Do YOU Want An Onboard Generator On An Off-Road RV? | Campfire Rant | ROA Off-Road 

That would be the perfect backup to the maxed out solar option as a redundancy.

❤We are in the process of identifying TT manufacturers offering options we feel are needed for our travels w/w out solar. For us, an onboard generator is a must. One of the primary reasons for this. Is it relieves our vehicle of additional weight to free up payload. I also feel that it decreases the worry of theft. Onboard generators are usually quieter as well. Please, please offer this. Also please please please please come up a toy hauler you’d be proud to offer.

I think that on board generators just make sense. I live in the south where it's hot all year, and you want that ac going. Batteries are nice and all, but they'll drain with a quickness. Then you mught have times where it rains and is cloudy for just about every day for 2 months.

Yep, bagged me a real low hour QD7000 Cummins Onan, wouldnt start, stuck fuel rack in pump was all it was! 7000w of diesel goodness stuffed into our new Cougar mid bunk. Installed transfer switch, factory cummins/ onan panel, its AWSOME!! just waiting on 32 gal aluminum fuel cell from weld shop. Im a diesel mechanic by trade, so wasnt too big a deal. After rocking a new momentum toy hauler for about 5 years, onboard gen set is a MUST! the diesel is extremely nice as well, always pack 100gal transfer tank in front of bed when traveling as well. Once you experience an onboard, life sucks without one!!

I have been full-time in trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes for 25 years, and the couple of trailers I had that didn’t have a generator I quickly sold. What I would like is A Pause 20.3 with a Cinderela toilet; leaving the black tank out would leave a mounting place to put a 3500 Cumins propane generator (like my New Horizon 5 Wheel) that would kick in when the upgraded battery back wasn’t getting enough solar power.

I love the idea of the auto start feature! I would want this setup.

100% would want this, solar/batteries are great for cooler weather, but when you hit the south and need AC to sleep generator is the best solution.

Dammit Shane I’m a doctor and not an engineer. Oh wait I am an engineer after your last rant about solar and the need for a generator. A resounding yes to your question! I hope you follow through on the 12 V trailer to tow vehicle that you have discussed as well. But the bottom line is… it is better to be safe than sorry and heat can be as much of an emergency as cold. Therefore, a generator IMHO is absolutely NOT optional. I also like the ability to get the soundproof box that you mentioned for it.That way you’re not bothering anyone else that you’re camping with. I am just too damn old to be lugging around generators and gasoline like I could when I was a youngster. Now I’m looking for creature comforts and one button everything. I just realized I’m going to need to get rid of my Ram 1500 and buy a 1 ton with a Cummings diesel to pull this damn thing. But now I can get the Pause and not the Re-boot because doing all this is going to make the Re-boot a non-towable trailer with a 1500. The beautiful slide out kitchen is an option, unfortunately. Now if you could do them both that would be the icing on the proverbial cake!!! This was the final piece in the puzzle for me. Incinerator toilet, yes! Propane generator in a soundproof box, yes! 12v vehicle charging no longer really needed but still nice. Queen size bed with electric lift, yes! Dinette, yes! Safety in extreme hot and cold weather, yes! Power, power everywhere, yes! Get all these things available and have Josh call me and I’ll be buying the 20.3 Cheers!

Yes, great option. I would never run a trailer without a generator. You always should have a redundant back up. Proven just a couple of years ago when an atmospheric river hit British Columbia Canada and a couple were stranded in their RV on the highway 30 miles from civilization for a couple of weeks when bridges ahead and behind them were washed out. They were helped out by locals delivering food and fuel by quad and by foot. They couldn't abandon the RV for some reason and get evacuated by helicopter and they were in an area that was constantly raining ( so no solar worked). As for propane, it's a good option if you're not mechanically inclined enough to do the maintenance yourself and just get bigger propane tanks, but most toy haulers I've seen run gas or diesel gensets as the tow vehicle has a slip tank and the toys have a fuel tank and it just gets plumbed in. I've made the decision to build my own off road capable race support toy hauler with a big diesel Onan in addition to as much solar as I can pack with enough to power all the battery powered tools, air compressor and pressure washer.

Like most of us…..I have a good portable generator. That being said, it’s not the same as having an onboard generator. Give me a 20amp propane gen set that’s small, light, priced well and above all is QUIET. Even if it just charges the batteries BUT no louder than a Honda 2000. Whisper quiet please. If it was just framed it in somehow and pre-wired we could use the spot for a generator or storage it’s a win win. Hopefully it wouldn’t be super expensive that way either. Pay the 5 grand at purchase or pay the 5 grand next year when that bonus comes, customers choice. Also, it might be really cool to match the 3000W victron multi plus with a 3000W propane gen set…… bam 💥

I like the Pause Reboot, but I definitely have an add-on wish list. I think it would be great to change out the solar panels for some of higher wattage and maximize the roof space to fill with panels. Then put more batteries, maybe under the bed, in place of the drawers. Basically, infinite electricity unless it is cloudy for a month.

Please, and emphatically YES!!

I think this is a no-brainer. Yes!! On board generator? Yes!!

Great video as usual 👍 . One thing you did not mention, a third type of generators which is the diesel generator , usually installed in most Australian and New Zealand trailers , very efficient, uses little fuel from a separate tank usually placed on the tongue. A mobile 3000 W generator is a big plus to be able to move it around, but it should have an easy connection to fast connect and disconnect. You can spend the remaining of the money saved , on expanding the solar panels , to be installed in 2 layers on sliding rails as to double the Wattage on the roof . (2200 watts of solar are not hard to achieve this way , if panels are rail pulled on both sides of the trailer roof ) . Also a bigger battery bank of at least 20000 Watt Hrs , available from a 5 Lithionics 315 Amp hours Batteries. ( they also have the monster 630 Amp hr. battery) . Lithioncs are the best of the best , they are the Rolls Royce of Lithium batteries, but expensive .(Try on reaching for a special prices and a winner deal with their factory in Florida ! ) . When you do all of this homework, you will have 100% OFF GRID capability with the Aircondition working for very long periods 💨☀️🥶 🤓😉. I will cover water 💦 supply treatment in another comment 🧐👨‍🏫. Thanks again for the great videos 👌. The REBOOT is likely going to be my firm order 🤩🥇💵💰. Most importantly, it will be made in 🇺🇸 America🥇.

Propane generators, max solar & batteries are a must for off grid camping

You always give out the best info. I’m glad I found this channel. I had no idea about the loss of power the higher the elevation. Yes, it’s definitely an option I would like. Great info. 👊🏻.

100% Believe this is way to go! 👍

I’ll not say no to the option for an on board generator but I probably wouldn’t go for the full model. What I would go for (option #2) is a well thought out place to store a small portable propane generator with a hookup for the trailer’s propane near the electrical hookup. For where I came solar will be fine most of the time but there are times where I would sleep better if I didn’t get peak sun and just needed to charge the batteries up a bit before bed.

As an option yes that is a very good idea

Definitely!!! Yes Please & Thank You!!! 100%

I would want the generator option, but would want it to be easily removable. When you go camping you usually know if you’ll have power or be off grid. Length of stay would also determine if you need the generator. I wonder if you could just plumb everything with quick connects and the customer could add their own generator. Propane I think is the best way to go.

Yes an on board generator would be great

The propane kits for Honda generators is much more versatile option, allows to use gas or LP. That will suffice. Put the funds into more quality batteries.

Most definitely.

I suppose it would be a good option. My preference is no, I would rather bring my portable Honda generator. This would give you more cargo you can carry in the trailer. Just my opinion. Quick question, can the AC be run off a 3K inverter?

Yes, i would want an onboard generator. I know you're talking about Pause/Reboot in this particular video, but could you install them on the X195 or Roamer 1? Also, what size Cummins generator would you recommend for any of these units? Would a 2500 be sufficient?

YESSS...PLEASE...ABSOLUTELY...GO ANYWHERE ANYTIME...FOR THAT LONGER TIME...WHEN I GET AWAY...I REALLY WANT TO GET AWAY...ONE PROBLEM I HAVE...I CAN'T GET ONE OF YOUR TRAILERS IN BRITAIN.....!!!!!?

Cummins sells propane generators for $700 and up. The 9000-12000 BTU ACs don't need a 5500w 7k cummins. Discuss those options.

I think on a high end you make a complete drop in \ built in. On the low end, an add on prebuilt encloser that can accommodate the most popular sizes and brands of peoples generators. I think you forget, not everyone can afford to buy multiple generators and have one at home, one at the RV etc. So making a 'universal' encloser might be very popular. Industry wide actually. Wish i had the resources to make that idea a reality.

Yes!

Absolutely yes!

I like the idea; especially if doing extended dry camping in the SE during the summer while using the A/C at night. But I would think this option may not be applicable to all the off-road trailers (e.g. Pause 16.4). Which may mean one would have to tote a separate genie and gas if they wanted that option. Guess that would be a trade off between choosing different trailers if the option was avaialble. Naturally, most folks don't tote genies around if off roading to limit weight. It just gets down to one's preference.

Absolutely

I think thats a great idea. Makes everything so much more convenient. 👍 yes!

YES Great Ideal

Yes, Im buying a 16.4 from you guys and told your service team that I think it’s crazy that I buy an off grid trailer that’s not ready to be 100% off grid. Your R&D team is working with me to get a generator melted on top of the propane box on the 16.4 We’re also working with camera systems, etc. It be nice to see all of these things turnkey

You bet, I would add it to my Pause and do propane and have it hard wire with auto start.

I like that you're considering this option, but living in WA, I don't anticipate using the air conditioner much. And other than the refrigerator, don't really even need electric other than LEDs and USB charging. 300 watts of solar will suffice. At least for now... 😅

That would be such an awesome convenience to have. Yes please!

This is an option I would be interested in.

I think it’s a good idea. I have one on mine just not a propane one. I’ll be up there tomorrow to show you and take a look at some trailers.

a must if available, just don't put a margin on the generator or parts just charge a reasonable labor and that would be fair and make everybody happy

Love it!!!

Yes

I would definitely like an onboard generator as a backup and for ac. But I would not want it as a substitute. I would want it as an add on!

Yes.

I would seriously consider it.

Absolutely would want at least 5500 LP generator but what kind of weight would we be adding to this? Also, would you be able to fit larger than two 30 lb propane tanks? And of course that would be more weight as well. With that set-up, would we have to sacrifice the black and/or gray tanks?

I like it!!!

I like the idea.

If you have an inverter capable of running everything including the AC, why would you need a generator that large? If the generator is a backup to solar, then all the gen needs to do is charge batteries. Put a champion 2500 propane model on the tongue of the trailer OR on a slide out mount and have it connected to a large capacity charger. Your comments about loss of power are not limited to gasoline models. Propane models are affected also. It is not the fuel that causes the loss of power, it is the reduced atmospheric air pressure. The generator does not get a as much air therefore it cannot burn as much fuel…….if it cannot burn as much fuel then it cannot produce as much power. The onboard inverter can produce as much power at altitude, so use it. Let the generator charge batteries.

Yup

Hey Shane, interesting but in reality the new Honda 3200i has fuel injection, no carb to limit the power at altitude. It also costs a lot less than the $8k you mention and the weight distribution of the generator in the trailer may be an issue.

yes

I would rather have the storage space that an on board generator would take up. We carry a generator in the bed of our truck when we need to take one.

Maybe unrelated, but I am looking at much smaller trailers that can be towed by a Gladiator and was thinking a small gasoline one would be an option at some point. Do they make smaller propane units that would work in like the smaller campers like the Forte9 (sp) or is there just no room?

Yes please.

shane, definitely an option to be available.

YES YES & YES!!!

Not for me! I would rather have several Northern tool generators @$500 to provide redundancy.

If this decision is about whether or not all the trailers you sell will have or will not have, then I say don't. If this decision is about offering it as an option, the answer is yes, so that way you are prepped to install them. The best all around option for me would be no installed generator. It takes up space that you might want to use sometimes for other things. A small generator should be plenty to provide supplemental recharge capabilities when solar isn't enough. It isn't like you are running everything 100% of the time. The time the generator is charging when nothing is running is energy being stored for when you do need it. What would be a good middle ground option, or a third option, is to make a simple connection system for a propane hook up and electrical connection. That would be ideal. Whatever makes it easier for a simple outdoor connection to the trailer.

yes to the on board

Install the on board 😂😂 that would be worth it

Yeah cool idea, if you have the money. Anyone who is “off-roading” should have the skill to run a generator and know how to winterize a generator when not being used.

Interested, very interested. But where would it fit in a Roamer 1? My tongue weight is already about maxed out and I don’t have any storage space to spare. The 2200w Honda fits nicely in the back locker but isn’t enough for a cloudy week or shady campsite, especially in the winter with low sun angles.

I would like to have that as an option with MDC onn

No I am all electric. Get an extra alternator to charge the batteries

I absolutely would prefer to have a generator. As a backup contingency. Could the Pause 16.4 house an onboard generator? My thinking for the generator is not so much to run the trailer, but rather to recharge the batteries.

Can't you recharge the batteries of your tow vehicle ? Most camper vans have dual alternators that keep their battery banks charged I would presume when you come back to camp that you could hook the Truck up to the trailer and recharge the battery. Right or wrong?

1. Yes, I would be willing to pay up to a maximum of $8000 for a Onan/Cummins propane fueled 3000 to 3500 watt on-board generator option if the storage space utilized was not excessive and the generator was designed to be minimally audible both inside and outside the trailer. 2. Unless I am mistaken, altitude has a similar effect on the maximum power output of all air breathing combustion engines, regardless of fuel utilized. Therefore a 3000 to 3500 watt generator would be recommended to run air conditioning (in addition to other RV loads) at altitude, regardless of the type of fuel. 3. The automatic generator start option shown in your video is a Magnum Energy product. Are you certain that model would be compatible with the Victron equipment in the Pause Reboot? If not, maybe a comparable Victron component is available? Otherwise, it would not be that difficult to design your own automatic generator start circuitry, but that is another development cost you might need to consider.

I like a generator on board. Also I prefer no wood and everything 12 volt operated

Seems like most commenters have never used a generator while on a trailer. It is annoying. We have a remote controlled Champion 5500 that we used to put on a cargo carrier on the rear receiver. It even has a 1" rubber pad it sets on. It vibrates through the whole trailer. Why would I want to put one under my bed? It's a pickup. Keep one in the bed and be able to use it for other situations.

I think this mod is great

Disagree on the AC. Several very good 12v AC higher amp units now that can run all the time with the right off grid solar like the optioned Pause has. Get away from the 110ac inverter driven AC units.

How quiet are the Onan generators?

No generator. Better quality and more solar panels and 600-800 ah of lithium is all that is needed with a 3000 watt inverter. Wish you would test off grid like you test off road!

Yes propane, with 30 lb tanks

I would want an onboard generator

No

What do you think when ember said you run off grid for 5 Days only with baterie pack and very los solar 24hours a/c?