Hitch Mount Generator

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Another project I'd like to do is to add a hitch mount Honda generator carrier. It would have to be lower than the bottom edge of the rear door so that I could still open the door.

I'm still thinking about this. The company that made this hitch mount box for a generator



seems to have gone out of business It was for a Honda EU3000.



I only want a Honda EU2000i generator.



Netboy did a great job with his: NetBoy's Camper Page





but I want mine locked in a box

It's only for my air conditioner which has the following specs:
Full Load Amps Compressor = 9.3 amps
Full Load Amps Motor = 2.5 amps

The EU2000i output is:
AC Output: 120V
2000W max.(16.7A)
1600W rated (13.3A)

So I think it'll work.

[markopolo]

I wonder if this Lund Hitch Step would be strong enough (with a platform or box bolted on) to hold a 46lb Honda EU2000I?

[markopolo]

Twistep is an interesting product.



Perfect size for a Honda EU2000I It's height adjustable as well!





Too bad the manufacturer states:

Do not use Twistep as a platfom to carry items while the vehicle is in motion.

[markopolo]

The Lund Do-It-Yourself Cargo Carrier Kit may be the best choice for me.



Mounting a custom box to it would be easy.

Bestop makes something similar:

[markopolo]

The Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier model 6506 made by Master Hitch might work:

Edit: I got an email from Master Hitch. The Model 6506 cargo carrier is no longer available.

[markopolo]

I saw Ron's post on rv net re: purchasing the Lund Do-It-Yourself Hitch Mount LU-601003 roofracks4less.com and went ahead with purchasing one from them.

I didn't get the optional aluminum tray.

I officially have a New Project

[markopolo]

Found these generator boxes on the web.

http://www.hayesequipment.com/hayes_products.htm

They have boxes for Honda, Robin-Subaru and Yamaha generators. You can run the generator in the box.

These are photos for the Honda EU2000i generator box.

[markopolo]

I got my Lund Do-It-Yourself Hitch Mount.











Not exactly sure if it is what I want..........

I've been thinking about a Stowaway 2

[markopolo]

I've given up on the Stowaway 2 - just too much $$$ to buy it and get it to Canada

I'm looking at the ROLA Adventure System Carrier instead - a few hundred less for me.

I've really been thinking hard about how best to carry a generator and a swing away carrier seems to be best. I have both the spare tire to contend with and my propane fill. Also, I need to be able to open the rear door(s).

On the generator front - I don't think the Honda EU2000i at 1600 watts rated is enough for me. I'd like the 2400/2000 watt Yamaha but at $1,699 + tax, it really is too much for me

The 2600/2300 watt Kipor is looking good (from my wallet's point of view)

[markopolo]

I decided to buy a Boliy Pro3600SI generator on eBay.

I really like these features:

3000 watts rated output (maximum output 3300W)
30 A RV Receptacle
Noise Level: 53 dB at idle to 58 dB full load

The 2600/2300 watt Kipor noise level was noted as 58 dB at idle to 63 dB full load in the manual. That's the main reason I didn't get the Kipor. The Onan Microlite is rated at 70dB.

3000 watts is more power than I need. After startup, my air conditioner will draw 12 amps so this generator will be running at half it's rated (25A) capacity so it should be quiet.

The Honda EU2000i rated output is 1600W rated (13.3A). I think I would have been pushing it too hard.

The Boliy brand is new to North America so I added a section to this forum to make contact with other owners. http://classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=32

-----------------------------------------------------------

So now I have to decide on the best way to carry my new generator. Really, it's a choice between a dedicated generator box or a larger, multi purpose, cargo box.

[bobojay]

Marco you sure think out your projects! Personal opinion to you, I think you'll be better off with the Rola, if it'll work with your spare tire setup and door opening wishes. That is unless you want to run the genset while you're moving. Much more versatile.
I think we're going to go with the Rola. The Stowaway is just too much $$$. The Lexor rear setup is such that there's not much of a clearance issue with the spare tire because it's mounted on the door. Hence it's much closer to the truck. I'm not to worried about the door opening situation because also on the Lexor with the fold down couch, there's not enough storage space back there to worry about using. The awning crank and support are mounted back there, so that's the only reason to get in there.

By the way, did you ever finish you're spare tire spring project?

[markopolo]

Spring project is still on hold. I've decided go with the 4 springs I have but keep the option to add two more. One other forum member wants to add springs on his. I can't wait to see or hear of his results.

The Rola looks really good and opens pretty wide. For our Chevy's, it definitely looks like it opens wider than the Stowaway.

Like you point out, with it, we don't need to access the van rear doors as often anyway.

My new generator is 18.5" inches high. Max height for an item in a Rola is 17". That's from an email from the company.

The Let's Go Aero Gear Deck is probably my best / only option. If there's enough space in the Gear deck for my lounge chairs then I could put my tire in the back of the van............. wouldn't need springs......... that'd be kind of funny

[bobojay]

Oh ok, the new genset won't fit. Well if you've already bought the gen that kinda makes the decision for you. I had read your posts about the gen but it didn't sink in!
Right now I'm looking for the cheapest place to buy the Rola. It looks like a quality piece.

[markopolo]

$499.95 at http://www.reese-hitches.com/rola-cargo-carrier.htm

Have you seen a better price anywhere?

I think the Rola looks a bit better than the Gear Deck.

Here's the Gear Deck on a van:



and with large generator:

[bobojay]

That's a good price, but ETrailer.com is less.
Oh, but does that include shipping??

Just checked on Reese, it's $587.43 w/shipping to my ZIP Code with the license plate mount. Is the License mount necessary?? I think the cargo carrier covers it on the Chevy. Have you checked that out?
ETrailer.com is $550.94 w/shipping on the carrier only w/o license mount. Hummm, license mount with them is $24.99 w/shipping that'd be $574.90, still cheaper than Reese.
ETrailer is having a ship special right now of $.99 on orders over $150.00.....
Interesting!

[bobojay]

By the way. The wife hates the look of the Gear Deck, so that nixed that one!

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by bobojay

By the way. The wife hates the look of the Gear Deck, so that nixed that one!

My wife doesn't like it so much either .................

I entered my Canadian address on ETrailer.com and it said .99 cent shipping also.

[bobojay]

Hummm, interesting about the shipping to you!

[markopolo]

I found an aluminum box online that will fit the generator and still give me about 18"x24"x23" space for other things.

I'd have to put it on slides. It would fit to the side of the tire so it wouldn't interfere with raising or lowering the tire.

I've found slides rated at 500lbs (300lb vehicular) or 150lbs if laid flat.

Nothing purchased yet - need to talk to a welder first

DW is ok with the diamond plate box

As I continue to over complicate this project I may just go back to a simple easily removeable platform just for the generator. Leave it home for short trips (2000 watt inverter already in my van) and just take it for longer dry camping trips.

[markopolo]

I am going ahead with this hitch mount generator project. It's not inexpensive but it may end up costing 50% of what my dealer wanted for an under mounted Onan. That said it is still a lot of money.

The negatives:

1. I don't have remote or electric start capability[/*:m:r439davv]
2. It uses my hitch[/*:m:r439davv]
3. A rear end collision would destroy it[/*:m:r439davv]

The positives:

1. This generator should be much quieter than the Onan (58dB vs 70dB)[/*:m:r439davv]
2. Pure Sine Wave Power[/*:m:r439davv]
3. Maintenance will be easier (I don't have to go under the van) [/*:m:r439davv]
4. It's portable, can be put on another vehicle or left home when not needed[/*:m:r439davv]

I could not find a cost effective ready made box so I'll make one. (the one in the photo above would have cost me CDN$1,000!) It gets a little complicated because I want to be able to lower my spare tire and open my rear doors.

To do this, my tread plate aluminum box will be on slides and it will be mounted to the side of the spare tire. Additionally, the generator will be mounted on a slide out tray in the box for easy maintenance and so it can run out in the open. I hope to run it in the box but first need to determine its cooling requirements.

I've ordered the aluminum cut to my required measurements.

The slides should be here next week. These slides usually cost around $100 per pair. I found a retailer that had too many and was selling them off at $33 per pair.

RT already tapped into the van's gas tank. I want to use that fuel source, coupled with connectors and shut off valve to run the generator.

Accuride Slides