The Generator's First Trip
A few months ago, I bought a Champion 3100 watt inverter generator not only for use with our TT, but also for the house in case a hurricane or other situation required a modicum of electric power.
In (mis-)planning our upcoming two week trip, I accidentally booked one campground that has no hookups and was paid up front, non-refundable. So, looks like the generator gets to go for a ride!
My first concerns were:
1. How to take it with us. I bought it before I bought the current TV - which has a roll-up bed cover. Would it fit? Answer - yes - if only just. I got lucky.
2. How to secure it. I've read the horror stories on how they grow legs in short order.
3. Where to run it - which is also directly related to security.
I think I have the problems about as well solved as I can hope for at the moment. I will store and run the generator in the bed of the pickup. I have it sitting in the right rear of the bed, and will open the tailgate and the top cover while it's running and while it cools down. The exhaust is pointing directly out of the tailgate. The generator is strapped down in this position to avoid it moving around during travel.
For security, it will be locked with 3 5/8" Brinks cables and locked to the hook points in the front of the bed. I wound up using 3 cables - one on each handle and one on both handles. Two of them go to one hook point, the other (around both handles) goes to the other hook point.
When the generator is not running, the cover will be closed and locked, keeping it all out of sight.
I realize that this is not infallible, but I'm hoping that the number of cables and locks and the difficulty of having to cut them in the bed of the truck while we are at the campsite will make the challenge too difficult to accomplish easily and will cause the would-be thieves to move on.
To steal it, the thief would have to either:
1. Cut all 3 padlocks
2. Compromise both hook points
3. Cut all three cables
4. Remove or cut through both handles
If anyone has any suggestions to offer, I'd be most appreciative.
In (mis-)planning our upcoming two week trip, I accidentally booked one campground that has no hookups and was paid up front, non-refundable. So, looks like the generator gets to go for a ride!
My first concerns were:
1. How to take it with us. I bought it before I bought the current TV - which has a roll-up bed cover. Would it fit? Answer - yes - if only just. I got lucky.
2. How to secure it. I've read the horror stories on how they grow legs in short order.
3. Where to run it - which is also directly related to security.
I think I have the problems about as well solved as I can hope for at the moment. I will store and run the generator in the bed of the pickup. I have it sitting in the right rear of the bed, and will open the tailgate and the top cover while it's running and while it cools down. The exhaust is pointing directly out of the tailgate. The generator is strapped down in this position to avoid it moving around during travel.
For security, it will be locked with 3 5/8" Brinks cables and locked to the hook points in the front of the bed. I wound up using 3 cables - one on each handle and one on both handles. Two of them go to one hook point, the other (around both handles) goes to the other hook point.
When the generator is not running, the cover will be closed and locked, keeping it all out of sight.
I realize that this is not infallible, but I'm hoping that the number of cables and locks and the difficulty of having to cut them in the bed of the truck while we are at the campsite will make the challenge too difficult to accomplish easily and will cause the would-be thieves to move on.
To steal it, the thief would have to either:
1. Cut all 3 padlocks
2. Compromise both hook points
3. Cut all three cables
4. Remove or cut through both handles
If anyone has any suggestions to offer, I'd be most appreciative.
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