Mounting an Onan Generator on a Jayco Trailer Frame

[RetiredNavySeabee]

I have a JAYCO 284BHS and have been a COE park host for 4 years and am ready to begin full time traveling. I have an Onan/Cummings 30amp generator that I want to mount on the back of my trailer. I want something that connects directly to my frame not the flimsy bumper. Any ideas or lessons learned?

 

[Utclmjmpr]

For what you need,, head for a welding shop..>>>Dan

 

[PancakeBill]

I agree, welding shop have them fabricate something.

Off the wall question. Ever been to Custys?

 

[zulutron]

Before you spend a zillion dollars on fabricating a mount, start looking online, like This Mount.

BTW, if you plan on a exterior gen mount, it should be waterproof.

 

[Kirk]

The first thing to consider is the factor of the added weight and of the effect that it will have on the tongue weight as well as the additional weight. There are formulas to determine just how much weight it will effectively shift from the tongue to the axles. Cummins/Onan makes quite a range of generators so the weight can vary from less than 100# to more than 300# and to that you need to add the weight of whatever the structure to support it weighs. Weight distribution plays a significant role in handling during travel. If portable, the P2500i weighs 56# and the P4500i weighs 119#.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Is the OP referring to a PORTABLE generator similar to this (and weighs about 100 lbs)

Or--- is the OP referring to a permanent mount generator similar to this............

The second generator shown is designed to be permanently mounted, usually underneath a trailer, either using fabricated brackets or the kit linked to in post #4.

I have one of those underneath my trailer, a 2500 watt LP fueled model.

If you have a portable unit, you might consider mounting it on the tongue using a Stromberg Carlson A-frame cargo carrier, and if you feel it needs to be more secure, a Stromberg Carlson Gen Secure II Generator Storage Box can be added to it (for an exorbitant amount of money!)

Mounting something heavy on the back of a trailer is asking for sway/handling problems. I have seen photos or videos of several trailers involved in sway accidents that had generators or other heavy stuff attached to the back of the trailer. I all fairness however, I have also see as many pics or videos of trailers that did NOT have anything on the back of them, but no telling what % of tongue weight any of them had.

Below about 13% tongue weight my trailer is quite squirrely handling and I don't keep anything significant in the rear storage compartment under the bed because of this. At about 13% or above, the trailer is a dream to tow. A change of a few pounds moved from the back to the front made the difference.