I use a 4000 watt import (QTC I think) with a five gallon tank. I have been more than satisfied with it. 14 hr. run time on less than 3 gallons of gas. Starts first pull and has low oil cutoff. I run fridge, house battery, 30 amp converter charger with built in circuit breakers and 5 12vdc fused circuits, and two inverters, Fantastic fan, florescent light, tv, dvd player, amplified digital antenna, cell phone charger, battery operated beard trimmer, jambox,microwave, computer and 12k btu ac in summer and 1500 watt electric heater in the winter. Unit is mounted on the front of the van using a front mounted receiver hitch and a basket purchased at harbor freight. (you normally see these on the rear) Noise level is 68db. Think the Honda is 65db or so. I have it permanently mounted to basket and padlocked down to the basket. Basket is locked to the hitch which makes it nearly impossible to steal. Easy to service on the basket. You just have to remember that it is there when parking and driving. Its almost too heavy for me to lift so it stays there with a cover when traveling. The main reason for this setup is the ease and convenience of setting up camp. I always fill it up before leaving on a load so that I start it, plug in and enjoy the luxuries of home when bedding down. Takes longer to take the cover off. Total time less than five minutes after parking and shutting down. No need for a gas can. I park at the pump with my drivers door centered with the pump and the hose reaches the gas fill and the generator. With my electrical load it calculates out to about 1 gallon of gas every 6-7 hrs. Only draw back is the weight. Think it weighs in at about 110 lbs. I increased my air pressure in the front from 60 to 65 psi. After 40k miles all tires appear to be wearing well. I also plug in my van to any 110vac circuit where possible. (at home, friends house, company yard, or campground) This keeps the load off of the generator and reduces the 12vdc load on the batteries as the converter keeps batteries up and also supplies 12vdc to respected appliances. I love it and will continue using the same set up in the future. I bought the generator on ebay for 300. Sells for 400 in Nashville. If it makes a year then I'm happy. I'll buy another one just like it. If someone complains about the noise throw them an extension cord and tell him to plug it in your generator. You'll have plenty of power to power most other vans and estimated run time over 24 and possibly 30 plus hrs. In the winter you can spend more time inside staying warm. That's what I like.
