you will be looking at starting 5 electric motors. The
GenerCrap 8000 is not a good idea. 10000 is bare minimum.
If you can make sure all 5 don't start at the same time the
10000 MIGHT work.

I doubt you will have all 5 start at once. For rare outages I would unplug the freezer during the day or the busy part of the day and leave it plugged in through the night. I would vote for spending the money for a interlock switch or transfer switch first and then look at the budget for the generator second. It don't matter how much money you spend on a generator if you accidently kill someone with it.

I appreciate the feedback. I'm ok with dropping a little more cash on the Generac 10000 if that makes more sense. Didnt' realize there was a huge difference between the 8000 and the 10000 model.

Question on the transfer switch. Which switches do you guys recommend?

I've been looking at gens to. Make sure you read the specs. I almost got fooled by the model numbers indicating wattage.

For example, the DuroMax 10000, I think is 10KW surge, not continuous, while the Generac 8000 is 8000W continuous.

Saying a 10k "might work" is completely ABSURD!
That load is NO different than any other smaller residential load. I know folks that run all that and more, easily and safely, on a Honda 4500.

Anything from a good quality 5000 up to a decent 8000 would be FINE.
Keep in mind I am talking running watts. I ignore starting or "surge" watt claims.

You guys no anything about this model? I can't find a lot of info about them but they look like solid generators. Any info would be appreciated. There is someone local in my area selling one. They bought it for the storm and did not need it and I'm able to get it at 1/2 the cost.

http://www.tahoepower.org/gas-generator.html

Download the owner's manual and warranty and see if you think it's reliable.

"There is someone local in my area selling one."

His name wouldn't be P.T. Barnum, would it?!!

Seriously, $4000 for one of those cheap Chinese made generators is unbelievable! And it's only 6.5kw.

You may want to Google "Tahoe Industries".

I tried googling it but wasn't able to find much about the company or reviews on the products. The link I posted is the generator that they are selling. It's a 9000. The new price is 4,000 and I have them down to 2,000. It's brand new. They only started it to test it. But if it's Chinese junk I'll pass on it. Would love to hear your opinion on the company if you have used their products before.

I tried googling it but wasn't able to find much about the company or reviews on the products. The link I posted is the generator that they are selling. It's a 9000. The new price is 4,000 and I have them down to 2,000. It's brand new. They only started it to test it. But if it's Chinese junk I'll pass on it. Would love to hear your opinion on the company if you have used their products before.

The bottom of the Google search return page also offers related search terms which have been used by other people.

Ummm...not sure about this model, but most Generac is made in the USA.

I'm very familiar with search engines and how they work. Again, I wasn't able to find much info about the company. I found articles where people were trying to sell generac generators with the Tahoe name on it.

If you have info on them I'd love to hear about it.