bumper mounted generator

[Gary Gregg]

I'm thinking about mounting a generator to the rear bumper of my 2019 Micro Minnie. Generator weighs about 80 pounds.
Any advice, suggestions?

[Fred 2106DS]

Originally Posted by Gary Gregg

I'm thinking about mounting a generator to the rear bumper of my 2019 Micro Minnie. Generator weighs about 80 pounds.
Any advice, suggestions?

First, I would note that it's been reported that Winnebago does not recommend adding additional weight to the rear bumper. The rear bumper on MMs is only designed to essentially carry the weight of the spare tire. I would recommend contacting Winnebago to confirm. From personal experience, I would agree with what has been reported.

Here is a link to what I posted about carrying an additional 75# on the rear bumper, along with the spare tire: https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ml#post3854184

Also, check out Blubugger's post which follows mine.

I ended up adding a receiver hitch to the frame and so far it has worked well for us. The receiver hitch carries a dual recumbent trike carrier which weighs approximately 75#. Though, I'm sure Winnebago would not recommend this modification either. https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ml#post3909982

[hank857]

I dont have a TT any more but when I did I make a set up to carry a plastic truck work box, a 4000 genset. What I used was a pair of those receiver hitch setup bolted to the frame. It extended past the original bumper wide enough for me to mount a HF carrier. I mounted the plastic box in it and made mounts for the gen to ride in (no wheels). We towed it all over and had no issues. I carried the spare tire in the bed of the truck. I used 1/8 inch x 4 x4 steel tube to make new bumper as the original was just small gauge steel and were known to break if extra weight added past spare tire, BTW the genset was an electric start with remote and I was going to wire it so it could be run while towing for AC etc. Got the idea from a guy we met at a roadside rest in Mississippi one summer.


Will winnie say no, definitely, but it will be your determination to add or not. We had no issues at all. I the truck box I carried 2x6 about 6ft long for level boards with some smaller ones for additional level. also the stuff needed for sewer drain and other small stuff since we didnt have any place for this stuff. Again worked well. The long tubes were 2x2x1/4 I drilled them and used carriage bolts from inside to mount so nothing would have a head inside to obstruct sewer hose. I could send pics if you need better explanation.

[bigb]

The ability of the bumper to hold the weight while bouncing down the road is only part of the equation, there is also the issue of upsetting the balance of your trailer. Even a modest amount of weight on the rear can affect handling and sway, especially if you have a smaller tow vehicle. There is quite a bit of leverage available at the back bumper.

[Marine359]

We mounted a Thetford 27gal tote to the bumper which weighs about 25lbs. That plus weight of the spare approaches the 75lb weight limit of the bumper. So, I definitely would not mount a generator on the bumper. But it should be ok mounted on a receiver mounted “trunk”.

BTW Gary, there are products that bolt onto the tongue so you can mount a generator above the propane tanks if you’re comfortable with adding that much weight to the tongue. Less costly than a bolt on receiver.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CH2PRE8...CZRFZHFRXXVTM0

[hank857]

yes weight added can have an effect, but it is easy to remedy. Either one can add a gen to the front or if adding to back can get a tire hoist like used on current trucks suvs and mount to front a frame for tire. It will help counter the back weight and add some tonge weight to the mix. again this is something one would need to fabricate but it would not be difficult. Remember you said it would have affect on small tow vehicles, I towed with F350 so was not an issue.

[Airvet]

This is what my dad semi custom made for my hitch mounted generator stand.

[Airvet]

Oops, guess you have to stand on your head to see it��

[sgtstriker]

I just installed the Stromberg C255 genny rack on my 2017 Rockwood 2502KS TT. Easy install and will hold about 300 lbs., in front of the axles, meaning it adds to the tongue weight instead of subtracting and causing trailer sway.... I highly recommend going this route. Your rear bumper is not built to take much weight, and putting more weight behind the axles is a bad idea.....
https://www.amazon.com/Stromberg-Car.../dp/B00U8AXRPW

[RocknRoll]

I recently purchased a front receiver hitch and carrier to haul my E-bike. I imagine you could get a cargo tray to carry a generator.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-31038-Fr...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Not only has this allowed me to redistribute payload from the rear to the front axle, but I can also now remove the bike (70 lbs.) without having to decouple the TT from the rear hitch, rolling it off instead of lugging it off the truck bed.

Total weight of the hitch, carrier and bike is 150 lbs., 60 lbs. under the front GVWR rating.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by RocknRoll

I recently purchased a front receiver hitch and carrier to haul my E-bike. I imagine you could get a cargo tray to carry a generator.

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-31038-Fr...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Not only has this allowed me to redistribute payload from the rear to the front axle, but I can also now remove the bike (70 lbs.) without having to decouple the TT from the rear hitch, rolling it off instead of lugging it off the truck bed.

Total weight of the hitch, carrier and bike is 150 lbs., 60 lbs. under the front GVWR rating.

Good idea. In addition to my MH, I have a Ford e350 van and was wondering how I could carry a generator without blocking the back door. This I'm going to save.

[Fasttimes]

Smaller generator, put in camper. Fits under dining table. Added a SoftStartRV controller and I'm good to go.

[Blubugger]

Originally Posted by Fred 2106DS

First, I would note that it's been reported that Winnebago does not recommend adding additional weight to the rear bumper. The rear bumper on MMs is only designed to essentially carry the weight of the spare tire. I would recommend contacting Winnebago to confirm. From personal experience, I would agree with what has been reported.

Here is a link to what I posted about carrying an additional 75# on the rear bumper, along with the spare tire: https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ml#post3854184

Also, check out Blubugger's post which follows mine.

I ended up adding a receiver hitch to the frame and so far it has worked well for us. The receiver hitch carries a dual recumbent trike carrier which weighs approximately 75#. Though, I'm sure Winnebago would not recommend this modification either. https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...ml#post3909982

Thanks for the reference and over the past year since I reported that the original bumper sagged, almost stretching those bolt holes completely out. So I had a weld/repair shop restraighten and weld the original bumber to the (short) frame extensions. Being mindful of tongue weight, I used unistrut and front fork clamps to fashion a short bike rack which can carry two light weight bikes. Usually only one is mounted on it. I compensate by loading a bit more items towards the front of the trailer. I have not had any noticable sway issues, driving sensibly and mindful of weight issues.

[Fred 2106DS]

Originally Posted by Blubugger

Thanks for the reference and over the past year since I reported that the original bumper sagged, almost stretching those bolt holes completely out. So I had a weld/repair shop restraighten and weld the original bumber to the (short) frame extensions. Being mindful of tongue weight, I used unistrut and front fork clamps to fashion a short bike rack which can carry two light weight bikes. Usually only one is mounted on it. I compensate by loading a bit more items towards the front of the trailer. I have not had any noticable sway issues, driving sensibly and mindful of weight issues.

Thanks for the update!

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Fasttimes

Smaller generator, put in camper. Fits under dining table. Added a SoftStartRV controller and I'm good to go.

I don't think this is very safe, even if it's empty of gasoline, the fumes from an empty tank can be a problem.

[Fasttimes]

Originally Posted by BobC

I don't think this is very safe, even if it's empty of gasoline, the fumes from an empty tank can be a problem.

Nah, I have a Champion dual-fuel generator and only use propane. Clean as can be and weighs only 39 pounds.

[creativepart]

This over the propane tank mount looks like a great option:

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Cargo-Ca...on/CC-255.html

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by Fasttimes

Nah, I have a Champion dual-fuel generator and only use propane. Clean as can be and weighs only 39 pounds.

X2
Never use gasoline. My 39lb Champion lives in the pass thru.

[Frankf]

To anyone who has mounted a generator on the front over the propane tanks on a Micro Mini with the sleeping quarters located in the front, and I mean your head will be right against the front of the RV. What about the noise level?

I'm looking at mounting a Predator 3500 Super Quiet (58 dBA) in the front.

Can anyone with a similar setup comment? Thanks.

[Morich]

Originally Posted by Frankf

To anyone who has mounted a generator on the front over the propane tanks on a Micro Mini with the sleeping quarters located in the front, and I mean your head will be right against the front of the RV. What about the noise level?

I'm looking at mounting a Predator 3500 Super Quiet (58 dBA) in the front.

Can anyone with a similar setup comment? Thanks.

The 58 db would be way too loud for my group. The ads tend to lie to you!

Check to see at what distance they get that level as many have set a "standard" of something like 30 feet away!

Adding a portable genset for home use, I worked on getting an enclosure made to reduce the noise down to around 25-30 as measured by a phone app.
Much more agreeable when we lose the power and need to run it overnight.