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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 5, 2016 16:30:18 GMT -5
Hi all:
Curious on thoughts as to what would be the best generator (brand/size) for a G381REF ?
Thanks Mark
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Post by paroadking1 on Jul 6, 2016 8:26:31 GMT -5
Champion 3100 Inverter / generator. Quiet, inexpensive and works very well. Only complaint was the crappy little tires that get hung up on the smallest rocks. Added larger tires to give it a lift   |
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 6, 2016 19:57:20 GMT -5
Great thanks for the input.
Looks like a Pretty solid unit.
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Post by bergy1 on Jul 10, 2016 12:42:10 GMT -5
If you can swing it the Honda (2) EU2000's or (1) EU3000. Very quiet gens, much more so then the champion or others like that. Before I had a built in I had a champion, still have it, and wished I'd have gone the route of the Honda.
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Post by ronc on Jul 15, 2016 21:58:28 GMT -5
We have 2017 381REF ... I ordered an Onan 5.5KW LP genset from the factory. Works great ... I can run both AC's and pretty much everything else. The LP solves the issue of carrying fuel, gas gelling, hard starting, etc. It's pretty good, IMHO.
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 16, 2016 6:02:17 GMT -5
Thanks for your input the Onan 5.5. I got a bit of good news late last week ... all of the specs of the unit did not show that it came with a genset but I got a call from the dealer last Thursday who said it was equipped with the exact generator you have, lucky for me ... save a few bucks Glad to hear that it is working well for you !! So, Im in the final stages, waiting for a response to my offer on the 381REF. (I was pretty aggressive) Curious on your thoughts about yours? Likes, dislikes, things you would change? Thanks Mark |
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Post by ronc on Jul 27, 2016 14:17:04 GMT -5
Just a suggestion. On that unit, the bathroom vanity doors can open in transit ... if they do, and the door is closed, you will not be able to open the door. This happened to me and fortunately the one that opened was the bottom drawer, so I could get my fingers under the door and managed to close the drawer. What we now do is roll up the floor mat and wedge the door against it so that it isn't quite closed, but won't move around. If the drawers try to open, they will only open until they hit the door .. so not much. Lesson learned for me. One other gotcha that I saw on a dealer lot ... the island between the kitchen and LR has drawers ... the one closest to the wall is hidden by the kitchen slide when it's in ... make sure that drawer isn't open BEFORE you attempt to put the kitchen slide out, cause the slide WILL destroy that drawer. Whenever these things are going down the road, there is an earthquake going on back there. Things move and open (or close) ... be mindful of all that when you are setting up ... check that everything is where it's supposed to be before moving the slides. Otherwise, it's a GREAT rig. We have a 2017 and love it. Ours has every option KZ offered and a Wingard Travler automatic satellite dish. It deploys and finds the sats automatically, with one push of the ON button. When leaving, just push the same button and the unit folds itself down (nearly flat) for travel ... all very cool to watch and EASY. I also immediately replaced the Trailer King (Chinese) tires with Goodyear G614 "load range G" (LT235/85 R16) and speed rated to 75 MPH. The OEM tires are MARGINAL and I was very uneasy with that. Blowouts are not only very inconvenient, they usually cause collateral damage and can be VERY dangerous, depending on the circumstances when the bang happens. So for me, the tire change was an easy decision. I also added a tire and temperature monitoring system so I know what's going on with my tires at all times.
How did your "aggressive" offer work out?
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 27, 2016 16:04:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips on the drawers being all tucked away before opening the slides. Something I'm not sure I would have thought about.
Also on the Satellite dish. I have talked to a few people around here and they say that they did not opt for the dish due to the difficulty of syncing up with the satellite. Trees and mountains limit the access?
The units I've seen here all have had Goodyear tires (75 mph rating) on them so i think I'll be ok with those, but good point to note fore sure.
Well, the offer was good ... and bad ... they accepted the offer with one minor exclusion but unfortunately sold the original unit.
So,I am ordering a new one to arrive for early in 2017. It's not such a bad thing as we really only have a month (give or take) of good camping left around here and although I have been looking for a few weeks now, there are very limited sites available that will handle that size of a trailer.
This will give me a chance to gather up all the other "stuff" we need and talk to more folks about their experiences. I have a buddy down in Oregon right now who keeps sending me some pretty enticing camping pictures. They have a 43ft toy hauler and a boat. (two trucks)
thanks again
M
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Post by joecamper on Jul 27, 2016 23:41:55 GMT -5
I have a 2012 Durango 325. I ordered mine with the Onan 5.5, on propane as the other poster has. I also have a Yamaha 1000 (bought for a previous camper) and if I'm going camping in a truly remote area, I'll use the Yamaha when possible. Why? Not my personal experience, but after reading many posts on other sites, many have discovered that they could empty a full propane tank overnight if it was really cold (way below freezing). Despite that, I really enjoy having the Onan however, I've used it several times for many issues.
On the subject of the self deploying satellite system, I also ordered the same system, I wouldn't be without out it! Yes, you have to make sure you have a clear line of sight, so trees can be an issue. If you're going to be in a park, call ahead and make sure you won't have any issues with the satellite dish. On several occasions, I've received a good signal when I didn't think it at all possible. It just works great!
I also replaced my "Chinese" tires. Too many horror stories on other sites.
Most of all, just enjoy your camper!
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 28, 2016 9:29:46 GMT -5
The Onan 5.5 is the same generator that I will be getting with the new trailer. I have heard good things about it and no-one has mentioned any problems so hope that's the case for mine as well.
When you say some truly remote areas, have you ever had any experiences with roads so rough that they cause you grief over possible damage? While I have friends who do that as well, I'm a bit concerned to take a $100+k off road.
I'll have to look into the satellite option a little more. I'm sure that it would come in handy for the grandkids when the weather is not so good.
Being my first 5th wheel, I'm actually very keen to get the unit home (although not for a few months now) and get out on the road.
So, not to derail this thread ... but any thoughts on how to find some campsites that will handle the 40+ foot units in the USA?
Our Canadian National Parks website lets you input the size of your trailer and amenities you are looking for an eliminates those that do not apply.
Anything like that in the US?
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Post by joecamper on Jul 28, 2016 21:36:33 GMT -5
Fortunately for me, I had the chance to try some really remote areas with my previous camper. I wouldn't do any really rough roads, but the Durango seems to handle most roads that I've encountered. Surely real no kidding off roading would not be on my list.
There are many campsites at least in Colorado that list what size campers are recommended by footage. My Durango is only 35 feet and there are very few State campgrounds that are too small. I can't answer for any others. If you're looking at different campgrounds, a call to the site usually solves your size issues. If they won't discuss that with you, I'd mark them off my list.
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 29, 2016 8:25:30 GMT -5
Thanks, I think for the first while anyway we'll be sticking to the mainstream campsites but my partner has camped for years and she may have other thoughts.
The plan is to spend next summer touring Canada and then head South for the winter.
I'd like to do a four corners tour within a couple of years.
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Post by ronc on Jul 29, 2016 19:20:42 GMT -5
As has been mentioned, let the campground know you have a roof mounted satellite and most will put you in a satellite friendly site. Never been blocked by mountains, but by trees a few times. I wouldn't consider it a "problem" ... not having DirecTV, now that would be a "problem"😎H
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Post by arewethereyet on Jul 29, 2016 20:50:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestion. Again something I probably would not have thought of until I was in the middle of it. I'm sure the Grandkids would let me know very quickly though.
I called today and satellite dish is an additional $3800 for the system and to have it installed.
Very quickly learning that 5th wheeling is an "a la carte" proposition !!
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Post by joecamper on Jul 31, 2016 11:47:29 GMT -5
Don't know if you're either a Dish or Direct user, but that sounds a bit high to me. Is your dealer going to put the dish on or is the factory going to do it? I use Dish, I've read that the Direct system costs a bit more. My dealer charged me about $1300 which included installation. At the time I bought mine, the factory wasn't installing roof mounted dish systems. I had just received a flyer from Camping World that the system was on sale for $1300 and showed them the flyer. So they matched the price and installed it for the same price.
Yep, I had a really good dealer to work with.
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Post by arewethereyet on Aug 1, 2016 18:05:54 GMT -5
Geez, that's a great price.
Unfortunately we don't get Dish or Direct TV in Canada so I am going with my home television provider which is Shaw.
I don't think I have the option of having the factory install the system as Shaw is not available in the USA.
I'm not sure why the satellite is so much more here but will definitely make a few phone calls.
That $3800 is in CDN funds but regardless it's still about $2900 USD .. still pretty significant difference form your $1300.
I really like the dealer I'm working with. I sat down with the owner of the business and talked after sales service. He was very cooperative and assured me of great after sales service.
Pretty happy with that.
I have a few pictures to upload but they are too large in size ...
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Post by arewethereyet on Aug 1, 2016 18:18:08 GMT -5
Ronc if you are still on this string ... with the Onan 5.5 generator ... how is it for level of noise inside your unit ?
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Post by joecamper on Aug 3, 2016 18:54:31 GMT -5
arwethereyet ... I have the Onan 5.5, the level of noise is not that bad. For sure you can hear it, but it's pretty muffled. If you've ever heard the Yamaha or Honda 1000 series of generators (of with either are pretty darn quiet), you will probably compare those with the Onan.
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Post by arewethereyet on Aug 3, 2016 19:50:04 GMT -5
Thanks, I was at the Honda dealer the other day and he suggested the EU 3000 or EU 7000 units. I think the 7000 may be a bit much.
He was not sure though that they could be outfitted with an exterior muffler system on the KZ.
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Post by ronc on Aug 3, 2016 20:15:46 GMT -5
The Onan noise level is reasonable. You definitely hear it (it is directly under your bedroom), but we have not found the drone of the generator to be unacceptable ... but that is a VERY subjective opinion. Others might be bothered by any noise at all, so the only objective thing I can tell you is that you will hear it, I don't know if that will bother you or not. Try to find another unit with a genny and listen for yourself. I freaked out over the $3,800 for the Wingard Dish ... glad you explained that it is priced in CDN dollars. Camping World sells them for around $1,500 US and the install runs around $600 or so. By the time you pay tax etc, expect it to be $2,500 or so.
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