Towing with generator running

[PerryB]

Newer trucks (since the early 2000's) have a relay on the trailer charge wire so it goes dead when the truck is shut off. Primarily so the trailer can't kill the truck battery (s).

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by PerryB

Newer trucks (since the early 2000's) have a relay on the trailer charge wire so it goes dead when the truck is shut off. Primarily so the trailer can't kill the truck battery (s).

A little earlier for Ford...My '94 is set up that way.

[PerryB]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

A little earlier for Ford...My '94 is set up that way.

Well, thats that CRS thing kicking in again. Wasn't sure when Ford did it. I had a 98 Chevy that was hot all the time.

[mikell]

Never think of it I guess and haven't had any issues. I think my power panel handles all the issues without any thought????? I have had the engine running with the generator running while plugged in. Many many times???

[bdaniel]

I have powered my RVs with a generator in the bed of my truck since 2002 and I have never had a problem. I would not travel without one.


Generator in my truck. Originally constructed in 2002
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2014 325SRX Toy Hauler
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2012 Copper Canyon
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2002 Wildcat
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[Desert185]

A friend powers a freezer full of fish with a Honda 2000 all the way from AK to AZ each year. The Honda has never complained.

[LuvsPalmTrees]

I just have a request when you pull into a campground at night after 10 pm (if that is where you are going) do everyone in the campground a favor and shut off the generator. In July sitting quietly at a campfire. Enjoying a beverage and some conversation and a camper comes in with a loud *** generator. He goes through the campground, cannot find his site and goes around again with the generator going. Finds the site, tries 3 times to back in (generator still going), then finally gets settled and turns it off and plugs in. I just found that to be really rude and inconsiderate. Just my thoughts.

[BSHGTO]

My completly stock Ford diesel truck is louder than my twin Yamhas

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by LuvsPalmTrees

I just have a request when you pull into a campground at night after 10 pm (if that is where you are going) do everyone in the campground a favor and shut off the generator. In July sitting quietly at a campfire. Enjoying a beverage and some conversation and a camper comes in with a loud *** generator. He goes through the campground, cannot find his site and goes around again with the generator going. Finds the site, tries 3 times to back in (generator still going), then finally gets settled and turns it off and plugs in. I just found that to be really rude and inconsiderate. Just my thoughts.

Apologies in advance for driving into or out of your campground with my Cummins. I'll arrive early and leave late if others turnoff their awning lights, etc. at a reasonable hour so I can enjoy the evening campground without city-level light pollution.

[tommy_z]

Looking through this thread, I didn't see any examples of how to route the power cable from the generator in the bed to the trailer.

Anybody have pics, or pointers what not to do?

I wanted to do this, and plan to add a transfer switch for safety sake.

[nellie1289]

So my trailer has a bike rack I could easily put the generator on and cinch down and a short cord would easily plug into back of trailer. Right next to bike rack. I had thought about doing this to run the AC but never really thought about the truck being plugged in at same time so wondering if that is a problem too. Seems like you could be plugged into shore power at same time while truck was idling. Never really thought about it. My bike rack can take 200 lbs and the geneator is only 80 lbs so maybe this is a viable option ???

[denverpilot]

Originally Posted by nellie1289

So my trailer has a bike rack I could easily put the generator on and cinch down and a short cord would easily plug into back of trailer. Right next to bike rack. I had thought about doing this to run the AC but never really thought about the truck being plugged in at same time so wondering if that is a problem too. Seems like you could be plugged into shore power at same time while truck was idling. Never really thought about it. My bike rack can take 200 lbs and the geneator is only 80 lbs so maybe this is a viable option ???

If you're talking about the stock pull-out bike rack, they're notorious for not being strong enough to hold bikes, let alone a genny., and the site is full of stories about them breaking. I wouldn't do it.

Think about the vertical loads when you go over a bump. A good solid bump will exert say, 2G downward momentarily. That 80 lb genny just became 160 for a brief moment. And the constant up and down will bust things eventually.

Have someone else tow your trailer sometime on a bumpy road and you follow in a car behind and watch that back bumper and rear tire carrier. You'll be amazed at how flimsy it all looks.

[dirt33]

Originally Posted by tommy_z

Looking through this thread, I didn't see any examples of how to route the power cable from the generator in the bed to the trailer.

Anybody have pics, or pointers what not to do?

I wanted to do this, and plan to add a transfer switch for safety sake.

I've been curious about this as well. We travel with our generator securely mounted in the truck bed, and would like to run the trailer A/C for awhile before arriving somewhere in the TX heat, as one of our dogs overheats very quickly (I currently have to leave him in the truck for 15-30 mins upon arrival with the truck running, until the trailer A/C has time to cool the trailer down under 80 or so). But, I have not envisioned a good way to route the power cord from the rear of the trailer.

[dcg9381]

I've done this before with a Class-A. The factory Onan was overheating (Marquis Gold) and driving without AC was a real problem. Simply bought a hitch good for 500lbs, strapped down a generator, and ran the 30A cord into the bay. Attached the cord with high-strength zip ties... Worked great for 2000-2500 miles...

[jje1960]

Hey all. Yes, you can have a generator in the TV, running while towing, connected to cord, run to the rear of the 5th wheel, plugged into the shore plug, running 120V (aircon). I've been doing it for years. This year we added the larger battery bank and inverter, allowing use of the inverter while traveling by unplugging from the generator in the back of the truck and plugging into the inverter plug that I installed in the drivers side propane compartment. We use a 50' cord (10/3 20amp) run from the rear of the 5th wheel, under the unit, attached with plastic clips from walmart. I drilled small holes in the frame rail and used small metal screws. The cord drops down through the propane compartment and runs into the TV bed. I use a bungee cord attached to the cord to allow stretch for turning radius. The generator is Boliy inverter, has never had a problem running while driving when we have chosen too. At the rear, there is a Northern tool pigtail cord that connects from the 3prong to the 50amp plug. This year, with the new battery bank, I just keep the cord plugged into the inverter and not the generator in the back of the truck. I only used the generator running one year to cool the unit, just keeping the vents open while driving was enough to cool the cat, however I've not traveled through the desert (yet) so that option is still there! The cord run from the TV or the inverter under the unit to the back is awesome though, just close the converter breaker in the unit and hit the inverter remote then have 120V in the unit for microwave or coffee maker or computers...

[jje1960]

I have pics of everything from last post... Will take a bit to find them... DSC0078 shows the rear with the pigtail. Hope this answers some of the questions from this post!

[mfifield01]

While on this topic, could the generator be run in the truck bed while not moving and sleeping in the TT? What I'm thinking about is sleeping somewhere overnight where I don't have to unhitch.

[bdaniel]

I do this all the time. Sometimes I will lower the landing legs and raise the 5th wheel just a little off the hitch to reduce some of the vibrations. Or I may angle the truck just slightly to point the exhaust a little further from the 5th wheel.

I've done this in WalMarts, Truck Stops, state parks, etc. My Honda EU 3000i will run the AC all night and then some on one tank of gas.

I have done this on three different 5th wheels and never had any problems.

Bobby

[mfifield01]

My concern was CO from the generator.

[nellie1289]

I cant see how this could be an issue, as motorhomes run generators directly underneath the unit anyway. so how can a generator, pointed away from you in the truck bed, be a problem.