Installing a generator

Uwharrie · 09-05-2013, 04:19 AM

Sorry if this has been asked before ( I did a forum search and could not find info)
We just purchased a 2003 T1950. I will primarily be using the camper for dog shows, often the show sites do not have power so I will be needing a generator, since we need AC here in the south.
Has anyone installed/ attached a carrier to the rear of the coach? I know it cannot be attached to the bumper but thought I might could attach a hitch to the frame and then use a hitch carrier.

jim44646 · 09-05-2013, 05:44 AM

My son carries 2 Honda 2000 watt gens with a cross over that gives him 4000 watts of power and that runs his 35 ft. with 2 air units. they are light weight and easy to stow with no permanent attachment. Another option is to have a frame hitch welded to back of TT and use a hitch wire rack but that will upset your tongue weight.

underdog · 09-06-2013, 12:17 PM

Something like Jim suggested would be a great setup although a bit expensive. I went through this dilemma with my old Class C. I had a mount setup on the tongue of the car trailer and a cover made for the gen when it was raining. I also had thought of a mount on the rear but it wasn't practical.

Problem is most of the generators you buy are not designed to run in a closed compartment and they also are not supposed to be in the weather. I have a Yamaha EF2500 that is big enough to run the AC/ and charge the battery but that's about it. If we need to run the coffee maker, toaster oven or microwave, the AC gets shut down.

Since we now have a TT I just haul it in bed of the truck. When setup, I run it sitting under the tailgate or tucked under the front of the trailer where the stone deflector keeps most of the rain off.

Whatever you decide make sure you keep it locked up or securely bolted down. I have a locking cable for mine. I don't trust anyone these days.

Uwharrie · 09-06-2013, 04:00 PM

I would love to have the Hondas but they are pricey. I was thinking about the 3000 one sold by tractor supply. However I can't lift that one in and out of the truck bed by myself. That is why I would like to do a rear mount. But not sure how the trailer would handle that

bunjin · 09-06-2013, 05:05 PM

Is the one at Tractor Supply a pure sine wave generator? I don't believe A/C likes the modified sine wave, as well as some sensitive electronics and medical devices.

I have a Predator 3200/4000 from Harbor Freight which is a modified sine wave. It was inexpensive but may also be to high a decibel for campgrounds in addition to the modified sine wave. It also is a bit heavy for me to get into the bed of my truck. I have been scheming on ways to be able to do it. Once in it would stay there until I finish any camping trip. I have looked at a couple lifts on the market...again Harbor Freight, yet would just like to make something simple myself.

The Honda's and Yamaha's are reputed to be very good and also quiet compared to many.

underdog · 09-08-2013, 07:28 AM

The drag race guys swear by these. Probably a Chinese knockoff of a Honda but they say they work fine.
Champion Power Equipment™ 3500W/4000W Portable Generator - Tractor Supply Online Store

Supposedly near as quiet as a Honda of the same category. The Honda Inverter models are whisper quiet but $$$$

I'm not sure about the wave thing and my old Yamaha. I run most everything off the converter which I just upgraded to a progessive Dynamics. No problems with the 12v TV. Actually the only things I would run direct off the 110 genset are the cooking stuff I mentioned.

Uwharrie · 09-08-2013, 09:09 AM

That's the one some of the dog show folks told me about. I will have to get something before next year as there are several shows I want to go to that do not have any hookups. I have to have power to run the AC.

pwb01 · 09-09-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uwharrie

I would love to have the Hondas but they are pricey. I was thinking about the 3000 one sold by tractor supply. However I can't lift that one in and out of the truck bed by myself. That is why I would like to do a rear mount. But not sure how the trailer would handle that

They are heavy and a welded rear hitch mount would be expensive and may not work well with the balance with less tongue weight. You may find that two Hondas would cost the same as 1 3000 watt gen and a custom carrier and they would be quiet to run, easy to carry (50#) and handy to store. I find them handy because unless I need to run the A/C I only use 1 gen. (save about $300 for 2 at Wise Sales over Camping World)

Loud generators are price effecient but quite disturbing at quiet campsites for hours on end.

As a point of reference: At high draw I get about 3 hours running both gen's for the A/C. That would get expensive for A/C full time. I get about 8 hours with 1 gen with low power draw.