most economical (but works) generator?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've just about decided if we can swing the extra cost or cut back on other things in our trip that I'd probably rather get a generator for our TT so we can just stop at rest stop to sleep and stuff- instead of trying to figure out where we'll be at what time and make reservations at an RV park on the way there and on the way home?
I mean we could also use it to be able to camp at places that might not have full hookup openings or not have that available at all? I dunno.

But I can't spend a fortune. I can search for the cheapest ones online but haven't a clue what size/wattage is the best to get or which ones are just junk and a waste of money. Any opinions/advice on this?

 

[2goofycampers]

Is your TT 30 amp or 50 amp ? 1 A/C or 2 A/C ?

 

[Tigger1966]

Also be aware that a nonRV type generator can't be used in a compartment and will have to be unloaded and set in the open to run. They are not designed to be used in a confined area and will overheat. Also most inexpensive generators are loud especially when running under a load.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

DH says 30amp, 1 a/c

Do generators work like while you're driving? like you could keep it going so your fridge would stay cold? Just curious. I don't know how that works or if that's even possible but it would be nice when we go camping not to have to put all perishables in coolers with ice- then once we get there and get the fridge/freezer going move everything into that, then reverse that whole process when coming home. Yanno? Not to mention it probably would take awhile to cool off if like we were driving and then stopped to sleep in the summer and THEN turned on the a/c. Would probably take half the night to really cool down well in really hot weather?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Also be aware that a nonRV type generator can't be used in a compartment and will have to be unloaded and set in the open to run. They are not designed to be used in a confined area and will overheat. Also most inexpensive generators are loud especially when running under a load.

How loud? I think I can deal with some loudness if it's saving me a lot of money (meaning I can't pay more to get quiet- I'll just do without it. KWIM?)

does RV type generator mean the same as the generators that say "rv model"? Yet when they show them in pictures they show them on the front of the TT where we have gas cannister things. LOL (you can tell I know so much about our TT right? )

 

[Tigger1966]

If you are wanting to run your generator while you are moving you will need one designed for RV use and have it installed permanently in the unit. I would check out Ebay. Also doesn't your refrigerator run on gas?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

If you buy an inexpensive one, anyone around you will not be your friend due to the noise. If you pulled into a truck stop or a rest area and fired up one of the cheap gens someone will most likely ask you to turn it off. This isnt really something that doable on the cheap (IMHO).

I am not sure why you would want to run AC power while going down the road ?

We tossed around the generator idea and figured it was much more economical to rent a site near the interstate for $30 and have power and water.

 

[stacktester]

You're camper fridge should run on propane/battery as long as the battery is charged and you have propane. The only thing in a camper that won't run on propane or battery is your a/c. Now if it's going to be hot and you need a/c then yes you're going to need a genny.

I have a Yamaha 2400 that I use at races and other dry camping places. You mentioned that you can handle some noise. Don't be sure you're neighbors will. When we camped in Ocala Forest while riding our 4 wheelers I can't tell you how many times people would come put their genny between our campers. While they sat under their awning enjoying the night we endured their fumes and noise from what I call a contractor generator. I won't go into it here but trust me, the one's who were jerks about it when we asked them to move it away from us paid DEARLY.

I would recommend a Kipor or similar that is an inverter type generator. They're under a $1k and are pretty quiet.

 

[Tigger1966]

We sell and service the Kipor and they are quiet but you have to remember that they are made in China and an inverter generator has a lot more parts to go bad that a standard RV type. For the money you can buy a used Onan 2800.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

If you are wanting to run your generator while you are moving you will need one designed for RV use and have it installed permanently in the unit. I would check out Ebay. Also doesn't your refrigerator run on gas?

I have no idea. I thought it ran on electricity since we could never turn it on until we were at a full hookup site all hooked up. Maybe it's a battery we don't have? LOL

If you buy an inexpensive one, anyone around you will not be your friend due to the noise. If you pulled into a truck stop or a rest area and fired up one of the cheap gens someone will most likely ask you to turn it off. This isnt really something that doable on the cheap (IMHO).

I am not sure why you would want to run AC power while going down the road ?

We tossed around the generator idea and figured it was much more economical to rent a site near the interstate for $30 and have power and water.

Oh, that's true (about the noise) but I was thinking along the lines of if we're in a situation where we'd need the generator (ie: no hook up sites while camping) that we wouldn't be right next to someone that the noise would bother. Usually if you're camping in a place right next to someone those are full hook up sites. KWIM?
Oh I was thinking along the lines of if we're only stopping to sleep for a few hours- that it would take too long to cool it off in there if we THEN turned on the a/c once we stopped. I was thinking in hot places- we live in Texas and we usually camp in the summer.. yanno?

I had about forgot about getting a generator too but it's just SO HARD to figure out where along the way we might be by the time DH wants to get some sleep... to then figure out ahead of time which RV park to rent a spot ahead of time. Or are there some that it's okay to just show up at night and ask to hook up for the night without a reservation?

You're camper fridge should run on propane/battery as long as the battery is charged and you have propane. The only thing in a camper that won't run on propane or battery is your a/c. Now if it's going to be hot and you need a/c then yes you're going to need a genny.

I have a Yamaha 2400 that I use at races and other dry camping places. You mentioned that you can handle some noise. Don't be sure you're neighbors will. When we camped in Ocala Forest while riding our 4 wheelers I can't tell you how many times people would come put their genny between our campers. While they sat under their awning enjoying the night we endured their fumes and noise from what I call a contractor generator. I won't go into it here but trust me, the one's who were jerks about it when we asked them to move it away from us paid DEARLY.

I would recommend a Kipor or similar that is an inverter type generator. They're under a $1k and are pretty quiet.

How do you know which ones are noisy and which ones are quiet? Is the cost the only way to determine that?

 

[Tigger1966]

The quiet type will be fully enclosed. Where are you planning on storing the generator while traveling?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I guarantee you that the noise from a cheap gen will drive you buggy after a very short time.

Most of the contractors around here that use them either put plywood around them or set them in a small hole, they cant stand to listen to them drone on and they are on a construction site.

Your trailer is required to have a battery for the breakaway switch, if the trailer comes loose form the tow vehicle it will apply the brakes on the trailer. Typically, this battery also powers the 12v items (lights and fride) on the trailer when you are not connected to 110 volt at a site.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I think the cheapest and easiest solution would be to pull into a campground. We seldom make reservations and have not had an issue just pulling into one for the night. I cool down the fridge running off propane while travelling when we stop for the night or at a rest stop for an extended period.

 

[stacktester]

I have a friend with a motorhome that has a genny like mine and he has a slide in storage tray for his tow hitch and he has it strapped down to it and runs the power cord to it while he's driving so the camper a/c runs. He takes his whole family so there are people in the back to keep cool.

I don't know why I suggested the Kipor. Honda and Yamaha are the best on the market even if you pay more IMHO. No offense to Tigger1966, but I've owned many Yamaha and Honda products since the mid 70's and they all outlasted me and I sold them still running.

Let me make another suggestion. There are rental places you can get one from and you only pay when u absolutely need it and the maimtainance is not your problem.

If you do buy an inverter type (quiet) change the oil every other use. I don't care what the manual says, you will get double the time out of it at least.

 

[Tigger1966]

The only fridge that works on 12 volt are the small pop up type the others only use 12 volt for the controlls. I have seen some older units that were 12 volt but nothing newer.

 

[Tigger1966]

None taken. That was the point I was trying to make.

 

[stacktester]

I guarantee you that the noise from a cheap gen will drive you buggy after a very short time.QUOTE]

Scott is so right. Before I bought my genny, I borrowed my grand dad'e emergency genny he uses for the storms and after about 15 minutes I was like I can't be this guy and shut it off. There are some manufacturer's who make muffler systems that will make the contractor one's quieter. I saw a guy at the Daytona 500 who had one and his genny wasn't much louder than mine.

Like other's have posted, if you're not going to do a lot of dry camping, pull into a campground.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay- talked to DH.
He said the fridge is 120volt and won't run off the battery (which we do have and he said was just for the lights or something like that- probably what someone else mentioned). He said it runs off gas or when we hook up to a site- but he said that he had a problem where the light wouldn't stay lit and THAT'S why we can't ever seem to cool down the fridge until we get somewhere hooked up.
What would cause the light to not stay lit when he tries to light it? Weird in my opinion.

Okay... so back to staying at a campground but it just seems like such a pain to try to figure out where we'll be. I mean even if we take the chance of not booking some place ahead of time and still being able to get a spot -we don't know where we'll be when he gets tired (could be early evening if he starts getting road drowsiness, could be later- you never know with them) and then what- write down info (name of the place/phone number/driving directions/etc.) and just drive around trying to find a place that will let us stay the night? He's an early riser- so we wouldn't be there long and just didn't want to waste extra time- JUST the time he needs to sleep.

I guess there's no way to run some portable fans off the battery huh? $30 is NOT the issue.. it's finding a place/knowing where we'll be when it's time for him to get some sleep- so that i don't have to spend his sleep time trying to drive this thing. I don't wanna. LOL

 

[Tigger1966]

Make shure the burner is clean and all covers are properly installed around it. You mat have to fabricate something to keep the wind away from the flame while letting the cooling unit breathe.

 

[stacktester]

I would bet it would be cheaper to get the fridge fixed than buying a genny. I would set a realistic stopping point up before your trip and stay there. If he can drive further call a campground where he thinks he can make it but only if that's a safe option and there is no cancellation fee where you originally planned.

IMHO, you're stressing yourself out over a couple things that can be straightened out and planned ahead of time. It's only going to make the trip unenjoyable.