Traveling with a Generator

[jonieforan]

We have a 16 foot Scamp and are looking for suggestions on how to mount or store a small (Honda or Yamaha 2000) generator when traveling. (We do not have an AC so generator size is not an issue.) We just want to know if anyone has an easy way to travel with a generator. Where to store the gas can is also a concern!
Thanks!

[jerrybob]

What kind of tow rig do you have?? I carry my generator in the back of my pick up when we take it.......I ran heavy duty cord from my trailer elec. cord compartment under my trailer to the front hitch.....I simply open my tailgate....drop the generator to the ground and plug her in.......I got tired of carrying a heavy generator to the side of the trailer. I also use the plug for hooking up to city power......never have to pull the trailer cord out.....it was alway a pain to push back in....I just use an extension cord to plug in trailer....much easier. Good luck.

[ShelbyM]

If you don't need the 2000 for A/C, the Honda 1000 will charge your battery and is significantly smaller and lighter. Transport is not so easy if you don't have a truck. You may have to go with a bracket that mounts on the tongue, adding weight where you may not want it, depending on your tow vehicle. Lithium battery and solar might be another option.

[Iowa Dave]

A consideration is to convert your generator to propane and carry it in your tow vehicle. When you want to use it you can hook it up to either an auxiliary tank or one of the two tanks of propane on your trailer.
We have three tanks with the Escape, two on the tongue and an 11 pounder in the front box. When I took the generator along on a several day trip last summer I took an empty gas can along. Then , once set up, I drove a few miles into town and filled the can and took it back to camp. I filled the generator a couple times as I was using it in the afternoon and evening to cool the trailer on AC for sleeping and naps for the grand kids. When we got ready to come home I emptied the van into the tow vehicle and hauled the empty can in the Escape. YMMV
Iowa Dave

[Randyag]

I made a hitch extension that holds two Honda 2200 generators 2- 2 1/2-gallon gas cans and two bicycles. I don't have a tongue weight problem because I tow with a one tow Chevrolet Express Van.

[redbarron55]

I bought a Pulsar dual fuel 2200 watt generator and added a second LP tank for it. the 20 LB tank will provide 20 hours at low level power usage.
I did that so that I would not have to carry gasoline and we tow with a VW Diesel Touareg so space and gasoline are in short supply.
Also if 2200 watts is not necessary aa small 1000 watt LP powered generator is available that a good bit smaller and lighter.
One could add a "Back Porch " to the camper, but you would have to be careful about rear weight bias too high.
My 2200 Watt Pulsar is stored in the back of the Touareg and this is another reason for the LP gas - No gasoline in the car!!!
This generator easily powers the camper, A/C and coffee pot, however the A/C coffee pot and large convection microwave is a step too far.

[dmad1]

We have a 17' Casita LD and I have two Honda 2000i and fit nicely in the floor of the shower when traveling. Tight enough fit that they will not turn over. I also open the shower vent and small bath window for ventilation. Strap the emptied fuel can between the jack and propane tanks. I also have rigged it so I can run one or two from one 5 gallon fuel can and it will run all weekend on one 5 gallon can.

[Doug in Sacramento]

Several years ago I purchased a Yamaha 2400 inverter and had a local welder fabricate a tongue rack for it. At the time the Honda 2200 was not yet available and I wanted to make sure that the generator would power my air conditioner. I probably would have gone with a Honda 2200 if it was available, due to the greater weight of the Yamaha. I also bought a LoPro Lockdown mount for the inverter which was welded to the rack. I have been very happy with this setup, although our desert camping trips never materialized. I have mostly used it to make very expensive toast.

I also recently changed from a flooded to an AGM group 27 battery, which added around 10 lbs. I just measured the tongue weight and it is 319 lbs. My TV is rated 350 lbs tongue weight, slim pushing it a little. The rack is a little heavier than necessary but it certainly does the job.

[Radar1]

We had added a Stromberg rack on the front of our Scamp 16. We carried bikes there but it is actually a platform that would easily carry a generator, especially a small light one (since you don't need it for A/C). It does add weight though, both the rack and generator would push the tongue weight above older Subaru Outback limits.
We also carried a small 1,000 watt (peak) Sportsman generator that was small, light (22 lbs), quiet, and reliable. We only carried it because we were headed on a long trip to the Northwest, in case cloud cover prevented our solar from charging the battery. Didn't need it on that trip! We only carried a small 1 gallon gas can.
Since you don't have an A/C, perhaps just mounting a solar on top, or getting a portable solar would be better in the long run, since they don't require carrying gas and don't have campground bans during certain hours.

[Radar1]

Originally Posted by Doug in Sacramento

Several years ago I purchased a Yamaha 2400 inverter. I have mostly used it to make very expensive toast.

I love this!

[varmint]

We have a 1997 16'Scamp. We experienced a bit of warm weather in Jan of 2019 while at Big Bend TX and my wife told me that an air conditioner would be in our future. I installed a 5,000 BTU unit that draws about 4 amps at 110v. I had an old 2 stroke 700 watt 110 generator. Before installation I fired up the generator and satisfied myself that the generator could supply starting current and meet the needs of the air conditioner. I purchased some "smokeless" oil and used the generator maybe 2-3 times over the next year with no problems. The unit runs quietly and weighs less than 30lbs. I put a vinyl grill cover over it and strapped it on top of my double battery case on the tongue with a chain and padlock. The little bit of extra tongue weight seems no bother. I use the generator infrequently but the only bother is to unstrap it for access to the battery case where I keep a battery, tire shims, tire blocks, jack blocks and a 50' shrinkable hose.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by jonieforan

We have a 16 foot Scamp and are looking for suggestions on how to mount or store a small (Honda or Yamaha 2000) generator when traveling. (We do not have an AC so generator size is not an issue.) We just want to know if anyone has an easy way to travel with a generator. Where to store the gas can is also a concern!
Thanks!

We have a Honda 2000 and we carry it in our Tahoe. We found a plastic tub with handles that latch that the generator fits in. This keeps the gas smell out of the vehicle. We have another small tub for the gas can. So it is doable.

[Vtec]

If no AC I would suggest either a small 1000w Honda generator or go solar. But really you might even be better off just setting up for solar panel. We haul the Honda 2000i generator behind driver’s seat in an SUV and a good tightly sealed gas can in bath shower, and take it out at destination. Solar is getting so much better and could be less hassle and cheaper than a generator.

One more important point about generators in general. Typically the more you spend the less decibels they put out, and just a few decibels is a huge difference between quiet power generation or the most irritating neighbor. It has been said for every increase in 10 decibels, the noise level is 10 times more powerful. And there is really nothing worse in camping that I have encountered than neighbors running cheap generators for long spells next to you. We once had a real bad case of this on a small National Forest lake campground. We were at least 10 sites away and could barely stand it. The generator finally ran out of gas around 6pm and there was a dead quiet for about 10 seconds, then collective whoops and alleluias from literally the whole campground. I have a friend who's wife was so embarrassed with his cheap very noisy generator that she jokingly said she would either divorce or shoot him if he ever brought it along camping again. At least I thought she was joking.

[Jon in AZ]

Without a pickup I’d transport over the tongue or in the trailer. Stromberg-Carlson makes a bolt-on tongue rack. Running it on the tongue will create NVH issues versus sitting on the ground. Too close to the trailer may allow exhaust to get inside.

As to size, if it’s not about running A/C, what is it for? I camped next to someone using the 1000W Honda in eco mode for battery charging, and you can barely hear it. The bigger you go and the more wattage you pull, the more objectionable they become.

Buying the adaptor kit for propane saves the need to transport gasoline.

Generators are high theft items. If you carry it outside it must be secured. And unless you’re going to babysit it, you’ll need security while it’s n use.

Generator use is subject to various restrictions in most developed campgrounds. They are also subject to fire-related bans in undeveloped areas. As pressure mounts to avoid burning fossil fuels, I suspect it will only get more restrictive in the future.

Food for thought…

[Perryb67]

If you need air conditioning skip this post !

In 2016 friends of ours purchased a 23' Airstream. The dealer immediately added 300 watts of solar, two 6v AGM batteries, and then convinced them they needed a 1000 watt Honda generator.

After two years they quit carrying their generator and the bulky, smelly gas cans. They're not air conditioning people.

We've had campers since the 80's. In 1996 we purchased a Aerolite 21' with a Yamaha 1000 watt generator. After a few years I donated the generator to the Industrial Arts Class at our school. We had two 12v series deep cycle batteries, so could go a week or longer camping. Using the furnace the batteries were good for 3-4 nights.

We camp without services 45-160 nights a year and don't need a generator. 170 watts on the roof and a 100 watt portable worked fine, but I will admit last summer I added 300 watts to the roof just because I had the time, space, and discretionary income.

Hauling a generator can be a PITA, especially the need to buy and carry gas.

You don't use AC, so sell the generator, install a decent battery(s), and buy a portable solar panel for starters. When you get time, install a panel on your roof.

More food for thought. . .

Perry

[Glenn Baglo]

Since I added two 40-watt solar panels, my Honda 1,000 generator stays home. I wish I'd bought a bigger one so it would be of some use during power outages

[Ruban&Martha]

During travel, we strap our Yamaha 2000W propane-fueled inverter generator in a cabinet inside the camper, along with a 200W suitcase solar panel. We also have two deep cycle 6V batteries on the tongue.



The solar panel gets used more than the generator, powering most things easily, so we seldom pull the generator out. It is used mainly for A/C and the microwave.



(Side note: iPower has a duel-fuel 2000W inverter generator which is about half the price of a Honda or Yamaha.)

[revrblue]

Just get a generator that has a closed vent fuel system and put it in your trunk with no problem. Works for me.

[RockyBob]

Originally Posted by jonieforan

We have a 16 foot Scamp and are looking for suggestions on how to mount or store a small (Honda or Yamaha 2000) generator when traveling. (We do not have an AC so generator size is not an issue.) We just want to know if anyone has an easy way to travel with a generator. Where to store the gas can is also a concern!
Thanks!

First, make sure you have a generator that runs on propane, then you will be able to safely carry your generator inside your tow vehicle (we do). No need to mount outside on your trailer. You won't want to carry any gasoline-using generator inside because of both safety and smell, but a propane generator is ok. The fuel stays in tanks outside. Gasoline goes bad over time so you will always be dealing with that; propane does not. Gasoline engines produce potentially lethal amounts of carbon monoxide (people do die from small gas engine fumes), propane produces almost none. If you have propane for your trailer then you already have the fuel you need for a propane generator.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by RockyBob

Gasoline engines produce potentially lethal amounts of carbon monoxide (people do die from small gas engine fumes), propane produces almost none.

Where did you get that information?
Is that why people keep dying from using their propane BBQ inside a garage?