Thinking of putting a generator on a "tray" using the hitch on the back of thr 5er. Any thoughts?

My buddy mounted a generator on the front hitch of his dad's fifth wheel. Then he built a gas tank, tested it for leaks and plumbed it all in. You can loosen and bolt on some brackets to the front hitch mount, then fabricate something that will bolt on to the hitch.The hitch itself is normally tempered steel, and you should not be welding to the hitch. As for the rear bumper, normally that is not as strong, but that can vary with the manufacture. Some can barely support the weight of the drain hose inside the hitch, while some can tow a car with the factory bumper. And how heavy for the generator. Some recommend a pair of 2000 watt 47 pound generators connected together. This will run the A/C and have power to spare, in a light weight package.Mayberrys.comWhen I have a motorhome built, I would prefer a Honda water cooled generator - they make 2, 4,500 and 6,500 watts. Those are fed from the main gas tank on a gas powered RV. They could be fed from a fuel tank mounted to the frame of almost any RV, if you add the tank, say from a junkyard car or truck. Fred.

I fabbed up my own heavy bumper just for the genny.Click here for pics

I always thought about doing something similar but the thought of someone stealing my generator when it was left unattended at the camp grounds always made me think that it would not be a good idea. My generator sits secured in the tailgate corner of my truck bed under a lockable heavy plastic folding bed cover. When I need to use the generator I just pull it out onto the opened tailgate. It stays out-of-sight and out-of-mind until I need to use it and most important to me my generator goes where I go. I would worry myself sick everytime I would leave the generator unattended if it was installed out in the open on my Trailer. Just something to think about...Roy Ken

My generator sits on a cargo carrier in a frame mounted reliever hitch on the back of our fiver along with some firewood. :)

Anyone mount a geny to the hitch? | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Winged_One
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
I carry mine in the bed of the pickup, next to the cab. Nice spot, out of the way, yet convienent. Use a Truxport to cover it.
jasult
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
danicaB wrote:
That sounds good but you must consider the size. How big is it?

The genny is Champiion 3500/4000 and the cooler with ice and drinks at least 60 pounds
danicaB
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
That sounds good but you must consider the size. How big is it?
jasult
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
Yup, if done with right welder,or fab shop this is a simple and reliable project that will last for years. I do all my welding and repairs in excavating business and this project is just common sense. Bolt and weld and done. The ones that broke were not done correct.
dave17352
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2014
RedJeep wrote:
Bob Vaughn wrote:
I had my my generator on a hitch mount on the back of my 5th wheel and coming thru Louisana on I-10 the wash board road just ripped it loose from the frame of the camper. It was just like a jack hammer beating on the back of the camper......It was dragging on the road by the time I got stopped. It was a good idea gone bad. I knew west la roads were bad but after driving at 58mph long enough they did their toll....

Happened to me also. This was in Texas on a pretty nice interstate. Ripped the welds on the bumper and left the bumper rack dragging on the ground.

Interesting, I remember how they bragged they both welded and bolted my hitch on. I guess I am glad they did as I have had no problems.
RedJeep
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
Bob Vaughn wrote:
I had my my generator on a hitch mount on the back of my 5th wheel and coming thru Louisana on I-10 the wash board road just ripped it loose from the frame of the camper. It was just like a jack hammer beating on the back of the camper......It was dragging on the road by the time I got stopped. It was a good idea gone bad. I knew west la roads were bad but after driving at 58mph long enough they did their toll....

Happened to me also. This was in Texas on a pretty nice interstate. Ripped the welds on the bumper and left the bumper rack dragging on the ground.
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
Seattle Lion wrote:
We carry a 2,000 watt generator in our front compartment. When we need it, we just take it out and lock it to the power panel on the camp site.

If there's a power panel, why would you need a genny? :@
Seattle_Lion
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
We carry a 2,000 watt generator in our front compartment. When we need it, we just take it out and lock it to the power panel on the camp site.
bpounds
Nomad
Jun 27, 2014
There is no doubt in my mind that if the hitch is properly designed, you won't have structural issues.

But it may not be very good for the generator itself. Especially if it is a carbureted model, which most portables are.
jasult
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
But when done right, it works and does last for years