Adding a Generator to a Travel Traileree

[Shadrach]

Even tho I have 2 solar panels and a 1750 HD inverter there were times when we still wanted more. I started collecting parts to build a generator and tried to figure out a way to carry one. For a while I borrowed my buddies Onan 3200 portable but wanted something "built in". Because I am not rich but have friends and am a bit of a scrounge I figured out a way to mount a genset on the back of my TT. I wanted it to be propane powered and I wanted it to be a decent size. I came up with a 3600 Onan with low hours and a blown engine. I bought a new engine for it and found a used housing ( I'm still looking for a better looking one) for it to go into. I scrounged up an aluminum battery box off the side of a semi but it wasn't quite big enough so I traded it and some cash for a 24 x 24x 48 aluminum storage box, also off the side of a semi. It was a bit rough as it was mounted with steel brackets and the two dissimilar metals corroded. A little marine paint and some white silicone to fill in the bolt holes and it looks good, at least from a distance.

We welded some 4" pads to the rear bumper and after bolting on a good HD hitch receiver to the frame rails we modified the hitch to support the genset box. Next we attached the box and installed the genset inside. I cut a large hole in the floor according to the Onan mounting template for the exhaust, installed 2 large white plastic gable end vents for the air intake. I put these on the back side of the box which is mounted close to the back wall of the trailer. They have louvers and a mesh screen. I drilled a hole in the left side of the floor and installed a hatch similar to the one on the outside of my trailer that I pull my shore power cord from. I built a custom electrical panel which consists of a 30 amp receptacle for the shore power cord, a 20 amp GFI plug for extras, a breaker box and a 15 amp plug for the battery charger which charges up the starting battery when the genset is running. I plumbed the propane line into the trailer supply line and ran a 6 wire cable along the frame rail to the door area and then inside. I use an Onan remote start panel so I can start the genset from inside just the big boys. I also added some insulation and when you are inside it is real quiet. It isn't loud outside either as I detest loud genertors while camping.

When I get to a campsite all I have to do is open up the door on the box pull the shore power cord thru the hatch and plug it into the receptacle. Then I can start and stop it from inside. This way I didn't have to buy an auto transfer switch as I can only be plugged into one thing at a time. I did all this for about 20 % of the cost of buying it all new.

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Only real down side is I am now almost 55 in total length. I do carry 2 extra 30 lb propane bottles with me when traveling.

David

BTW how do you edit spelling in a title?

 

[mpaulson]

Nice work. Any idea what it all weighs? Just wondering because I had added a permanent bike rack platform to the back of my trailer and it ended up causing frame problems due to the amount of weight that was back there. I ended up removing it after spending lots of time welding and rewelding the frame. It didn't effect the handling on the road at all. Not trying too scare you, just watch your frame, particularly the top side of the A frame where it meets the front cross frame member at the front wall. The up lift at the hitch when you hit bumps and frost heave type of dips caused it to crack there on mine multiple times and I have had to reinforce it there.

 

[mpaulson]

One thing you could do that I did so that I didn't have to drag out the cord from the trailer all the time is I drilled a hole in the trailer floor right in the space that the electrical panel is and got some three conductor 6or8 gauge extension cord and wired it into the panel where the main factory one is wired in and tied it along the frame underneath and run it into your generator box, then you could just plug it in there. Then you don't have to get any cables out at all. What I did do thou since the other cord would have live male prongs on it when you are either plugged in at a site or running the generator is I got an adaptor that would be used to convert the RV cord down to a 15 amp male and I ripped out the 15 amp prongs and just taped over the holes that were there from ripping out the prongs and I put the "dud" plug on the cord that is not in use so that there isn't any live male 30 amp prongs exposed. In your case either the factory one while using the generator, or the one in your generator box while plugged in at an RV site.

 

[inlinesix3million]

I agree on the nice work! Minimal wires, screens for bees/wasps, insulation, louvered vents, and nice execution of plan in general. You wanted something protected from weather,quiet, with
ability to control from inside, and not have to go out and refuel... Well thought out,sir. Oh, and congrats on McDavid ( If you are an Oilers fan ) I got to see him in Erie.

 

[MLee]

Nice job looks good. I would caution though, keep an eye on the bumper for metal fatigue because of the weight of your new gen set. These bumpers are not made of heavy material and not recommended to support much weight. Yours might be of the exception. Tongue weight will be another concern. Happy camping.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks for the compliments and concerns. My bumper is a fairly heavy weight metal compared to others I've seen. The total weight is 275 lbs or so. That's one of the reason I went with an aluminum box. I still need to mount my spare tire somewhere. Since this was my first summer with this genset mounted I just carried the spare in the box of the truck.
David

 

[Jim W]

Nice Work David it looks like this came from the factory; only it was thought out with attention to detail.

You could mount the spare tire under the trailer either in front by the landing legs or in back of the tires. My CC cares the tire under the trailer and has a built in hoist similar to what the Ram trucks have.

Jim W.

 

[mpaulson]

You could also make a little frame that will hold the spare a little bit above the batteries on the front A frame behind the propane tanks leaving yourself enough room to remove the batteries without taking the tire off.

 

[Shadrach]

You could also make a little frame that will hold the spare a little bit above the batteries on the front A frame behind the propane tanks leaving yourself enough room to remove the batteries without taking the tire off.

I thought about that. Two things to consider: I have a window on the front of my TT and I need to be able to lift the LP bottle cover off to change bottles. I don't like having it under. We'll what becomes available at the right price

David

 

[mpaulson]

I thought about that. Two things to consider: I have a window on the front of my TT and I need to be able to lift the LP bottle cover off to change bottles. I don't like having it under. We'll what becomes available at the right price

David

Ah, yea, that wouldn't work. I have enough space between the bottles and the front wall that would allow that idea and no window.

 

[mpaulson]

I thought about that. Two things to consider: I have a window on the front of my TT and I need to be able to lift the LP bottle cover off to change bottles. I don't like having it under. We'll what becomes available at the right price

David

Ah, yea, that wouldn't work. I have enough space between the bottles and the front wall that would allow that idea and no window.