What size generator is required to run a 48' living quarters trailer with 1 A/C? I want to not worry about what I'm running and when. Including everything to run the racing operation, I also use a leaf blower sometimes to cool the transmission. I see several people use the Cummins 4500 inverter but wonder if that is big enough to not have to shut things off while using other things.
What size and brand are you having good luck with?

Are these trailers set up for 30 amp or 50 amp service? I haven't bought the trailer yet but am ready to pull the trigger. I see some generators are 120v 30 amp, some are 120v 20 amp and some are 120/240.
Thanks

A 4500 would be marginal. I used a Honda 7000 inverter with a similar setup trailer, I could run the AC, water heater, fridge, microwave and lights, etc without an issue.

The big variable there is the air conditioning unit. The mini split high SEER do not need about 1/3 as much energy as some of the roof top units and they remove the humidity better making you feel more comfortable.

You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda!



I agree with Bender. I myself would go with 240V capability because of black out power for water well in my situation.

I have a Honda 3000 inverter which runs the current ½HP pump but next pump will be 1HP/240V.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
The big variable there is the air conditioning unit. The mini split high SEER do not need about 1/3 as much energy as some of the roof top units and they remove the humidity better making you feel more comfortable.

I have no idea what ac it has. It's 2021 a vintage prostock trailer.

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
What size generator is required to run a 48' living quarters trailer with 1 A/C? I want to not worry about what I'm running and when. Including everything to run the racing operation, I also use a leaf blower sometimes to cool the transmission.

Honda EU7000is

Most rooftop RV type AC units draw 15 amps running and a lot more on initial startup of the compressor....as much as 3 times.

Add up the amperage requirements of everything you might run at the same time and that is going to be how you determine how large a generator you need.

KW rating is thousand watts......4.5 kw is 4500 watts.....divided by 120 volts is it's output rating capability....RUNNING wattage output rating is what your concerned with

4500 divided by 120 volts = 37.5 amps....rated output

It sounds confusing but isn't....

Bigger is better as the generator will not be running close to it's max rating...

I've seen numerous LQ trailers with Onan 5.5 or 7KW gas units....One roof top AC and various other appliances..Microwave...Heat...Etc..

Most Class C motorhomes have an Onan 4KW generator and do fine with one rooftop AC unit and a microwave and can run both at the same time...

The big Honda portable on wheels is a real good choice...

The 4500 portables mounted on a slide also usually does the job....They are sold with various brand names but really the same unit and yes they are inverter design units...

The Cummins 4500 is Westinghouse made in china and you would need 2 of them to have the capacity of the Honda EU7000is

My ONAN 5k has run everything ever needed for 13 years zero problems..

Been doing it for years with my 3000 Honda. Yes, I can’t microwave a burrito while the air conditioner is running but it works for me. I’m with Ed on the 7000 Honda if you want to run a bunch of stuff at the same time.

This trailer has a 6.5 Onan that came with the trailer. 3.7 hours on it when we got it. Right now have about 20 hours on it. Can run AC and everything else but going to go to more effecient mini split style AC and smaller generator soon.

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:
The Cummins 4500 is Westinghouse made in china and you would need 2 of them to have the capacity of the Honda EU7000is

Yes that is true and was sold under at least 3 different brand names that I have seen

They are nice units though and work well.....

I've worked on just about every Onan RV generator built for over 20 years

No matter how many people b-i-t-c-h about troubles they've had with them, they provide thousands and thousands of hours of service...Yes they do have issues at times but as I said provide thousands and thousands of hours of use.....

I just serviced a 7kw used daily commercially and it has 8000 hours on it with only one major repair and a carb during that time...

One long standing user I took care of had close to 12,000 hours on her 7KW gas unit and again used commercially and daily....

I am replacing a 12KW Onan diesel this week that has over 10,000 hours and works fine.....they just wanted a new one and it's used everyday...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SCDIV1,

Rich, I’m not saying Onan aren’t good generators, I’m saying the portable “Onan Cummins” the OP mentioned is Westinghouse and Chinese junk

I ran my LQ off a
honda 3000is for years. 1 15k BTU a/c unit, lights, battery charger, etc. I could NOT run the a/c and microwave at the same time. No biggie. I finally ungraded to a Honda 7k. Could run whatever I wanted but the only thing I missed was the fuel economy. 7k required about 4-5 gallons every 12 hours. 3k 3 gallons every 12 when running the a/c. If the weather is nice and we aren't running the a/c, fan only, the 3k would run 24 hours on a tank. If you need a slider for your genny I can help you out there.

Kenny knows!

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
This trailer has a 6.5 Onan that came with the trailer. 3.7 hours on it when we got it. Right now have about 20 hours on it. Can run AC and everything else but going to go to more effecient mini split style AC and smaller generator soon.

Where are you going to mount the mini split?

Thanks for all the responses. I have a 3500 predator that has been trouble free and thought about another one and parallel them but figured if I'm buying, I may as well buy one big enough to do the job. Hopefully can find a sale on the Honda 7000.

Smart choice

quote:

Originally posted by inferno camaro:
Thanks for all the responses. I have a 3500 predator that has been trouble free and thought about another one and parallel them but figured if I'm buying, I may as well buy one big enough to do the job. Hopefully can find a sale on the Honda 7000.

I would keep the smaller one and parallel them. Then you can only run one when you that is all you need and it will not use much fuel.

2 of the 3500 units takes up quite a bit of room compared to a single 7000 though.