thermocouple
Lehi, UT
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New to RV'ing, and have never owned a generator. Planning to put the generator on a storage rack mounted to the rear of the bumper on my TT. Aside from the obvious considerations such as theft and noise, will the generator be ok left exposed to the elements?
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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To the elements? I would cover it if there is a chance of rain. Other than that I would be sure to have a very secure locking system on it. Otherwise it will likely grow legs and walk away.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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JayGee
Foothills of the Smokies
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What kind of generator?
JayGee
2005 Winnebago Sightseer 29R
Workhorse P32 chassis
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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How long will it be left to the elements without being used? I have ran a couple of Honda Generators daily for the past 11 years in the desert in the winter exposed to rain at times and sand. I havent had any problem with either of them, although the sand and dirt can build up a bit inside the cse. Would I leave it outside in the rain like you get in Western Washington-no but light rain wont hurt a Honda.
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Make sure that thing is welded on by someone that knows what they're doing to the frame and NOT the bumper. When you are going down the highway, there are cosiderable stresses put on the Generator from bouncing and road expansion joints.
Static load will increase and there is a real possibility of losing the genney somewhere on the road between Rough And Ready California and Knockemstiff Ohio!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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donn0128 wrote:To the elements? I would cover it if there is a chance of rain. Other than that I would be sure to have a very secure locking system on it. Otherwise it will likely grow legs and walk away. It's probably the bad elements he's worried about...
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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beemerphile1
I'm 57, I'm not a
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thermocouple wrote:
...Planning to put the generator on a storage rack mounted to the rear of the bumper...will the generator be ok left exposed to the elements?
I would wager that long term it will destroy the generator. What does the generator manual say? Trust the manufacturer before you trust strangers on an internet forum.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900/1998 Ford E150 4.6L = 8MPG
2009 Aliner Sport/2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L = 22MPG
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thermocouple
Lehi, UT
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Generator is a Champion 4000. For some reason I had the impression that these things were being left on the cargo racks rain or shine.
Also now it sounds like the cargo rack mounted directly to the bumper hitch on the TT might not be able to take the stress of the drive? I would have the weight well under capacity of the cargo rack...
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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I'd protect it from rain, water in the gen head or regulator would spell ruin.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
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mlts22
Austin, Texas
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First, I'd rather use a receiver hitch and a cargo rack put on by a clued person than trying to weld things to a typical RV bumper. Those bumpers are flimsy, and a lot of them are made out of aluminum which is slightly thinner than tinfoil. A receiver hitch + a rack is a lot stronger.
Storing a generator, I'd consider a cover. Less for the rain and such, but more because it is out of sight.
As for running it, having a doghouse that doesn't interfere with the ventilation and cooling is an idea, but I've run generators in all kinds of weather, and so far no issues (knock on wood.) Generators are designed and engineered to be outside.
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