Hello,First before this starts a war on generators I WILL NOT be using the generator while camping nor will it be used where it will disturb anyone. I do not need generator advice but safe and easy way to transport it.We will be leaving for an extended trip shortly and I wanted to take my generator with me. My 5th wheel has a 2 inch reciever so I can put on a cargo rack or keep it in bed of truck.The generator weighs just over 100 pounds.I will need to use it while 5th wheel is hitched so in the bed might make it difficult to get to and start.Has anyone hauled a generator on a cargo rack behind thier 5th wheel? Has it worked out okay?I'm just nervous about the rack or generator falling off etc.Your thoughts?Dave

My first question would be are you capable of lifting it in and out of the truck bed? If you can do that and you are concerned about hauling it behind the trailer, put it in the bed of the truck and remove the worry. If the generator is too heavy for you to lift that high, put it on the rack and check it often. What is the receiver rated for on the back of the trailer? 100 lbs is really not that much for most of them. Strap it down tight, lock it and cover it so it is out of sight.

You may want to this or some other home made modification. Reinforce RV bumper

TenOC wrote:You may want to this or some other home made modification. Reinforce RV bumperOP Here,My 5th wheel does not have a rear bumper. It has a factory installed reciever for a 2 inch hitch rated at 350 pounds.Dave

The weight shouldn’t be a problem out back. Of course the rack needs to be substantial even to hold the weight. The worst thing that happens when on the back is the shaking. Thats how bike racks and stuff get torn off. The weight of what is back there cant be too great for the structure but you want to control the shaking or wiping action. When i hauled bicycles on mine in put a ss loop mount on the back of the FW for bungees along with fastening to the reinforced roof ladder. So it has to be bullet proof when its hanging out there. If it falls off and tumbles around it may be trash but more importantly is that it doesn’t kill someone. So after picturing myself talking to a lawyer and sitting in court and having just spent what would probably amount to two new ATVs I put it in the back of the truck. I have a Honda 3000 so its heavy and not getting moved around. I bolted it to the truck bed in front of my hitch. I ran 10 gauge cable from my transfer switch in the basement Up under the overhang and up to the generator Also have about a 25’ extension cord that lets me pull up to the pin box with the front of the truck. That puts the noise away from the truck My son uses his honda 3000 handi in his truck bed with a heavy chain and he can start it when standing next to the truck bed. Id look at the genny to see if there is an easy way to get just one bolt to go through the truck bed It takes two people to do it but it also takes two people with tools to remove it. Most of the generators that are stolen are the easiest fruit to pick. Its also good to have anything in the bed well secured so there is less chance of projectiles if in an accident

I keep my generators (2 Honda's 2200) and the extended tank in my truck bed because I didn't want a generator bouncing down the road. As mentioned it will make the back end of the trailer heavier and whip up and down. Mine are fairly easy to get to for starting and I have bicycle locks and a tonneau cover to keep them from walking away.

Hauling generator on upcoming trip | Good Sam Community

valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 29, 2020
If it's in the bed behind the hitch, as long as you point the exhaust away from the sides, you can run it in the truck bed.

Alternatively, it's fairly simple to build a rack on the pin box of the trailer. That's about the most stable position you can find and doesn't conflict with anything.
PhilipB
Explorer
Aug 29, 2020
We've done both. In bed and on the back like Padredw. We had a 3000 Yamaha so very similar weight.

Our hitch on the back cracked and sagged first time out. Luckily we caught this. WE reinforced the hitch, but never did this again.

Back of truck bed has worked well. Typically would unhook truck from 5er when running genny.

New rig is a TH so it's built in.
GMH
Explorer
Aug 29, 2020
I mounted a set of wheels on my generator and made a couple of ramps from 2x8’s. It is very easy to push it up into the truck now. There is room in front of the hitch up against the cab. I have run it right from there (with an extension cord) and also unloaded it at a campsite.
padredw
Nomad
Aug 29, 2020
I like the ramps. This generator is a two person job.

Also note: I do have a cover and use it, just removed for the photo.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 29, 2020
I added a 2nd receiver and had a cage built for the generator.

I used a rack similar to the one in the previous posts for ten years. The 2 inch receiver had a much higher rating than 350 lbs.
ivbinconned
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
I installed a “transfer switch “ to facilitate our gen in front storage space. This is also location of inverter so we have two options up front.
ivbinconned
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
https://forums.trailerlife.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29746971.cfm
dccamper
Explorer
Sep 06, 2020
I went the route on the safety struts and generator carrier tray from this company. About 15000 miles no issues.
https://mount-n-lock.com/all-products-category?sort=p.model&order=ASC&limit=100
Edd505
Explorer
Sep 06, 2020
just short of 4 years on the LCI rack, I have a 30amp cord that reaches in place.
Ride_S40T
Explorer
Sep 06, 2020
Don't forget the hitch lock. They can take the whole rack and cut the chains somewhere else.

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