Would like to know about generators, figure I will need one eventually if not sooner. My 5er does not have one on board. What do you have, and/or recommend, quiet enough to use in campgrounds or in wal-mart parkinglot? Thanks for any input.  

I don't have anything about a generator....but I did look at the 2011 Rushmore 5ers yesterday.....VERY NICE!

Congrats!

Are you thinking "on-board" generator or portable?  Is your rig "prepped" for on-board?

Much depends on how much you will use it, how convenient you want it to be, whether you have the cargo carrying capacity, how much you want to spend, etc., etc. 

We have an Onan Gold Marquis 5500 watt propane generator (tied into our propane system) built in to a front compartment.  It was expensive and greatly reduced our cargo carrying capacity, but we enjoy the convenience, ease of use, and reasonable quietness when we need it.  The are newer, quieter models available now.

As for portables, the are quite a few reliable, quiet models out there with Honda seemingly being the leader among RVers.

There are lots of considerations either way:

• Cost to purchase
• Cost of operating
• Fuel type
• Convenience (Can push a button inside with built-in; Can get a remote start kit with portable, but you still have to set up the generator - not very convenient for overnight Walmart stays)
• How much power you need (Might need to wire two portables together with a "parallel kit")
• Quiet
• Security
• Weight (reduction in cargo carrying capacity & ease of moving around if portable)
• Frequency of use
• Ease of use

There are other factors as well, but the main thing is to carefully consider the decision.  And you may not be able to figure out many of the answers until you are out there awhile.   

Just our opinion, but for those looking to purchase a new towable, we recommend getting the "generator prep" from the factory.  You can always make the decision on the type of generator or whether you want one later.

As usual Howard had a great summary.  A few thoughts from our perspective and that’s for a towable rig – i.e. 5^th wheel:

While we don’t use the built in 5,500 watt generator a lot, when we do we’re really glad to have it.  We crank it up often when traveling to have breakfast, lunch and even sometimes dinner.  In some cases, when campground power has been low we’ve used it for a couple of hours to run both Air Conditioners.  A few times when it was in the mid 90’s it was just a life saver. (We expect the same next week BTW.)  It also is just, for us, a necessity when you boondock even if you have “bigger” batteries and an inverter as we do.  It is the fastest way, sometimes the only way, to initially recharge the depleted batteries until the charge level is such that solar could take over if you have that capability.

We also needed it while in Canada and Alaska to supplement the very low amps available from the campgrounds. (Actually had to do that in the US as well.)  A buddy who was with me was very thankful because his electric only freezer was about to go “hot,” so we dropped him a line to keep that freezer going. I’ve also used it to power the air compressor for the tires.  Ya just never know.  When you always have 120 volt power available, built in at the push of a button, a lot of contingency planning gets much easier.

I, that’s me, recommend LP for the generator in a 5^th wheel IF you will not be using it all that much.  LP generators, unlike gas, don’t have problems with the fuel going bad or “gumming up” in the carburetor. Mine ALWAYS starts - really.  Yes, LP is not quite as efficient, but if the use is not all that much, unlike a motor home, it is just easier and you don’t have to deal with another fuel to store. On a practical side this is true for Diesel as well IMO.  Again, that’s me from experience.

It does reduce your available storage space, but that trade off will be a personal decision.

For us, we wouldn’t be without it.

Safe travels

Bill

Ruck,

We love our Crossroads Paradise Pointe.  It was the top of their line until 2008.....and now the Rushmore is!  I am a member of the Crossroads Owners Forum, and they have been helpful with questions that I have had.  We bought our unit used and it didn't have the manuals in it. 

We have a Crossroads dealer 3 miles away who originally sold this unit...and was very helpful to me with answers to my questions...even though we were buying it from another place!    It was a one-owner unit and was in excellent condition!  Seems to be built solid and we could live in it full time!

Hi Ruck and Tashana,

Evin and I had a propane Onan 6500 and used it often. On the new unit we are considering diesel. One dealer recommends diesel this time and the other still goes with  propane. At the Spring RV-Dreams Rally I ask individuals about their preference. One person had owned both and he said diesel would be his choice. I agree with Howard that the push button start with the installed units in a nice feature to have. I agree with Bill Napier also. Had our batteries go down several times and because of clouds or night our solar batteries would not recharge.

We also had a washer and dryer (separate units) and would not be without one. Had an electric fireplace and would do that again also. Cost more than quartz heaters and takes up cabinet space but we liked the ambiance. Made the 5th wheel feel more like home.

Steve