We’re excited to share that Stahla Services was recently featured on Enterprise Radio where our Co-owner, Grant Stahla, discussed the critical role of pull-behind generators in powering multi-day events and remote construction sites. During this comprehensive conversation with host Eric Dye, Grant dove deep into the technical specifications, real-world applications, and cost considerations for these essential power solutions that keep our restroom trailers and shower trailers running smoothly when grid access isn’t available.
What We Discussed: Why Pull-Behind Generators Matter Right Now
When you imagine a multi-day music festival in a remote field or a long-term construction site far from the electrical grid, restroom and shower trailers become absolutely essential for those locations. But ensuring reliable power to supply them is equally critical. While we commonly use smaller portable generators like the Honda 3000 Watt and Honda 7000 Watt for shorter events, these units simply won’t cut it for demanding, continuous applications.
Grant focused the conversation on our range of pull-behind generators from 20 kilowatts to 40 kilowatts, which represent our most commonly used generators for multi-day events and extended site deployments. These self-contained power units are mounted on durable trailers designed for easy towing to various locations. Unlike smaller generators, these units are purpose-built for extended and heavy-duty use, providing the continuous capacity electrical output needed to support multiple high-demand loads simultaneously.
The origin of these generators stems from the need for mobile, robust power systems, especially for remote sites lacking grid access. You’ll find them constantly at construction sites, large outdoor events, critical disaster relief operations, and film productions. Crucially, they’re engineered to support multiple trailers with power-hungry equipment like air conditioning units or electric wall heaters that draw significant loads.
Design & Anatomy: Technical Deep Dive Into What Makes These Units Work
Understanding the technical specifications helps appreciate why these generators excel at powering our specialty trailers. Grant provided an in-depth look at what makes these units so effective:
Power Output: 20,000 to 40,000 watts (20 kilowatts to 40 kilowatts)
Engine: Typically a Tier 4 diesel engine, which represents an emissions and efficiency rating standard for modern units
Fuel Capacity: Large onboard fuel tanks typically between 20 and 60 gallons, designed to provide 24 hours or even longer continuous run times at full load
Voltage Output: Incredibly versatile with options including 120 volts, 208 volts, 240 volts, and 480 volts—critical for powering various equipment at different sites
Sound Attenuation: Enclosed, sound-attenuated designs significantly reduce noise levels, often to around 63 to 66 decibels, which is just slightly louder than a normal conversation
Weight and Mobility: Usually around 2,000 to 4,000 pounds, purpose-built on towable trailers for easy transport with at least a half-ton pickup truck
Connection Points: Multiple outlets and robust connection points for various cables, allowing for flexible setup configurations
To illustrate the difference in scale, Grant compared these units with two Honda generators we commonly use. The Honda EU 3000 offers around 3,000 watts of output, best for a single low-power demand like running a 2-stall restroom trailer or 4-stall restroom trailer. It can run air conditioning, but if you need to run electric wall heaters and waste tank heaters in winter, you’ll want the bigger Honda EU 7000.
The EU 7000 provides up to 7,000 watts with 5,500 watts of rated continuous output. It can handle smaller loads like two smaller trailers at one time or trailers with multiple air conditioner units, but typically you only want to run them for two or three days continuously. This unit runs on gasoline with a 5.1-gallon fuel tank and runtime anywhere from 6.4 up to 16 hours on the lowest output. It comes with a wheeled kit for mobility since it weighs about 315 pounds without fuel. The EU 3000 weighs about 130 pounds without fuel.
Both Honda models are inverter models, which significantly increases their cost—the Honda EU 3000 runs about $3,000 new and the EU 7000 about $5,000 new—but the inverter technology makes them remarkably quiet. These are among the quietest generators on the market, allowing you to have a conversation right next to one and hear the person clearly, which is especially valuable for weddings and upscale events.
In contrast, the 20 to 40 kilowatt pull-behind generators are designed to handle multiple trailers—whether shower trailers, restroom trailers, or any combination. As a general rule, per 10 kilowatts you can handle one trailer, so a 20 kilowatt generator can handle two trailers, a 30 kilowatt can handle three trailers, and a 40 kilowatt can power four trailers. These run on diesel with very large tanks for multiple days of continuous operation. They’re built for the rugged demands of towing and harsh environments with robust construction and built-in safety features for long-term use. Most importantly for our 8-stall restroom trailers and larger units, they support the highest electrical demand in winter when all the electric heaters are running simultaneously.
Understanding the Market: Major Players and What to Expect
The pull-behind generator market is specialized, driven by the need for continuous, high-capacity power where grid access is unavailable. This market perfectly complements the significant growth in restroom and shower trailers, increased construction demand, and expanding event industries.
The major rental companies include giants like Sunbelt Rentals, Hurc Rentals, and United Rentals, which offer full lineups of these units. Typically, you’ll see generators categorized in ranges: 20 to 25 kilowatts, 26 to 30 kilowatts, 31 to 35 kilowatts, and so on.
The primary manufacturers include Multiquip, Generac, Wacker Neuson, and Doosan. Their focus centers on fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and ease of maintenance to support construction projects and events.
When looking to acquire or rent one of these generators, the key factors to evaluate include reliability, fuel efficiency, quiet operation, maintenance and service deployment, and cost effectiveness of whether you should get multiple smaller units or one larger unit. Understanding these considerations helps determine the right power solution for your specific application.
Real-World Impact: Generators Powering Critical Applications
Grant shared several scenarios that illustrate how these generators perform in demanding real-world situations. While not all scenarios may be from our direct experience, they’re helpful in describing where these units excel.
Large Music Festival: Picture a three-day festival in a rural area accommodating 5,000 attendees. This event would require 10 restroom trailers and four shower trailers, all seamlessly powered by a mix of 20 to 40 kilowatt pull-behind generators. With those 14 trailers total, you’d want a mix of about 12 smaller generators if each trailer is in a different spot, or you could use 30 to 40 kilowatt generators if the trailers are all bundled into one location.
Remote Construction Camp: Consider a long-term pipeline project with over 100 workers in a remote camp where daily showers and comfortable restrooms are critical for worker morale and health. In that situation, two 30 kilowatt pull-behind generators could run continuously for six months. You’d also want extra fuel tank capacity, which is available for rent or purchase. These supplemental tanks can be offloaded from supply trucks with either a crane or forklift and positioned right next to the generator for extended runtime.
Emergency Disaster Relief: Following a major hurricane, a Community Center might become a vital shelter for the surrounding community, but the power grid is completely down. In that situation, a single 25 kilowatt pull-behind generator could provide critical power for emergency restrooms and a shower trailer, plus provide extra power for residents to plug in their phones and recharge batteries.
From an ROI perspective for rental operators, investing in these generators yields high-value contracts for multi-day events, long-term construction, and emergency response. This ultimately means increased customer satisfaction because of uninterrupted service that can run for multiple days at a time.
These towable generators prove indispensable anywhere you need power that’s unexpectedly knocked out, when building a large construction project before grid power is established, or when you have an influx of people like at a large music festival requiring power beyond what existing infrastructure can provide.
Understanding the Investment: Purchase Prices and Rental Rates
Let’s break down the real costs of getting one of these units working for your application.
Purchase Prices (New Units):
- Entry-level 20 kilowatt diesel units: $23,000 to $28,000
- Larger 25 to 30 kilowatt units: $30,000 to $45,000 (specifically, a 36 kilowatt Generac towable generator runs $37,500)
- 40 kilowatt units: $40,000 to $50,000
- Higher-end units with extra features: $50,000+
Rental Market Rates:
Daily Rates:
- 20 kilowatt units: $250 to $400 per day
- Larger 30 to 40 kilowatt units: $350 to $600+ per day
Weekly Rates:
- 20 kilowatt units: $600 to $1,200 per week
- 30 to 40 kilowatt units: $1,000 to $1,800 per week
Monthly Rates (with significant discounts):
- 20 kilowatt units: $1,800 to $3,500 per month
- 30 to 40 kilowatt units: $2,800 to $5,000 per month
These rates usually include basic maintenance checks by the rental company. It’s important to note that specific rates vary widely based on location, rental duration, generator features, and any additional items needed. Major rental companies often require direct quotes for accurate pricing.
Key factors driving pricing include power output, features like sound attenuation and remote monitoring capabilities, advanced controls, fuel capacity, emissions tier like Tier 4 engines, and the brand reputation of the manufacturer.
Fuel Consumption Considerations:
Diesel consumption represents a major operating cost. A 20 kilowatt unit consumes one to two gallons per hour at full load, with 1.6 gallons per hour being a standard number. A 40 kilowatt unit can consume two to four gallons per hour, specifically around 4 gallons per hour at full load. This translates to daily fuel costs between $70 to over $300 per day depending on load.
Additional Cost Factors:
- Delivery and pickup: $150 to $500+ depending on distance
- Refueling services: Rental companies often offer this service, typically at a premium per gallon
- Repair costs: Generator technicians may be needed for issues outside normal wear and tear
These generators directly support multi-trailer deployments and multi-day applications, directly increasing overall project revenue potential.
Target Buyers vs. Renters:
Purchasing makes sense for very high utilization scenarios such as dedicated large event companies, major construction firms with consistent ongoing needs, or businesses specifically building a rental fleet. Rentals are ideal for most event companies and contractors who need flexible power solutions without the significant capital investment, ongoing maintenance burden, and storage requirements of ownership.
The Technicals: Operational Excellence and Preventive Maintenance
What separates smooth operations from costly problems with these pull-behind generators? Operational excellence is key to avoiding headaches and ensuring seamless power delivery.
Pre-Deployment Checklist:
- Verify fuel levels are adequate
- Check all fluid levels like oil and coolant
- Ensure all electrical connections are secure and the correct voltage is selected
- Check tire pressure
- Perform a test start to ensure the unit starts and runs smoothly
On-Site Management:
- Position the generator at a safe distance from people and structures
- Regularly monitor fuel levels throughout operation
- Listen for any unusual noises indicating potential issues
- Ensure the total load doesn’t exceed the generator’s capacity
- If possible, stagger high-demand appliances or uses at different times of day
- Implement a scheduled refueling plan to avoid running completely out of fuel
Maintenance Schedule:
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for oil changes, filter replacements, and system checks. Critical spare parts to have on hand if you own one of these units include fuel filters, oil filters, air filters, spare belts for the fan and alternator, spare fuses, electrical connections, and coolant.
Common Issues to Watch For:
- Fuel issues like running out of fuel or contaminated fuel
- Overloading the generator beyond its capacity
- Starting problems due to battery issues or cold weather
- Environmental factors like dust or extreme temperatures
- Moisture issues from rain exposure
Implementing these preventive maintenance practices ensures reliable power for your premium ADA restroom trailers and other specialty equipment throughout your event or project duration.
Technology Trends: Where Pull-Behind Generators Are Headed
The industry is constantly innovating, driven by efficiency, environmental concerns, and smart technology integration. Grant shared several key trends shaping the future of these essential power solutions.
Environmental Compliance: Expect continued development of Tier 4 Final engines as environmental regulations become stricter. The focus will remain on optimizing fuel consumption while meeting increasingly stringent emissions standards.
Smart Technology Integration: More units will feature remote monitoring and telematics, providing real-time data on fuel levels, load, runtime, and predictive maintenance alerts. GPS tracking for fleet management is also becoming ubiquitous, helping rental companies and contractors track their assets more effectively.
Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Systems: These innovations can reduce generator runtime at low loads or provide peak savings capabilities. While diesel remains dominant for high-power applications, manufacturers continue exploring alternative fuels for specific use cases.
Enhanced Sound Attenuation: Quieter designs are constantly being developed, which is crucial for urban environments and sensitive event locations where noise pollution is a concern.
Compact Designs: Manufacturers are striving for more power in smaller footprints, making these units easier to transport and position on crowded job sites or event venues.
These technological advancements ensure that pull-behind generators will continue evolving to meet the changing demands of construction, events, and emergency response applications.
Accessibility & Capacity: Who Needs These Generators
Pull-behind generators are indispensable when you’re dealing with multi-trailer, multi-day events or use cases. We definitely recommend these units if you have more than one trailer or if you’re at a construction site running a project longer than even a couple of days.
These generators prove essential for various applications including construction camps requiring facilities for dozens or hundreds of workers, large-scale events like music festivals with thousands of attendees, emergency response situations where grid power is unavailable, film productions in remote locations, and any scenario requiring reliable power for multiple combo trailers simultaneously.
The flexibility of these units—with their range from 20 to 40 kilowatts—means you can scale your power solution to match your specific needs, whether powering a 6-stall restroom trailer for a weekend event or supporting multiple large trailers for a months-long construction project.
As we’ve shared before, Grant and Erin Stahla are driven by a mission that goes beyond business. They are passionate about redefining portable sanitation through a company built on caring for people, delivering service excellence, and leading with faith. This includes their dedicated support of organizations like Love Justice International. This core commitment to integrity and service is woven into every interaction at Stahla Services.
We are deeply grateful to Eric Dye and the Enterprise Radio team for providing the platform to discuss these critical power solutions in such detail. As Grant emphasized during the interview, “These generators are great when you have multi-trailer, multi-day events or use cases. Pull-behind generators are just indispensable when you’re needing that portable power.” This expertise drives our commitment to helping you understand not just our trailers, but the complete power ecosystem that keeps them running flawlessly.
Ready to discuss power solutions for your upcoming project or event? Check out our resources at stahla.com where we can help you source generators if we don’t have them available and get you set up with the right power solution for your specialty restroom or shower trailer needs. Get Your Personalized Quote Today! or call us at 844-900-3190 to speak with our team about your specific power and trailer requirements.