Generator opinions?

We've about decided it's time to look into getting a generator, as we've been doing virtually all of our camping at county/state/federal locations that don't have hookups.

Walking around in the evenings & taking note of what generators are in use, it seems like 90% plus are Hondas, mostly eu2000's and 2200's with a scattering of eu3000's and paired 2000/2200's connected to bigger trailers (mainly 5th wheels).

Although I'm reluctant to spend $1k on a generator (plus a 2nd one & a parallel kit if we want to power the a/c), there's got to be a reason for Honda's ubiquity.
They are quiet and Honda has an enviable reputation for quality and durability, but are they really that much better than all the other similar inverter generators on the market?

Generator opinions

I am considering a generator purchase later this year.I think about this aspect of the Honda generators. Ease of getting repair parts and service. I certainly will shop around for the best price. Where are Honda generators made?

Appears Honda manufactures inverter generators in Japan, China, France and India.

Wonder what impact the developing trade conflicts may have on pricing - if the already relatively high cost of new ones jumps by 10-20% due to increases in import tariffs, used units may get very scarce very fast.

Getting a generator

I always think about thefts in campgrounds while the genny is in use.

I still have my 1000 Watt Honda but have only used it when we were "in residence". I think I'd know if it suddenly "walked away".

However, sam, you point out the problem with ANY power source that is not mounted securely and permently on the trailer. That's why my solar panels are mounted on the roof.

Additionally, in Arizona we have another problem: When the fire danger is high, and campfires and wood or charcoal cooking are prohibited, they also prohibit the use of generators, chain saws, smoking, and the like. So, that's an additional strike against generators.

- Jack

Generator in RVS

I would love a generator that was mounted inside the bay of a RV. These are hard t get out. This is my understanding that some are hard to get out. Saw where one airstreamer had a special truck cap with a round hole in the side for generator exhaust. It was nicely finished off. www.swiscaps.cc Located in Patriot Indiana.

Theft is definitely a concern - assuming we do go to a generator, the tentative plan is to bolt a lockable mid size pickup tool box into the front of the bed for general storage (small enough that it can be opened inside the cab-high camper shell), and install a LoPro Lockdown bracket in the bottom of it for generator storage when it's not in use (LowPro LockDown. Keep what’s yours.)

For the most part, I've found that people generally don't try to steal what they can't see, so my guess is that the odds of losing the unit if it's locked to the floor of a locked, full width truck box that's bolted down inside the bed of a truck with a locked camper shell and locked tailgate is pretty darn small.

It would be wonderful if there were a small inverter generator like the Honda/Yamaha units that could be mounted in a "lay-down" configuration behind the skirting on a HiLo, but I've never seen one. For that to work, it would have to be designed in such a way that there'd be access to the control panel and pull starter from the side, and there might be noise and vibration issues.

honda 2000

I bought a less expensive generator from a big-box store then quickly took it back as i realized that when you need a generator, you need a generator. Hard to beat Honda's reliability. I also bought magnetic dipstick (to grab the fine metal).

I also use it for the home on the rare power outage. At the recent outage the EU2000i Was able to run my fridge, my garage fridge, TV, cable box, cable modem, wifi router, fireplace fan (for heat), 3 (LED) lamps. When we added my neighbor's fridge it had a little struggle when the first plugged in, but ended up being fine.

quiet and works great to run the whole 2208T (without starting the A/C).

I just bought (2) for our camper.... Honda super quiet EU2200I and its companion to put in parallel to run all my electrical. total $2700.00 I have a 30A cord. I looked at the weight of the Honda 3000 unit but I did not want to be killing myself taking it out of the truck at 146 lbs. I got the (2) on sale at Camping World It saved my back at 53.6 lbs each ....easy to connect and one pull to crank. I brought 5 gallons of fuel with me. I only ran the units from 8 am to 8 pm. I used almost the total of 7.5 gallons of gas the three days. I am pleased with the quietness of the generators. People came over and were surprised due to they could not here the generators at their camp site. Do your homework and get what is right for you.

If you have the money to spend there is nothing like a Honda or even a Yamaha. Even better is on that burns duel fuel.

I personally did not have the money to spend so after a great deal of research I went with the Lowes Champion brand. Excellent little genny, very reliable, inexpensive but not very quiet.

I also have Champion. It has been reliable for me, and though its not super quiet, on power saver mode its not too bad for bringing the batterys back during the hours it is permitted.

No, to answer the question. Honda is the Kleenex of the generator world, the Coke of the remote power supply world and the Velcro of the I-didn't-know-there-were-other-brand-generators-to-buy world.
Honda's are very good. You can't go wrong other than the price.
Do you camp and need generators excessively?
I got a Ryobi 2200 inverter gen (2200 starting watts for the Air Con, and 1800 continuos watts - enough to power and run your AC unit)
I have been happy and know others who have never had issues with this low price Homedepot unit. I paid $499, now they are about 600.
There are other brands out there too.

I mounted mine to the front of the truck (receiver hitch), ran a power cord under the truck so I can run gen while it is mounted up front on its special tray, and not hear the sound of a gen right next to or under the camper. Exhaust is also farther away from my leaky HILO.


Link to the post here http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f35/where-put-generator-6381/