Posted 2009-09-07 7:37 PM (#110370) Subject: Generator In Bed of Truck
Regular
Posts: 63
Location: Eagle, Idaho
We would like to carry a generator in the bed of our truck behind the cab. We have a goose neck LQ trailer. We would need to remove the generator from time to time to use the truck bed to haul other stuff. Any ideas on how to get the generator into and out of the truck bed without fancy equipment given the fact my husband and I both have bad backs and can't lift a lot of weight? Any help would be appreciated. We would need about a 3000 watt generator.
Posted 2009-09-07 8:09 PM (#110373 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Iowa
Not sure what kind of trailer you have, but have you considered putting it in the back tack area of your trailer? My brother put his saddle rack up in the front and uses that back area to carry his generator, hay, water buckets, ect. He also has a ramp on the trailer, so if he has to move the generator for some reason it just rolls right out. No lifting. It's not as noisy in the back as it would be right under your gooseneck. Just a thought.
Posted 2009-09-07 9:31 PM (#110377 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by apricotbend on 2009-09-07 7:37 PM
We would like to carry a generator in the bed of our truck behind the cab. We have a goose neck LQ trailer. We would need to remove the generator from time to time to use the truck bed to haul other stuff. Any ideas on how to get the generator into and out of the truck bed without fancy equipment given the fact my husband and I both have bad backs and can't lift a lot of weight? Any help would be appreciated. We would need about a 3000 watt generator.
Check out some type of lifts that are used for wheel chairs or carts. Most I have seen fold pretty flat when you are not using them. I use my frontend loader on my tractor with a harness I made up with tiedown straps.
Posted 2009-09-07 11:16 PM (#110391 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
One alternative would be to use a non electric start generator. Many of those in the ~2500 watt ranges weigh aprox~70#. I was planning on the purchase of a Yamaha version, and placing it on a sliding shelf on the floor of the rear trailer tack area. There are heavy duty ball bearing drawer slides available, that have 125# capabilities and could support a moveable shelf and generator. It could be slid aft while being used and fueled, and stored under the saddles when not in use. It would be locked and secured whenever the tack is put away. With a temporary placement, it could easily be moved to any other location whenever it is needed.
Of course this is all a moot point, if your infirmities restrict you from manually pull starting a generator. If I had the same requirements as you, I would use the bucket on my tractor to load and unload a 150# generator.
Posted 2009-09-07 11:24 PM (#110392 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Location: Arizona
We purchased a winch from harbor freight and installed it in the ceiling of the garage (with appropriate bracing in the attic to support the weight capacity). We put it on a rail running the width of the garage so it could slide and be positioned (and locked in place) as necessary. I can back the truck into the garage, run chains through the handles/frame of the generator (or other heavy things), lift up, pull the truck forward, and set down a variety of heavy items with the flick of a switch.
Posted 2009-09-07 11:34 PM (#110393 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I have a Ef3000ISEb Yahama that lives in the pickup bed. I only have one leg so I use my tractor and frontend loader to lift alot of things. You could also use a "come along" or overhead hoist, to lift it out if you park under a garage or building. Or use a come along to lift it underneath the trailer's gooseneck. Attach one end of the "come along" to the gooseneck, other end to the genset, lift the generator and drive the truck from underneath.....
Posted 2009-09-08 5:56 AM (#110395 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 112
Location: Bow, NH
Just had my first weekend camping with my new Honda EU3000i! That was the most expensive cup of coffee I've ever had, lol. My original plan was to have it live in the bed of my truck secured with two locks. One with a cable to one of the front tie downs and with another chain through the GN hitch safty chain eyes. After getting it into the bed of my truck I realized that set up was not going to work as I couldn't get the generator far enough forward (truck tool box is in the way) to avoid the possibility of crushing it with the trailer in a very tight turn. Consequently the generator will live in the front stall of my 3 horse slant and just have to be manhandled out for now. I am planning on mounting it to a furniture dolly I have for easier rolling.
Posted 2009-09-08 10:50 AM (#110403 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 114
I have a Honda 3000 also and it is in the third stall. I have it on a little dolly with wheels. The third stall has the divider all the way to the floor. I keep most of my supplies in the third stall. When we set up camp, I roll my generator to the back and open the door while it is running. If I need it out, I roll it out on a board up the the truck. Works for this old lady!!!!
Posted 2009-09-08 1:04 PM (#110408 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
We have installed Honda units that have a remote start in the LQ for customers in the past. They have wheel kits under them; so that they can be rolled in the bed fairly easy. Getting them up and down has already been addressed in earlier threads. These units are very user friendly, because when you want to start and shut them off; you can do it from inside the LQ. I beleive they were Honda 5000 models.
Posted 2009-09-08 7:27 PM (#110421 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I also have the Honda3000 and I set it in the back of the truck near the tailgate and it stays on the truck the whole time I camp running or not. Makes it alot easier for me. I get a friend to help me load it before I hook up.
Posted 2009-09-09 1:30 AM (#110443 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
If you put your generator in the bed of your truck...make sure it is properly secured...so it does not become an unguided missle in event of an accident...
Also, it you operate the generator from the bed of your truck...be careful during your fueling activities of said generator...
Posted 2009-09-09 6:46 AM (#110458 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Bow, NH
Paul, is it the static electricity danger you are referring to when cautioning about refueling in the bed of the truck? I know you shouldn't refuel gas cans in the bed of the truck for that reason and I guess it makes sense for generators too. Thanks for the words of caution.
Are the remote starters for the Honda generators expensive?
Posted 2009-09-09 9:21 AM (#110473 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
Regular
Posts: 93
Location: Newnan, GA
FYI - Honda sells a wheel kit for the EU3000is for about $99. And they just came out with a new model that has the wheels built in.
I have a slighty used Honda EU3000is with wheel kit, cover and battery cables for sale in Newnan, GA. $1600 if anyone is interested. You can email me janelljones@bellsouth.net
Posted 2009-09-09 10:02 AM (#110478 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 105
Location: Illinois
Before you purchase the generator make sure it is a quiet one or those parked close by won't be happy. As far as the 2000 watt Honda generators having small fuel tanks, that is correct but you can putchase an extended run fuel , 6 gallon , that can be connected to the tanks and give you a much longer run time
Yes, Honda has come out with a new 3000 watt generator that is much lighter in weight than their other 3000 watthas a built in handle and wheels. Also have a new 2000 watt gen.This one has a built in adapter so you simply plug in two wires providing 4000 watts peak , 3200 running. Nope, have no connection with Honda. Only reason I know about this just purchased the extended run tank. Not sure how long the 6 gallon tank will last but will soon
Posted 2009-09-09 11:03 AM (#110484 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 83
I looked at the new Honda 3000 what generator too. It is only about 70 lbs compared to the about 130 lbs of the original. The gas tank is half the size (only runs for a little over 3 hours on a tank), and it is not near as quiet as the original, per the specs. Not saying which one is right for you, just letting you know there will be a trade off for a lighter unit that includes wheels. At least with the Honda models. I have the original 3000 watt Honda. It is heavy and hard to move around, but just turn the key, starts right up and has lots of quiet power.
Posted 2009-09-09 3:45 PM (#110501 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas
We have our generator mounted in the rear tack, vented for intake air, exit air, and exhaust routed under the trailer, with remote start in the LQ, with a 20 gal connected tank in the base of the rear manger. Works Marvelously! Trade off is some storage space (I also have an air compressor sitting atop the generator's insulated aluminum box cover) but any storage I loose must be for stuff I didn't need anyway, as we have never missed that space but love the convenience of what we have (it came with the trailer when we purchased it) and are very glad it is set up this way.
Posted 2009-09-09 4:23 PM (#110502 - in reply to #110443) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Thanks for your advice. I do tie it down when enroute. I usually only fill it once in a weekend when it's cold, and it is only in use when I need it. Is it a bad thing to leave it on the truck? I'm usually alone and it's to dang heavy for me to lift and I have no room in the trailer for it. I figured that would be my easy fix....
Posted 2009-09-09 11:48 PM (#110527 - in reply to #110502) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by mingiz on 2009-09-09 4:23 PM
Thanks for your advice. I do tie it down when enroute. I usually only fill it once in a weekend when it's cold, and it is only in use when I need it. Is it a bad thing to leave it on the truck? I'm usually alone and it's to dang heavy for me to lift and I have no room in the trailer for it. I figured that would be my easy fix....
We have had our Cummins/Onan P4300 mounted on the back of our hauler bed since we bought it a few months back and so far no issues at all. We do have a HIGH quailty chain and lock on it. Too many sticky fingers around here. Better half works for a motocyle parts dist. and we got a ONGUARD lock and chain.
Posted 2009-09-10 11:12 AM (#110547 - in reply to #110370) Subject: RE: Generator In Bed of Truck
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Posts: 303
Location: Grapeland, Texas
I have an Onan in the bed of my truck, it is bolted down to the bed and vented out the bottom of the bed. It is wired for a remote start and I have an extension cord for the remote so I can unhook and pull up some so it's not right under the nose of the trailer. It is a propane generator and the tanks are mounted on the other side of the truck bed. It has worked great for me.