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08-27-2010, 06:14 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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Generator carrier
We like to boondock, but I like my creature comforts, you know, satellite TV, icemaker, sleep comfort bed, etc. Lately, it’s been getting more difficult for Kat to get the generators out of the front compartment, especially when we’re hooked up to our tow vehicle.
As she was setting them up last time, getting the extended gas can hooked up, and then everything locked down with a cable, I suggested that she make some sort of carrier for them so that when we are in the mood to boondock for a week or so, we can put them on a carrier and when we don’t need them, can put them back in the front compartment.
She promptly got to work building a frame for the rear of the Monty. She added two additional 1 ¼” hitch receivers to support the whole contraption. While she made the frame out of steel for strength, she used aluminum for the carrier to cut down on the weight, speaking of which, after all is said and done, it only weighs 74 pounds.
After dry-fitting everything, it was looking pretty good. After putting the bottom in, she made supports to strengthen the frame and to reduce the generators’ vibration.
With the frame painted and installed on our 5er, she continued by bolting the carrier to the frame, after putting some rubber underneath key points to again reduce vibration from the generators.
Once the carrier was bolted to the frame, I stood back to admire it and helped out by putting the reflectors on it.
She locked the generators down by using security fasteners and a strip of stainless steel covering one set of the bolts and that locks to the carrier.
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08-27-2010, 06:44 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
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Great job!
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08-27-2010, 07:10 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Siloam Springs
Posts: 2,206
M.O.C. #8890
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Talented wife.
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08-27-2010, 07:31 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
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That looks very nice. I just mounted a 5500 watt Generac on our slide out bicycle carrier(after beefing it up). I don't suppose you're gonna travel with that? If so, you might want to put your license plate on it. Don't know about other states, but here they recently started ticketing for obscured plates.
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08-27-2010, 07:51 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Great Job... looks like it's time for a new signature picture to feature it.
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08-27-2010, 08:04 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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That looks great! And I know you said you had the gennys 'locked' down with a security bolt but that will only slow a thief down. If I were you folks I'd put something on to completely cover them. Some heavy duty metal mesh would work. I saw one setup that way and it really adds some security. It was mounted in such a way that you really had to search to see how it was attached.
I didn't take any pictures much to my disappointment! I plan to do what you've done plus put the mesh stuff on one of these days and a picture would have helped. Your pictures will be a big help. Good luck and let us know how it works.
Dennis
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08-27-2010, 12:31 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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This is our travel mode. The gas can can't be stored on the carrier fo a couple of reasons - 1) the sun (heat) will cause the plastic to bulge, and 2) kinda worried about a rear end collision.
The bolts that attach the stainless straps to the gens and the carrier are not accessible; we do realize that if someone really wants the gens, they'll probably get them. The idea of mesh looks interesting.
For those interested, Kat used mostly scrap steel and aluminum. Total cost for the project was a whopping $112.69
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08-27-2010, 08:21 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
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Kat is a excelent fabracator, was she in the building trades, a tin bender maybe, she sure knows her stuff, and does great work.
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
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08-28-2010, 02:23 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bum F Egypt
Posts: 979
M.O.C. #2733
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I to must say nice looking carry-all. When you find time could you include pics of the frame mount and the way Kat added extra support to the tray? Thanks
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08-28-2010, 06:35 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Livingston
Posts: 431
M.O.C. #9442
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Once again a great project. Kat's abilities continue to amaze us! You're a great team.
Mom and Dad
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08-28-2010, 07:11 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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Here are a couple of more pictures.
This one shows the stainless bar covering one set of bolts:
This is an example of the reinforcement of the carrier. It is metal that has been bent into a short U which provides a lot of srength:
And, here is the frame:
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08-28-2010, 08:19 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Michael,
Nice looking frame connectors. That should give you plenty of support. Kat did an outstanding job. You're a lucky man.
Dennis
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08-28-2010, 01:45 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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Yes, I am a lucky man...
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08-29-2010, 07:02 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
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Michael and Kat,
Nice job, looking forward to you showing it off at Quartzsite...which by the way is only.......146 days away.
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09-24-2010, 05:02 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 3
M.O.C. #10756
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well all I have to say is, "you go sissy". can you build me one when we get our 5th? Love you both..
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09-25-2010, 11:06 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: bloomington
Posts: 540
M.O.C. #10234
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Great Job!! When are going to mass produce them? Put me down for one if you decide to do that.
Steve
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09-29-2010, 03:09 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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It has worked well for us. We just spent a few days off the grid and it was really quite nice to not have to deal with them...
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09-29-2010, 03:20 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Livingston
Posts: 431
M.O.C. #9442
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You need a new picture of your rig that showcases the new generator carrier.
Mom
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10-22-2010, 12:37 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Three Rivers
Posts: 266
M.O.C. #1249
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Got a close-up of your new gen carrier this afternoon, great job! We are staying at Ocean Lakes, and you were ahead of us going into Myrtle Beach State Park. We sold our Monty in April and now have a Motorhome. Still are MOC'ers in our hearts & have made some great friends over the years. Enjoy the great weather and fantastic beach. Bill & Stacy Webster MOC#1249
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10-22-2010, 02:10 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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Now what do you think about adding solar panels?
I look to your thinking on this, one of my upcoming projects.
Good job guys, very nice.
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