Running Generator on the road

[Colo_Native]

This maybe a stupid question but why not. How many out there run a generator while running down the road and if so how do you run the cord if the generator in the truck bed and the plug is at the back of the FW or did you have another plug put in up front?

[CarlT100]

Champions are reliable, rugged, and economically priced.

[magic43]

I guess that I am "generator poor" because I also have a Champion 3500 to use during storm outages. It's reliability is why I did not hesitate to buy the new inverter Champion.

[jasult]

Yeah but you are now off topic.
This thread is not about bashing the loud reliable 279 dollar champion workhorse

[avvidclif1]

jasult wrote:
yup, worse thing is they damage my champion generator 😉
My strong bumper will protect the RV unless major collision then don't matter what we have back there.

That generator is known in a lot of circles as "The Jackhammer". Not well received.

[jasult]

yup, worse thing is they damage my champion generator 😉
My strong bumper will protect the RV unless major collision then don't matter what we have back there.

[CarlT100]

jasult wrote:

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Colo Native wrote:
This maybe a stupid question but why not. How many out there run a generator while running down the road and if so how do you run the cord if the generator in the truck bed and the plug is at the back of the FW or did you have another plug put in up front?

Yes - (run the gen in the pickup bed) if desired.

Yes - another "plug" up front. Serves several purposes, besides the gen.

See the (my) - *connection options* from discussion about the 50amp cord.

It's a variation of a schematic posted many years ago by Ken Lenger
for his on-board gen & manual transfer switch.

BTW - The rack in back.
Unless it's for a slide in camper (no bed space available), IMO - the gen on the "rack in back" is your *substitute bumper*...:(

But - whatever rings *your* chimes!..;)


~

and mine is stronger than the stock make believe bumper :B

That is a good point. Factory RV "bumpers" are a bad joke.

[jasult]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Colo Native wrote:
This maybe a stupid question but why not. How many out there run a generator while running down the road and if so how do you run the cord if the generator in the truck bed and the plug is at the back of the FW or did you have another plug put in up front?

Yes - (run the gen in the pickup bed) if desired.

Yes - another "plug" up front. Serves several purposes, besides the gen.

See the (my) - *connection options* from discussion about the 50amp cord.

It's a variation of a schematic posted many years ago by Ken Lenger
for his on-board gen & manual transfer switch.

BTW - The rack in back.
Unless it's for a slide in camper (no bed space available), IMO - the gen on the "rack in back" is your *substitute bumper*...:(

But - whatever rings *your* chimes!..;)


~

and mine is stronger than the stock make believe bumper :B

[TGPILOT]

Anyone know what it would cost to have a 30 or 50 plug installed on the front of an RV?

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Colo Native wrote:
This maybe a stupid question but why not. How many out there run a generator while running down the road and if so how do you run the cord if the generator in the truck bed and the plug is at the back of the FW or did you have another plug put in up front?

Yes - (run the gen in the pickup bed) if desired.

Yes - another "plug" up front. Serves several purposes, besides the gen.

See the (my) - *connection options* from discussion about the 50amp cord.

It's a variation of a schematic posted many years ago by Ken Lenger
for his on-board gen & manual transfer switch.

BTW - The rack in back.
Unless it's for a slide in camper (no bed space available), IMO - the gen on the "rack in back" is your *substitute bumper*...:(

But - whatever rings *your* chimes!..;)


~

[magic43]

The truck bed did not work for me. I have two Honda EU2000's and the B.E.R.G. dual fuel tank system, but I needed a way to run the AC while traveling. (Because of warranty issues, this will not help the OP), but I modified a "hitch hauler" to rest on the top of my rear bumper. A Champion 75531i generator for $686 (Ebay/free shipping) will easily run my single AC, and it is much less cumbersome than the two Hondas. I needed an additional sewer hose carrier, so that was also incorporated.

Because the FW lights are partially obstructed, I added two LED tail/signal/stop lights.

This shows the bracing underneath the platform which tie to the 7/16" bolts.

[ogfalconsr]

CarlT100 wrote:
I run my onboard generator while traveling for the ac. I usually stop about 2 hours or so before we reach our destination and fire up the generator and both ac's.

Yep-X2. Gene

[jasult]

laknox wrote:
Another option is to add a cargo rack on the back end of your FW and mount a gen-box back there. Usually a much shorter run for the cord and not (usually) necessary for another plug.

Lyle

This is what I did and works great.

[laknox]

Colo Native wrote:

laknox wrote:
Another option is to add a cargo rack on the back end of your FW and mount a gen-box back there. Usually a much shorter run for the cord and not (usually) necessary for another plug.

Lyle

Can't put one there will void warranty

Ah! Forgot; new rig under warranty. One of the reasons I like the '16 Jayco Eagle/Eagle HT's; they have a 3k lb rated factory hitch available. The 300 lb rating will carry a 3k watt genny and tank of gas just fine! 🙂

FWIW, at one point in time, I considered just snaking my 50' (25+25) cord from the extreme back end, up the ladder and snake it around the skylights and A/C, then to the pin box and into the bed. Velcro ties around the ladder, roof rack and pin box. Sorta redneck, but if it works... 🙂

Lyle

[Colo_Native]

laknox wrote:
Another option is to add a cargo rack on the back end of your FW and mount a gen-box back there. Usually a much shorter run for the cord and not (usually) necessary for another plug.

Lyle

Can't put one there will void warranty