Location of generator in a 5th

[ByTheRvr]

We currently have a TT and will be moving up to a 5er and diesel TV. We currently have a pickup with cap and leave our Honda eu3000i locked in the truck bed. We either open the tailgate or the cap windows to run the generator as needed. I don't see a lot of mention of generators in the postings here and I'm wondering where people are storing their generators? Is there enough room in the basement of most 5ers and is it safe to run the generators there? (Concerned with fumes) I could have a lock box in the front of the pickup bed; we're planning on another long bed. I'm just curious what others are doing. We do a lot of boondocking. We will be adding solar but still expect to need our generator for AC and cloudy day backup.
Thanks,
Barrie

[n7bsn]

goducks10 wrote:
You'll find some that are gen ready like Arctic Fox. They have a vent in the front cargo door for fumes. You could also have the rear bumper reinforced and have the gen mounted there permanently.

Actually if the rig is ordered with out the gen-set, the door is solid (at least on ours and every one I can recall seeing).
We store our Honda 2000's there, along with leveling blocks and other gear.

[ByTheRvr]

My TT only had a holder for a single battery so I had a local fab shop make an aluminum box to hold my two 6v golf cart batteries. The locked box is bolted to the hitch frame. I can have them make a vented one from diamond plate to hold the generator and bolt the box to the pickup bed. When I had the eu2000 I would chain it to the axle when in use and found the vibration too annoying. I really appreciate the feedback; it's all helpful.
Barrie

[45Ricochet]

Our last 5er I had a custom built tarp that would cover it nicely when not in use. Real nice vinyl type material. In fact the guy was from Canada and I found him on the internet. Sent him the dimensions and it arrived about two weeks later and fit like a glove. Still have it and the genny in the garage. If you want a photo let me know.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

ByTheRvr wrote:
I have a bad back and the eu3000i is heavy so wherever it goes it has to stay there. We plan to buy a used unit so if it doesn't have a generator compartment I guess I'll have to lock it in the truck bed. Perhaps I can find a metal toolbox that is large enough to fit the generator inside. I had a eu2000 previously but it wouldn't run the AC. Thanks for the feedback.

Apparently some posters aren't following your posts..:(

Since you already have the 3000i -and- the trailer you purchase may *not* have a generator compt (which the 3000i won't fit in anyway) -
continue with the truck bed location..:C

It's no problem with a short or long bed p/up..
I keep my gen between the cab and the hitch - in my SB pickup.

Your tool box idea is fine - but think *INVERTED* tool box!.:W
You will never have to lift the gen in or out of the tool box, -and- the gen will also have adequate air flow for cooling and exhaust when in use (box removed)..;)

How to keep it from growing legs?
This sounds way more complicated than it is:

1. Cable lock (or other method) the gen in place in the bed of your truck. Only removed when (if) you wish to take the gen out of the bed for storage, winter, etc.
When you're not using the gen, #2 next - covers & "hides" the gen *AND* your cable lock.

2. Fabricate a "box" to be placed over (open end down) the gen.
The 'box' can be wood or metal. Obviously, metal would be better.

3. Decide on a method to lock the box *TO* the gen - which, without unlocking - means you (or a thief) are attempting to lift the generator underneath.

Since I have a Yam 2400is, this was easy - flat bar slips through two slots in top of the box and under the handles of the gen underneath.
Lock in the bar prevents it from being removed.

When you're ready to use the gen - simply unlock (and remove) the box.
If you planned (designed) well, it's not heavy.
(I can do that without getting in the bed)

BTW - when covered - it's conjecture what's underneath!.:?
You can add a bit of "disguise" if you wish - to give the impression it's firewood, gas cans, or?..:h:h

.

[Peg_Leg]

Barrie, Most people just leave the 3000 in the bed in front of the fifth wheel plate. Then as with your TT if you go out in the tow vehicle along come the gen. I piece of PVC pipe with a cap fastened in the 5th wheel hitch makes a easy support for a tarp if it rains.

I built a tray for the rear of my 5er and put my Yamaha 3000 on it. With my tray I get some vibration but I know I can do a fix on that when I get some time. I can go to town and leave the gen with the 5er.

[ford_truck_guy]

Go to the Torklift website and look at these-- Lock and load. ... I have one on the front of my truck and they are fantastic!! Joe

[Pipeman]

I had a Honda 3000. It ran everything I wanted it to run. I just couldn't run AC & microwave together. Not a big problem in the scheme of things. I used to lift it up and into the rear of the truck but that was a few years ago. I have left it in the box and ran it but put a tarp over it with enough room to breath. My son, who has a bad back, put wheels on his Honda 3000 and made a ramp to run the genny up into the rear of his truck and back out when boondocking. Much easier on the back and it can be pushed to a spot that he's comfortable with. It can be secured to a tree and it gets a tarp over it like a tent to protect it from the weather. I now have a 4000 watt juice box(Onan, remote controlled)that fits into the trailer hitch at the back of the 5er. I'm really thinking about going to 2 Honda 2000 watt models with an extended run gas tank and the harness to twin them. If the new 5er is not fitted with a compartment for a genny, I wouldn't run a genny in it unless you want to take a chance on not waking up.

[waltbennett]

We've two 4 year old Yamaha 2400is generators that can be ganged together. 15+ amps each or 30+ amps together. One will run the AC, but nothing else. Two lets us run anything (although I've not tried the fireplace and AC and coffee maker all at once). Usually we just take one unless we're planning on being off-grid for more than a day or two. Carry it in the basement & put it on the ground to use with a cable lock on a landing gear strut. If taking both, I put them on the truck bed & lock them down with the cable lock, or on the ground, etc. These aren't terribly light, but I can still move them & I'm going to be 70 in a few months.

[Michelle_S]

We had the Dual Honda 2000's with our Montana and kept them in the tool box in the TV, but when we ordered our Redwood we opt'd for the on-board Onan 5.5K which will run everything in the rig. Put the Honda's up for sale on the MOC forum and went in short order. Now if we need power it's just a simple push of a button and we have AC power.

[kennethwooster]

We found a very little used Onan and had it installed in our generator ready Cameo. Boy it works nice.

[goducks10]

You'll find some that are gen ready like Arctic Fox. They have a vent in the front cargo door for fumes. You could also have the rear bumper reinforced and have the gen mounted there permanently.

[edbehnke]

i wonder how well the 3000 watt would work with a/c and etc. stuff.

if you really want a generator with your 5th wheel I'd just get a 5th wheel with the generator already installed in the front.

but, here is another line. http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=22792.0

[tvman44]

I have seen pictures of metal tool boxes with a ginny in it in the truck bed. I keep ours on a cargo carrier on the rear of our 5er. 🙂

[dbbls]

With your heavy generator I would put it in the truck bed. I have seen 3000's installed in the front compartment on a slide and was slid out to be used. The compartment door was left open while used. Some 5er's have the front compartment separated from the main storage so this would not be a problem. If the front storage is not separated from the main storage it probably would be possible to install a wall to do that. Some Heartland units are separated (Big Country, Bighorn, and Landmark) and others may be.