Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
One of the options I am debating is a propane generator. I am told propane is the only fuel source that can be factory installed. In a non toy hauler model.
I would prefer gas/diesel. But I can live with propane I guess?
I don't need a genset often however I want to know it is capable when I need it. I am looking at 50 amp 5'ers.
07 Duramax Crew Cab Dually
2012 Open Range 399BHS
Trailersaver BD3,Blue Ox Bedsaver
air bags w/compressor
Prodigy,Splendide W/D,TomTom
Arvika pin box bike rack
14'Porta Bote w/9.9 Johnson outboard
5500 Onan Propane genset,Vu Cube 2000
Retrax tonneau cover
|
hmknightnc
Wilmington, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 07/10/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I don't have one but I'm sure they are fine as long as you get one with enough capacity for everything you want to run. I would be concerned with fuel storage though. 2 30# tanks isn't a lot of fuel for a generator the size you will need (Less than a full day loaded ??)
Whenever I'm going someplace I might need a generator I carry 2 Honda 2kw with extended run tank. The 2 Hondas parellelled should carry everything in your FW with the exception of the 2nd AC (I only use propane for the Water Heater so that is not a load for me). Depending on where you are going the champion 4000/3500 watt will do the job as well with a significantly lower price.
|
Sledder07
Edmonton
New Member
Joined: 05/19/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a 5500 propane generator in our Prairie Schooner. We have 2 40lb bottles and a spare 30.
|
daytripper63
Northern California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2003
View Profile
|
I installed a 4500 watt generac propane gen on my last 5er it was great never had the exhaust fumes like when I used a gas genny, I would do it again.
2008 FLEETWOOD PROVIDENCE 40X
|
Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi,
1 gallon of propane is only 95,000 Btu's compared to 1 gallon of gasoline at 115,000 Btu's and 1 gallon of diesel at about 135,000 Btu's.
So right off the bat you are getting about 20% less time per gallon of fuel.
Fred.
|
|
|
Jim Cindy
Northcentral, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/24/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Why not get one of the fifth wheels that have or allow a rear hitch and use your existing gen box.
We use a propane fueled Yamaha 2400is mounted on a MorRyde slide in the front compartment, but only to charge batteries, make coffee, etc.
PBH Portable Beach House
2008 GMC 2500HD Duramax Allison 
2009 Cameo 34CK3
MorRyde IS, Disc Brakes, G614's
PullRite Super Glide Hitch
Propane fueled Yamaha EF 2400is
|
Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Jim Cindy wrote:Why not get one of the fifth wheels that have or allow a rear hitch and use your existing gen box.
We use a propane fueled Yamaha 2400is mounted on a MorRyde slide in the front compartment, but only to charge batteries, make coffee, etc.
I have considered keeping my Gen-box. But 5th wheels are capable of built in gensets while for the most part TT's do not have on board gensets. While my Gen-box was fantastic for the TT a built in genset on my future fiver will have a much cleaner installation and not require a custom welded rear platform.
The Propane genset will also be 5500 watt vs. my current 4300 watt gas unit. While I do boondock occasionally, I am not off the grid enough for fuel consumption to be a major factor. For the few times I do go off grid, I figure I will just get a 3rd propane tank for the genset.
I like a genset for the convenience and piece of mind of being fully self contained. Wal mart overnights,roadside lunch stops, boondocking trips and power outage retreats are all very convenient with a genset.
As long as the propane genset can get through those scenarios I should be fine.
|
edatlanta
Hosting in Panama City Beach, FL
Senior Member
Joined: 08/13/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Online
|
I have the gen set in my signature and it is gas and was factory installed. The built in gas tank is 10 gallons and this past 4 day weekend I used it for 19.8 hours in one tank of fuel (you must keep the television going for the grandchildren you know). It wasn't fully loaded the entire time, but some air conditioning was done. You won't get this kind of run time from propane.
Ed
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, TTT/Schefenacker Towing Mirrors, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50C, TST Systems 507 TPMS
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS,Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP
|
krmcg
New Boston, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
If you get a propane generator make sure it is installed correctly. Mine was installed with the feed for the generator from the low pressure regulator that supplied the entire rig. Onan states in the install literature that their generator must have a separate regulator. When I tried to start the generator, it would starve my stove for propane and my burners would go out and then when the generator wasn't loaded it would result in my stove coming back on letting propane come out of the burners that were on. I replumbed my rig with a separate regulator just for the generator and no problems since. I have a dedicated 40# bottle for the generator tied into another 40# bottle for the rig..
|
Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
edatlanta wrote:I have the gen set in my signature and it is gas and was factory installed. The built in gas tank is 10 gallons and this past 4 day weekend I used it for 19.8 hours in one tank of fuel (you must keep the television going for the grandchildren you know). It wasn't fully loaded the entire time, but some air conditioning was done. You won't get this kind of run time from propane.
I would prefer gas actually diesel, but I was told by a couple of manufacturers that propane was the only thing available factory installed. I like the rig I have chosen overall, the propane genset is not a big enough issue for me to select another 5'er solely for that reason.
|
|
|
