I have a Lance 855S with a LP generator on it. While it works well, in the cold weather it consumes all my gas - 40# when full. I want to put on a gasoline 3500 watt Honda and mount it on the from of my truck via a hitch. I know it will handle it, but I have to lift it up to clear my New Jersey plate on the front. I think it will be OK, but question if 1) having the plate obstructed by the hitch is legal 2) having the generator in front will cut my air flow. I have a Duramax Diesel, so I think it is really not and issue and the transmission cooler is down low, so it would not be obstructed.Thoughts?

you can take care of the tag by moving it to the front of the carrier, so it will not be obstructed . I have a duramax and use a hitch haul on the front with my honda 2000 and some boards to level in the campsite. It makes the tranny run a few degrees warmer, but nothing to be alarmed about. This is in the summer weather of florida. You should be ok.You are a better man than me lifting a 3500 watt generator and putting it on the front.

Unless you have a side entry TC, I'd rather have the genny on the front instead of climbing over it to get into the camper. As Wheelholder said, you should just be able to move the plate to the carrier to solve that problem.

I'd offset the mount to one side in the back.

How much does a Honda 3500 weigh? I'm considering putting my motorcycle up front. Would also offset some of the weight on the rear axle.BG

bikepsych wrote:How much does a Honda 3500 weigh? I'm considering putting my motorcycle up front. Would also offset some of the weight on the rear axle.BG135 pound dry so perhaps 145 with fuel.

Generator Hitch Front or Back? | Good Sam Community

Wheelholder
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
you can take care of the tag by moving it to the front of the carrier, so it will not be obstructed . I have a duramax and use a hitch haul on the front with my honda 2000 and some boards to level in the campsite. It makes the tranny run a few degrees warmer, but nothing to be alarmed about. This is in the summer weather of florida. You should be ok.

You are a better man than me lifting a 3500 watt generator and putting it on the front.
DWeikert
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2015
Unless you have a side entry TC, I'd rather have the genny on the front instead of climbing over it to get into the camper. As Wheelholder said, you should just be able to move the plate to the carrier to solve that problem.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2015
I'd offset the mount to one side in the back.
bikepsych
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
How much does a Honda 3500 weigh? I'm considering putting my motorcycle up front. Would also offset some of the weight on the rear axle.
BG
PSUJIM85
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
bikepsych wrote:
How much does a Honda 3500 weigh? I'm considering putting my motorcycle up front. Would also offset some of the weight on the rear axle.
BG

135 pound dry so perhaps 145 with fuel.
bcbouy
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
my front hitch receivers are rated for 500 lbs.i also have a front carrier with a genny,gascan chainsaw,propane tank,shovel and usually a couple nights worth of wood and a smittybilt black box winch carrier on the top one and no airflow problems so far.my front plate is totally obstructed,and my rear is as well when i tow the boat.i keep forgetting to mount it on the camper.so far i havent been ticketed.its been over a month now.
jdcellarmod
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
We have a Yamaha 2400 generator with a 855s, weighs 75#. I have it mounted in an aluminum box designed for the generator. This is mounted on a UWS aluminum cargo carrier which is mounted on the front of the truck. I mounted the box to one side to give me room for firewood on the other side. I have not had over heating issues. The generator runs everything just fine, only one large amp draw item @ a time. Having the 3500 will allow you to run multiple items @ the same time.

Jeff
kerry4951
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
I have no over heating problems, but I use the Curt hitch that tends to ride lower than some of the others. So far never been a problem. I dont have to carry a generator but if I did it would be carried on a front hitch.
zulu52
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
kerry4951 wrote:
I have no over heating problems, but I use the Curt hitch that tends to ride lower than some of the others. So far never been a problem. I dont have to carry a generator but if I did it would be carried on a front hitch.

What kind of front hitch do you have on your Chevy?

Any pictures of it without the cargo carrier?
It appears you have the factory bumper.
kerry4951
Explorer
Jun 06, 2015
Curt 2" hitch. Side shot of the hitch with the cargo carrier mounted. The silver metal plate with the 2 bolts is an anti rattle bracket.