Use of Generator While Underway

[moosetags]

We have a Honda 3000 generator that we use with our 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB. The generator is installed in the left rear of the bed of our 2020 Silverado 2500 that has an aluminum topper. The generator exhaust is vented to the outside so that we can run the generator with the topper closed up. We also have an exhaust fan in the topper to control heat.

Our 25FB has a 30 amp outlet on the front left side of the trailer. We are considering running the generator while underway with the Airstream plugged in. We want to do this to allow us to run the air conditioner at 80 degrees while traveling to avoid letting the trailer to get to 100 degrees plus during the day.

Does anyone see this as being a problem?

Brian

[Keys Dave]

I will be very interested to see how this works out. At the very least I would have a temp. monitor inside the bed area of the truck that you can see from the driver's seat. Also keep in mind the air movement around the generator and cool air entering the bed. If anything shifts underway you don't want it to contact the generator or impede air flow. The exhaust pipe may be very hot as well. Sounds like a great idea.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We have a Honda 3000 generator that we use with our 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB. The generator is installed in the left rear of the bed of our 2020 Silverado 2500 that has an aluminum topper. The generator exhaust is vented to the outside so that we can run the generator with the topper closed up. We also have an exhaust fan in the topper to control heat.

Our 25FB has a 30 amp outlet on the front left side of the trailer. We are considering running the generator while underway with the Airstream plugged in. We want to do this to allow us to run the air conditioner at 80 degrees while traveling to avoid letting the trailer to get to 100 degrees plus during the day.

Does anyone see this as being a problem?

Brian

It’s not something I would do, but I’m not saying it can’t be done.

What concerns me about your plan is your statement that “…exhaust is vented to the outside so that we can run the generator with the topper closed up…”

I’m not sure what you mean by “closed up”, but you need to have the topper opened up and well-ventilated if you’ll be running a generator under it. And if you have a vent fan, it should be pushing air in not drawing it out.

Me personally, I would instead run the fantastic fans in the trailer to keep temps moderated.

[moosetags]

Thank you for the responses. The truck topper has an opening front window which would allow the exhaust fan to suck in outside air. I have the exhaust pipe wrapped in exhaust pipe heat wrap to avoid damaging the topper.

Lucy has two Fantastic Fans. We have tried running them while underway on hot days. It does not seem to help noticeably.

Brian

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Thank you for the responses. The truck topper has an opening front window which would allow the exhaust fan to suck in outside air. I have the exhaust pipe wrapped in exhaust pipe heat wrap to avoid damaging the topper.

Lucy has two Fantastic Fans. We have tried running them while underway on hot days. It does not seem to help noticeably.

Brian

Gotcha.

Yeah, the fans will at best keep it from heating up like an oven inside. But if it’s 100* outside, that’s what it will be inside.

If you try this, let us know how it goes.

[gblackburn]

Brian,

That sounds like an interesting idea to keep your AS cool. A friend carries his generator on a rack mounted above the propane tanks. He sometimes runs his generator while they are towing.

BTW, how is the knee? I am assuming you had surgery after you got home.

Any trips planned (or should I say unplanned) coming up?

[waninae39]

not recommended. might not be legal in some areas.
what if the genset tipped over or leaked gas and caused damage. i guess that insurance would deny you claim

we have 4 lion batteries 700ah and use them while travelling

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by gblackburn

Brian,

That sounds like an interesting idea to keep your AS cool. A friend carries his generator on a rack mounted above the propane tanks. He sometimes runs his generator while they are towing.

BTW, how is the knee? I am assuming you had surgery after you got home.

Any trips planned (or should I say unplanned) coming up?

Thank you for asking. The knee is coming along. I had to have another surgery in May to reattach the main tendon.

We are going to try a few short trips as soon as soon as my knee is up to it. We also want to try out towing Lucy with the Rivian.

Brian

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by waninae39

not recommended. might not be legal in some areas.
what if the genset tipped over or leaked gas and caused damage. i guess that insurance would deny you claim

we have 4 lion batteries 700ah and use them while travelling

What size inverter are you using? Will it run the air conditioner while you are traveling?

Brian

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We have a Honda 3000 generator that we use with our 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB. The generator is installed in the left rear of the bed of our 2020 Silverado 2500 that has an aluminum topper. The generator exhaust is vented to the outside so that we can run the generator with the topper closed up. We also have an exhaust fan in the topper to control heat.

Our 25FB has a 30 amp outlet on the front left side of the trailer. We are considering running the generator while underway with the Airstream plugged in. We want to do this to allow us to run the air conditioner at 80 degrees while traveling to avoid letting the trailer to get to 100 degrees plus during the day.

Does anyone see this as being a problem?

Brian

Guess my concern would be with the fuel situation and your generator in the bed, should something happen back there...hit the brakes, accident, swerve? I use propane, but if I had gas back there, and a "hot" exhaust plus gas, I would not...but thats me, Brian. My buddy got the new hybrid F150 with the 750W generator built in...now that is a different animal, but running my Honda generator in the bed while driving would scare me for reasons mentioned especially if gas.

[Mollysdad]

Having a EU3000is, the exhaust is relatively small, but is surrounded by a vent area where the hot engine air is dispelled.
I once tracked down this vent cover which covered both.


Not sure they're still in business. It was about $200 but to me solved both problems.
At the time, I balked because I didn't have the extra 2" under my Tonneau for the 'hood'.

UPDATE: Looks like some are still on e-Bay.

[gblackburn]

Please keep us posted on your progress. Safe Travels!

[Trowbridge]

I'm guessing the highway patrol state trooper who pulls you over for a rolling stop or inoperative tailight may add another ticket when they hear a running generator in the bed of your truck. Is an accident waiting to happen...

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by Trowbridge

I'm guessing the highway patrol state trooper who pulls you over for a rolling stop or inoperative tailight may add another ticket when they hear a running generator in the bed of your truck. Is an accident waiting to happen...

What law would he cite, and what accident is waiting to happen that is any different than any other accident waiting to happen when vehicles are driven down the road with engines running?

[ITSNO60]

I don't see an issue with the generator being secured and ventilated. The front inlet on your trailer will make it pretty simple. I thought I remembered this being discussed here before and I found the thread:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...er-230800.html

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I think my concern would be at least as much for "how do you tie it in place" as the whole ventilation thing. As noted above, having the generator move around while running is sort of a "yikes !!!!" sort of thing.

In addition to the generator, if your truck is like ours, there's a lot of other "fine stuff" back there. If any of that slides into the wrong place it can create issues. Yes, this is very much dependent on just how much is back there in your case.

In addition to tying down the generator, the feed wire to the trailer needs to be taken care of. Again a bit situation dependent. Still, you don't want it flying all over the place as trucks pass you on the road. The typical "big / stiff / heavy" power cord may or may not be the ideal choice in this situation. I certainly would want more strain relief than just he typically connectors on that cable provide.

The next unknown is just how well the A/C itself deals with the air blast from the truck passing in the other lane. Obviously it does fine while it's not running. Is there some subtle issue while it is running? I guess you'll find out ..... ( = I have no idea if there is, and there probably isn't ...).

Fun !!!

Bob

[pakman31]

I like not dying in a firey crash with gas spills, and numerous ways to ignite the accelorant / plus a whole host of things that could go wrong, that we’re not thinking about.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I think my concern would be at least as much for "how do you tie it in place" as the whole ventilation thing. As noted above, having the generator move around while running is sort of a "yikes !!!!" sort of thing.

In addition to the generator, if your truck is like ours, there's a lot of other "fine stuff" back there. If any of that slides into the wrong place it can create issues. Yes, this is very much dependent on just how much is back there in your case.

In addition to tying down the generator, the feed wire to the trailer needs to be taken care of. Again a bit situation dependent. Still, you don't want it flying all over the place as trucks pass you on the road. The typical "big / stiff / heavy" power cord may or may not be the ideal choice in this situation. I certainly would want more strain relief than just he typically connectors on that cable provide.

The next unknown is just how well the A/C itself deals with the air blast from the truck passing in the other lane. Obviously it does fine while it's not running. Is there some subtle issue while it is running? I guess you'll find out ..... ( = I have no idea if there is, and there probably isn't ...).

Fun !!!

Bob

On another thread an installer said they did testing on larger motor homes comparing running the A/C while stationary and running down the road. They had no problems running down the road and the A/C was actually more efficient and using less power while driving, apparently helped by more air cooling the A/C. Also I believe I read about people using or maybe just asking about using the generator to run the A/C on Interstates while driving but, that was years ago so I'm not sure.

[StogieMan]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

On another thread an installer said they did testing on larger motor homes comparing running the A/C while stationary and running down the road. They had no problems running down the road and the A/C was actually more efficient and using less power while driving, apparently helped by more air cooling the A/C.

We do it all the time in our Sprinter Interstate and have done so for years with no issues.

Albeit the generator is installed under the van.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by StogieMan

We do it all the time in our Sprinter Interstate and have done so for years with no issues.

Albeit the generator is installed under the van.

We do the same, of course the generator is diesel.