generator on back bumper

I certainly hope you will feel comfortable with your high dollar generator sitting on the trailer out in plain view when you are not around. I know I would be one worried dude if it were me.

My setup has my 2KW Honda generator sitting secured in the tail gate corner of my truck. My truck bed uses one of those folding "FOLD-A-COVER" lockable bed cover. This makes my generator completely out of sight when not is use. It also goes where I go...


I personally have not ever had any thief of any items when camping but it is a hugh concern from all of the stories we keep hearing from fellow campers. The early afternoon time frame is the prime time for thief.

I saw one generator install mounted on the rear of a truck camper that was up the side of the doorway mounted in a cage stacked up from the bumper area. It was highly visible but was inside a lockable cage arrangement.

Of course the thieves will have bolt cutters and portable metal cutting tools and can probably remove almost anything in just seconds or minutes...

Just something to ponder...

Roy Ken

Ric Flair wrote:
I had one of those cargo carriers on my old KZ FW that I carried my Champion genny on. After the first trip I noticed that the "bumper" was started to twist and tear loose from it's supports. I welded some square tubing underneath the frame and bumper for additional support.

I'm afraid if you trust that "bumper" alone to support the dynamic load of 150# you'll eventually see your genny in your mirror leaving your trailer in an uncontrolled, catastrophic manner.

Well a long talk to hitch company. With the help of a rv friend.
I found a hitch that welds to the frame(nothing to do with bumpers).
Talked to the welder and he said no problem will put a couple gussets here to help. so now I know for a fact I can go down the road and never give my genny another thought. now I do have my spare tire on a tire rack and it been their for years(1997) and my home still going great. It's my home....

I had one of those cargo carriers on my old KZ FW that I carried my Champion genny on. After the first trip I noticed that the "bumper" was started to twist and tear loose from it's supports. I welded some square tubing underneath the frame and bumper for additional support.

I'm afraid if you trust that "bumper" alone to support the dynamic load of 150# you'll eventually see your genny in your mirror leaving your trailer in an uncontrolled, catastrophic manner.

GordonThree wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Im no expert But I would only attempt to weld to the rear if there is a true I beam frame. I do not believe C channel frames would be adequate.

Is this because the metal is too thin, or just not strong enough to support additional weight?

I don't believe the metal is substantial enough to hold the weight.

Lantley wrote:
Im no expert But I would only attempt to weld to the rear if there is a true I beam frame. I do not believe C channel frames would be adequate.

Is this because the metal is too thin, or just not strong enough to support additional weight?

Hi All, I would like to thank 2112 for all his help for finding a product that helped me out with my not having my generator on the back of my trailer. Parts ordered and when it gets here a welder setup to weld the hitch on to my frame.
Now I will feel safe going down the road and letting everyone see my Champion safe on the back of the old....old trailer which I call home. Many thanks 2112,
wish you well and good camping..

hope this helps. what I found out its tubing 2"x4.5 no seam on top or bottom.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2z4hh0o.jpg

Im no expert But I would only attempt to weld to the rear if there is a true I beam frame. I do not believe C channel frames would be adequate.

Lynnmor wrote:
My KZ has an extremely light frame. The "I-beams" are just thin sheet metal welded together to form a beam. If your frame has this lightweight construction then you should not take the advice to attach weight there or to the bumper. I don't know when Lippert went to this type of frame.

When I was upgrading the electric on my 2013 KZ, my frame is was not heavy box section steel, but it's not sheet metal welded either. The suspension area was solid box section (square tubing?), with an extra thickness of steel welded to the bottom of the box, extending out past the suspension mounts. The rest of the frame is shaped kind of like a C, but with a little lip on the top and bottom, rather than a full square of steel.

I am also considering a bolt-on or weld on receiver kit for the back of my TT, as a home for the generator and sewage hoses.

With a cargo mounted carrier, there is also front/rear load balancing. Too much off the tongue may affect steering stability.

I'd not let it affect your decision for a tow vehicle (Suburban versus a RAM pickup), as people with larger families need to get a SUV that can fit them, but I will admit my bias towards pickups and just using the bed for the generator's vacation home.