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Fstmvrerik's avatar
Fstmvrerik
Explorer
Nov 15, 2020

Generator use during travel

I plan on doing quite a bit of winter camping, including driving during midwest weather and temperatures. With my last fifth wheel I had an onboard generator to run 120v electric heaters to keep everything above freezing. I currently have a 39' Outback TT, that has a winter package with sealed underbelly. I have a gasoline 30 amp stand alone generator, and the camper has its shore power at the very rear of the rig.

I have a class 3 hitch on the rear of the camper and was wondering if anybody has put a cargo carrier on the rear of the camper and used the generator on the carrier while in motion.

I know from past experience the rear of the camper can be a fairly "active" area for cargo on some highways. I worry about a 120lb generator bouncing around on the back of my rig.

Does anybody have any experience doing this?
  • My furnace runs fine while in transit. Nothing wrong with going on a test drive to verify operation.
  • I have never tried to run the propane furnace while driving, I always assumed it would not vent correctly and shut itself down and cycle on and off.
  • I would just run the propane furnace. Save the generator for a power outage or leave it home.
  • Yes. I do not advise a carrier for the genny on the rear as it destabilizes and might overload the load. A good idea to run it when you think cold would damage your unit.
    Hitch or in truck bed carry with power cord to supply the unit. You wouldnt need a lotof genny power, so a 20 amp ext. cord run under, tied up , would work fine.