Taking your generator along.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

I have a Champion 3100 that I took with on trips, but that was with my tag a long, now with the 5th wheel I have to rethink where to put it. My F150 that I used for traveling has a topper, so I just stored it back there, but the 5th wheel requires the bed to be open, so it is out in the elements. It is a inch too big to fit in the front bay, or I would store it there, but can't get it past the strut bracing for the jacks. The rear bumper is supposed to be able to carry 200 pounds, the gen is 80 pounds, but I don't know what the spare and carrier weigh, nor have I found a mount yet that will work.

What I like about the Champion, it is quiet, starts easy, and can run both AC units on the new trailer, so there is that, but it has a small fuel tank, and would have to be filled every few hours. We don't boondock, I need AC if I plan to get any sleep, and until I can put some good batteries in and up the solar, the 12v fridge will kill the battery in no time flat. I know, tested it a couple times, and found that when the battery hits 11.9 volts, it shuts off. So off grid would require the genny for us.

If I can protect it from rain in the bed of the truck, that will work too. I can run it in the truck bed, and it is so quiet, it would hardly be noticed 20' away. We can't hear it inside the trailer when I run it in the truck, with the truck parked nose to the trailer rear.

The Spare and Carrier as well as generator should be well under the limit for the bumper. For example a 235/80R16 tire will weigh around 45# and a rim another 20# or so. Call it 65# for tire and wheel (they always feel like over 100# when changing one ), 80# for the generator, and a GennyGo mount-n-lock platform would add 18#. Total weight of all would be ~163# +/- a few.

A note on the GennyGo platform, I'm using one on my TT and couldn't be more pleased. Solid build, not a lot of excess weight, and the brackets mount around the square tube, supporting it and preventing it from "racking". If the factory says bumper is good for 200# the added safety Struts may not be needed but might be good to have regardless That will depend on how substantial the bumper is and quality of the welds.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

The Spare and Carrier as well as generator should be well under the limit for the bumper. For example a 235/80R16 tire will weigh around 45# and a rim another 20# or so. Call it 65# for tire and wheel (they always feel like over 100# when changing one ), 80# for the generator, and a GennyGo mount-n-lock platform would add 18#. Total weight of all would be ~163# +/- a few.

A note on the GennyGo platform, I'm using one on my TT and couldn't be more pleased. Solid build, not a lot of excess weight, and the brackets mount around the square tube, supporting it and preventing it from "racking". If the factory says bumper is good for 200# the added safety Struts may not be needed but might be good to have regardless That will depend on how substantial the bumper is and quality of the welds.

I will certainly give that one a look. The bumper is purpose built and is bolted to the frame quite nicely. Unlike my last trailer where the 4" tube was welded to the I frame of the trailer on one side only, the one on the Arctic Wolf is welded to supports specific to the tube, and has a sticker with the 200 pound rating, so I wont need to add the brackets that would have been a must have to add any weight besides the spare on my last trailer

Thanks for the heads up on the platform!

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

Thanks for the heads up on the platform!

[JRBME]

If I can protect it from rain in the bed of the truck, that will work too. I can run it in the truck bed, and it is so quiet, it would hardly be noticed 20' away. We can't hear it inside the trailer when I run it in the truck, with the truck parked nose to the

There are all kinds of covers for portable gensets.
Portable gensets are waterproof enough when running.
I used two small, light folding sawhorses and a piece of epdm to protect my Honda genset. It hid the thing too. Allowed for fueling in the rain. A 5ver has the perfect place to store the genset in either rear corner of the truck bed when traveling, or under the camper hitch area when stationary. Aim the exhaust downwind...

[frank4711]

Predator always on cargo carrier. We do not boondock but have a lot of 1 night stay overs at truck stops or rest areas on way to campgrounds 9-10 hrs from home. Nice to have if campground loses power which has happened 3 times.[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

[JRBME]

"Nice to have if campground loses power which has happened 3 times"

Amen to that. Early season or hot weather with full camground garunteed to occasionally lose power.
And water. Early season with CG well water sometimes has issues during initial tests for quality.
We travel with 4 small long haired beasts that want AC.
For the above reasons, I will not leave the CG with pups locked in the camper.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by JRBME

"Nice to have if campground loses power which has happened 3 times"

Amen to that. Early season or hot weather with full camground garunteed to occasionally lose power.
And water. Early season with CG well water sometimes has issues during initial tests for quality.
We travel with 4 small long haired beasts that want AC.
For the above reasons, I will not leave the CG with pups locked in the camper.
Attachment 238632

I don't think i would classify them as "Beasts".

[JRBME]

Should you meet them you would...