DIY project for Generator rack

[Snomas]

Has anyone made a rear rack for supporting a 110# generator & about 80# of misc items.
I'm thinking about an Aluminum 24"X 48" long rack attached to the back of my 22' trailer. Does the additional wt affect the tow set up and will I need to add some bumper supports. I see some solutions on the internet for about $200 but I would like to do it for less than that.

[SoundGuy]

You'd do well to reinforce your trailer bumper with a Mount-n-Lock Safety Struts Kit. That said, putting all that much weight at the far rear of such a short trailer will unduly unload the trailer's gross tongue weight. Bottom line - regardless that some do it anyway a genset doesn't belong at the far rear of any trailer. 😞

[GrandpaKip]

I added a 2’x5’ cargo rack to the rear of our camper. It is attached to the top of the frame between the bumper and the camper. It weighed in at 35 pounds or so. I had a tongue scale set up and put 100 pounds on the rack (2 grandsons). The tongue weight went down only 25 pounds. I put a bike, spare tire, 6’ aluminum ladder, patio mat and sewer tote on it. I weighed each one and the total came out to just over 100 pounds.
It’s been about 4 years now and still works well. I have never experienced any sway, with our previous Frontier or the present Silverado. With the small amount of unloading, tongue weight is between 12% and 14%, depending on loading.
And, GASP!, it’s on a Lippert frame.

[carringb]

Snomas wrote:
Sounds like I need to put the generator on the front rack where the battery goes. The generator alone would add about 110# to the tongue wt. How would that affect towing?

I don't want to have to move the generator in and out of the trailer or tow vehicle when on a trip for obvious reasons.

Yeah, this is the only place I'd mount it on a short trailer. More tongue weight generally makes the trailer itself more stable, as long as the truck can take it.

Etrailer has some over-the-tank generator racks which might be a good, easy solution.

How big is your trailer frame? Does the A-frame go through or under the front header, or is it welded to the face of the header? Some smaller trailers have marginal A-frame construction to start with, so you might need to reinforce that before adding the genny.

[Snomas]

stevemorris wrote:
no way!!
the bumper isnt strong enough and 200 lbs plus on the rear is going to affect all kinds of stuff mostly related to tongue weight
put the generator inside the trailer or tow vehicle

Inside the trailer or tow vehicle would be a last resort thing for me to do, because my DW needs a cooled down trailer when we make quick stops on trips to eat lunch, etc and I don't want to take the time to fool with a 110# generator.

[Lynnmor]

Jebby14 wrote:
your rear bumper is likely little more than a pop can. remove it and integrate with the frame. also expect tongue weight issues and sway problems. can you put it on the nose?

While the bumper is usually of "pop can" quality, the frame may not be much better. Some frames are pieced together and have little capacity to carry additional weight.

[Snomas]

Sounds like I need to put the generator on the front rack where the battery goes. The generator alone would add about 110# to the tongue wt. How would that affect towing?

I don't want to have to move the generator in and out of the trailer or tow vehicle when on a trip for obvious reasons.

[eHoefler]

All the weight that you add to the rear will remove about the same from the hitch, and add all of it to the axles

Example: 200 pounds on rear + 200 pounds removed from the hitch = 400 pounds added to axles.

[stevemorris]

no way!!
the bumper isnt strong enough and 200 lbs plus on the rear is going to affect all kinds of stuff mostly related to tongue weight
put the generator inside the trailer or tow vehicle

[Jebby14]

your rear bumper is likely little more than a pop can. remove it and integrate with the frame. also expect tongue weight issues and sway problems. can you put it on the nose?

[valhalla360]

Be careful of the weight distribution.

All in, your rack will likely run 250lbs and depending on the exact spacing, I would expect around 150-200lb reduction in hitch weight.

Given your's is a relatively small & light trailer, that could easily push you under 10-12% hitch weight...too light of pin weight can cause handling problems.

Please don't bolt such a heavy rack the rear bumper...it won't last long.

[wanderingaimles]

Dont forget that 200+ pounds off the tail end will affect tongue weight. You will likely end up light on the nose and have handling problems if you dont compensate.

[K_Mac]

Man, I thought I was cheap$, lol. Most bumpers aren't very strong by themselves, the metal they use is usually a thin gauge. Try to attach to trailer frame and save some weight by letting your rack extend a little past your frame extension. Check your states regulations also as to weather you'll need lights, reflective D.O.T. tape, etc...