Gas or Propane? Which Factory Installed RV Generator should you get?
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- Опубликовано: 3 июл 2024
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20 lbs bottle of propane holds 4.8 gallons and cost $15.00 last summer. Onan says 5500 watt generator consumes 1.1 gallon of propane an hour at full load and .0.8 gallons at half load. That gives a run time of a little over 4 hours for that $15.00 tank. I run two 3500 Predators gas generators with a 50 amp parallel kit. Each tank holds 2.5 gallons and I have ran them with both A/C running for 12 hours on a tank. If gas is $3.00 a gallon that would be the same $15.00. Only I am getting three times the run time. I can buy gas 24 hours a day anywhere propane not so much. Gas generators provide more power and considerably more efficient. I can run two generators for 24 hours at a cost of only $30.00 at current prices. I also have the option of running only one at night using only our bedroom A/C and cut the cost even more. It would take six 20lbs tank of propane to run 24 hours at a cost of $90.00. Food for thought.
Factory instilled ? Propane all day long. Aftermarket? Whatever fule, the tow rig is running.
Fool?
Instilled?!?
This weekend we went thru 1 of the larger tanks on our fuzion toy hauler running the fridge, the heater and cooking breakfast once. We camped from late thursday night untill 3am sunday on that propane tank in the mountains thru temps at night of 9⁰ to 19⁰. So assuming we had both tanks full we would be comfortable for a long weekend on propane and no generator. Luckily our generator is gas. The little we used it we on used half a tank of fuel. 15g. I would hate to have to carry spare bbq sized tanks to exchange if it was cold and i had to have propane. Gas cans are much easier to have in the back of the truck. Which is how we do it on the beach in the summer
I prefer a diesel generator.
I drycamped in my toy hauler for over a decade at the dunes and used the Onan 4k in three different haulers. Since we were using our gasoline toys, using gasoline gen made sense. We ran the gen nonstop, day and some of the night, along with 100,000 other people at Glamis on big weekends. Countless hours logged and those gens always performed great. Power needs were maxed out with AC, ice maker and other stuff running all day long, so gas gen was a must for us. But propane ones would be great in most other cases I think.
You are very knowledgeable and articulate when you talk. You explain everything so it’s easy to understand when making your point and it makes sense. You’re careful not to offend anyone who may disagree with you but while you make your point your knowledge is hard to argue with. I’ve taken your advice on 4 modifications that you made on your camper and installed on mine including the Onan 5500 LP generator. I may tackle the “ solar extension “ that you have in the future. My wife and I have been full time for 6 years now. Keep up the great work.
My rig will run off the batteries and solar until system voltage drops to a preset point. Then, the generator auto-starts and recharges the batteries to full, then shuts down saving propane. I went through the 'Big Freeze' in south Texas last year like this with no issues. I had no shore power for almost 6 days.
What kinda kit do you have and how does it hook up for the auto start on the jenny?
Gas or Diesel preferred over propane. Why? Because when boon docking, we can refuel ourselves with extra fuel cans. easier than carrying extra 30# cans of propane. Transporting propane is more dangerous than gas if not done correctly. Generally speaking, propane anything is annoying. Many RVs are starting to move toward electric over propane for the kitchen and hot water. Also do not have to deal with regulations about turning off propane when traveling or you do not have to deal with travel restrictions driving through tunnels or bridges because you have propane on board, which is more common in the Northeastern US interstate system. Another issue is refueling propane is difficult in many urban & suburban areas of the Northeast US. Propane is mostly available away semi-rural to rural communities.
When we bought our RV, had them install the same one. Nice and no issues
Jayco has a great generator prep on their fifth wheels with 3 -40# tanks
Good video!! Could you make one showing us more of your solar set up please? Thanks
great comments! I have 40hrs on my Onan 5500... we have a toy hauler but it shares the same tank as the filler tank. 30gal but they recommend only 80% fill. absolutely ethanol free only! stabilizer is an added insurance
Thanks again for a great and informative video
Cold Weather also effects Propane as well, it does not turn into vapor at cold temperatures. While the freezing point of propane is -44, at -10 it's pressure loss is apparent if you are heading a Trailer Home in the winter and the 100lb tank just cannot produce enough.
Diesel can be worse a 14f when it start to cloud
The factory propane tanks are installed lying down (horizontal) in our class C RV. The fuel hose connections are horizontal as well. This case no issues. The propane fuel tanks on a fork lift truck are horizontal as well, with the fittings horizontal as well. Again no issues. I drove fork lifts at work for years. The Toyota Corolla cars in Thailand all run on propane. The tanks are horizontal as well. No issues. My point is that there is no truth that propane tanks and fittings have to be carried vertically (standing up).
Valving is different in the design for use application. You would get liquid propane from a lpg tank laying horizontally that is designed to used vertically.
And when transporting propane no matter which way it is designed to stand a relay and needs to be transported in the upright position in case the valve gets knocked off its pressurized gas that cylinder becomes a missile
Sweet! You have a nice setup, I will be getting a portable dual fuel inverter generator for my birthday next month and I love the fact that I can run propane which that is what I'm going to do when I get it. Well, I have to admit I use to lay the propane tank down all the time, I guess that the good Lord was watching over me, but you live and learn.
I just switched to a dual fuel genny,I have 3 spare 30lbs tanks so it made sense.
Have had a onan Gen on order since August for our Northpoint 5th wheel. Still waiting. Hoping to have it for our summer trips
We bought a Brookstone 344fl last April, added the onan Gen set at purchase but the dealer was unable to get them. We have patiently waited for almost a year and they are currently installing it. Basically the factory set up. I plan to have a 3rd propane tank with us for easy swaps when we know we will be using the gen. We will not use the generator that much typically but I like to be prepared for the unexpected. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for another great video, JD. I’ve been looking at generators for my TT and wasn’t sure which one to use. The noise level is my biggest concern.
Now, thanks to Blue Rhino, propane is easy to find at many locations that are open twenty four hours per day!
I’ll just keep using a portable generator to power the fifth wheel. I can use it around the shop and house if needed. I’m waiting on parts for my Predator 3500, no spark. I got 563 hours before a problem.
i dont plan on getting a 5th wheel at first. However, i do plan on getting the predator 3500 which is actually on sale.
My Onan 4K gas in our Class C has been used extensively on trips without issues. Upon return home I add a bottle of stabilizer and top off the 55 gallon gas tank. I exercise it for an hour once a week or so (with AC load). The oil gets changed every 100 hours, or prior to an annual big trip. On one occasion I had to add oil at a rest stop. It runs all night long when stopped traveling to our destinations during the summers. I would prefer propane, but gas does the trick and saves propane for other needs. When we upgrade to a Toy Hauler mounting the generator near the axles would be ideal for a pick-up and if we go the HDT route it would make better sense to have the generator/battery weight up front.
I installed a WEN 3800/3400 gas generator in a quite box and mounted it to the rear hitch of my fifth wheel (it is rated for 300 lbs so I am not overweight). It is hard wired into the transfer switch and then protected by a hardwired surge guard. It will run both acs and recharge my 4 BB Lithium batteries in about 2.5 hours. I also have an extended run system and tank so it will run for a day. This left the generator compartment available for storage. Can’t hear or feel the generator running in the bedroom.
But I agree with every pro of a propane on board generator. I just wanted the storage space.
I have a onan 5500 commercial gas and it is amazing how quiet it is. In my box I can't really hear it running. Most things are a let down not a onan.
Gas all day. Much easier to refuel. Longer run time and saves propane for heat, hot water...
Another thought about propane VS. gas. The oil will stay cleaner in the propane unit because the burnt gas is much cleaner from propane and there is always some blow-by past the rings. So in the long term unless you change the oil very frequently in a gas generator the oil will get dirtier and there will be more wear in the gas powered unit. Also I would be nervous about carrying lots of gas, I did a fair amount of fire fighting on an aircraft carrier. Gasoline is scary. Somebody hits you back there, with a thirty gallon tank not to mention how much you will have in your toys, your going to loose everything. That entire rig is gone. Gas is scary flammable!! And yes, back during Nam we still had an aircraft that used gas.
We have a Champion 4750 electric start dual fuel inverter generator. Never put a drop of gasoline in it. Propane only, powers everything except two a/c at a time. Not willing to install soft starts due to expensive.
Good video I think you need more power 6.5 to run both ac and all electronics some toy haulers they have 7 thousand drv rig and luxe and new horizon have a diesel option which might be better
My emergency generator that I have for my house is set up for "dual fuel" operation (gasoline OR propane). I see no reason why this wouldn't also be possible for an RV generator as well. Keeping in mind that the gasoline generator output wattage capability will be a little bit lower while running it on propane. It's good to have options though!
Tractor Supply sells a 67.5 LP tank
you never did touch on the fuel it self.
propane is no good during the winter, or at higher elevations, ( hard to get it to be a vapor)
you need to keep diesel warm or it can jell up. but has no problem with elevations.
gasoline is the most versatile. it is still good to go below 0 F. and can easily work above 10K feet.
diesel, gives the best umph per gallon.
gasoline is next
propane lags way behind. almost have to burn 2 gallons per only 1gallon of gasoline.
and with the garbage that is watering down our pump gasoline/diesel you have to run the motors dry.
and never leave any fuel in the tanks. as the junk in there will kill any fuel in a month. as well as clog up things.
propane is good to go years latter.
JD, propane is NOT easy to get everywhere. Maybe in Texas (and it seems that you do most of your RV’ing there), but in some places, it is very challenging to get propane refilled. Also, if you have 30 lb or 40 lb propane tanks, you can’t just “swap” those out like a 20 lb BBQ tank. Most people in fifth wheels have at least 30 lb tanks.
Propane is cleaner, yes. Propane lasts longer in storage, yes. But if you need to run your on-board generator for any significant period of time, you will burn through that 60 lbs (2x30) pretty quickly. Just my experience.
The Cummins Onan diesel is more durable than gas or propane
With good maintenance mine is twenty years old and runs about thirty five hours a week
A neat test I would like to see. How long your batteries will run one air conditioner off of your 500 amp hour battery bank?
My generator is a dual fuel generator which is pretty cool. And there are tri fuel generators as well. Lots of options.
What is the fuel consumption comparison between gas and propane vs. power output?
We have had both but we have propane setup cheaper fuel for us
I am new to the RV world I have a Brinkley Z3610. It does not have any electricity power other than the one panel on the roof that came with the Brinkley, What do you recommend I get, first generator or solar panels. I have property and Goliad, Tx. There is no electricity on the property..
I like propane generators because there is virtually no odor when they are running. No smelly gasoline/diesel fumes to contend with.
Our Grand Design 5th Wheel, I use the Predator 3500 watt inverter and it's quieter than an Honda and it's only around $850 vs the Oman which is several thousands. I also just use ethanol free gas.
Oman?
Kubota Diesel on my Volvo and then plug in my shore cable…
Not using a goosebox on this trl?
Is there a possibility to install a another the of generator besides the Onan. We just purchased a solitude and there is a 7-month waiting list for generators
When they say dry weight of the trailer, does that weight include the actual generator?
If it was installed by the manufacturer during assembly
You know I'm a non owner. So as a first timer. I go with propane on your comments on unleaded gas.
What about gas vs diesel
Please tell me what inverter you are using that can use the battery and inverter at the same time and even start the generator when needed. Brand and model. I will be super happy when you would share
GoPower IC3000
Always Propane on a trailer. Propane or Diesel on a motorcoach.
JD, Do you know of anyone running power from a generator mounted on their truck (flatbed). I know the generator will be unavailable whenever the truck goes away.
We ran a Honda 3000iu gas generator in the back of our pickup to power our 30 ft. travel trailer(TT) for 15 years. The TT extension cord was in the rear, so I used a ten foot, 30 amp RV extension cord to reach the generator.
does your rig run on diesel then go with a diesel gen set . trully simple . use the same fuel type as your rig does.
The only towable RVs with an additional fuel tank are toy haulers, which are set up for a gas generator.
Propane!
About how long does the generator run on a 30# tank?
Depends on the load. Also depends on the size of the generator.
🇺🇸🦅😎👍
Once a month is too long. My whole house backup generator runs for 20 minutes. Once a week.
Why do they insist on putting the generator under the bedroom?
It's the only logical place to put one in a 5th wheel.
My 3000 watts of solar panels and 2 3KVA inverters tied to my 30 kWh of lifepo4 eg4 server rack battery banks > anything else. I literally generate too much power even running my air conditioner etc. It makes no sense that these rvs don’t come with full solar roof and battery banks already. F a generator.
In truck campers, there's no choice - propane only. I love the new quiet Onan inverter gen I upgraded to in my truck camper ruclips.net/video/IelsY7TOC0o/видео.html
I think that I have watched most all of your videos and I have only seen one of you camping, so is this all show and no go? What's the deal?
LOL. I've noticed the same thing. But
It's all about his content and direction of his channel though - he doesn't do content on camping adventures and family activities - his channel has never been like that. This is a knowledge sharing channel about trucks and RVs and truck and RV upgrades, systems, etc.
This channel is for educational purposes only.
Good information. You might consider not using filler words such as basically, essentially, literally, specifically, actually and more in your dialogue.
I totally agree.