We are thinking about buying a champion 2800 watt inverter generator for our 21 ft amerilite.We don't do much camping without hookups, just an occasional night or weekend.While in North FL this past june a storm knocked out power for a couple hours, hence a generator.I read that the champion shouldn't sit out in the rain.If I need to run it in the rain, is it ok to put it slightly under the trailer, with the exhaust pointed out, not too close to any flammable surfaces?Won't the carbon monoxide let me know if there is a problem?TIA

When I have my generator, the same model as yours, I usually have a piece of plywood about 4'x4' with me. I use the plywood clamped to the rear bumper as a rain shield and get the generator a short distance from the trailer. I also have a smaller piece that the generator sits on. I could also leave it in the truck bed since I have a tonneau cover and leave the tailgate down. The other option I have is my homemade genturi, which works like a dream. I would never trust the CO detector.RichH

I just found this https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/cover-for-portable-generator/

Put it under the tailgate of the truck. Or cut a half sheet of plywood and put in down in the bed of the truck. If it rains, pull it out and set it on top of the generator. I use one of those small white folding tables and put the generator under it. Don't put it under the trailer.Bill

Shortly after buying my second Yamaha ef2000is, we had a heavy duty thunderstorm and massive downpour that just kept going and going. The Yamaha ran for almost 24 hours under an outdoor table that did little to stop the rain (table top was not one solid surface but a series of parallel boards).Eventually I had to get a cinder block for the little guy to sit on, as my back yard started to flood. long story short: don't worry about a little rain, it's an outdoor generator, and although they'll never admit it due to liability, it's designed to run in adverse conditions.

dockmasterdave wrote:I just found this https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/cover-for-portable-generator/At $190 I will keep my plywood.RichH

where to put the gennie? | Good Sam Community

aguablanco
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
When I have my generator, the same model as yours, I usually have a piece of plywood about 4'x4' with me. I use the plywood clamped to the rear bumper as a rain shield and get the generator a short distance from the trailer. I also have a smaller piece that the generator sits on. I could also leave it in the truck bed since I have a tonneau cover and leave the tailgate down. The other option I have is my homemade genturi, which works like a dream. I would never trust the CO detector.
RichH
dockmasterdave
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
I just found this
https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/cover-for-portable-generator/
Trackrig
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2016
Put it under the tailgate of the truck. Or cut a half sheet of plywood and put in down in the bed of the truck. If it rains, pull it out and set it on top of the generator. I use one of those small white folding tables and put the generator under it. Don't put it under the trailer.

Bill
GordonThree
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
Shortly after buying my second Yamaha ef2000is, we had a heavy duty thunderstorm and massive downpour that just kept going and going. The Yamaha ran for almost 24 hours under an outdoor table that did little to stop the rain (table top was not one solid surface but a series of parallel boards).

Eventually I had to get a cinder block for the little guy to sit on, as my back yard started to flood.

long story short: don't worry about a little rain, it's an outdoor generator, and although they'll never admit it due to liability, it's designed to run in adverse conditions.
aguablanco
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
dockmasterdave wrote:
I just found this
https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/cover-for-portable-generator/

At $190 I will keep my plywood.
RichH
gbopp
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
dockmasterdave wrote:
I just found this
https://www.houselogic.com/finances-taxes/home-insurance/cover-for-portable-generator/

Clicky

It may be okay, if there is never any wind. So, it won't work in my area in the winter.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 31, 2016
Hi,

I improvise a "tent" from a plastic tarp from the Dollar Store. I leave the ends open.

You do NOT want it under the RV.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Aug 31, 2016
How about a GenTent

http://www.gentent.com/
rwynkoop
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016
I keep my Kipor 3000i in my pickup bed at the tail gate. I open the tail gate and close the fiberglass top. If it is not raining and day time, I leave the fiberglass top open on the bed.

Additionally, I use a cable and lock to secure the generator to the truck.

I also have two CO detectors in the RV.

Robert Wynkoop
Grit_dog
Navigator
Sep 01, 2016
Well this topic got heated the last time, only a couple months ago.
I'll say this to the chagrin of those with a Gen Tent, lol. Every generator I've used, which is literally a hundred of them. Construction site power, mostly and home emergency power and rving as well, runs fine in the rain, and they last a long time. There's a difference between running it in the rain and steping it outside long term.