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Ideas for carrying/securing open framed generator

roadjunkie
Explorer
Explorer
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.
102 REPLIES 102

roadjunkie
Explorer
Explorer
TomG2 wrote:
2oldman wrote:
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.


I never park within 400' of people running any brand of generator. Thanks for the report but you cannot hear my generator from 400' in any direction. Sixty long paces and the sound is gone. As a surveyor, I know about what 200' looks like and as a contractor, I know what real contractor generators sound like. I also realize it is popular to slam what others own.


Well put, Tom. I like to hear a man speak the truth. I wonder if all the people who are complaining about loud generators use a generator at all. If they don't, I see where they could be annoyed but if they do, and they don't have a problem spending $2k to $3k, much more on a generator, it would be awful snobbish/self-centered of them to look down on someone trying to accomplish the same thing but with a smaller budget to work with. I hope there aren't any people like that on here.

roadjunkie
Explorer
Explorer
TomG2 wrote:
A person with a modern battery operated grinder can defeat all but the largest chains, cables, and locks. Dewalt makes a nice one.


I think someone cutting through a chain with a grinder and abrasive wheel might draw some unwanted attention.

roadjunkie
Explorer
Explorer
bikendan wrote:
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.


I wouldn't use it in a campground either..... unless there was no power. I sleep with a C-pap and if the power goes down, I don't sleep.

roadjunkie
Explorer
Explorer
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.



Spend $319.99 for 4000W or $2300 for 3000W? Hmmmm...... that is a tough one.

I think I'm going to take the 4000W for $319.99.

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Explorer
We have this Champion Generator: http://www.championpowerequipment.com/products/inverters/75537i-3100w-inverter/



Last week a neighboring camper asked what kind it was: "It's so quiet"

He has a Honda 3k but uses mostly solar.

We did have it "remoted" via the shore power cable plus a 25ft heavy extension to take it back in the woods, leveled on a rock. Nice to have a remote controlled, electric start, too.

We pointed the exhaust away from the CG, we were on the outer side of the ring. That and the remoted part were probably the most effective "noise suppression" components ๐Ÿ˜‰

I read this thread to find out how some are carrying their generators.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
roadjunkie wrote:
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.


Obviously, you purchased the wrong generator (according to some).

Having said that, most people haul their generator in the bed of their tow vehicle or on a rear mounted platform. Any location should be engineered properly as far as how it affects the balance of the trailer or the load on the tongue or tow vehicle. The rear platform needs to be designed and built to carry the load, not just some bolt on bracket attached to the rear bumper/sewer hose carrier for instance.

Be careful out there and check out future purchases with our resident experts before making another huge mistake. Sorry for the way this thread has wandered.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
3 tons wrote:
Was my experience imagsined or possibly invalid??

Please Advise


How would I know? After all, this is the Internet. All yellow generators are not Champions. Mufflers do wear out or can even be removed by someone who thinks it will help it make more power. Anecdotal reports are just that. Observations by non professionals. Some with an agenda or prejudice. I am NOT saying that is the case with you as I have no way of knowing.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
full_mosey wrote:

d
Are we talking about one of these?


That is the much despised machine that the OP mistakenly purchased. It will not be stolen (according to some) which is its only redeeming feature. Normally seen with a thick coating of concrete and construction debris attached. Guaranteed to get you beaten up and barred from any parking area, no matter the amount of ambient noise present. Purchase at your own risk. It should be painted red or blue as soon as possible. If someone asks, tell them an enemy gave it to you to settle a bad debt.

It does not matter that thousands of these generators are providing low cost reliable power for their owners. At 68 db, it is louder than some and quieter than some. They barely meet the criteria for portable generators as defined by the National Park Service. For the purpose of these forums find a model made by Honda or Yamaha with the same specs and reference it before asking how to mount it on your trailer.

3_tons
Explorer III
Explorer III
TomG2 wrote:
Who said anything about running a "Contractor" generator at or near a neighbor? Both Honda and Yamaha built open frame generators, so going by brand or color is not always accurate. The whine of people who own products that are now being challenged by companies with equal or better products for less money may be the loudest noise of all.


Ouch, no need to personalize what is a very rational and real issue, where offenders are many. Whining?? (lol on that )....I only mentioned this from a personal first hand agrivating experience while camped across from a family with a Yellow open frame construction genny .... Was my experience imagined or possibly invalid??

Please Advise

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
full_mosey wrote:


Are we talking about one of these?
Yes, I believe so.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

full_mosey
Explorer
Explorer


Are we talking about one of these?

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Tom, ignore the bias. A walk through a thread can be like a stroll through a park. This is why I do not single people out. I single their subject content and counter with logic. Step around the --- ----, hold your nose and keep trucking. I long ago lost track of the number of private messages I have received from lurkers. They joined, never posted but (I guess) go the PM route.

A lot of information gets read and digested by "lurkers". Most that have contacted me are a lot more savvy than a person would expect. So stay on board and chuckle. When I want REAL laughs I wander to political forums and lurk. All that energy, emotion, ranting, roaring, and taunting - uselessly expended on something no one can possibly control except by voting or writing their elected officials. One day I stirred up a real hornet's nest when I challenged a really biased obnoxious jerk...

I have written my senators, representatives, and even the House Majority leader a dozen times plus, this last year. How many times have YOU written yours?

Bully ******** Detector. Wotta Hoot

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
For those that are "confused" simply read the first two responses to the OP's question. He asked about a generator mount and the first two replies were knocks on his purchase. Something about it not being worth stealing. No wonder people shy away from posting on here. Have at it boys. Soon nobody will post.

TomG2
Explorer
Explorer
There are a lot of confused people on here. I will really get ripped for that observation. Oh well, they can get off their anti-Champion rants that way. Have a great weekend.

For those that are confused, read the thread. Never have I tried to justify bothering other people with any generator, large, small, yellow, blue, or red. I RV full time and the only irritating generator this year was this spring when sitting in a crowded Oceanside campground on a pretty day when a guy put his "quiet" Honda ten feet from my open door and let it rip all day long. Had nothing to do with brand, just arrogance and stupidity. These characteristics are not limited to owners of Champion generators, no matter what some of the confused people think.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
I'm confused too.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman