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Generators and Caravans

Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 06:40

Turist

I have just got a new Geny to use with my van and wondered what others do to keep them safe and dry from the heavy dew or even a rare fall of rain during overnight stops. along the road

Was going to mount it on the drawbar however I don't think there is enough room there and need an alternate solution. Anyone like to share what they do?
ThreadID: 37394 Replies: 10
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AnswerID: 192593   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 07:05

PradoTrev replied:

Hi Turist

Just make sure if it is on the draw bar you will need to make shure it is locked on to prevent theft.

Geny's are expensive to replace.

as for dew and rain a beach unbrella tied to the draw bar or weld a loop for it to sit in works well.

That my tip

Trev
Reply 1 of 10
AnswerID: 192599   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 08:17

Ray Bates replied:

When travelling (moving) my geny is in a sealed lockable metal box mounted on the rear bumber of my caravan and whe in use it is under a piece of polyweave sheeting heldup up with a cutdown broom handle in the form of a ridge tent roof. I keep my spare fuel there as well
Reply 2 of 10
AnswerID: 192615   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 10:38

Wizard1 replied:

I agree with the others, don't worry about dew, worry about thieves. At aver $2000 I'd prefer to keep mine for as long as possible. We put a plastic sheet over the top like tent if there is heavy rain, drizzle is not a drama.

The safest place is in the back of the 4WD and covered to prevent prying eyes. Some may think this a tad inconvenient, having to drag it out, but I call it security. I intend to mount a second fridge slide on the draws for the roll out of the generator.

From what I've heard no amount of security, short of a checkerplate box with thief proof locks, will stop a determined gennie thief. Whenever we stop and free camp the gennie goes back in the car before bedtime.

Reply 3 of 10
AnswerID: 192632   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 11:39

Tim@Stratford replied:

Turist,

I think I saw a post on here a while back about mounting gennies on the A-frame.

Someone described using a steel toolbox (heavy duty) that the gennie fits in. With the lid modified to be removable it was then bolted to the a-frame. The gennie then sat on the lid and the body of the box could be placed over the top and secured with padlocks. (to explain better - the tool box is up-side-down)

Tim.
Reply 4 of 10
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AnswerID: 192687   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 14:42

Wizard1 replied:

One other thing you need to consider is placing extra weight you place on the towball. Bearing in mind that most vans run way above the "theoretical" towball weight of 10% of the GMV you may be exceeding yours by adding an extra 20kg or so of generator.
Reply 5 of 10
AnswerID: 192755   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 18:48

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

I had a custom box made to suit the Honda EU20i.

I also made a extension exhaust to enable the Honda to be run for short intervals when stoping on the side of the road for a quick cuppa.

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Reply 6 of 10
FollowupID: 450701   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 07:46

Pajman Pete (SA) posted:

That picture looks like the windmill is installed on the fron of your van - WOW you have all the accessories! We make do with an electric pump.

Pete

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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 192803   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 21:11

nonon replied:

We keep ours in the Jayco camper. The first thing I do when we unpack is slide it under the camper and lock it to the chassis with a heavy bike lock [heavy wire rope]. Sure you can see it, but you can instantly see that it is secured.
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Reply 7 of 10
AnswerID: 192849   Submitted: Monday, Sep 04, 2006 at 23:16

Motherhen replied:

We had a chequerplate aluminium box, divided into 2 sections, made for the Honda on the a-frame, mounted as far back as we could to keep the tow ball weight down. It opens on the front, with gas lifts that can hold the lid upright or horizontal. Generator is in one side on a slide out so it can be used in-situ, other side has slide out with ULP and oil cans, with extension cords stored under the slide-out. Generator is secured for travelling with strong ocky straps. Box bolts to the a-frame from inside and locks with a key.
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Reply 8 of 10
AnswerID: 193002   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:48

Richard & Leonie replied:

Can I ask what do you want a generator for?
Richard and Leonie, The grey nomads. The afterburner really upsets tailgaters.
Reply 9 of 10
FollowupID: 450832   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 19:56

Alloy c/t posted:

Er ?? electricity perhaps ?? ,why do you need an afterburner ?? bad case of bottom burping perhaps ?? LOL.
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 450838   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 20:34

Richard & Leonie posted:

But if you need that much electricity why not stay at home? Can't you get enough from your batteries and the very adequate "generator" under the bonnet of the car. As I say the afterburners are for tailgaters. I save back burps for smokers. If I have to put up with their smell then they should have to put up with mine.
I suppose the point I would make is surely we go bush to get away from it all. Not take it all with us.
Richard and Leonie, The grey nomads. The afterburner really upsets tailgaters.
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 450879   Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 00:01

Member - LONER posted:

A small generator can make a camping trip so much more comfortable and enjoyable, as I only ever go camping with my wife and my brother and his wife (only people I can trust to stick it out for the entire trip without whinging, complaining or leaving early) and we always camp in as remote country as possible I use mine to power 2 x 70 litre Autofridge's and run some lighting at night, we also take a couple of laptop's so that we can enjoy some video camera footage of the days hunting/fishing and watch a DVD occasionally, I have a 100 metre long 20 amp lead and we can never hear the genset running. Considering we will camp for up to 7 days in the one place I never rely on my vehicle batteries and as we like to enjoy ourselves when we travel I see nothing wrong with using a small genset to power the above items that you would rather run off of your vehicles power.
And as we never camp any where near others (always try to be at least 5 klms from any other humans) I cannot offend anyone with the noise.
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 450884   Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006 at 07:04

Richard & Leonie posted:

I know what you mean about picking the people you travel with. I have not been away with whingers but we have travelled with people who do not want to spend money. Consequently we have had to turn up visiting some parks and attractions because they would not pay the entrance fee.
Richard and Leonie, The grey nomads. The afterburner really upsets tailgaters.
FollowUp 4 of 4
AnswerID: 193027   Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006 at 21:16

Member - BBB replied:

Turist

I have mine mounted on a pull out draw with a 4m x 10mm S/S cable covered with 12mm hose to lock the geny if it looks like rain I put it on a board under the van to keep it out of the wheather.

You can also have this system in a front boot you will need to get a hatch door madein the side.

Here is a photo of the geny draw and the hose threw the handle is the lock.


Generator slide out with storage for Porta Loo slide runners rated to 100kg


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Reply 10 of 10

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