Generator in truck bed w/ camper shell

[Admiral_Roo2]

Wanting to put a camper shell on the bed of my truck to secure belongings on a long, cross country trip. Concerned about running the generator that is going to be mounted in the bed for periodic use if we have to do non CG overnighters. The shell I'm looking at has vent windows and I could run a fan off the generator itself to move exhaust out, just wondering if the heat is going to build up aside from the exhaust fumes. If this is not a good approach I'm not sure what to do with gear boxes etc. if we park unattended which is going to happen some on the way to destination and back. Thoughts?

[Ford Idaho]

STOP!

I would NEVER do what you are suggesting, carbon monoxide poisoning, not fun!

Yes it is vented, but is it vented enough for you to enter the shell safely?

[Mountndream]

so I have a shell on mine...i leave the tailgate open and the shell tailgate up which provides an awning like for my two generators. I open the vent windows on the camper shell and point the exhaust out of the shell. since the back end is open.. I have a cable looped through them securing the generators with a big lock

[B and B]

I run my generator in a open bed. I will not do it even hitched, has to be far enough from the trailer. Bed is above the generator ad who know where Carbon Monoxide goes.

[Admiral_Roo2]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

so I have a shell on mine...i leave the tailgate open and the shell tailgate up which provides an awning like for my two generators. I open the vent windows on the camper shell and point the exhaust out of the shell. since the back end is open.. I have a cable looped through them securing the generators with a big lock

I can't leave the tailgate down because I plan on having the TT hooked up but I did figure on leaving the shell back window / liftgate open along with the side vent windows. I can run a box fan off the genny to force out the fumes which should dissipate heat also. The genny will be bolted to the truck bed, only theft concern is the other gear boxes that will be in the bed but I'm thinking no one would try to do a grab thru an open window since they are big and if the shell's open we are in the trailer. Thanks for feedback.

[Big Bill]

It sounds like a good plan to me. Park into the wind and dont sleep when gen running. Safe travels

[Mountndream]

Would the Canvas ends of the Roo let CO into your trailer? not bashing the Roo, just a questions on difference between hard side and soft side trailers

[Fairenatic]

Not the quietest place to put a generator. A closed space just amplifies the sound. Placing them on the ground and away from the RV is much better for everyone.

[nodrawers]

Same as Mountndream. I have ran a 4000w generator in the shell with tail gate up and cap door & windows open for several years, even in AZ without a problem. Just use common sense if there is any left out there.

[Admiral_Roo2]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

Would the Canvas ends of the Roo let CO into your trailer? not bashing the Roo, just a questions on difference between hard side and soft side trailers

Our Roo has 2 hard slides, a dinette side and a king bed out the back, no canvas but excellent question since most Roo / Shamrocks do have soft bed slides.

[Admiral_Roo2]

Originally Posted by nodrawers

Same as Mountndream. I have ran a 4000w generator in the shell with tail gate up and cap door & windows open for several years, even in AZ without a problem. Just use common sense if there is any left out there.

Exactly what I'm planning, do you use a fan to force fumes / heat out of bed area or an exhaust tube to "aim" it out & up?

Again this is just periodic / as needed use for parking lot camping. No occupancy / sleeping in truck bed at all when this is running.

Thanks!

[bikendan]

I own a Roo and have used my Honda 2000 in the covered truck bed.
But I would never risk running it overnite while still hooked up.

Maybe if you slept in the back bunk and kept the front bunk closed.

Anyway we don't deploy the tent ends for this kind of overnight camping.
We just "turtle".

[Harkerr]

The idea to use a box fan to move air makes a lot of sense

[Admiral_Roo2]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I own a Roo and have used my Honda 2000 in the covered truck bed.
But I would never risk running it overnite while still hooked up.

Maybe if you slept in the back bunk and kept the front bunk closed.

Anyway we don't deploy the tent ends for this kind of overnight camping.
We just "turtle".

No canvas on ours, only slide out bed is in rear and it's a hard slide. Thx.

[pdqparalegal1]

He's not sleeping in the truck bed!!

[Rollingdunder1]

Carbon monoxide kills. And you don't make many friends with noisy generators either.

[tragusa3]

We use ours in the bed with a cap. I have it cable locked to the truck. I open the tailgate and put the exhaust pointing out of the bed.

I only use it like this when supervising. Works well, and I'm never picking up a generator.

I might feel differently with a hybrid, but I'm hardsided.

[POS Camaro]

What about cutting a vent in the top of the shell and installing a fantastic fan and vent cover? That would give plenty of ventilation and remove the heat. Probably would only need to open the side windows on the topper vice the tailgate.

[Skyliner]

My generator gets hot and shuts down from vapor lock when it is run in my truck bed without a topper.

When traveling, our generator is attached to the camper's rear hitch on an open air "rack". We have no problem running the generator when we pull over for the night and prefer this to running it in the truck bed.

[Too Tall]

We made a 4000 mile trip like that. I permanently mounted a 3800 Honda electric start on the bed of a Chevy. Ran the exhaust through the bed below the truck. Wrapped the exhaust with heat tape. I left the back open. Before I got the balls to cut the hole, I used a big fan. Never a problem with carbon monoxide. That's a small engine and the camper is too far away, IMO, to be an issue.

I eventually got a new 1995 diesel and mounted the generator on the tongue of the trailer which worked better.