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MrAgent007 · 07-22-2007, 03:33 PM

Hello, Has anyone had either a gas or diesel generator permanently mounted to their Airstream RV trailer. If so, what size, where was it mounted, where is the source of fuel and who was the manufacturer? In addition, was this a "professional" installation by a RV specialty type shop? Thanks for any information. I am thinking about having an Onan 3500 Watt generator installed in my 2006 22 CCD.

clancy_boy · 07-22-2007, 05:30 PM

OK, I'll bite - WHERE?

I have an '03 CCD 22 foot and am pressed to see where you would put one. Just wondering, kinda made me go out and look at mine for a while......

MrAgent007 · 07-22-2007, 06:33 PM

I am leading to mounting the Onan 4000 which weights 200 lbs behind the propane tanks. As a result, I will need to re-locate the battery box. The Onan has a width of 18 inches and is 14 inches high. 30 inches is the length. Looks like I could frame mount it just behind the propane tanks.

bobkelly · 07-22-2007, 06:55 PM

I'm interested in any info available, also. I'm looking smaller, 1000 or 2000w Honda. Maybe over the battery box and powered by the adjacent propane?

2airishuman · 07-22-2007, 07:05 PM

200 additional lbs on a 22 ft frame tongue? i don't like that idea.

here is a member link to mounting a honda 3000 (140lbs?) on the tongue...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ion-30513.html

and a warning about doing this...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...ting-4889.html

we've also had a member report his experience with photos...

mounting 2 honda eu 2000i on a self made rack in this location...

with the parallel kit this would be under 100lbs...

but you'll have to find that thread...

cheers
2air'

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-22-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkelly

I'm interested in any info available, also. I'm looking smaller, 1000 or 2000w Honda. Maybe over the battery box and powered by the adjacent propane?

Hi, Bob. I have had the same idea of mounting a Honda 2000 over the battery box and connected to propane.

MrAgent007 · 07-23-2007, 02:56 AM

Actually the 2800 watt, 23.5 amp Onan unit weights 113 lbs. The 3600 watt, 30 amp Onan weights 175 lbs.

smily · 07-23-2007, 07:09 AM

I seen an Onan mounted in a 32 foot excella. It was placed (from the outside) inside of the credenza, a much deeper credenza than most. Anyway, this Onan was insulated and exhausted to the exterior, The guy had a genturi that he had permanently attached. He had transfer switch too.
It was a great setup! The guy had traveled to AK twice with this rig from the east coast.

GetOutDoors · 07-23-2007, 07:36 AM

I have a Onan Micro-light that I installed under the gaucho in my '66 22 foot Safari, just behind the streetside wheel. It's fuel comes from the propane lines. It is quiet and care free.

It has a strong lung, giving 3 kw of continuous power, which is enough for a small air conditioner.

You can view pictures of it in my photo gallery.

dwlee6 · 07-23-2007, 09:35 PM

I mounted a 5KW Onan Marquis in my 1985 34' Excella. I put it under the forward dinette seat on the curb side. The Marquis exhausts and draws air through the floor (by design.) The outside dimensions of the Marquis mounting pan are almost exactly 1/4" smaller than the inside length/width of the dinette seat box. I had to add 2" height to the the seat by adding oak strips to the original box. I also created a galvanized steel liner for the box for fire resistance. Put sound deadener as described elsewhere in this forum on inside of box. Very quite, you more feel it than hear it, and with AC on, can't really hear the gen.

For fuel, I fabricated a 26 Gallon stainless steel tank that rides between the propane tanks and the front of the trailer. Photos attached of gas tank. Don't have any of the gen installation, but if you look closely at the side view of the trailer you can see the exhaust pipe sticking out the bottom of the trailer about half way between the step and the right side front tire. Aside from this and the slightly higher dinette seat, you can't tell there is a generator in the trailer.

In case you are wondering about all the weight, notice on the right side view of the gas tank the 3" tubing welded to the A frame under the original frame. I did this to the frame all the way back to the mounting point for the axles, giving a 2"x9" cross section frame on the front half of the trailer. Originally did this because the heavy duty tow vehicle ('97 one ton diesel Ford van) was causing the frame to flex (this all before the generator and gas tank installation) and cracking the aluminum skin at the corners of the battery access doors. It was quite a project, requiring removing the skirting and peeling back the belly pans to get access to the frame. No flexure now! The van and Pull rite hitch handle the weight with no problem.

**moosetags** · 07-23-2007, 10:31 PM

Wow, I'm impressed!

bobkelly · 07-24-2007, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the ideas. Slick, very slick. Welcome to the forums.

grizzy · 07-24-2007, 09:01 AM

This link is to my experience mounting two Honda EU2000i's on our Bambi. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f198...tml#post114671 We've used this for some time now (with a couple of modifications) and have been very happy with the result.

GetOutDoors · 07-24-2007, 09:59 AM

I found that my Onan generator was short enough to fit under the original seating (which I used as a measurement to build a new gaucho seat/framework). I also determined that it fit well where the original tool access panel used to be, providing adequate access from outside.

I would highly recommend this kind of install: you don't have to worry about the generator being exposed to the outside elements, including theft.

Also, if you convert the carb. to run on propane, it becomes more trouble-free, as the carb. burns much cleaner . . .

MrAgent007 · 08-02-2007, 07:01 PM

Very Nice! Thanks.

Denis4x4 · 06-11-2011, 07:26 AM

Knocked this out in an afternoon using some scrap wood. I do have a cover that I use. I'm a big fan of the Master cable lock to keep things from getting legs.

wmarsha · 06-11-2011, 09:38 AM

see this thread for my mod mounting a honda 3000 elect start model on the tongue of my 85. I have since sold said 85 and purchased a 95 and have made the same mod to it. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...tor-54172.html Again, if you are specifically interested, email for more info. bill Oh, I tow with a one ton Ford van-have had no troubles with any kind of flex. for the record (in case you don't look up the thread) I removed the spare tire and carrier from under the A/S as well as the tongue mounted "tool" box and replaced it with an 11 gallon fuel cell for extra fuel capacity. AS of today, using a set of Longacre Racing scale pads I have (added on edit-dang if I know where the rest of my note went?) less than 700 lbs on the tongue. More on this later.

Streamside · 06-11-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

Knocked this out in an afternoon using some scrap wood. I do have a cover that I use. I'm a big fan of the Master cable lock to keep things from getting legs.

Looks like it would be hard to reach the pull/start cord!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 06-11-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

Knocked this out in an afternoon using some scrap wood. I do have a cover that I use. I'm a big fan of the Master cable lock to keep things from getting legs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streamside

Looks like it would be hard to reach the pull/start cord!

Hi, I think Denis4x4 uses this for carrying purposes only, but we'll let him tell us. Looks like the mount has to be removed to open the battery box door? I think, I will make something similar to your bracket for a portable wheeled dolly for my Yamaha.

Denis4x4 · 06-11-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I think Denis4x4 uses this for carrying purposes only, but we'll let him tell us. Looks like the mount has to be removed to open the battery box door? I think, I will make something similar to your bracket for a portable wheeled dolly for my Yamaha.

Correct, it's designed to carry the Honda. Note the bevel on the wood so that the battery door can be fully opened.