I have two Honda generators mounted in a alum tool box on a steel frame, all mounted on the back of my trailer.When I run the generators, there are vibrations and the sound resonates loudly in the trailer. The living room is at the rear of the trailer. Not pleasant to use.I have a heavy cloth type material (about 1/8" thick) between the steel frame and the tool box. It is the same material that goes between alum fuel tanks and the strap that holds the tank to the saddle on a 18 wheeler.I am thinking about checking in with the local Onan repair shop to see what they suggest.Thanks for any ideas and help!!Pat

I think you just found out why so few folks with portable generators run them attached to the trailer. Low frequency vibrations into the frame are like a voice coil in a speaker. and the trailer inside shell is like the speaker cone.If you find a solution, post it, I and others would like to find a solution. I just make sure mine is on the ground and not on the trailer when I run it.

The cloth won't help your vibration problem, you need to put some rubber between the generator and the frame - and then don't over tighten it. The Onan people should be able to sell you some sort of rubber vibration dampners from one of their generators. Or, look in the yellow pages if you still get them for a rubber supply place that sells hoses, conveyor belting, sheet rubber, etc. They should be able to give you some scrap belting (3/8" to 1/2" thick) that will do the same thing.Bill

The box itself may be resonating. Rubber under the gens may help.

ktmrfs wrote:If you find a solution, post it, I and others would like to find a solution. I just make sure mine is on the ground and not on the trailer when I run it.I'll do it!Pat

Trackrig wrote:The cloth won't help your vibration problem, you need to put some rubber between the generator and the frame - and then don't over tighten it. The Onan people should be able to sell you some sort of rubber vibration dampners from one of their generators. Or, look in the yellow pages if you still get them for a rubber supply place that sells hoses, conveyor belting, sheet rubber, etc. They should be able to give you some scrap belting (3/8" to 1/2" thick) that will do the same thing.BillI'll check with Onan. Thinking more about this, there is a thick rubber mud flap material for the big trucks that could work. Thick and not too hard.Thanks!Pat

Generator Vibration/noise, Isolator | Good Sam Community

RVUSA
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
hunt for these things, Ive seen them in action and it was amazing.

air bags
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I've created shock/vibration mounts from thick rubber hose based on the coiled cable mounts for the heavy electronics and weapon systems I worked on in the navy. Works great.
westend
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
Sorbothane is going to be the best dampener you're going to find. Using a mass-damping product on the inside of the box will also help. Something like Dynamat
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
Thanks to everyone for responding, ideas and posting images!!
I have looked at the Sorbothane site.
Looked at Grangers site. I have one close by.
I hope to check the tool box next week for clearances and dimensions to decide how I can improve my box.
I'll follow up when finished. Just don't know how long it will take me....
So, thanks, again!
Pat
Mr_MrsSchleppro
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
Tractor Supply has rubber truck bed mats that I believe are about 3/8 in thick. I'm not sure of the cost but cut a placed under the gennys would dampen the vibes.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2013
Check with Grainger, look up "Isolators"
guidry
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
Check out where they sell horse supplies. There are rubber mats made for horses and it should also be soft and work. Check those prices compared to the other mats. Good luck.
I place both of my Hondas inside my truck bed and have them chained and locked. I've run them at night and they are not as loud as when I tried them inside my 5th wheel storage in front.
bcbigfoot
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
I have used a product called Sorbothane, it is truly amazing at absorbing vibration you can check it out here. http://www.sorbothane.com/products.php
msiminoff
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2013
My generator is mounted into my camper using two boards that each have rubber vibration dampening mounts on/between them. It's basically "floating" in the generator compartment. There's no noticeable vibration inside the camper. Below are a few pics that may help to explain what I've done.
Hope this helps,
-Mark
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
Tin Pusher wrote:
The box itself may be resonating. Rubber under the gens may help.

Thanks!!
Pat