Help with generator |
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JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Topic: Help with generator Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 10:27am |
You may want to strengthen your attachment to the frame. Your generator weights about 99 pounds (dry weight) Gasoline is 6 pounds per gallon so a 5 gallon gas can is 30 pounds and the generator has a 2.6 gallon tank that adds another 15.6 pounds. I don't know what the basket weights but everything else is 141.5 pounds. You have quite a lot of weight cantilevered out from the trailer. I have seen pictures where the receiver was bent from to much weight
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JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 10:26am |
I would be very leery of your setup. While the generator does fit the carrier and the stinger fits the receiver, the weight of the generator plus the gasoline plus the carrier itself is likely going to cause problems. The receiver is not made to hold that kind of weight. It is rated at 150 lbs, but that is close-in. The generator itself weighs 99.2 lbs plus the weight of the oil and gasoline in the tank. Gasoline weighs 6.183 lbs/gallon. The Curt rack weighs 29.5 lbs (shipping weight, a little less after unpacked and assembled). You are pushing maximum weight just sitting still. Hit a big bump and you are likely to see your generator bouncing down the road when the crossbar holding the hitch receiver breaks at the welds.
I have used a rack similarly, but only put lightweight items back there. Total weight of what I carried was probably under 75 lbs. I never weighed things to get an exact figure but I kept it light. One propane tank, a small 2 gallon gasoline container, and some lightweight camping equipment. My generator rides on a Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray. That also happens to be the best place as it will have the smoothest ride. In the back, every bump is magnified since it is at the end of a lever opposite the fulcrum (hitch). Please reconsider your arrangement before taking it out on the road. If it were to fall off, it would not only be a loss for you, but could potentially cause a fatality for someone following you. Please don't risk it! Since we now have a pickup truck, the items we used to carry on the rack now ride in the pickup bed. The rack itself went to my daughter since she needed it more than I did. My spare tire now rides in its original position on the back of the R-Pod. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 10:12am |
Don't think I want to be behind that rig bouncing down the highway.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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meljr
Newbie Joined: 12 Dec 2017 Location: Blodgett, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 9:59am |
This week, I bought and installed a Curt cargo carrier that fits the 1 1/4" receiver on the rear of our Rpod and the Harbor Freight Predator 3500 generator/inverter.
The Curt cargo carrier was more expensive than the Harbor Freight equivalent, but not having to reduce the 2" hitch size to 1 1/4"with an extension made for a stronger installation in my opinion. The 3500 generator fit in the cargo carrier like it was designed to fit (which it probably was) and I was able to lift it by myself into the carrier and secure it without problems. The generator electric started on the first hit of the switch and is extremely quiet -- probably more so than the roof air-conditioner. All I had to do to install it was to connect the included battery, ground the generator to the Rpod, put in 20 oz. of 10-30 motor oil and fill it with stabilized regular gasoline (10% ethanol or less). So far, I am quite satisfied. -meljr
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2018 Hood River 180
2016 Ford Transit 250 CampVan 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 2008 Jeep JKU Wrangler X 2003 Dodge 2500 4x4 1989 Jeep MJ Comanche 1976 Dodge W100 Powerwagon |
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henryv
Senior Member Joined: 09 Feb 2017 Online Status: Offline Posts: 259 |
Posted: 11 Dec 2017 at 5:10pm |
I too have the two Honda generators. At $1000 each, they better perform, and they do. You can use one or two as the need arises. One will even charge your tow battery or camper battery. Two will run everything, even AC. I used them in an emergency during a hurricane at home. Light enough to carry. Quiet, quality, efficient. Best choice in my opinion.
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 12:45pm |
+1 to SH and pickup crane, I have one that mounts in the receiver hitch, I use it all the time to load things in my pickup. They make them in various weight capacities, mine is heavier duty than you would need for a genset. I also use mine to lift objects into my cargo trailers.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 12:33pm |
There may be other model cranes that would work also. I just listed the first one I saw and did not look further. I like the idea and may be replacing my iX2000 with the Predator 3500 from Harbor Freight. That one is getting excellent reviews, is supposed to be very quiet, and is electric start.
I found a YouTube video showing one such crane that mounts to the hitch. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Luv2travel
Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2016 Location: Chapin, sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 11:22am |
Wow! A pickup crane! Thank you for the suggestion. And thanks to those who posted about the pull start. Sweet hubby says he will just pull start it, but the truth is I don’t want him injured either lifting or pulling. Plus, I want to be able to take the RPod out with my girlfriends now and then for a few days of hiking so I need solutions that work for me without always requiring sweet hubby’s help.
All the input from you seasoned travelers is so very much appreciated! Thank you!!
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R-Pod 179, Gone With the Wind.
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WillThrill
Senior Member Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 298 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 11:04am |
+1 I agree. The strength to start the Champion might be a little less than the lawnmower (those can actually require quite a lot of force), but I still wouldn't recommend it for those with shoulder injuries. A truck with ramps and/or the truck crane definitely makes a lot of sense. The Champion 3100 can be equipped with an electric remote start, so you don't have to do anything but hit a button while inside your Pod. I've not heard of anyone who sprang for remote start late regretting it.
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"Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien
2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
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TheBum
Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 10:30am |
The 2000W generators are designed to be ultra portable, so there's no space volume-wise or weight-wise for a starter motor and battery. Our Honda EU2000is pull easier than a lawnmower but they would still be a challenge for someone with a bum shoulder.
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