Mounting Generator

Dealer added receiver hitch, braced the frame, and then I got a receiver carrier. They mounted the generator on the carrier, and secured it. I would also carry extra gas or other things on the carrier. Generator was 250 to 300 lbs. I could not tell at all that I added any weight to the rear of the trailer. As far as adding double weight to the axles I really can't see that on a 5th. I use the same system on my Cameo, just don't carry the generator there. I wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, I have the generator and it has very little time on it. I cannot see how adding weight on the back doubles the axle weight. Will look into it. Thanks

For every pound you add to the rear of the trailer you will remove some weight from the pin/tongue and add it to the axles. Example, if the axles were perfectly in the center of the trailer, you add 200 pounds to the rear, you will remove 200 pounds from the hitch and transfer it to the axles for a net gain of 400 pounds. In your case, you will add at least 420 pounds to the axles, just for the generator. By the time you add your full gas tank and the structure to hold all this; you will be closer to 600 pounds of added weight and nearly 1200 pounds to the axles. Think of it like a balance beam scale or teeter totter. With out knowing the distance from the hitch to the center of suspension and the distance from center of suspension to the rear of the trailer with the addition, it is only an approximation of how much weight you will remove from the hitch. But what is certain, is for every pound you add to the rear, you will have twice as much added to the suspension.

I'm guessing you may already have the generator...

If you don't already have it why not go with a portable self contained unit with a remote start setup. These have built in fuel tanks and you can haul it in the back of your truck and then place it wherever you need it. I use two Honda 2000i with a parallel kit- these were replacements for our Onan that died. They ended up about $800 cheaper than replacing the Onan.

I can use them for the 5th wheel or at home if the power goes out. Lot more flexible than the Onan setup was.

To answer your question- Don't worry about the affect on the hitch weight, if need be you can add weight in the front of the 5th wheel to compensate.

It would remove very little from the pin weight....I would want to make perfectly sure that the hitch was solidly affixed to the frame of the 5er,....I'd hate to have it break off while doing 60 mph down the interstate.