Recommendations for a generator platform

[Gilstan]

I have a 2010 Outback Sydney 5th wheel and would like input about mounting a 20" X 30" platform on the rear bumper to mount a generator that weighs around 100Lbs. The current bumper is a piece of junk and is only capable of holding a spare tire. Is there anyone out there who has modified the bumper to carry more weight?

[THedges]

Luckily my bumper was strong enough to hold my generator. I used a ATV raised cargo tray that mounts to a receiver hitch and then I mounted a Harbor Freight tool box to it. Everything is secure, the exhaust is plumbed out and there is a fan to keep it cooled off. The set up can be seen on my profile pic. Once you get the bumper strengthened I can send pictures, maybe they would be helpful or you can see something to improve.

This is by far the most convenient upgrade I have done. good luck!

[f350chief]

I woould like to see some pictures of the generator mount. It sounds like a good idea. I have a fifth wheel Laredo that I am debating whether to mount the bicycles or the generator on the pin box.

[THedges]

Here are some photos of how I mounted the generator box and the box it self.http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12790_0_ba6ccead699b6efe2f1aa49c83dba072.

[THedges]

Here are some photos of the box it self:
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12791_0_9e4bd03e98a78f58c2d87a3fe9d90507.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12791_1_484b111aa285b2b0bc690b93b450623d.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12791_2_046d90d3dfd7aea49ea2010426019356.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12791_3_848f50e717b32be22cd8be3c796c21f0.jpg

[THedges]

The rest of the box:
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12792_0_e5fac0df110ce4508e7bb0a98eccb2b4.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12792_1_aa7b667ac9110ad2df42431369643315.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12792_2_9308e5d88e2d5dbc91eadfd3e995823c.jpg
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_12792_3_3a77578a7eaaf6fe0b1ff1a4622110b1.jpg

[wyobulldog]

My question to THedges is: did you just use one of the bolt on receiver hitches? That what it looks like to me. And is your bumper welded to a piece of 2x4 rectangle tubing that is welded to the bottom of the I-beam frame rails on each side? Or did you have the bumper mounts reinforced. I have a 2010 Springdale 266rlssr and that is how my bumper is attached. I want to do something similar to your setup. Thanks.

[THedges]

My question to THedges is: did you just use one of the bolt on receiver hitches? That what it looks like to me. And is your bumper welded to a piece of 2x4 rectangle tubing that is welded to the bottom of the I-beam frame rails on each side? Or did you have the bumper mounts reinforced. I have a 2010 Springdale 266rlssr and that is how my bumper is attached. I want to do something similar to your setup. Thanks.

Yes, I used a bolt on hitch. That is why I used the hitch locking pin that has the cable. The cable wraps around the bumper for added security.

My bumper is welded to a piece of 2x4 rectangle tubing that is welded to the bottom of the I-beam frame rails on each side. I have never seen a bumper mounted so well right from the factory

[wyobulldog]

Thanks for the info! I might give it try then.

[f350chief]

Thedges that is an awesome job. Have you had a chance to run the generator in the box? I know the fan is installed but I was curious as to wether or not ir ran ok. It looks great.

[THedges]

Thedges that is an awesome job. Have you had a chance to run the generator in the box? I know the fan is installed but I was curious as to wether or not ir ran ok. It looks great.

Yes, I did this about 2 years ago. The generator runs great. The first fan I used was in adequate and it let heat build up. With this fan it stays pretty cool. As a test after installing this fan I ran it for 45 minutes during a July day last summer, it was pushing 110*.

[jje1960]

Very neat box! We went with a different setup, don't drive with it (unit is long enough for us as it is) but it only takes 5mins to bolt the platform on when we park. Have a sound/vibration board that works great, then the GENTENT for outside noise. The Boliy puts out enough for the 15k aircon, this works well for us.

[THedges]

That's a nice setup! That looks like a pretty good sized generator. What did you make the frame out of?

[rturriff7]

Nice Thedges. You are officially handier than I am.