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Bob_Vaughn's avatar
Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014

Generator in truck bed.

We have a 5th wheel and just purchased a generator to carry in the bed of our truck should the need arise to plug in the camper to it. With the 5th wheel hooked up would it be safe to sleep in the bed room over the generator with it running?

17 Replies

  • I've used an extension cord so my pickup was 20 feet away, the exhaust pointed well away and downwind. It has worked for a few years, but the pickup resonates the generator's noise, similar to how a guitar body resonates the strings when plucked. So, placing the generator on the ground a good distance away solved both these issues. I still wouldn't run it all night long.

    Unless there is a need to run the generator all night, I'd cut it off, unless there was a definite medical need, and even then, a lot of things like a CPAP can be put on batteries, or an inverter purchased and those run from the house battery bank.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I would not.. Exhaust gasses tend to rise.. and if the bedroom is above the generator they will find any crack they can and come up and hop in bed with you.. In which case,, Odds are you'll never know what killed you.

    You can move the generator out so it's clear of your rig, secured, and exhaust pointed away from people.. or... Just use battery power all night. Upgrade your batteries and use battery power.. No Air Conditioning, but you can run the exhaust fans.
  • Maybe, but I wouldn't. People have died from sleeping in campers with generators running outside with the exhaust improperly directed. Without knowing your setup you have to kind of anticipate the worst.

    Brian

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