We recently purchased a RW3901MB and will be going full timing soon. We need to buy the right generator for the rig. Any suggestions?

Onan 5500 . .OR the Onan 6500 . . LP is the cleanest install because the lack of a fuel cell... BUT, there was 1 or 2 folks that had Onan of Indiana do the install and they installed a 5 gallon gas tank along with the generator..

Thanks Joe. Which do you have?

I have the Onan 6500 LP . . I upgraded to the 40# bottles. I do not dry camp hardly at all, usually only 2 times a year at the NASCR races. Those LP versions get real thirsty if running both AC's..

here are some AVERAGE numbers for the LP usage:
2 of the 40# bottles -
32 hours run time with basically no load
20 hours run time at 1/2 load
13.5 hours run time at full load
** this past year, we had some very hot weather at the track, the highs were right around 100* ,we try and run 1 during the day to keep it somewhat manageable , and turn on 2 before bed, and drop it down to 1 during the night.. We go to the races to have fun, not worry about what we spend on LP . . . 🙂

I take 6 extra 40# bottles to the races with me and have a blast !!!

I have the same 3901MB and I have the factory installed Onan 5500. I have two factory supplies 30lb tanks. Each tank last about 16 hours with air cycling and everything else electric. I get the tanks filled at Costco. Works out to about $1.50 an hour in fuel. Reasonable for us. We usually start the generator from the app about 45 mins before we arrive either at the campground or home. That way it’s comfortable to setup or unpack. We use the app from the truck.

Great information . . . thanks to all.

A comment, not being negative, but also a suggestion.

Make sure that the generator is a need, not a "want". On retirement I bought a generator (a Honda 3000) thinking I would get good use out of it.

Well, in 11 years of RVing post retirement (we are "half timers") it has very few hours on it, other than the 1/2 hour run each month to keep it in shape.

You may want to try a few months without the generator and see how it goes.

By the way, we will probably have Onan at the 2018 rally in Indiana, and Onan can probably install a genny at their nearby facility (hopefully at a bit of a discount!) if you plan to attend.

Agree with Al above ^^
Our 2015 came with an Onan 5500 on propane and I used it legitimately the very first night to keep the refrigerator cold. After that I found out I can travel at least 8-10 hours unplugged with no melting of ice and have only run the generator to keep it in running condition. I think I would rather have had the free cargo space and weight capacity, but it's kind of like insurance. Glad I have it if I need it. Might be worthwhile to pause and see if you need it based on your use of the RW.

I had the same 5500LP in 3 different 5ers including our Redwood. I just liked the convenience and didn't worry how much use I got out of it. It paid for itself by having it for 12 years. If I had a portable I would probably rarely bother to get it out, but having 110 as close as a button made me much more inclined to use it. A quick vacuum before storage, a roadside lunch and football scores, or pre-cool before arriving at the campground.

The MH is even more seamless - everything just works all the time - and automation behind the scenes just take care of making sure it continues to work 🙂

I agree with Al & Paul to wait & see how much you want/need to use a generator before losing that valuable storage space. We've fulltimed just shy of 10 years & there were only a couple times that a genny would've been handy, but the storage space was used everyday. Unless you plan to boondock regularly it's a big heavy expense taking up space. We have full hookups, occasionally without sewer, daily & actually only used the fresh water tank once while park making repairs, afterwards drained the tank & closed the valve to the pump.

The information on this forum is invaluable! Thanks for all the input on my subject. I think we'll see how it goes without at this time. Then, if the time comes, we have a lot of good information before we pull the trigger.