I'm getting tired of hauling my cumbersome 3,000 watt generator in and out of the bed of my truck when dry camping. The other day on the road I passed a travel trailer with a generator mounted on a cargo rack which, in turn, was mounted to the rear bumper of the trailer. I thought that was a great idea for dry camping, assuming it could just be left in place on the cargo rack while running to provide electricity for the AC, etc. But then I got to wondering how much vibration is felt throughout the TT while the generator is running. (My 3,000 watt generator is a Champion which runs virtually about as quietly and smoothly as my previous 2,000 watt Honda.) I'm just wondering if anyone else has a set-up like this and how they like it.

I will beat some of the experts to it. You don't have to worry about that brand being stolen.The "bumper" is really just a hose carrying convenience on most trailers.Finally, the cargo carrier can be mounted securely, but requires a well engineered installation.

:) Hi, People will steal anything.Most trailer bumpers are very weak, or as I call them, rear decorations.You can have a strong set up fabricated, but you will have to deal with the loss of tongue weight.

Agree with Robert. How will you deal with x pounds placed at the rear most of your TT...until the generator is stolen? (Not "if")

As has been said, the square tube "bumpers" (even calling them that is a stretch) on most RVs are only adequate for carrying the stinky slinky. Using a bolt-on receiver to mount anything is a recipe for disaster. Between the leverage from the rack and cargo (even bikes) and the amplified G-forces at the back of the trailer, the welds at either end of the bumper will fail in short order. I could probably find dozens - if not hundreds - of images of this happening with a quick Google search. The only safe way to do it would be to have a qualified fabricator build you a receiver and/or rack that is welded to the trailer frame itself.Rob

If I were going to fab up a mount for that gen, I would put it over the propane tanks.Much safer and add's weight to the front rather than the back.

generator on rear bumper cargo rack | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

corvettekent
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
Why do you remove it from the truck? I have seen a few running in the bed of the truck with a heavy extension cord to the trailer.
kwise_6
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
fdhealy4 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
If I were going to fab up a mount for that gen, I would put it over the propane tanks.
Much safer and add's weight to the front rather than the back.

Here's a link to the rack over the propane tanks -https://www.amazon.com/Stromberg-Carlson-CC-255-Trailer-Tray/dp/B00U8AXRPW/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499196836&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=stromberg+carlson+model+cc-255

Thanks...
DC8Captain
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
ScottG wrote:
If I were going to fab up a mount for that gen, I would put it over the propane tanks.
Much safer and add's weight to the front rather than the back.

Here's a link to the rack over the propane tanks -https://www.amazon.com/Stromberg-Carlson-CC-255-Trailer-Tray/dp/B00U8AXRPW/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499196836&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=stromberg+carlson+model+cc-255
TUCQUALA
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
Curt, and others, make hitch receivers for trailers and 5ths. Both bolt-on and weld-on that attach between the rv frame and don't affect the rear tube bumper. Better idea than just adding a 2" box on the bumper, puts load on the frame not the bumper. As to tongue weight, your "nobody wants to steal" Champion wouldn't be a terrible amount (90# approx), and you can easily load trailer to balance if necc.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 12, 2017
If I were going to fab up a mount for that gen, I would put it over the propane tanks.
Much safer and add's weight to the front rather than the back.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
As has been said, the square tube "bumpers" (even calling them that is a stretch) on most RVs are only adequate for carrying the stinky slinky. Using a bolt-on receiver to mount anything is a recipe for disaster. Between the leverage from the rack and cargo (even bikes) and the amplified G-forces at the back of the trailer, the welds at either end of the bumper will fail in short order. I could probably find dozens - if not hundreds - of images of this happening with a quick Google search. The only safe way to do it would be to have a qualified fabricator build you a receiver and/or rack that is welded to the trailer frame itself.

Rob
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2017
Agree with Robert. How will you deal with x pounds placed at the rear most of your TT...until the generator is stolen? (Not "if")
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
:) Hi,

People will steal anything.

Most trailer bumpers are very weak, or as I call them, rear decorations.

You can have a strong set up fabricated, but you will have to deal with the loss of tongue weight.
TomG2
Explorer
Jul 12, 2017
I will beat some of the experts to it. You don't have to worry about that brand being stolen.

The "bumper" is really just a hose carrying convenience on most trailers.

Finally, the cargo carrier can be mounted securely, but requires a well engineered installation.

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generator on rear bumper cargo rack

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