Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt. Mike
Your profile does not list what kind of an RV you have, but if it is a tt or 5th wheel with a 4" square welded bumper, your bumper likely will not support the weight of a generator as you bounce down the road.
Better option might be to have a welding shop beef up the frame a bit, and install a 2" receiver. Then, install a carrier (available from Harbor Freight and many other places) and place the generator in a plastic storage box of some kind on that carrier. Cable lock the generator to the platform and strap the whole thing down with ratchet straps to keep it from bouncing/falling off the platform.
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Yes, unless you do it right.
Here's a picture of my rear bumper Generator install.
The actual platform (24" X 24") is designed to mount to a 4" bumper with brackets that keep the bumper from "racking" (turning from a square to a parallelogram) and I also added the Safe T Struts that keep the bumper from twisting at the point it is welded to the frame ends.
Both are available from Amazon probably cost less than what one would have fabricated at a welding shop.
Here are the two items at Amazon, Safe T Struts and Genny to go platform.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/Mount-n-Loc...omotive&sr=1-1
This had given me a nice looking, SOLID, support for my 3500 watt Champion Inverter and to make sure it stays mine I have secured it with a pair of Master "Python" cables around bumper, through hole in platform, and around lift handles, on both ends of generator.
In nasty weather I had a heavy duty tarp, 3' X 3' made and hold it up on air intake and exhaust end with two rods zip-tied to the ends of the lift handles. Nice and simple and works great. Tarp and rods store in trailer and a cover made specifically for the generator by Champion covers it while driving.
Generator is no noisier when running on the platform than any permanently mounted generator in a Class C.
This setup is great for Rest Stops if I want to use the microwave or AC. All I have to do is plug in cord and start generator. No more lifting required.
As for solid mounting, I weigh just under 200 lbs and if I stand on the platform and jump up and down, absolutely NO flex. Great design that provides strength without a lot of weight, kind of like an aircraft wing.
If one wants to build their own platform, this company sells just the support brackets without the top plate. Just add a piece of marine plywood or maybe diamond plate and you're covered.
If overall length is an issue, the top plate can be installed so it's directly even with the forward edge of the bumper. I wanted more room between genny and back wall of my trailer so I installed it "long" with the platform edge even with the back edge of the bumper. Adds 2' for when I ride a ferry boat and increases the fare but I never ride them so big deal.
BTW, the pic of my setup also includes a GenTuri exhaust. Cuts noise somewhat but makes sure any exhaust smell and CO is discharged above the trailer where it dissipates quickly in the breeze. I put the GenTuri up whenever in a campground with no hookups. When boondocking and nobody is near I just leave it off.