Best place to mount my generator?
I am going to buy the predator 3500 generator. wt is 100#. I am thinking of mounting the generator platform over the LPG tanks or on the rear bumper. What is the best location for weight distribution ...
Forum Discussion
I use a Stromberg Carlson trailer tray over the propane tanks and bolted my Champion 3100 inverter generator to it on my Springdale 189. I removed the wheels and used the axle and the front pad mounts as mounting points so it will slow down a thief. At around $180, the tray is kind of expensive for some bent tube and a tray, but it bolts up solidly and works great so I guess its worth it. Strangely, it does not increase the measured tongue weight the full amount of the tray / gen combo; I think it was 85% of the total if I remember. I don't have a front window so it works for me.
On a previous trailer (Pioneer 18t6) I welded rails on the frame and mounted on the rear ((not on the bumper, but on rails welded to the frame). I think the total weight was around 160 lbs or so, but it only decreased tongue weight around 40 lbs measured. I was still at around 12% tongue weight when loaded for travel.
It was in a lockable aluminum pickup bed box that I modified with a few computer fans and vent doors and ran the exhaust thru the wall to the outside. I also glued ceiling tiles to the inside of the box. It was an open frame gen and with the box closed and the vents open, it was pretty quiet. I eventually updated to an inverter gen and it was almost undetectable then. I have heard that mounting on the back of a trailer will beat the gen to death and throw the tongue weight to an unsafe condition, but neither was the case with my setup.
I would recommend measuring the tongue weight after either installation, front or rear, and adjust as necessary. I am fortunate that a friend has the nice Sherline scale that he willingly loans out...
On a previous trailer (Pioneer 18t6) I welded rails on the frame and mounted on the rear ((not on the bumper, but on rails welded to the frame). I think the total weight was around 160 lbs or so, but it only decreased tongue weight around 40 lbs measured. I was still at around 12% tongue weight when loaded for travel.
It was in a lockable aluminum pickup bed box that I modified with a few computer fans and vent doors and ran the exhaust thru the wall to the outside. I also glued ceiling tiles to the inside of the box. It was an open frame gen and with the box closed and the vents open, it was pretty quiet. I eventually updated to an inverter gen and it was almost undetectable then. I have heard that mounting on the back of a trailer will beat the gen to death and throw the tongue weight to an unsafe condition, but neither was the case with my setup.
I would recommend measuring the tongue weight after either installation, front or rear, and adjust as necessary. I am fortunate that a friend has the nice Sherline scale that he willingly loans out...
