Running Generator on the road

I installed a second receptacle in front under overhang....generator is bead mounted in truck with long enough cord to reach front receptacle.


Hot weather.......A/C unit turned on 2 hrs. prior to destination so rig was cooled down when we set up.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I installed a second receptacle in front under overhang....generator is bead mounted in truck with long enough cord to reach front receptacle.


Hot weather.......A/C unit turned on 2 hrs. prior to destination so rig was cooled down when we set up.

That's what I was think of doing for that reason of the AC, but I am not sure how to go about it.

I did the same thing. I also store my gen in the front compartment when not towing so I can just set it out on the ground and plug it in if needed while in storage.

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.

I am going to use a portable generator. How did you guys run the electrical for the plug up front?

Colo Native wrote:
I am going to use a portable generator. How did use guys run the electrical for the plug up front?

Originally I used a 'auto transfer switch'

Both receptacles (power sources) feed into switch and then output goes to RV Main AC Panel

I used a Marinco 50A Twist lock receptacle (just like my OEM)
20'/each of #6 wire in Black (L1 Hot) Red (L2 Hot) White (Neutral) and Green (Ground)

Installed receptacle on left front wall under overhang and ran wires (bundled) to transfer switch on wall of basement compartment.
Wired them to one input/OEM to other imput and main wires to output.

Changed all that later to 'manual swtich' due to transfer switch issues (faulty/failures.....factory/mfg. issues). That was 7 yrs. ago.
Better transfer switches available.

BUT my 'manual' switch works/dang near fool proof and repair if EVER needed is cheaper than transfer switches.

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

Our 5th wheel came with the "semi-generator prep package" that included a Marinco 50A twist-lock receptacle on the front of the 5th wheel (please excuse the water spots on the camera lens.) Despite the 125V designation on the cover, it's a 4-conductor (L1, L2, N, G) receptacle as used in 120/240V split phase center tap neutral 50A RV service.



The location of the receptacle is just to the left of the front compartment bay door as seen below.



Using a 50A twist-lock to 30A male adaptor, we plug the 5th wheel into 2 paralleled Yamaha EF2000iS generators we carry in the bed of the truck using a standard 30A extension cord that runs along the pin box. The generator prep package includes a transfer switch, generator control panel, etc. that makes the use of this setup to pre-cool the 5th wheel fairly painless.

Rusty

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

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