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Rawn77 · 07-21-2010, 12:29 PM

I just bought a used Dodge Laramie pickup truck with the idea of putting a Honda or Yamaha 3000 in the rear bed. My intention is to leave it there semi permanently even while running it.
The bed has the BedRug carpet installed as well there's a tilt up fiberglass tonneau. I'd be installing tension storage bars inside the bed to keep the gen in place at the same time providing breathing room from the sides.

My question to you experts is about the height. The pickup bed is 20" deep without the bedrug installed. The Honda is 22.4" tall while the Yamaha is 21.9".

I'd really like to keep the pickup bed closed while not using the gen but am now worried about the height restrictions.

What do you guys suggest?

tkasten · 07-21-2010, 02:47 PM

I have a Honda 3000 chained in the back end of my 09 Chevy Silverado. I had to use a high end roll back tonou cover because of the height of the Gen. My dealer told me that they could make some of the covers like yours work by raising the railing a bit. I opted for the roll back because we some times carry our 4 wheeler and it would not fit with a hard cover. Having the Gen. in the bed is really nice. It is electric start and quite a mouse. When the gen is running I have the top rolled back and the tail gate up. Hope this helps....Tim

casarodante · 07-21-2010, 02:58 PM

I have been thinking of this also in my F250. I have a hard fiberglass lid like you. I would use one or two of my EU2000i's. I plan to crack the lid about 4-8 inches to keep an airflow going.

One concern is the exhaust. I would like to find some way to direct it out and not have it constantly be hitting the inside of the bed or the lid. Still thinking about it.

Rawn77 · 07-21-2010, 03:03 PM

Could you tell me the brand and model of your tonneau cover.
As well, when your tonneau is closed, is there an indentation in the cover where the gen is touching it, or is there sufficient clearance?
Thanks for your reply,
Ron

2airishuman · 07-21-2010, 03:26 PM

ron

from the pix it appear u have a UNDERCOVER brand tonneau...

they have cross bracing behind the top layer, such that they sit FLUSH to the bed.

most of the fiberglass molded tonneau-z are HOLLOW backed and the cavity is 2-3 inches above the rails...

are, snug, leer are 3 popular brands like this.

you'll need to visit a truck accessory shop and verify the EXACT clearance.

i've seen several inverter style gensets mounted UNDER tonnueas.

all seemed to fit in that cavity on the back side of the fiberglass shells.

i did see one truck that had the tonneau mounted on a short RISER (about 3-5 inches) added to bedrail ...

clearly home made but it was water tight, black like the rail covers and looked OK.

the are and leer and snug brands are extremely nice and can have thule/yak rails ADDED to the top...

they come painted/clearcoated in any color u might want.
_________

did u opt out of towing with the merc' ?

good looking truck,

almost purchased the exact same color (but long bed 3500) a few weeks ago...

has that thing got a hemi?

or a ctd ?

cheers
2air'

Happycampers · 07-21-2010, 03:53 PM

I would put a cap on and do what I did. There is a Fantastic fan in the roof that moves the air through the slider window in the front of the cap and gives the generator plenty of air. I was using it last week +90 degree heat and the truck closed and locked. Ran all day with the a/c on.

Marvin

Happycampers · 07-21-2010, 03:57 PM

Forgot to add pics.

bryanl · 07-21-2010, 04:18 PM

These portable gensets are not designed to be operated within closed or restricted spaces. Check with the manufacturer or the manual for proper clearances.

Rebreathing exhaust fumes can reduce the performance of the genset and it is also possible, despite compartment forced air ventilation, to also have heat problems.

A friend with a front bedroom AS had the CO alarm go off when using his Honda in the bed of the truck while still hitched. Don't underestimate exhaust fumes!

If you want to run a genset inside, get one designed for that. Also make sure it is installed properly (the one in my B-Van wasn't and I had to do some work to get vent holes properly sized, fuel feed correct, and exhaust routed).

Happycampers · 07-21-2010, 04:34 PM

Good point Bryan. After I installed mine I sat inside with it closed up beside the generator and could not smell any fumes, when it comes out of the fantastic fan the exhaust would have to travel 27 ft. over the top of the trailer to reach the a/c, that is with the truck hooked up the trailer.

Marvin

tkasten · 07-21-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawn77

Could you tell me the brand and model of your tonneau cover.
As well, when your tonneau is closed, is there an indentation in the cover where the gen is touching it, or is there sufficient clearance?
Thanks for your reply,
Ron

You can see the name in the following pics. I ordered the truck with an 8' bed so I could keep my tool boxes and still be able to carry my 4 wheeler at times. The cover rolls up to the tool box making just enough room for the 4 wheeler. Most of the time I have the gen in the bed. Good luck.....Tim

tpi · 07-21-2010, 05:53 PM

I have my Yamaha 3000 in the pickup bed most of the time. No bed cover though. One of the attractions of the 3000 model for me was the larger fuel tank and approx 8 hr. run time at full load.

I'd like to see one of these generator's dimensions built with pickup bed cover in mind. It seems to me to be a worthwhile design consideration.

The Yamaha EF 2400 is 18.2 inches tall but only holds 1.6 gallons of fuel. The EF2800 is 16.7 inches tall but is open frame model (still somewhat quiet).

chaimemet · 07-21-2010, 06:26 PM

What arrangements have you all made to bring the power from the truck bed to the rear of the AS where the shore cord connection is? I do not have a front connection and wonder what I can do to shorten the power connection length.

tkasten · 07-21-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaimemet

What arrangements have you all made to bring the power from the truck bed to the rear of the AS where the shore cord connection is? I do not have a front connection and wonder what I can do to shorten the power connection length.

Glad you asked. While renovating/updating our vintage 65 Safari I replaced the shore power cord (it was shorting out) with a 30' cord that reaches the bed of my truck while it is in front of the trailer. I have found that it will transfer vibration through the hitch so I lift the hitch off the ball. When time to travel in the am I just lower the hitch back on the ball. You can also purchase a shorter 30 amp ext. cord say 10' or 15'....tim

chaimemet · 07-21-2010, 07:39 PM

Thats is just a magnificent photo! I mean I don't how the inside could come up to the level of what is shown of the exterior!

I have a 31 2008 Classic Limited. It is 50amp due to 2 ACs but i do step down to 30amp and I have 2 Honda 2001s with a series connection kit with an auxiliary gas feeder tank.It will feed the 20amp/15amp to the the rear but I think if you want to run down the road connected you would have to have some sorta permanent connection under chassis.

I have just returned from the Georgia Rally at their park in Helen and I found that a number of people had gotten fed up with the Dometic debacle of attempting to run the frig in 90+ weather. They installed an AC frig cheaper colder and could run down the road for up to 4 hours or so and still be cold. A truck based AC power generator would help. I did not have a chance to see how a retrofit had been done.

tkasten · 07-21-2010, 08:51 PM

[QUOTE=chaimemet;874341]Thats is just a magnificent photo! I mean I don't how the inside could come up to the level of what is shown of the exterior!

We found it in a barn covered in pigeon do do last year. Spent the entire year renovating/updating everything. We were lucky that PO did not paint or varnish cabinets. The orginal red mahogany is very warm and we love it.

Thanks for your kind comment....Tim

Rawn77 · 07-21-2010, 09:14 PM

2air,

I love pulling with the Merc, it's just that after pulling around 5000 miles so far this season, I find myself looking for more space for junk; i,e. the genset.
As well, the Merc is leased and those miles add up quickly.
I was looking for a while and found one out west on eBay with the needed options: Hemi, 3.92, and rear camera. So I bought it. I'll get delivery next week as she's taking a train ride from Vancouver, BC.

I was thinking of getting the truxedo like tkasten but wasn't sure if there would be enough clearance. The bed depth in the RAM is only 20". I'm not sure what tkasten's bed depth is in the GM pickup. Does someone know?

Otherwise, I would go with 2air's suggestion for the Leer. I'm sure it would fit.
BTW, tkasten, that's a beautiful AS. Awesome!

Thanks all for your input.
It's much appreciated,
Ron

2airishuman · 07-21-2010, 10:18 PM

i used a truxedo for 3 weeks about 5 years ago,

while the are shell was being REpainted.

the vinyl toneau-z work fine, but really aren't water/weather tight.

i like the full size shell for STUFF along with the bedrug liner...

but a quality fiberglass toneau closes and seals with gaskets...

and with the bed rug looks like a triple wide fur coffin ...

yes the issue with many of the euro suvs as tow vehicles, is space for stuff.

cheers
2air'

nmgt350h · 07-21-2010, 10:28 PM

Check this out! I installed a 3200 Cummins quite diesel generator in the back of my 2006 Ford. Plumed it off the tank in the truck so I never have to worry about carrying gas cans. It is enclosed by a custom built powder coated tool box that I fabed. Works great with a little over 100 hrs on it since installed with no problems ! a little $$$ pricy but worth it!

nmgt350h · 07-21-2010, 10:32 PM

a few more pics...

r carl · 07-22-2010, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmgt350h

Check this out! I installed a 3200 Cummins quite diesel generator in the back of my 2006 Ford. Plumed it off the tank in the truck so I never have to worry about carrying gas cans. It is enclosed by a custom built powder coated tool box that I fabed. Works great with a little over 100 hrs on it since installed with no problems ! a little $$$ pricy but worth it!

You did a great job! Looks good, hidden, and functional.