Front mount storage box for a Honda EU2000 help needed

[pirlbeck]

I am looking for some sort of storage box that a Honda EU2000 generator and a gas can will fit in. I plan on mounting this on my 2006 Dodge Ram with a front receiver hitch. I don't want anything to wide or too tall, but just tall enough to fit the Honda in and not much wider then 36" so it don't obstruct the headlights and turn signals. I prefer top opening, lockable and aluminum construction.

Brand model number and sources would be a big help.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[TxGearhead]

Seems I remember some manufacturer that had 2 styles of receivers...low and high. The low one you didn't have to trim the spoiler. But for me, cutting the notch in the spoiler was quick and easy. I drilled 2 small ( 1/8"?) holes as a stopping point for height and width and then cut it out with a Dremel. It's fairly inconspicuous.

[pirlbeck]

Just an update on the Draw-Tite 65049 front hitch. I installed it this morning on my 2006 Dodge 2500 Ram 4 WD and it required no trimming of the valance panel. The top of the receiver tube sits about 1" under the bottom of the panel. It would of been better to sit up tight against the bottom of the panel for more road clearance, but because I am 4WD I think it sits high enough to not cause me any problems.

[pirlbeck]

mkirsch wrote:

towpro wrote:
I need to take mine down to Tractor Supply and see if it fits into This Box

My suggestion as well: Just take a trip to your local Tractor Supply. They have a large selection of truck boxes of every description. Surely you can find something that will work, and if you don't like the price just wait because they'll be having their annual 25% off all truck boxes sale here pretty soon. Or you can take the brand and model number online and find it cheaper, then pay the shipping.

No Tractor Supply stores close to me now. The local one closed 10-15 years ago, and it didn't have anything when it was open, just a lot of empty shelves. Closes 2 to me now are 70 and 80 miles away, both in towns I never go to.

[mkirsch]

towpro wrote:
I need to take mine down to Tractor Supply and see if it fits into This Box

My suggestion as well: Just take a trip to your local Tractor Supply. They have a large selection of truck boxes of every description. Surely you can find something that will work, and if you don't like the price just wait because they'll be having their annual 25% off all truck boxes sale here pretty soon. Or you can take the brand and model number online and find it cheaper, then pay the shipping.

[DWeikert]

pirlbeck wrote:


That looks like exactly what I was looking for. Do you feel the 42" width is OK as far as not blocking the headlights and turn signals?

Thanks!

That's why I went with the 42" version. Wish I'd taken some pics on the truck, but for comparison the box is just about as wide as the tow hooks, so no lights are blocked. The one trip I did take with it I did notice tranny temps were a little high. I found a Harbor Freight mid trip and put on a riser to clear the airflow to the tranny cooler and saw no significant change. Apparently I was just seeing the results of driving loaded in 90-100+* temps. I have the front receiver which comes out between the two hooks so the box does sit fairly high already. Next trip I'll leave off the riser.

[pirlbeck]

DWeikert wrote:
I found the perfect size box for my purposes here-
Closer to Wholesale, They also have an ebay store.
I got the 42.5"L x 20.5"H x 24.75"W model. Sorry, no pics of it on the truck.


Added some removable casters and a hitch mount from Tractor Supply


An exhaust opening and some ventilation, which I discovered I need a LOT more of.


The eyehooks in the lower corners are for a turnbuckle that goes between the truck's tow hooks and the the gen box. After snugging them down the box is firmly attached to the truck and doesn't wobble around like a lot of hitch mounted cargo carriers.

That looks like exactly what I was looking for. Do you feel the 42" width is OK as far as not blocking the headlights and turn signals?

Thanks!

[billyray50]

I bought this box from tractor supply and a cargo tray and bolted them together and also ordered the Bodiak hitch years ago. Fit the Honda 2000, 1 gallon gas can, and tool box. Works great and water tight.

[jmckelvy]

pirlbeck wrote:
..............

I think the Draw Tite one must mount with the tow hook mounting bolts because I have read if you have tow hooks you have to mill or grind a little off of them.

I have an 06 RAM with a frame mount front receiver (Draw-Tite, I think , not sure). It definitely requires trimming the air dam as said earlier. No grinding or modification of the tow hooks was required.

[DWeikert]

I found the perfect size box for my purposes here-
Closer to Wholesale, They also have an ebay store.
I got the 42.5"L x 20.5"H x 24.75"W model. Sorry, no pics of it on the truck.


Added some removable casters and a hitch mount from Tractor Supply


An exhaust opening and some ventilation, which I discovered I need a LOT more of.


The eyehooks in the lower corners are for a turnbuckle that goes between the truck's tow hooks and the the gen box. After snugging them down the box is firmly attached to the truck and doesn't wobble around like a lot of hitch mounted cargo carriers.

[TxGearhead]

A cable and a decent lock should help. Do you have the armored/reinforced handles?
My 2000's fit fine behind my truck front seats on the floorboard for travel.

[towpro]

I need to take mine down to Tractor Supply and see if it fits into This Box

Right now I carry my Honda 2000 inside my trailer, but that's not always going with me. I have tried to run it inside the trailer but I find the vibration carries through to camper if hooked up. Best thing I have found is to just sit it on ground next to truck and run a cable through handle. (and carry insurance)

[TxGearhead]

Here ya go, what I been looking at:
https://colemans.com/shop/containers/medical-transport-chest-u-s-g-i-aluminum/

The extra large is 2-3 inches too tall but otherwise I think the Honda will fit, along with a gas can.
Or put a gas Wavian jerry can in a bracket, Amazon has them.
Or if you are using an IPI extended run gas tank, one of the more shallow surplus boxes would work for that.
Coleman has new/un-used for $20 more.
Or this one that is "out of stock":
https://colemans.com/shop/containers/u-s-g-i-aluminum-field-chest/

[pirlbeck]

GordonThree wrote:

cmeade wrote:
Not meaning to rain on your parade but I put a Curt front receiver on my 2010 Ram and the front of my Ram is curved and the Curt is square. Had to do a lot of cutting on the valance to fit the hitch. PITA. Try to find a curved hitch to fit behind the valance.

There's one that mounts in the tow hooks area, appears to be no trim. The ones that mount lower under the bumper will need to go through the air dam, no way around trimming that or just remove it all together.

I think the Draw Tite one must mount with the tow hook mounting bolts because I have read if you have tow hooks you have to mill or grind a little off of them.

[GordonThree]

cmeade wrote:
Not meaning to rain on your parade but I put a Curt front receiver on my 2010 Ram and the front of my Ram is curved and the Curt is square. Had to do a lot of cutting on the valance to fit the hitch. PITA. Try to find a curved hitch to fit behind the valance.

There's one that mounts in the tow hooks area, appears to be no trim. The ones that mount lower under the bumper will need to go through the air dam, no way around trimming that or just remove it all together.