At what point does having a generator NOT make sense?

[Pawpaw's House]

Joe above makes a good point. Several years ago we were hit with tornados that damaged major power lines. Power was out in most of our area for 8 days. It sure would have been nice to own an RV back then, and a generator would have been a must.

[blw2]

James over on thefitrv.com did an all electric conversion a couple years ago I think it was. Big lithium battery and second large alternator.
Worth a look over on their site I think. Very good way to go in my opinion....

[Bob Denman]

Do you have a link to get us to that story?

[Chance]

It's a good summary, which also illustrates many problems that should be avoidable if engineered properly by OEM. The high cost and problems with second alternator is great example. Removing an Onan is also wasted cost and effort if it wasn't needed in first place.


https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/our...-and-inverter/

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1519765222

It's nice to know that technology has got us by the ears, and is dragging us forward!

[Rocky49]

When we were looking for used RV we looked at a number of restored rigs from companies such as Cruise America, Cruise Canada, and a couple of others. Cruise Canada does not equip there small rigs (thors) with generators. That kept us from buying one. We had camped with a number of other Winnebago rigs smaller eurovan Campers, and larger Eurovan Winnebagos and Itasca Sunstars. We realized we need a generator to run the furnace in the cold spring and fall nights in the mountains in Canada where we live. The campers we encountered without generators were frustrated when camping in campgrounds without power. Our national parks have a lot overflow camping without services.
I have seen a number of rigs without generators that were virtually unsellable.

2014 Thor Freedom Elite 23H

[saddlesore]

As for not needing a gennie...until You need a gennie..
Twice I have been in FHU campgrounds/Resorts that lost all power (flash flood that wiped out the only road out and took the power lines with it (4 days with daytime temps in the upper 90's).
And a direct lightning hit on a major substation nearby. (3 days mid 90's to 100's, prepaid for 5 days @ $75 per day, no refunds)
And with the lightening strike many learned their expensive lesson on having a sufficient surge/EMS unit hooked up.

[Chance]

I agree with what's being stated, but also think that comparing a regular RV without a generator to a modern generator-less RV makes little sense. They are too different. Besides, a dedicated high-capacity engine-driven second alternator like most of these rigs have is a generator for all practical purposes.

All motorhomes I've rented had generators, as did my Class C, and I used them very little. I've also rented travel/camping trailers and only one had a generator, which I didn't use at all.

My existing van doesn't have one and really didn't miss it until a little over a year ago when we attended football games and overnighted at a school parking lot. If not for needing air conditioning, I'd never consider a generator. In Europe where temperatures are cooler and many motorhomes don't have A/C, they often don't have generators either. Solar and/or engine alternator is enough to charge batteries when there is no shore power.

In US we expect all motorhomes to have generators, yet few trailers have them although they serve a similar purpose. I guess it depends greatly on how much inconveniences we're willing to tolerate from time to time.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Chance

I agree with what's being stated, but also think that comparing a regular RV without a generator to a modern generator-less RV makes little sense. They are too different. Besides, a dedicated high-capacity engine-driven second alternator like most of these rigs have is a generator for all practical purposes.

All motorhomes I've rented had generators, as did my Class C, and I used them very little. I've also rented travel/camping trailers and only one had a generator, which I didn't use at all.

My existing van doesn't have one and really didn't miss it until a little over a year ago when we attended football games and overnighted at a school parking lot. If not for needing air conditioning, I'd never consider a generator. In Europe where temperatures are cooler and many motorhomes don't have A/C, they often don't have generators either. Solar and/or engine alternator is enough to charge batteries when there is no shore power.

In US we expect all motorhomes to have generators, yet few trailers have them although they serve a similar purpose. I guess it depends greatly on how much inconveniences we're willing to tolerate from time to time.

TTs may not come with generators but anyone with a TT that boondocks has one; I always had one with my TTs.

The other day I was driving south on I75 from north Florida to the Turnpike through Orlando to the Space Coast. I probably passed a dozen fifth wheels on that trip and 9 or 10 of them had a generator hanging off the back.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Tfryman

TTs may not come with generators but anyone with a TT that boondocks has one; I always had one with my TTs.

.....cut......

Agree, as do many in Class Bs that don't have built-in Onan-type generators. Many go with portable Hondas to run their A/C.

Looking at original question in first post (copied below), if I literally "only" ran the A/C with shore power, then I'd definitely not have a generator. Air conditioners are by far the main reason I can see for "needing" a generator. Having said that, the newer high-tech systems with 2nd stand-alone alternator, large lithium battery bank, and inverter that can power A/C are tempting, but unless alternator can produce many times the needed A/C load, the engine will be running too frequently.

Originally Posted by bgrattan

I've been pondering this question, and I'm wondering if you folks have any insights:
If someone rarely uses their generator, and uses their AC *only* when they have shore power, at what point would it make sense to not have a generator and simply use your engine/alternator in those rare cases when a charge is necessary?
I'm not planning on removing my generator or anything. This is more of a thought exercise than anything else.

[mountainsam]

This is a very interesting thread. Do you or don't you need a generator. In my book that 160 +- pounds are the best weight you can carry. Once lost power in the house for three days and the generator in the RV saved us from 110 degree Arizona summer. You just never know.

[Chance]

Yes, any generator would have been nice to have during 12 days without power (Hurricane Ike I think) or last August during Harvey flooding. "Need" is relative though because we did survive without one.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

I agree with what's being stated, but also think that comparing a regular RV without a generator to a modern generator-less RV makes little sense. They are too different.

I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with your descriptions being "Regular", and "Modern".
Wouldn't "Conventional", and "Electric" carry fewer pejorative connotations?

[Chance]

Semantics.

The point is that if you go out and buy a "regular" Axis (or Chateau Class C or whatever) and then proceed to remove the Onan generator, what's left is functionally very different than a motorhome with a "modern" system like those found in Advanced RV, Hymer, Roadtrek, and now Coachmen.


A lot of replies here stated that you'd never want to live without a generator (implying standard Onan), but the original question wasn't that black and white. To me it asked what other changes would be required in order to ditch the Onan.

At least for many Class B owners the answer is no longer theoretical or hypothetical because they are driving them today.

And these systems are not limited to Class Bs -- they can be scaled in size as needed. I think they are being adopted in Bs first because those buyers are already willing to pay a significant price premium for what they want, which now includes these newer "modern" electric power-generation systems.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

Semantics.

I agree 100%...
But semantics SO make a difference also.

I would feel badly, if somebody reading your post felt somewhat insecure in their purchase; because it was only "regular", and not :modern".
Particularly if they just bought a new 2018 rig!
I personally applaud technological advances...


...even if I have no interest in purchasing it just yet.

[Bob Denman]

I've no dog in the fight, so my motto is:

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1519840534