Generator Placement questions

[seekingsummits]

So far weve made it our first 7 years without needing a generator. This summer however we are headed to AZ and UT in July and will likely boondock a night or 2 in a walmart or flying J parking lot to and from our destination. With that in mind and having kids in the bunkhouse and us up front, where do folks typically place their generators so they can run their AC and not die at the same time?
Thanks everyone
Adam

[TomG2]

For Walmarting, I simply wheel my generator out from under the tonneau cover and onto the lowered tailgate. I haven't had to run one all night yet. The only trick is to move the tongue jack rearward enough to clear the tailgate or unhitch.

[jjrbus]

Modified sound insulated truck tool box for Honda 2000. Can still be stolen but is going to take some real effort. PIA to add pictures, lots of ideas online.

I live in Florida and would die without AC.

[shelbyfv]

If you are only planning for a few nights w/o hookups and looking for maximum flexibility while traveling, why not just use a motel for those nights? Would be cheaper than buying a properly quiet inverter generator and the kids could enjoy the pool. Maybe a nice breakfast bar included.

[2oldman]

You also have to worry about it running out of gas.

[seekingsummits]

DrewE wrote:
For a portable generator, safe usage basically just means at least a few feet away from the RV and having the windows on that side closed (which presumably would be the case anyway if you're using the generator to power your air conditioner). Of course you should have a working CO detector in the RV.

In the outside air, carbon monoxide dissipates quite decently well. The cases I'm aware of where CO poisoning occurred with a portable generator and an RV involved such setups as having the generator positioned under the overhang of a fifth wheel, perhaps with some skirting or tarps around. A properly adjusted gas engine won't be producing an vast amount of CO anyhow; it represents incompletely burned gasoline and hence improper engine adjustment if its present in more than small amounts. At the same time, it doesn't take more than a fairly small amount to be very bad for people.

Thanks. Thats what I was after. Never had one so wasnt sure how close/far they could be. I see some brands can even have exhaust venting options too. We do have a CO detector but would want that to be secondary to good practice.

[DrewE]

For a portable generator, safe usage basically just means at least a few feet away from the RV and having the windows on that side closed (which presumably would be the case anyway if you're using the generator to power your air conditioner). Of course you should have a working CO detector in the RV.

In the outside air, carbon monoxide dissipates quite decently well. The cases I'm aware of where CO poisoning occurred with a portable generator and an RV involved such setups as having the generator positioned under the overhang of a fifth wheel, perhaps with some skirting or tarps around. A properly adjusted gas engine won't be producing an vast amount of CO anyhow; it represents incompletely burned gasoline and hence improper engine adjustment if its present in more than small amounts. At the same time, it doesn't take more than a fairly small amount to be very bad for people.

[ScottG]

How do you use it *safely*?
Make sure your CO detector is working.

[seekingsummits]

bid_time wrote:

seekingsummits wrote:
Its a TT. 38ft bunkhouse. I will often plan my route ahead and do a KOA or something but there are times when I can drive further in a day than i thought (or cant drive any more) and there are no RV parks within 100 miles.

Just ignore those that aren't answering your questions and want to question your choices. You don't have to justify your overnights anyone. I overnight in parking lots regularly. I'm not spending $30 for a few hours stopover for sleep.

Thanks, I appreciate that. A boatload of Honda, Yamaha, Generac inverters are purchased for the use of boondocking. If u dont believe in using one or cant afford one or at least cant justify the cost, maybe this posting isnt for you. Take walmart out of the equation and the question remains, how do folks use these safely? If you dont have one and dont use, I assume you have no valuable input for me.
Thanks to those actually answering the inquiry.

[2oldman]

ScottG wrote:
I can assure you WM doesn't care one bit if you put slides out. Ask a manager and you generally just get a blank look.

That was my experience when I was a Walmarter.. the manager looked at me like 'why do you bother me with this? Just find the other RVs and park there.'

I don't know the exact reasons for WM denying RV's, but I imagine it's those who stay longer than overnight and trash the place.

[ScottG]

I can assure you WM doesn't care one bit if you put slides out. Ask a manager and you generally just get a blank look.

[maillemaker]

I have no problem running my built-in generator in a Walmart parking lot overnight. Go park off in the far corner you're fine.

[bid_time]

seekingsummits wrote:
Its a TT. 38ft bunkhouse. I will often plan my route ahead and do a KOA or something but there are times when I can drive further in a day than i thought (or cant drive any more) and there are no RV parks within 100 miles.

Just ignore those that aren't answering your questions and want to question your choices. You don't have to justify your overnights anyone. I overnight in parking lots regularly. I'm not spending $30 for a few hours stopover for sleep.

[seekingsummits]

Its a TT. 38ft bunkhouse. I will often plan my route ahead and do a KOA or something but there are times when I can drive further in a day than i thought (or cant drive any more) and there are no RV parks within 100 miles.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

seekingsummits wrote:
So far weve made it our first 7 years without needing a generator. This summer however we are headed to AZ and UT in July and will likely boondock a night or 2 in a walmart or flying J parking lot to and from our destination. With that in mind and having kids in the bunkhouse and us up front, where do folks typically place their generators so they can run their AC and not die at the same time?
Thanks everyone
Adam

🙂 Hi, I have a travel trailer that is towed with a pick-up truck. I keep my generator locked to the bed of my truck and run it from there. It might help if you tell us if you have a travel trailer, a fifth wheel trailer, a motorhome, or a truck camper.