planning to fab a shelf on my trailer tongue to carry a generator. The generator weights a little less than 50 pounds. It will be located between the propane bottles and the camper shell over the battery. I plan to use 1 inch square tube made from aluminum or steel. Question is what material would you use and why? Difference in weight is not a factor. It will stand about 10-12 inches above battery.

Aluminum, will not rust and no need to paint it.

Are you welding or bolting? If bolting it together check out 80/20 Material. It's not cheap but it sure is fun to play with.

If you make it out of aluminum make it very stout. Aluminum flexes. When it flexes, it work hardens. Then it cracks.

Boon Docker wrote:Aluminum, will not rust and no need to paint it.If you go aluminum make sure to isolate the connections.Where two different metals are in contact, you will tend to get accelerated galvanic corrosion. In this case the aluminum will sacrifice to protect the steel.

Generator shelf fabrication | Good Sam Community

MitchF150
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2021
This looks pretty cool.. Stole the image from CW, so it's for sale under $200..
bgum
Explorer
Jun 18, 2021
Mitch, I really want something that sits lower, something behind the tanks and above the battery. Between the tanks and trailer itself.
Since I have a hard tank cover something as pictured would block access to tanks. With AGM batteries I don't need access to them often. But I do appreciate the suggestion.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 19, 2021
I would not want to PUT a generator between the trailer and the propane tanks,
ISSUES ARE
heat from the generator
Access to the generator
Refueling the generator
Generator would be an ignition source, if there is a propane leak
ivbinconned
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2021
I’d prefer to have gen secured in truck box. Noise isolation from trailer just one good reason.

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