generator recommendations

[buckshot]

I am shoping for a generator to power my 19 foot trailer (2000w). Been reading-up on the bargain brands such as Hiunday (Walmart). The Hondas and Yamahas sure are trusted products. Is there an alternative to having to spend top dough for good performance. How about the Kipor or the Honeywell? Anybody comment please.

[Lone Ranger]

I have a 2000w inverter Honeywell for the camper, just do regular oil changes and its been good to me (they use 15w-40 diesel oil). The biggest problem I've faced with mine is that for whatever reason, the generator seems to stay loaded up when it shuts down so its a bit of a bugger to pull start, but once it kicks over a compression cycle or so it releases and starts smooth. The biggest thing I've found between the two (besides overall build quality probably) is that the Honda's are quite a bit quieter, but for $500 compared to $1500 for a Honda, I just couldn't refuse. I normally get about 8 hrs when its working hard, 12+ hrs if there's a light load or its just idling (running a 13w fluorescent). 50' cord and hiding it in some bushes nearby will cut the sound down to nearly nothing. I believe the Hyundai, Kipor, Honeywell, and such are basically the same thing with different plastics. I got mine at Costco which had the cheapest prices at the time.

As for power cleanness, I've run my laptop and other misc electronics off of it countless times with no issues. However, for a 19' trailer, if you're running anything like A/C you will want a 3000w or larger generator. Hope this helps. LR

[Buck]

I have a 3000 watt Champion from Costco runs very well.Use my Laptop with it and everything else.Its a bit heavy and big and i run a good 50'cord and the noise is not to bad.Starts easy and it is on sale at costco for $229.00 or it was last week.

[Pioneerman]

I have played with different generators for years before going to the Honda and will never go bacvk. I started off with a 300 Honda, for a couple lights and recharging the batteries, then the 650 Honda, and not the 200 EU Honda, it is by far one of the best out there. It is quiet starts first pull, smooth power and reliable, runs up to 8 hrs on a tank of fuel. Yes you will pay more than the other brands, but worth every penny and will last for years. A few years ago a friend bought a cheaper brand to save money it power surged and blew his microwave and toaster on two different days of their camping trip, so he lost money buying cheap, and he went home and directly out to the store and bought the Honda EU2000.

Good luck

[BimmerBob]

I have always stuck with Honda's as they make the best small engines on the market, fuel efficient and quiet are the main draw. If you are looking to save a few bucks I would recommend you keep an eye on CraigsList for a week or two, it always has a number of generators on it and from the pictures most look to be only slightly used.

[moosinaround]

Honda!! EU2000!! Quiet, light, and will last a long long time! And you will get good resale on it if you decide to sell it!!

[300win]

Honda EU 2000, and you will never look back!!!

[Poguebilt]

honda 3000 always go the next size up than what you think you need!

[huntcoop]

Honda EU2000. Like the rest have said, it's a Honda.

[r106]

My dad has a honda. It's been great. He does alot of trips to the dunes and some campsites in the states have noise bylaws. The honda is very quiet. Easy to start.
________
Carol (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Mazda_Carol)

[Phil]

Ive got a Honda 1000 and 2000. Both work like a dream. I know a guy who has a hyundai POS and it is really loud and somewhat unreliable. Spend the extra $$$ and enjoy life in hunting camp.

[Lone Ranger]

As an FYI, I just got a phone call from a buddy this morning. Apparently Cummins in Port Kells has a bunch of gas generators for sale right now (Onan genys are good units too, not the Chinese ones).

1750w peak inverter model, 1300w constant. 58 db rating, $900.

3500w electric start, $1200 but they're sold out right now. Worth checking out IMO. LR

[Jetboater]

eu2000 for me and my dad has a 3000 both great units....

[lilhoss]

x2...x3...x4...x5 Eu 2000,or the 3000

[Pioneerman]

The EU2000 is by far the better camping choice unless you need that extra 1000 watts, then you would have to go to the EU3000, but it is double the weight and more than double the size, so that is a big factor when packing your stuff. If space and cost means nothing then go the biggest you can carry and afford, but try to stay with the Honda EU series you won't be sorry.

[Lone Ranger]

I've run a 1100w microwave, 100w interior light, laptop, fan, exterior lights (40w or so), and a bunch of other misc items at the same time with that 2000w Honeywell of mine and the lights never even flickered when the microwave kicked in and out. For what they cost you really can't knock them, I've never had mine fail on me and it was running nearly 24/7 for a lot of last year when I had the camper on my ATV trailer then pickup when I was working split shifts at work. I just changed the oil every couple months or so. LR

[huntcoop]

A generator to power your 19 foot trailer (2000w) should probably have at least 2400 Maximum watts so I don’t think that the Honda EU2000 will do....

We have a 19' trailer and use the EU2000 with NO issues. 2 of my friends also have 19' trailers and have no issues with their EU2000's. Where you may have issues is if you wanna run an AC unit but for everything else you'd need nothing bigger.

In our circle of hunting and camping friends we have 5 EU2000's that power 3 19' TT's, a 25' 5th wheel and a Northern Lite camper. ZERO issues with lack of power.

[buckshot]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I've made-up my mind. Just went to the local Honda dealer and placed an order for a EU2000. The only problem is they're back ordered.

[Phil]

I't will be well worth the wait. You'll have the best and never wonder if you should 'a , would 'a, could 'a.

[Caveman]

Honda!! EU2000!! Quiet, light, and will last a long long time! And you will get good resale on it if you decide to sell it!!


Honda EU 2000, and you will never look back!!!


x2...x3...x4...x5 Eu 2000,or the 3000

Check the States. I brought one up from Cali and paid less than $1000 for the Honda 2000. My sister brought it across, so no shipping ,but when they are $1800 up here you could afford to pay some shipping and still save a bunch of money on a premium item. I use mine on my fifthwheel at the lake and love it!

[moose hide]

i've got the 200 honda invertor style. idles down when your not needing all that power but ramps up as power is needed. runs 5 lights-100 watts. at the deer camp, ended up taking twice as much gas as i needed. 3 gallons for 5 nights is lots. engine is running about 34% rpm. maybe 40% rpm.
i use it on a baseboard heater in my fishing shack. 1500 watt, runs about 90-100% rpm. at 750 watt it's 40-50 %rpm -nice and quiet as well. i did have a problem starting it in the cold this winter.-15 or so, didn't want to go. put it in the fishing shack with the propane burner on for 20 min's. took right off.??? they do shut off if the oil is low. and they do give a little warning if running out of fuel. give you time to find a flash light . hope this helps. can charge your car-truck-fish finder battery with them as well-comes with the adapter.
later moose hide

[Hemi]

I bought the eu3000 last year to power my 27 foot TT. If I run it on eco mode when the A/C an microwave are on it will overload. This is if I turn them on while one or the other is on. In normal mode doesn't matter. But I can run A/C TV and microwave all at the same time no problem.. Just have to watch the start up.. And mine is key start which is nice. You will not regret the eu2000..