New in-truck Generator set-up

[moosetags]

I have been working on this project for awhile, and have finally gotten it to the test stage. We traded trucks and got a new truck topper. We put the Honda 3000 in the truck yesterday. Today we got everything placed and gave the generator a test run.

Everything worked as expected. The generator exhaust extension put the the generator's exhaust out through the back of the truck topper. With the topper all closed up, the Honda 3000 could hardly be heard from the outside.

Brian

[Mrjkq]

Nice set up Brian, congrats on the new tow vehicle, topper & innovative gen placement. Who makes that top & does it come painted to match truck?

[moosetags]

The truck topper is made by Swiss Caps in Patriot, Indiana. It is an all aluminum topper. They can color match any truck color.

Brian

[pt.reyesfan]

Nice!

[J. Morgan]

I just have to say it even though you probably already know, but it might get so hot under the shell that the generator could overheat unless you keep a door or window open, in the summer heat anyway.

Nice setup!

[RandyNH]

Nice. I did pretty much the same setup last year, be aware that in the warmer weather it can get extremely hot in there running, you may want to fashion a breather intake vent with a fan coming in from the other end so it gets fresh air. I found that just having the cap hatch open wasn't enough to keep it reasonable, but I was running a 7000

[Bigventure]

Looks pretty good.
I would have turned the generator around and gone the short way with the exhaust. If you need access it could have been on the passenger side.

[moosetags]

The generator is pretty well vented. I have installed a Ventline 12 volt exhaust fan in the ceiling of the truck topper above the generator. It is the same model that Airstream uses in their bathrooms and showers.

My plan is to use this exhaust fan and open the front sliding window in the truck topper while the generator is running.

I will take some pictures later today and post them.

Brian

[moosetags]

Here are the photos of the 12 volt exhaust fan and generator position.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Bigventure

Looks pretty good.
I would have turned the generator around and gone the short way with the exhaust. If you need access it could have been on the passenger side.

We thought about doing that, but it would put the generator's control panel facing the front of the truck. In this position, the controls would be more difficult to reach.

Brian

[xrvr]

Moosetags always thinks things through. Lots of experience! Good looking practical setup.

[Kajendo]

Nicely done Moosetags.

May I ask how do you get the Honda 3000 in and out of your truck bed? Also where do you attach the exhaust pipe inside the generator?

Jim
Hope, BC

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Kajendo

Nicely done Moosetags.

May I ask how do you get the Honda 3000 in and out of your truck bed? Also where do you attach the exhaust pipe inside the generator?

Jim
Hope, BC

As to getting the generator in and out of the truck, it is a fairly easy two man lift. We intend to keep the generator in the bed of the truck almost all the time. We have it on a roll around dolly that SuEllyn built with 3/4" plywood and small heavy duty casters. The generator is situated so that we can easily roll it out onto the tailgate for oil change and servicing.

As to the exhaust hook up, it is a kit designed for the Honda 3000 that we bought on Ebay. It consists of a replacement exhaust header that is about 6" long and a 5' flexible metal exhaust pipe.

Brian

[Roadtech]

Looks great. How do you secure the dolly to the truck bed?

[Hans627]

Very creative. Well done!

[OTRA15]

Nice job! I assume you have allowed for that much weight at the aft end of the TV, which will add to the trailer’s tongue weight impacting the rear axle load limits. How do you plan to carry the extra gas can(s) — inside the back? In hot weather the enclosed space could possibly become dangerous as the gas tank and gas cans vent fumes.

Also, are you planning on through-bolting the gen to the bed? In the event of a sudden stop, or worse, that much weight will have a lot of forward momentum.

Cheers,

Peter

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Nice job! I assume you have allowed for that much weight at the aft end of the TV, which will add to the trailer’s tongue weight impacting the rear axle load limits. How do you plan to carry the extra gas can(s) — inside the back? In hot weather the enclosed space could possibly become dangerous as the gas tank and gas cans vent fumes.

Also, are you planning on through-bolting the gen to the bed? In the event of a sudden stop, or worse, that much weight will have a lot of forward momentum.

Cheers,

Peter

Hi Peter,

As far as load limits, I'm not super concerned. The 3/4 ton truck can more than handle the weight that we will be carrying in the truck bed. I am estimating that I will be carrying less than 1,000# of cargo in the bed, including the generator. I plan to use a ratchet strap to hald the generator in place while underway.

As far as gas cans are concerned, I don't really plan to carry extra gas as the Honda 3000's 3.4 gallon gas tank, will more than handle the electricity for two nights camping on the road. I just plan to keep topping off the gas tank whenever I stop for fuel for the tow vehicle. I will probably carry one 2.5 gallon gas can in case I need it.

Brian

[GinRose]

I now wish I had purchased a topper for my Tundra instead of just a flat lid.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by GinRose

I now wish I had purchased a topper for my Tundra instead of just a flat lid.

The Leer 700 topper has room inside for a Honda 3000 if anyone needs to make theirs fit. I use gas cans made by JustRite, and although they're pricey, they don't leak. They also fit snugly inside a standard milk crate, so I add a short length of cord to a tie point so they don't slide around. I don't even have a gassy smell. I guess if it sits in the hot sun you might get odors.
I started to devise a gen. dolly with recessed wheels spaced to fit in the bed's grooves. But I found with all the other stuff, I don't move the generator anyway.

[FishByFly]

I keep looking for a good tri-fuel conversion kit for the Honda 3000. Anyone with actual recent experience please guide me