Hauling a Honda 3000

[zulu52]

I believe it is Kayteg that hauls his Honda 3000 on a cargo carrier mounted to the front of his truck.
I have wanted to do that for a while. Without pulling a trailer, I have no place to put the generator and sometimes you don't want to pull a trailer.

I bought a front hitch mount from Etrailer. It came right away.
I watched the installation video on their website and installed mine. I did need help lifting it into place but it could probably be done with just one person.

Here is the video on this page.

https://www.etrailer.com/Front-Receiver-Hitch/Draw-Tite/65078.html

Here are some pictures.

Kayteg, how did you secure your 3000 to the carrier? Did you do anything to help deter theft?
Zulu

[zulu52]

TxGearhead wrote:
Looks like good work.
I've seen some articles about cannons lately. Maybe from THC. You all done with them?
PM if you prefer.

I'm done with the Alamo cannon. Now I have some time to finally use my truck camper. It's been too long!
Zulu

[TxGearhead]

Looks like good work.
I've seen some articles about cannons lately. Maybe from THC. You all done with them?
PM if you prefer.

[Kayteg1]

zulu52 wrote:

When those things are not observed in US, such holder would be in violation of pedestrian safety standards.
Not saying the front mounted generator or platform makes the vehicle safer when hitting pedestrian, but the plate holder grabs the attention as "people sweeper"
Unknown on US soil, in Europe some cars have pyrotechnic hood hinges, who will pop up when pedestrian gets hit and give him extra cushion.

[zulu52]

I'm still working on it but here are some pictures.
My front license plate holder.






My cargo carrier. I had to modify it. It was capable of folding up but put the carrier further away from the truck than I wanted. I removed the folding 2" X 2" tube and replaced it with a straight piece.
Still thinking about some side stabilizers.

[TxGearhead]

I carry a Berg/IPI? long run tank and a 2 gallon gas can in a Plano Sportsman box strapped down on a rear cargo carrier. Just barely clears under the scissor steps.

[Bert_the_Welder]

OP: Just an FYI, from my experience with my Draw-Tite product. The powder coat was either poor quality or the metal prep was, or both. Didn't hold up very long, so keep an eye on it. YMMV

The turn buckles on the tow hooks for stabilizing is very smart! Removable and tunable. Twisting was always my concern with hitch mounted storage platforms and that looks to be a good, no fab/welding, solution.
Thanks!

[Kayteg1]

jaycocreek wrote:

I'll start by saying,I have a Honda 3000 and in my opinion,it is the best generator I have ever owned....

x2.
the 3000 model is quieter than 2000 btw and even data is hard to compare, I think it sips less fuel under load than 2000.
My H 3000 did run 12 hr with 15k AC at full blast on its tank.
The difference might be different AC as the 15k Coleman would run at 8.3 amp, when some members report their 13k AC draw more amps.
My H3000 is about 15 yo and only this season it develop some starting problem (it always start on 1st pull on normal use, or 2nd pull after the winter). Could be that aged carburetor flooded in triple F weather, but I decided to rebuild carburetor and since rebuild kits are not available, I ended up with new carburetor.
I only wish they had oil filter, so I don't have change the oil every season.
The only disadvantage is the weight, although 10 years go I could carry H3000 around. Now I have to ask DW for help.
But front mount was the best thing I did with it. Takes me about 20 seconds to pull cable from TC, plug it in and pull the cord.
I observe starting with opening the fuel as carburetor takes few seconds to fill.

[jaycocreek]

TxGearhead wrote:
Not exactly on topic but I have 2 Honda 2000's because they are lighter and easy to move around. I put them on the truck rear seat floorboards. Throw a towel over them and it's done. I have a front receiver and use it for a bicycle rack.

I'll start by saying,I have a Honda 3000 and in my opinion,it is the best generator I have ever owned which included Yamaha and Onan..

The problem I see with it and a truck camper is,it has to be on a cargo carrier or a trailer and then there is the extra gas,which is an issue with a 3.4 gallon tank on the Honda...While the Honda is a gas miser,when running my 13.5 btu AC in a trailer with everything on,It only last for 9 hours or so running the AC.Basicly one day in hot weather..Not a problem with a trailer or empty pickup bed but with a TC,carrying extra gas is an issue as well as carrying the Honda..

JMHO for my uses,others needs could be different and one tank can last as long as 20 hours at 1/4 load(they say)..

I almost bought a front hitch just for that but decided not too...LOL

[TxGearhead]

Not exactly on topic but I have 2 Honda 2000's because they are lighter and easy to move around. I put them on the truck rear seat floorboards. Throw a towel over them and it's done. I have a front receiver and use it for a bicycle rack.

[NRALIFR]

If you need some up/down adjustability of your cargo rack, look closely between my box and the hitch. That’s a pintle hook mount with multiple sets of holes that allow about 6-8” of drop or rise. I had an identical plate welded on the back of the rack the toolbox sits in, so I could get it at the perfect height. They make pintle hook mounts that allow even more drop/rise than that if you need it.

:):)

[theoldwizard1]

NRALIFR wrote:
I carry a toolbox on the front of my truck, and the turnbuckles to the tow loops make it rock solid.

Brilliant !

That would make a HUGE difference !

[Lwiddis]

Significant decrease in truck approach angle in pictures offered.

[zulu52]

NRALIFR wrote:
I’m unable to stream video at the moment so excuse me if this is covered there. If you have tow loops on the front of your truck, you might think about using them to stabilize your generator, and to share some of the load with the front hitch.

I carry a toolbox on the front of my truck, and the turnbuckles to the tow loops make it rock solid.



:):)

Great idea!
I was already thinking of how to do just that. I have a full size cargo carrier. I have to modify it a bit to make it sit closer to the truck. It currently sits further away than I am comfortable with.
Pretty easy fix with a new 2" X 2" square tube in place of the existing one on the carrier.
Zulu
Zulu

[Buzzcut1]

BurbMan wrote:
Kayteg that's a nice set up! I'm a big fan of KISS designs and agree that you're anti-theft is probably more effective than a lock. Buzzcut, TL sent me one of those as a free "marketing evaluation". Was so heavy I could barely lift it, and wouldn't enable me to fit a cover on my Honda 2k.

FYI on other front hitch installs, I used a floor jack to lift mine into place and it went very smoothly.

I have no problems with a cover on my 2000 and the Sidekick rack and locking system

[NRALIFR]

I’m unable to stream video at the moment so excuse me if this is covered there. If you have tow loops on the front of your truck, you might think about using them to stabilize your generator, and to share some of the load with the front hitch.

I carry a toolbox on the front of my truck, and the turnbuckles to the tow loops make it rock solid.



:):)