Hi Rich and Debi,

We had our fifthwheel custom built and had a generator in the original package.  After finding out that it would take up most of the space in the front compartment we took it out of the package.  It would have been a 6,500 watt propane unit and could have been started from inside the coach.  The cost for the option was $5,500.  We purchased a Honda 2.000 watt generator for $885 and it carry in the tool box in the back of the truck.  We have used it once since July 2006.  Whether or not to purchase the generator will be determined by what your RVing lifestyle will be.  If you plan on doing a lot of dry camping then I would look seriously about having one as well as some solar panel - You should also look at inverters as well.

Before finalizing your option package, take time to talk together and get a good understanding what each of you visualize as your ideal lifestyle.  It is important that each of you have input into what you intend to do.  Most of our "camping" will consist of electric and water and we will be without them only several times each year, so a generator is not a necessity.

Other Options that we consider a must:

Power Surge Protector
Air Ride Hitch
At least a 20K Hitch
Air Ride System on the Coach
Disc Brakes on the Coach
Either Electric Rear Stablizer Jacks or a Big Foot Hydraulic Leveling System
Prodigy Brake Controller
Pressure Pro tire pressure monitoring system
7000# Axels
Thermopane windows
Artic Insulation package

Haven't even started on the interior options, but hopefully this will be enough to get started.  Again, work together in dreaming and brainstorming what you want your lifestyle to be.  Think about how you live now and that will most likely be how you will live in your RV.  From there you will know which options are important to you.

Good Luck and have fun

We agree whole heartedly with the suggestion above to think a lot about the lifestyle you have in mind before you add options to an RV.  We like to spend time in National Forest campgrounds which usually means few if any hook-ups available.  Needless to say our options which we added to a more basic rig lean toward our lifestyle choices.  A small 1000 watt Honda generator charges the 4 deep cycle batteries when the 200 watt solar panels don't quite do the job.  We park in full hookups when it is very hot like on the beach etc so we can use our AC.  We also bought a catalytic heater and built into the rig to save propane on those very brisk mornings above 9000 feet.

The options above are always under consideration as are many many more but most important is to match your perceived lifestyle and give yourself some room to change.  Everyone buys some option they don't  use and everyone needs some option that they didn't buy.  Now that we said everyone someone will say not me.

Have fun learning and researching but take the time to learn about yourself and your dream.
Good luck on your adventure.
Larry and Jacki

Hi, As the other posters have pointed out, the lifestyle you'll be living should dictate whether you need a generator or not. We got into fulltime RV'ing very quickly and just automatically thought we'd need a generator, so spent over $5000 for a large Onan built into the 5th wheel. Now, after a year of fulltiming, we've found that we prefer commercial campgrounds with full hookups, and have only put about 25 hours on the generator, half of that just running it for 15 minutes a month as the book says to do. If you're not going to be off the grid regularly, you'd be much better off getting a small portable generator and save about $4000. We wish we did!!!! Good luck, Fred

I really appreciate the suggestions, they are really helpful. We have been researching RV's and going to shows, and it is a little bit overwhelming with so many choices, options, etc... Thanks especially for the info on generators. We pretty much envision ourselves sticking to larger campgrounds that have all the hookups...so, maybe the generator is something we can do without. Thank you all again..... Rick and Debi Gardner, MA Future Full Time RVers

Another consideration is that you'll be paying to haul that generator around everywhere you go.  Maybe the weight would be better utilized on something else! 

William ...... What's the noise level like on that? ...... Don

As stated above by many it depends on your chosen traveling style Bi I for one would have at the very least a generator large enough to run one air conditioner in the event (and yes it does happen) there is a wide spread power failure in the campground or area you are in (it can get very hot in these little boxes we use). The size and type depend on personal preference an actual or perceived needs.For us there are some not so normal power requirements (we need 240v at times) for a single purpose. To satisfy that end we had a frame extension and rack built for our fifth wheel to carry a Kubota 7,000gl diesel generator(its quieter than a Honda 2000i by the way) and had special wiring installed to keep the 120 and 220 apart. That takes care of the 220 but in the sense of overkill and backup systems we also have a Honda 2000i and 390 watts of solar on the roof to let us do pretty much any thing we choose to anywhere we go. Now all we need is ......... lol Thom interested parties feel free to contact me to find out more or see what we have done, No I don't sell any of this stuff, just a firm believer in planning for the inevitable