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Old 04-20-2020, 09:21 AM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AirMiles View Post
Honda 3000 is quieter, but it is too tall to fit under my truck’s tonneau cover.
Good Point. The Honda 3000 is about 23.5" tall. Since I had a Tundra, it measured about 23". I say 'about' because the bed is not flat it has ridges. The Tundra also has a tall bed relative to other brands. But, I had to eliminate all the "roll up" type tonneau covers because they intrude on the bed. I ended up with a Leer 700 hard tonneau which has a slight hump in the middle. Turns out, I didn't need the extra height, but it's close.
The highest point on a Honda is the gas cap. I've considered a exhaust extension so I could run the Honda in the bed without worrying about fumes and heat. This was my choice.
Still in the planning stage.
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Old 04-20-2020, 01:00 PM   #62
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I put wheels on my Honda 3000 which adds to it’s height. It won’t fit under my cover (roll n lock) so I just roll the cover 3/4 shut and let the covered generator peek out. It is triple locked down to deter it walking off. Wheels? I’ve a wench in the truck bed and met all ramps. Easy in and out. There are times I wish it could fit under the top. But, all considering, not willing to get rid of it, take off the wheels or get a different cover setup.
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Old 04-20-2020, 03:07 PM   #63
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I will be in the market as well. I have a bad back so weight is an issue. Mainly want to run the AC. Does anyone with a truck cap open the side windows and run a generator inside the cap and bed? Not sure there is enough airflow.
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Old 04-20-2020, 04:11 PM   #64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad View Post
Yup!
Mine lives in the truck if I'm traveling. For removing it at home, I purchased the Harbor Freight 1000# hydraulic table.
(the 500# table doesn't go high enough) I waited for a sale.
So, I schootch the Honda on the tailgate, raise the table, slide the generator on, lower and roll it into the garage. It stays on the table in the garage until needed. (That table is built like a tank)
mollysdad, what did you pay for that 1,0003 hydralic table?
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Old 04-20-2020, 04:20 PM   #65
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I have a Leer cap on the back of my truck. I leave the back window of the truck in the open position to release the fumes. I could use the side screens but I like to leave the back window open on the truck and my front window open in the trailer a little, so I can HEAR it. It's literally that quiet. Remember inside the trailer the A/C is running and usually the TV so there is competing gray noise.
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Old 04-20-2020, 04:51 PM   #66
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Good to know. I guess I would just be worried about theft of the other items in the bed if I left the window open. I have a lock I can use for the generator but not everything back there. I do plan on purchasing a leer cap.
Quote:
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I have a Leer cap on the back of my truck. I leave the back window of the truck in the open position to release the fumes. I could use the side screens but I like to leave the back window open on the truck and my front window open in the trailer a little, so I can HEAR it. It's literally that quiet. Remember inside the trailer the A/C is running and usually the TV so there is competing gray noise.
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Old 04-21-2020, 04:38 AM   #67
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Quote:
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mollysdad, what did you pay for that 1,0003 hydralic table?
Online HF quotes $280 for the 1K lb capacity table. $180 for the 500 lb table.

For $180 you can buy a 1-Ton shop crane that might do a lot more than a table. YMMV

I’ve used chain and my shop crane to lift all sorts of heavy items into/out-of the truck.
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Old 04-21-2020, 07:30 AM   #68
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What’s the budget? There is nothing better that a Honda generator but for the price you can buy three of the champion knock offs.
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Old 04-22-2020, 04:42 AM   #69
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I'll say there is something better than a Honda: one that works just as well and costs half as much. It is easy to say Hondas are better 'cause you own one and never had an issue. It is hard to defend paying double unless you say it is twice the product. Hondas are not twice the product.
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Old 04-22-2020, 05:33 AM   #70
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I measured my trailer current yesterday and it was running at 18 amps. This was with the AC on but no fridge, TV, etc. I have no idea how do many of you are running a small 2k gen rated for 15 amps.
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Old 04-22-2020, 08:51 AM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 75Bob View Post
mollysdad, what did you pay for that 1,0003 hydralic table?
With a 20% coupon it was about $200. It's made of heavy steel and takes about ten pumps with your foot to raise it to the tailgate. To lower, there's a release on the push bar and it glides down.

Quote:
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It is easy to say Hondas are better 'cause you own one and never had an issue. It is hard to defend paying double unless you say it is twice the product. Hondas are not twice the product.
My experience was work related. The company had 25 Honda 3000's that we ran 5 days a week, 15 hours a day, left them in the rain chained to a post. We almost never had a failure.
When they were buying new ones, I tried to buy one of the old ones. All 25 went to a vendor who took them.
So I watched Craig's list (yes, I didn't want to pay so much either) and found one 100 miles away with only 7 hours on it and all paperwork.
If I didn't know all that and was starting over, I'd get the Champion 3500.
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Old 04-22-2020, 09:02 AM   #72
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Just a FYI,

China
​Champion portable generators are known to be affordable and dependable. Established in 2003, this relatively new entrant operates from the American shores but has its production units established in Zhejiang district of China.

Good luck finding an inverter style gen unit MADE IN AMERICA. Several contractor style. I have a Honda 2000 w/gennex propane conversion. Works great,

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Old 04-22-2020, 09:14 AM   #73
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After reading all replies i think my choice is the Champion 3100-3400 inverter generator. I guess this gen will run everything, including my AC without the need for an easy start.

I do like the Honda’s but to get what I need I’d have to buy a 3000 or two 2200s. That’s double the price of the Champion.
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Old 04-22-2020, 09:29 AM   #74
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The Champion 3400 and the 3500 are exactly the same mechanically. The 3500 was a special decal for Camping World.
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Old 04-22-2020, 09:53 AM   #75
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Champion Dial Fuel Inverter !

Another vote for the Champion Dual Fuel Inverter. We Never use gas as propane abound on the AS nose and A spare 20lb portable. Propane burns far cleaner / far less noticeable exhaust fumes around the site is a plus. Operation noise few more Dbs than Revered Honda but easily remedied by directional placement or keeping (safe) in truck bed.

It’s Height is preferred also fitting under the locked touneau. Think some others too tall.
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Old 04-22-2020, 11:17 AM   #76
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Be creative

OK so the guy decides to go with the cheaper Chinese model. Good luck either way, at least your going to be out there. Now after reading everyones reasons for buying what they like, heres an idea maybe someone will make some money off of. So the Honda 3000 is to heavy, 2 units take up too much room, the Champion is not exactly light, especially for older men or women campers. My grand idea is to invent a swing arm lift mechanism that attaches to one side of the inside of the truck bed. It should be adaptable for all truck models and have one simple hydraulic lift capable of lifting 500#s into the back of the truck bed. It should fold in neatly and out of the way against the inside of the bed wall. Start by selling this as an after market accessory and quickly talk the designers of a major truck manufacturer into including it in the next generation of their vehicle. This is how the folding step on the tailgate came about. OK then, one of you has a perfect opportunity to get rich. Good luck. I’m going camping (when this virus thing is over).
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Old 04-22-2020, 11:30 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 75Bob View Post
My grand idea is to invent a swing arm lift mechanism that attaches to one side of the inside of the truck bed. It should be adaptable for all truck models and have one simple hydraulic lift capable of lifting 500#s into the back of the truck bed. It should fold in neatly and out of the way against the inside of the bed wall.
Harbor Freight beat you to it.
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Old 04-22-2020, 11:42 AM   #78
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Are you positive that you need a generator?


We've had one for almost 3 years and used it twice. And one of those times to charge a laptop only. We boondock for a couple of days, outside of the South, and don't need a/c. And my TV will fully charge the house batteries in 200 miles. We do move every 2 to 3 days. We camp in state and national parks with electric, too.



The generator is a great backup to have and we really needed it once. Outside Moab in late October.



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Old 04-22-2020, 12:02 PM   #79
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Need advice on generators

Problem I’ve found is that it is very true the generator is heavy to haul around, but when you need air conditioning in Texas in September it’s worth the pain.

I have a Champion 3400 watt Inverter modified to run off the Airstream quick connect port I installed. I only run it on propane.

Kept us and the dogs cool in very high humidity and temperatures a couple times on the last trip. Priceless.

I don’t need it to charge batteries because my solar panel setup handles that easily.
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Old 04-22-2020, 12:06 PM   #80
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Are you positive that you need a generator?


We've had one for almost 3 years and used it twice. And one of those times to charge a laptop only. We boondock for a couple of days, outside of the South, and don't need a/c. And my TV will fully charge the house batteries in 200 miles. We do move every 2 to 3 days. We camp in state and national parks with electric, too.



The generator is a great backup to have and we really needed it once. Outside Moab in late October.



Sjohn
Generac 2000 w/ 10hrs
I’m sure I need a generator. I’m in East TX and lots of my camping will be done on a beautiful piece of private property with a great little lake just a few miles from my house. My wife and daughter love to be out there but hate tents lol.

Now of course I plan on putting some miles under my new AS, but the generator will get most of its use closer to home where summers are commonly 99+ degrees.
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