I have my vacation RV (a bumper pull trailer) and I am considering adding a generator for boondocking. I am trying to decide where to install it. I ran across the Onan "Juicebox" generator, which is carried by the rear hitch. Does anyone have experience with these?

Also wondering if I purchase a 5er as my retirement home, where do you install a generator? Any ideas?

No experience with the JuiceBox.

But, depending on your needs, why not use a portable Honda or Yamaha 1,000 or 2,000 watt model. Virtually whisper quiet, very compact, lightweight, exceptionally fuel-efficient (roughly 1 gal in 12-24 hours depending on load) and did I say quiet? Not designed for enclosed space but these units might make a pleasing and simple alternative.

I'd also recommend either tha Honda or Yamaha generator. You can carry it anywhere and then when you set up your campsite, put it outside, plug in and enjoy.  If you wish to run an airconditioner, you may have to go for either the 3000W generators or two Honda 2000s hooked together with a wire kit.  They are not cheap, but you can probably leave them to your granchildren in your will.  The contractor generators are much cheaper, but unless you're camping way out in the desert by yourself, you won't win many friends running one of those types of generators in a more populated campground.

One more thing, if you go the portable route, chain or cable lock them to your trailer.  You don't want them to "walk" away!

Best Regards!

Thanks for the advice, I think the most I would need is to run the a/c for an overnight stop at a walmart or somewhere. I have actually given thought to the Honda generator chain. I spotted that Onan "Juicebox", which is about a 4000watt and thought that since it is enclosed that would make it nearly silent. Also it is convenient to carry it on the back reciever of your RV. Come to think of it however, my prowler doesn't have a reciever in the back..

I read somewhere in a post that some folks have their generator in the storage behind the hitch pin. Isn't this usually just beneath your bedroom? Can you sleep over a running generator? I would think unless the storage compartment is very well insulated the gen set would be noisy...

I have 2 Honda 2000 generators with the ability to tie them together. It is good for 30 amp service. We us it on our 33 ft. Titanium and have no problems. Yes they are very quiet. I designed a rear platform on the back of the 5th wheel to carry the generators (and other essentials) The generators are enclosed in a locked cage (so they don't walk off.) It is a seperate box that is mounted on vibration eleminators so that no vibrations are felt in the 5th wheel. My wife said she can sit in the chair just inside the window from the generators and she doesn't hear them. Having two seperate generators is convenient because if you don't need both, you can just use one. We live in NW FL and after our last season of hurricanes, it was convenient to be able to use the two generators for different purposes. We spent a week in Standing Indian Campground near Franklin North Carolina with no water or electric and we only used about 6 gal. of gas.

Paul

-- Edited by Paul and Bonnie at 19:43, 2006-09-18

i have the champion c46540 and it runs all i need and is quiet