How do you transport a small portable generators?

[mcbbcn]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has found an effective way to transport a small portable generator in a pop-up camper van?

I thought about a sealed box or perhaps on top of the roof, although I'm concerned about the weight.

Inside the cabin, I'm concerned about sleeping and fumes.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Best,

Miquel

[dhaavers]

Back bumper hitch basket...or leave it at home...

(Not a fan of camping generators...sorry...)

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[danfromsyr]

hitch carrier,
but I hve transported mine inside. a quality unit shouldn't be fumy/leaky.
a econo no name brand I dunno.

I also don't like generators while camping. but I took ours onour Eclipse trip to Charleston this august.. as it was a life saving thing to run the portable AC for my babied Bernard mix in the southern sun..
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[ThankYouJerry]

Another option would be in a lockable steel box mounted to a swing away arm on a steel bumper (ala GoWesty, Rocky Mountain Westy, etc).
_________________
1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[mcbbcn]

Hi,

Thanks everyone. Just to give more context. It’s not really for a camping trip. I have a portable telescope observatory with computers, robotized telescope mount and bunch of electronics. I usually go into the middle nowhere, away from everyone (and every light) and I spent about 3 nights with no electrical outlet around.

I already measure watts draw, etc and the coach battery would not have a chance and I don’t want to creat a battery bench with 3 additional batteries. It feels overkill. Also, I do these trips in Winter, it gets very cold, and I would like to keep coach battery for heat.

Thanks everyone for your input. The swing away box option sounded interesting, I’ll look into it, although I also carry a swing away in the back for my bicycle, the fun never ends.

Best,

Miquel

[pinetreeporsche]

Why not in the luggage rack over the driver? You might put a sheet of plywood- cut to size- under it to spread the load, but seems unlikely it could do any damage up there. Isn't that the kind of thing the rack area was made for?

[shagginwagon83]

[ThankYouJerry]

[SSWesty]

I'll vote for something off the back. I have both a hitch tray and swing out tray off the bumper. I would feel comfortable with a generator like a light Honda 2000 or 1000 on either of those. If you don't have a bumper with swing outs or a hitch you could do a Gary Lee rack off the hatch like this one http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/rack.htm as another option.

[Abscate]

If you drain gas for transport and wrap it in a large garbage bag you won't smell anything from a good one. Now, of course, you have a gas storage problem.

I put my Honda in the cabin when I go up to the hills to fire lasers at the moon.
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.ssS!

[Waldi]

If you wnt to camp in winter times and use some electronics, there is no way than a generator. Not nuff sun for sollar power.
I am instaling atm a generator system in my van, couse i changed my gas heater to a Planar heater, and i like to use my home pc.

There is no problem to transport it inside. For sleeping it is outside with the fuel secured with a chain to the car, if needed.

2 bord bats, 100w solar on the top and now,

9kg sinus gernarator
https://www.denqbar.com/650-w-digitaler-inverter-s...dimensions

Sinus inverter with charger
https://www.autobatterienbilliger.de/Reiner-Sinus-...r-Inverter

[Timwhy]

I put this together to carry mine. Harbor Freight step with plywood platform attached.
Eyebolts to ratchet strap the generator to. I also added an anti-rattle hitch bolt to keep everything in place
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'91 Tin Top
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[Steve M.]

[mcbbcn]

Wow! What an impressive forum!!! I really appreciate everyone's input.

Yes, I'm learning towards carrying it inside, it is one of those very small 1000 watts, and I'm learning that there are airtight bags out there. Just trying to figure out which one, and I also like the idea of leaving it outside secured if I'm going to be sleeping, why not? Right?

Thank you so much everyone for all the ideas. You all are an impressive bunch!

Kind regards to everyone!

Miquel

[mcbbcn]

I came across this one for making a bag, airtight...I really like the simplicity of things...I'm thinking about using a tough contractor bag and cutting it to dimensions and see if I can apply this method...the plastic is more rigid, but if I find a way to screw it tough enough, it should do the trick. hehe!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWeRIFwsEpk

I love the ingenuity and simplicity of some solutions

Cheers

Miquel

[Tobias Duncan]

[mcbbcn]

[mcbbcn]

Here is another link and this time using harder plastic, I don't know, it's cheap enough that I think I will give it a try. There is a quick to try if it works, by filling with water and see if it escapes. I know water is more dense than air, but I can also squeeze the bag and see if the air stays inside.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-easy-way-to-making-air-tight-bags/

What I like about Contractor bags is that they are tough. They easily lift 30 pounds without breaking, they are inexpensive and the material is airtight, so it's the perfect if I can make it work.

[pinetreeporsche]

[kourt]