Generator exhaust concern on trailer tongue.

[honda03842]

We had a generator in a vented compartment on our motorhome. One time exhaust accumulated under the motorhome and leaked up into the motorhome setting off the CO alarm. After that I carried an 8' PVC pipe that I slipped onto the end of the exhaust pipe to shunt the exhaust away from the motorhome.

We never ran the generator while sleeping.

[Darwin Maring]

There has been a case where the exhaust from a camper killed someone in a tent close by. Monoxide is something that is really that dangerous.

[RogerDat]

I don't think you want to run a vent stack up from the exhaust. You will A) get more back pressure on the exhaust side. . CO mixes with air and goes where? Right over your trailer.

If anything I would point exhaust down, and be aware of tents down wind. People do sometimes put kids down for a nap in the daytime while camping. Or pets that may be located where your exhaust is going to end up.

[ShawnKK]

Kevin, I just had a idea. Smell the smoke yet?
On CraigsList you always see fiberglass boats (flat bottom) for sell cheap. I bought one 3 years ago with a trailer for 100 bucks. Find a small one even a dingy would work great. cut the first 3 or 4 feet off the front so it would butt against the camp and to the jack. Bolt in place then take the other half of the boat and cut the bottom out for a lid. Cheap lightweight and....
Or if you want to get crazy, take the back part of the boat say about a foot or so and attach it to the rear bumper. Something like this in the front.

[Darwin Maring]

Camping World sells an exhaust pipe that goes UP to the top of the camper.
Gen-turi Generator Exhaust System - Camco 44461 - Automotive Accessories - Camping World

[ShawnKK]

Cargo Box - Cargo Carrier | StowAway2.com
Just the box is 299 each. Not sure how much time and money you want to put into it but I thought it looked good.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

There has been a case where the exhaust from a camper killed someone in a tent close by. Monoxide is something that is really that dangerous.

I recall reading about that one as well. Seems every year more than a few campers have died from carbon Monoxide Poisoning due to running generators on or near their RV's. Do a google - surprising number. One such case happened last summer in Ontario - the couple had a generator running outside a few feet from the rear of the trailer - one of them died :-( Question is did they go to sleep willingly or was it the CO that caused them to go to sleep in the first place.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by ShawnKK

Kevin, I just had a idea. Smell the smoke yet?
On CraigsList you always see fiberglass boats (flat bottom) for sell cheap. I bought one 3 years ago with a trailer for 100 bucks. Find a small one even a dingy would work great. cut the first 3 or 4 feet off the front so it would butt against the camp and to the jack. Bolt in place then take the other half of the boat and cut the bottom out for a lid. Cheap lightweight and....
Or if you want to get crazy, take the back part of the boat say about a foot or so and attach it to the rear bumper. Something like this in the front.

That pic is of a Lil' Bigfoot with the factory original front utility box. The New Bigfoot peeps do not have them available any longer, I asked.....

[Kevin K]

OK
I think I will just make a tongue box for storage and run the generator away from the camper. Sounds like the best solution.
I love how many minds work out a problem.

[deryk]

I use a co detector because I'm also concerned with the exhaust from the propane heater.

[honda03842]

For Perspective.

Death from non-fire related Carbon Monoxide poisoning are relatively rare, about 400 people per year or about one per million. For comparison about 50 people a year die from lightening strikes and 5 people die from snake bites.

As many people die of TB as CO poisoning.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by honda03842

For Perspective.

Death from non-fire related Carbon Monoxide poisoning are relatively rare, about 400 people per year or about one per million. For comparison about 50 people a year die from lightening strikes and 5 people die from snake bites.

Dunno where you're getting your statistics from, or what exactly the point of the post is.

The increasing prevalence/use of portable generators is well known to be an important cause of many of those CO deaths that do occur, and many more illnesses that don't result in death. I think most here understand that and prefer not to become one of those statistics. This for much the same reasons that they don't stick their hands down snake holes or walk around in lightning storms.

Per your numbers, though:

Assuming your "(only?) 400 deaths per year" applies to, say, 2005:
As reported at this CPSC link, at least 25% of CO deaths that year were directly related to generators. That number includes only those deaths reported as such to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Generator-related CO illnesses/deaths are 99% preventable, but only if folks take the threat seriously as the O.P. here is doing instead of dismissing it as statistically insignificant.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Dunno where you're getting your statistics from, or what exactly the point of the post is.

The increasing prevalence/use of portable generators is well known to be an important cause of many of those CO deaths that do occur, and many more illnesses that don't result in death. I think most here understand that and prefer not to become one of those statistics. This for much the same reasons that they don't stick their hands down snake holes or walk around in lightning storms.

Per your numbers, though:

Assuming your "(only?) 400 deaths per year" applies to, say, 2005:
As reported at this CPSC link, at least 25% of CO deaths that year were directly related to generators. That number includes only those deaths reported as such to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Generator-related CO illnesses/deaths are 99% preventable, but only if folks take the threat seriously as the O.P. here is doing instead of dismissing it as statistically insignificant.

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Todays national news brings out that point.

Police and Medics responding to a call of a lady "Passed Out", at the Legal Seafoods Restaurant in NY, had one fatality and more than 20 in the hospital from CO poisoning before all was said and done, all caused by a defective flu. No CO detectors were required by law and none were installed.

Not an RV example, but an clear example of how CO poisoning works, you usually can't smell it until it's too late.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by honda03842

As many people die of TB as CO poisoning.

Which one are you recommending?

baglo

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by honda03842

As many people die of TB as CO poisoning.

Pooh-pooing doesn't become any more valid (or less insulting to the O.P.) by adding further, equally irrelevant "statistics" to your earlier post.

That said:

TB deaths have only decreased so dramatically in this country since practical and closely adhered to prevention measures were instituted. Here's hoping that generator-related deaths will some day enjoy a similar dramatic fall from present levels.

[Darwin Maring]

Some things just can't be prevented however gassing yourself to death using a generator can. All the warnings that come with the generator means absolutely nothing when they are not read or ignored. Almost every major storm has someone dying because they ran their generator in the attached garage.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Some things just can't be prevented however gassing yourself to death using a generator can. All the warnings that come with the generator means absolutely nothing when they are not read or ignored. Almost every major storm has someone dying because they ran their generator in the attached garage.

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Yep, I agree 100%, but as we all know, there are peeps that think that their own "Common Sense" always trumps most, if not all, of the warnings and recommendations of the manufacturer.

And, when these peeps suggest that anyone else's "Common Sense" is what good decisions are based upon, bad things begin to happen.

I am a California Native and have lived here almost all my life, but I am more afraid of some of the advice given out by the "Common Sens'ers" (?) than I have ever been of earthquakes, floor, famine and even locust attacks.

[Carol H]

The stat that would interested me and be of some relevance would be how many people have died or been hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning out of 1 million "actual" users of generators.

Here in Canada ever year in the winter months when there are power outages the number of people who die as a result on incorrect use of generators is not good and the number that go the hospital is worse!

The symptoms and effects of carbon monoxide in the body can be minor & can go relatively unnoticed for a time but they can also be extremely serious - affecting the brain, heart, nervous system, endocrine system, and other organs - resulting in subtle and not-so-subtle changes to personality, behavior, and health.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Darwin Maring

Almost every major storm has someone dying because they ran their generator in the attached garage.

Yup one such week-end storm in December took the lives of 5 people in Ontario/Quebec and many many more went to hospital due to running a generator either in the garage or to close to the homes door.

[RogerDat]

People make mistakes all the time in camping and other activities, either through inexperience, lack of complete understanding, or they just forget something one time. Been there done that, been lucky enough to survive or have someone point out what I had missed.

It is always useful to share knowledge we have picked up that might help others make a more informed and safer decision. Or to discuss relative merits or risks of different approaches.

People generally come in out of a thunderstorm and not to get under a lone tree for shelter is also widely known. People tend to avoid snakes, and snakes tend to avoid people. Understanding of generator safety is I would say less known and less well understood and can be every bit as dangerous.

OP was looking for suggestions on safety and was getting them, along with some good advice on noise comfort for themselves and others.

I'll add one more, if you seldom really use your generator, break the manual out once a season just to read through it as a reminder. My generator gets run for 1/2 hour a few times a year for maintenance and without a refresher read I would simply forget some of the specifics.