View Post
which have happened a couple times & saved our you-know-whats...
I think you meant to say...Bacon.
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
spindrift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2016, 01:06 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
mhs4771's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,807
We ordered the Onan in both of our RWs. Don't use them alot, but just a push of the button and you have power. We had the Dual Hondas with our Montana and they were nice, BUT you had to drag them out, hook everything up, and chain them so they could walk away. Then when done using them you had to let them cool before packing them away, real PITA.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD Crew Cab High Country DRW, D/A, 2016 RW39MB, Dual ACs, Auto Level, Auto Sat Dish, Stack W/D, King Sleep #, 17.5" Sailuns w/Disc, MORryde IS & Pin, Comfort Ride Hitch, 5.5 Onan, Res Fridge & Induction Cook Top
mhs4771 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2016, 11:15 PM   #16
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 7
Like Rosey and Shane, I have factory propane Onan, but seldom use it, and I am really glad I have it. The trailer keeps blowing the 30 amp 12 volt supply in the truck, then the trailer batteries go dead with the inverter running the residential fridge. If shore power isn't available, result is no power to lower jacks and disconnect truck! I have to use a spare 12 volt car battery to start the Onan to charge batteries and run hydraulics.
Watersm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2016, 03:26 AM   #17
Junior Member
 
IshF281's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 9
We love ours. Use it a lot, usually on our last fuel stop I turn it and one of the a/c units on so we start with a cool camper at our final location.
IshF281 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2016, 03:36 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 325
so you travel with the gen running?? I used to do that when we had the MH but was not sure when traveling with a 5er.
ted 95 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2016, 03:49 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 395
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watersm View Post
Like Rosey and Shane, I have factory propane Onan, but seldom use it, and I am really glad I have it. The trailer keeps blowing the 30 amp 12 volt supply in the truck, then the trailer batteries go dead with the inverter running the residential fridge. If shore power isn't available, result is no power to lower jacks and disconnect truck! I have to use a spare 12 volt car battery to start the Onan to charge batteries and run hydraulics.
Take a look inside the J-Box on your Pin box where the cable goes into. This includes the clamp for the cable. On mine, the power lead was grounding out, the symptom was as you described, I had to be connected to shore power to operate the Hydraulics.
__________________
Scott
2015 38GK, Titan Brakes, H 114 Tires, IS
2015 Denali Dually
bergeman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2016, 04:54 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by ted 95 View Post
so you travel with the gen running?? I used to do that when we had the MH but was not sure when traveling with a 5er.
I do that a lot to precool.
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:02 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×