Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-15-2015, 07:22 AM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
Surf City , New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 61
Pickup truck cap or no cap?

Just purchased a new Silverado 4 DR Crew cab with 6.5 in bed. Towing a 19 ft flying cloud. Question is regarding a generator. I want to get one. I have seen campers who have them chained in the pickup bed and use them right there. No pickup cap so fumes etc not an issue. What about if I put on a full hard cap? Can I still run the generator if I leave the windows open on the cap? Has anyone done it. Generator will be 2 or 3000 inverter style.
weber.roger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 08:23 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
I have not run a genny from the p/u, but not a good idea for me as it ties my vehicle down to my trailer if I want to use it. Don't see a reason why not though if you have the ventilation. I had a shell but now use a tonneau cover. The reason is a shell makes it difficult to get at your stuff, unless you have one of those sliding beds. I also have a pick up tool box which works for me.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 10:00 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
KJRitchie's Avatar
 
2008 25' Classic
Full Time , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
I went with a cap this time on my new 2015 Ram. I had a hard multi-sectional tonneau on my previous Tundra. It restricted us from carrying taller items or stacking items. I plan to get a generator too, probably 2000watt. I will probably carry it outside to use and not run it from the truck. I'll secure it to the trailer with a cable like I use for my portable solar panel.

The 3000 sized units are too heavy to move in and out of the truck by myself. With a 2000 you can't run the AC so if its too hot we will use an RV park, state park or COE for campsites with hookups.

Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
KJRitchie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 10:00 AM   #4
Full Time Adventurer
 
BoldAdventure's Avatar
 
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic , USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
I usually run mine on the tailgate so it doesn't get dirt in it. And I don't leave it behind at a campsite unless one of us is home. Things disappear.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
BoldAdventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 10:43 AM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
btowntincan's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Mercer Island , Washington
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 146
Images: 1
Same for me. On the tailgate with a chain usually.
btowntincan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 10:55 AM   #6
retired USA/USAF
 
2001 30' Excella
Somerset , New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
I had a cap on my former truck. I have a new truck and just had a cap installed. The old generator I had been using was a 2500w contractor model, Honda. It was noisier than todays RV types so I had welded a plumbing union onto the exhaust and had a stainless steel hose to vent the exhaust to the outside so I could run it from the inside. NOW I have a new Honda 3000w and not sure I can manage the same vent method. This generator is light enough that I can remove it but if I want to run it from inside I think I can leave the rear window open. I'll need to experiment with that.
__________________
Roger in NJ

" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948

TAC - NJ 18

polarlyse is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 11:08 AM   #7
4 Rivet Member
 
westcoastas's Avatar
 
2005 28' Safari
formerly of Tustin, Huntington Beach, Dana Point, and Laguna Beach , California
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 398
Blog Entries: 1
I, too, like a tonneau so I can access items close to the cab without having to crawl back there in a shell. I store our 2000W generator in the truck under the tonneau (out of sight, out of temptation) but operate it on the ground. When we do happen to be camping in a campground, I like to position it so that the trailer blocks most of the noise from other trailer folks and tenters. It's not 100% but it does cut down on the noise a decent amount.
westcoastas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 11:54 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Jim Foster's Avatar
 
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods , California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Send a message via Yahoo to Jim Foster
We have a Snugtop on our Silverado 6.5' bed. When dry camped I chain the Honda 2000 to the back of the trailer. When on the road I place it at the rear of the bed. Making sure that there is nothing to get hot, I open the upper window and tailgate and run the Honda from there when necessary for coffee etc. in the morning. If weather is bad on the road, I close the tailgate, leaving the window open when running the generator.

Works for us.
__________________
Past President, El Camino Real Unit WBCCI#6620
Street Rod Builder (see avatar)
Kite flier (check out links below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp3nuNtlZcA&t=331s
https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee
Jim Foster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 12:23 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldAdventure View Post
I usually run mine on the tailgate so it doesn't get dirt in it. And I don't leave it behind at a campsite unless one of us is home. Things disappear.
I have the silver vinyl Honda generator covers (Honda also makes a camp cover) primarily because the thugs may not know a generator is underneath. I also have the Honda steel security handles and use a lock and chain to discourage simply cutting the plastic carrying handle
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 12:54 PM   #10
Full Time Adventurer
 
BoldAdventure's Avatar
 
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic , USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic View Post
I have the silver vinyl Honda generator covers (Honda also makes a camp cover) primarily because the thugs may not know a generator is underneath. I also have the Honda steel security handles and use a lock and chain to discourage simply cutting the plastic carrying handle
I have the cover too. I just prefer to not leave the generator. Way my truck is organized only takes me 1 min to put it back.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
BoldAdventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 12:55 PM   #11
4 Rivet Member
 
Silver Hawk's Avatar
 
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain , California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
Hope this isn't out of line asking a related question:

I run a Honda 2000i in the back of my PU/shell with back window up - works great, but need to unhook my truck and move it to the rear of trailer to reach trailer cord.

Would like to charge while hooked up to trailer without adding extra cord (60' length to charger inside trailer).

What is the gauge of the charging wire in the PU to trailer connection and can I use that to charge my batteries with the Honda 2000i in the back of my PU? Would need an adapter.
Silver Hawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 01:02 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Hawk View Post
Hope this isn't out of line asking a related question:

I run a Honda 2000i in the back of my PU/shell with back window up - works great, but need to unhook my truck and move it to the rear of trailer to reach trailer cord.

Would like to charge while hooked up to trailer without adding extra cord (60' length to charger inside trailer).

What is the gauge of the charging wire in the PU to trailer connection and can I use that to charge my batteries with the Honda 2000i in the back of my PU? Would need an adapter.
I'm not an electrician but my guess is you would have to use the same type of power cord as the shore power cord. There will be power loss over the distance from the generator to the converter unless you move the converter.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 04:18 PM   #13
4 Rivet Member
 
Silver Hawk's Avatar
 
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain , California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
Thanks,
The shore power cord is very heavy - made to handle 30 amps. I will only be sending (drawing) less than 13 amps (1600watts divided by 110 volts).

The charging amperage is less than that - (three stage charger) - at most maybe 6 or 7 amps. (nothing else will be on).

I don't know what Airstream uses for their charging wire (blue) from TV to trailer - does anyone? (1976 AS)
Thanks
Silver Hawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 05:09 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Lumatic's Avatar
 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,742
Images: 16
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Hawk View Post
I don't know what Airstream uses for their charging wire (blue) from TV to trailer - does anyone? (1976 AS)
Thanks
I think most common is 12 ga but I have seen umbilicals with 14.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Lumatic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 05:15 PM   #15
Rivet Master
 
mandolindave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
Images: 4
It depends

#1 How else will you be using your truck. It wasn't very often that I didn't want a cap on my pick up. ( hauling firewood, mulch, big lawn tractor )

#2 If you get a Honda 2000, it's a non issue, as they are easy to move.

#3 There are many reasons for having a cap( security, keep stuff dry, a little better gas mileage, being able to camp in it, spare camping bedroom )

#4 At any rate…I don't think having a genny, is reason to not have a cap
mandolindave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 05:35 PM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Wingeezer's Avatar
 
2005 30' Classic
Burlington , Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
We use a cap on the truck and would be hard pressed to do without it, as we use the back of the truck to serve as the "Basement" of our trailer in order to keep clutter out of the trailer - it works well for us.

We do carry a Honda 2000 gennie. We mostly only it when stopping at Flying J's on our way down and back on our winter trips.

When we want to use it, I use a couple of those very heavy cables with loop ends locked together and I put the gennie on the ground between truck and trailer - there is enough gap at the tailgate weatherstrip that I can leave the gennie locked to one of the anchors in the truck bed and can still close up the tailgate and cap window to protect contents.

I don't leave the gennie out overnight though - I put it back in the truck for safe keeping when we retire for the night, and we run the furnace overnight on the coach batteries.

If time permits I will put the gennie out again in the morning to recharge the coach batteries via the AS battery charger while we have breakfast before we hit the road again.


Brian.
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell

2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
Wingeezer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 06:25 PM   #17
Rivet Master
 
McDave's Avatar
 
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Fair Oaks , California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 717
I had a cap on my Tundra, and opted for a foldable bed cover on my new F-250 instead. The cap made sense pre Airstream days, when we used to sleep in there, but after we got the Airstream, the drawbacks outweighed the advantages.

Advantages: can sleep in there and can store more stuff than under a bed cover.

Disadvantages: restricts visibility to the rear, hard to get stuff out of, can't easily move objects (furniture, trees) that won't fit under the shell.

In your case, it would be easier, and safer, to run your generators in the open truck bed with a cover folded back than under a cap.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
McDave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2015, 06:29 PM   #18
Rivet Master
 
TinShack's Avatar

 
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise , California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
Images: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by weber.roger View Post
Just purchased a new Silverado 4 DR Crew cab with 6.5 in bed. Towing a 19 ft flying cloud. Question is regarding a generator. I want to get one. I have seen campers who have them chained in the pickup bed and use them right there. No pickup cap so fumes etc not an issue. What about if I put on a full hard cap? Can I still run the generator if I leave the windows open on the cap? Has anyone done it. Generator will be 2 or 3000 inverter style.
There are caps that side opening windows (windoors) available that would aid in ventilation if you want to run your genny back there. The windoors also make it easier to reach your stuff in the truck bed.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	2015-01-30 14.10.23.jpg
Views:	118
Size:	487.9 KB
ID:	252167  
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
TinShack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2015, 11:51 AM   #19
1 Rivet Member
 
1973 27' Overlander
San Leandro , California
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 17
If you have a carpet lined cap and you run your genset in the back, your carpet will pick up the exhaust fumes. You won't notice it until you open the rear door and stick your head in. It isn't a big deal unless you plan on putting animals in the back or sleeping in the back at times. But the smell is there.
bhales is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2015, 11:55 AM   #20
Rivet Master
 
pappy19's Avatar
 
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley , Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
I have,the Access roll up tonneau cover and love it. It's been on my truck for 8 years. Very handy just to roll it up for tall situations or using the generator.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
pappy19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Does a truck cap help wind flow? ITowSilver Tow Vehicles 34 01-05-2012 04:34 AM
Generator in back of Pickup truck Rawn77 Generators & Solar Power 20 07-22-2010 06:20 AM
What Diesel pickup truck has driven to the North Pole? purman Tow Vehicles 15 11-08-2008 10:45 PM
Need help in selecting a Pickup Truck for a 34 SO DEO Tow Vehicles 53 11-20-2006 11:06 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.