I'm posting here in order to target those who are (obviously) towing bumper pull trailers and many here are likely using pickups as their tow vehicles (which is what I have).Being in Texas and camping the vast majority of the time in the south, I am interested in getting a generator in order to run the A/C at times when I don't have electrical hookups (for example, in many federally managed lands).If I get a 3000 watt Honda or Yamaha, these things are heavy (150+ lbs) so I thought I'd put in the bed of the truck close to the cab secured with various cables to prevent a lazy thief from getting. Of course, nothing is going to stop a truly determined thief. But then when we go off sightseeing or visiting town, the generator is "exposed" to the public which increases its likelihood of being stolen. But then this thing is a bear to get in and out of the truck each time we return home from a trip.On the other hand, a pair of paralleled Honda 2000's are much lighter (50ish lbs each).I am curious how you secure your portable generator(s) especially when you are going into town while camping. Leaving it at the campsite with no one there seems risky, but so does leaving it in the truck unless I get some clever way to hide/disguise them. But that seems to entail a big storage or tool box...Maybe I am too paranoid about two, $1000 generators (or one $2000) generator walking off?Thanks for your input.

Certainly a problem that needs to be addressed, I lock mine (2 Hondas) down using cables with the generators in large plastic storage boxes and have a bed cover. At least that is what i did before getting a topper. Now I still use the storage boxes, cables and lock the topper. The storage boxes and cable idea I copied from an Austin policeman.The bed cover adds significant out of sight security when the generators are locked down in the front of the bed.I hope we see you down by the coast some day,

This topic has been discussed here in the past, and people have reported both leaving it in their trucks and chaining it to their TTs and storing underneath. As you stated, securing them as best you can against lazy thiefs! We have yet to need ours on the road, so I have no first hand experience. Use the search function for past posts until readers start posting here!

I have my two Honda 2000's secured in the truck bed near the tailgate with bicycle locks. When not in use, I have a tonneau cover.

Steeljag wrote:Use the search function for past posts until readers start posting here!I've seen many posts about this, but I'll be darned if searching 'secure generator' (find all words) found much of anything. Very surprising.Here we go. This is 'secure' in heading, Tech issues, over 1 year old.

I lock my Yamaha 3000 in the truck bed with a large Master Lock cable lock. It looks more intimidating than it is, which was my goal. I am less concerned while "out and about", but do cover the genset with a fitted cover (NOT blue or red!)

How do you store/secure your portable generator?

RamRider
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
Certainly a problem that needs to be addressed, I lock mine (2 Hondas) down using cables with the generators in large plastic storage boxes and have a bed cover. At least that is what i did before getting a topper. Now I still use the storage boxes, cables and lock the topper. The storage boxes and cable idea I copied from an Austin policeman.

The bed cover adds significant out of sight security when the generators are locked down in the front of the bed.

I hope we see you down by the coast some day,
Steeljag
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
This topic has been discussed here in the past, and people have reported both leaving it in their trucks and chaining it to their TTs and storing underneath. As you stated, securing them as best you can against lazy thiefs!

We have yet to need ours on the road, so I have no first hand experience.

Use the search function for past posts until readers start posting here!
guidry
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
I have my two Honda 2000's secured in the truck bed near the tailgate with bicycle locks. When not in use, I have a tonneau cover.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2015
Steeljag wrote:
Use the search function for past posts until readers start posting here!
I've seen many posts about this, but I'll be darned if searching 'secure generator' (find all words) found much of anything. Very surprising.

Here we go. This is 'secure' in heading, Tech issues, over 1 year old.
RJCorazza
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
I lock my Yamaha 3000 in the truck bed with a large Master Lock cable lock. It looks more intimidating than it is, which was my goal. I am less concerned while "out and about", but do cover the genset with a fitted cover (NOT blue or red!)
texasAUtiger
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
RJCorazza wrote:
I lock my Yamaha 3000 in the truck bed with a large Master Lock cable lock. It looks more intimidating than it is, which was my goal. I am less concerned while "out and about", but do cover the genset with a fitted cover (NOT blue or red!)

I like that Yamaha 3000, but dread the thought of getting a 170 lb beast in and out of my truck before/after each trip.
azrving
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
I posted my method in this thread. The first thing I did was to remove the bottom brackets and weld 2 bolts onto one bracket. On the other bracket that is toward the rear of the truck I drilled holes and installed 2 bolts loosely. I reinstalled the brackets then drilled 4 matching holes in the bed and set the gen down into them.

This allowed me to just put lock nuts and washers on the forward 2 bolts yet the rear 2 had to have the bolts held from up above by another person as I installed the nuts down below. So...it would take 2 people to remove the bolts. The bolts that are loose in the brackets would just spin if trying to remove the nuts.

Mine will probably be the last one in the campground to be taken. If they like, please take the whole truck as I have put a couple minor oops spots on it already. 2014 is nice but I'll take a 2016. :)
Oasisbob
Explorer
Aug 29, 2015
I keep mine in the shower when not in use. I only pull it out to charge the batteries. I lock the unit to the rear bumper with a bicycle type U lock through the generator handle.
GordonThree
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
I carry either a solo yammy or twin 2000's, they ride in the bed near the gate. If I'm feeling paranoid, I run some 3/4" marine grade anchor chain through the handles, through a tie-down loop in the bed and lock with one of those masterlock with the "armored" shank. Probably easier to take a crow bar to the loop in the truck bed and bust the welds, I'm sure it would pop right off.

Most of the time the generators are just back there covered with a tarp, or while operating, just sitting on the dirt at the end of 25' of cord.

My ignorance of campground theft is bliss - I just don't worry about it.

Curious off-topic question, why do the 3000 watt generators weight more than two 2000 watt units, when the twins provide a lot more power? Where does that extra weight go?
trail-explorer
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015
texasAUtiger wrote:
I like that Yamaha 3000, but dread the thought of getting a 170 lb beast in and out of my truck before/after each trip.

I couldn't even stand lifting the Yamaha 2400 in and out of the truck.
I sold it and went with 2 Honda 2000s. One of them is a companion model. Summer, if I go places where I know I will want A/C, I bring both generators. Fall/spring camping, I only bring one.