Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator

[roadjunkie]

I purchased a new Champion 4000W generator yesterday and am looking for ideas of how to transport and secure from theft on my Gulf Stream 21 foot TT. I like the idea of having it on the trailer tonuge and saw that Camping World has a carrier that fits over the gas bottles.

Are there any other options I'm missing? I'd like to see photos of your set ups.

[2oldman]

TomG2 wrote:
I only run my generator where the sound is not a problem and anyone within 200 feet of me is too close anyway. If I need to run it full time, I move to a cooler place or a park with hookups.

That's considerate of you. Thanks. I'm now within 400' of 3 of these construction site generators, and the Champion is by far the loudest of them all.

I'm sure more will be moving in tomorrow. I may have to leave.. we'll see.

[TomG2]

4x4van wrote:
...snip....Everything is relative.

Everything is subjective. The whine of a Honda busting its butt to run my air conditioner is not any nicer to hear than the 3600 rpm's of my generator. That is why I sold my Honda. Those that prefer to mess with fueling, maintaining, connecting, and starting two small generators are welcome to the task. I prefer one pull start to get all the electricity I need.

I only run my generator where the sound is not a problem and anyone within 200 feet of me is too close anyway. If I need to run it full time, I move to a cooler place or a park with hookups.

[4x4van]

TomG2 wrote:
Those who brag that their Hondas are almost silent either don't own one or ever run theirs. When used at or near overload, they put out an obnoxious whine that can be heard for hundreds of feet in all directions. Had one. They are very quiet with little or no load.

"...an obnoxious whine that can be heard for hundreds of feet in all directions" is an exaggeration. However, keep in mind that they start out whisper quiet and then get louder as the load increases. An open contractor style generator STARTS out ridiculously loud, and also gets louder as the load increases. Everything is relative.

[TomG2]

A person with a modern battery operated grinder can defeat all but the largest chains, cables, and locks. Dewalt makes a nice one.

[2oldman]

TomG2 wrote:
Those who brag that their Hondas are almost silent either don't own one or ever run theirs.

I've never said that. Yes, they get loud when pulling a heavy load, that's why I have two. I never run 'overload'. Not a great idea.

There's nothing like listening to an open-frame generator until 10pm for someone watching TV. And low loads like that are a great portion of generator use. I sometimes wonder if campers who do that are even aware of the existence of an inverter.

Buying a cheap generator is all about money.

[TomG2]

Those who brag that their Hondas are almost silent either don't own one or ever run theirs. When used at or near overload, they put out an obnoxious whine that can be heard for hundreds of feet in all directions. Had one. They are very quiet with little or no load.

[ctilsie242]

I have a Champion 4000 watt open-frame generator. A thick security cable, security chain, and SOBO padlocks send a message to thieves that they will have a fight on their hands. If they yank it, I file an insurance claim and buy a new one.

As for my two cents on Champion generators, I have found my 4000 watt (which I bought as an "emergency" replacement when my inverter gen seized) has been remarkably fuel-efficient, reliable, and putting out decently clean electricity. The ability to start it, wait until the generator stabilizes, then flip the circuit breaker on helps with connecting/disconnecting, similar with flipping the breaker off before closing the fuel petcock.

Downside is the 4000 watt open-frame model is loud. Ear-splittingly loud. Once I get $1053 to Amazon, it will be replaced by a 3400 watt, dual-fuel inverter generator with electric start, and the 4000 watt generator will be relegated to backup duty.

[bikendan]

roadjunkie, unless you're only using that Champion 4000w for boondocking and not in campgrounds, you're gonna get more "get an inverter generator" posts, than helpful posts.
If you are using it in a campground, most here will hope it gets stolen.

I own that generator and I only use it for home backup power and would NEVER use it in a campground. I use a Honda 2000i inverter generator for campground usage.

[2oldman]

I'm camping right now where there's an open frame generator hundreds of feet away. That da** thing turns the whole campground into a low grade hum and vibration.

And.. another one just moved in today. It's yellow. It's open framed. It's loud. I'm going to try to get a video of it without getting shot. "Sir, yes.. my friend is thinking about buying one of these and I was just amazed at how quiet it is. May I take a video of it.?" Yeah, that could work.

[pinesman]

First, I have never used my Champ in a campground but have used it quite a bit on the road. My previous fifth wheel had the shore power cord near the back of the trailer so I made a rack to put on the rear bumper and reinforced the bumper. When on the road, the cord was secured to the underside of the trailer and the whole setup worked great. My current trailer has the power cord near the front so I carry the genny in the truck, securing the cord to the underside and up through the open area where the propane tanks are. This system has worked great for me also.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

Devocamper wrote:

newlee wrote:

crcr wrote:
Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator ...

Lock it up in your garage at home (or return it for a refund), and buy an inverter generator. This will ensure that you don't make enemies of each and every one of your neighbors when camping, and will exhibit that you have consideration for others.

X2

X3

X4

[Devocamper]

newlee wrote:

crcr wrote:
Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator ...

Lock it up in your garage at home (or return it for a refund), and buy an inverter generator. This will ensure that you don't make enemies of each and every one of your neighbors when camping, and will exhibit that you have consideration for others.

X2

X3

[newlee]

crcr wrote:
Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator ...

Lock it up in your garage at home (or return it for a refund), and buy an inverter generator. This will ensure that you don't make enemies of each and every one of your neighbors when camping, and will exhibit that you have consideration for others.

X2

[crcr]

Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator ...

Lock it up in your garage at home (or return it for a refund), and buy an inverter generator. This will ensure that you don't make enemies of each and every one of your neighbors when camping, and will exhibit that you have consideration for others.

[jamesroadking]

I did not want the added 100 pound weight of my of my Champion 4000/3500 watt generator on my trailer tongue, I carry it in the right rear corner of the bed of my F250 that has leveling airbags sitting on a heavy insulated pad. It fits perfectly under my tonneau cover, tied down with heavy ropes and locked down and a cable with a padlock.
I have a 8 inch fan plugged into one of the 115 outlets blowing air through the generator and onto the cylinder head, the exhaust runs through a secondary muffler (a big stock quiet Electra Glide one) before exiting through the opened tailgate.
I use the trailer tongue area of the trailer to store my light weight smelly sewer hose stuff it a plastic box.