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Old 05-26-2023, 07:51 PM   #1
Van the traveling man
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Hi folks!

Just picked up 2019 High Country 345RL and hitting the road with her in a little over a week when I complete setup. Heidi (my German shepherd) and I have been full timing since she was 12 weeks old in '17. Finally got a bigger truck with the Cummins turbo diesel and we're excited to become a member of the Montana club instead of just admiring them on the road and in the RV parks.

This one is set up well save one thing. No generator! I have a Honda EU 3000is and I'm planning on getting the bumper rack with a 2" lift and 500lb capacity. It goes into the standard 2" receiver and I'm planning on bolting it to the rack and covering everything in the rack hoping for a little security through obscurity. I realize it's only 30A, but with just me and the dog usually we can get by with the only solid AC requirement being the Samsung residential fridge.

Open to any and all advice and feedback!
 
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Old 05-26-2023, 08:31 PM   #2
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Van,

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your new rig. Your Honda should work well.
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Old 05-26-2023, 08:46 PM   #3
Van the traveling man
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Thanks!
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Old 05-27-2023, 06:29 AM   #4
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Welcome to the forums and congrats on getting a Montana. I agree, you'll do just fine with that Honda, provided you don't need to run 2 AC's at the same time.

We occasionally run on only 1 generator (we have 2 we run in parallel for 50 amp), and don't have any issues. We run the water heater on propane, and when needed, run only 1 air conditioner. The refrigerator is residential. Mostly, we have the generator for electric power outages when at the campsite (which is about 10 months out of the year), as my wife still works (from home, or in our case.... on the road) and needs her computer and internet working all the time. (I retired over a year ago and gave up all that computer code development, mind boggling, time consuming, brain cell destroying, lack of sleep occupation for the simple life and simply responding to forum posts now!.... what a life!)

Anyway, back to you. Yes, you can do it. You'll do just fine! Again, congrats! And welcome!
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Old 05-27-2023, 07:12 AM   #5
Jay & Bobbie
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Van, I have the 2018. Planning on doing the same thing with my 4000 gen. It powers either ac well. have not purchased the rack yet. Just curious which one you like. The previous owner of mine has a u-bolt on the receiver. It looks like it is designed to take the bounce (slop) out of the basket on bumpy roads.
Happy travels, welcome, and you will find this group tremendously helpful.
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Old 05-27-2023, 08:19 AM   #6
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Welcome to the MOC and safe travels
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Old 05-27-2023, 08:52 AM   #7
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Van welcome to MOC. I have a 3000 watt Honda. It’s a great generator. I would be careful putting it on a hitch on the back of a camper. It’s 117 pounds with out gas and with the whiplash are putting a lot of stress on a mount and the camper frame.
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Old 05-27-2023, 02:19 PM   #8
Van the traveling man
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Thank you!
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Old 05-27-2023, 02:23 PM   #9
Van the traveling man
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I agree. I haven't found a reference to the rating for the hitch on the Montana yet, but have seen 4 bikes on one plus a spare tire in my travels. I certainly don't want to endanger other folks on the road much less lose my generator so I'll reach out to a dealer to confirm.
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Old 05-27-2023, 02:29 PM   #10
Van the traveling man
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@Jay and Bobby,

I ordered the rack from Amazon:

Mockins 60x20x6 Folding Cargo Carrier Hitch Mount Steel Cargo Basket |500lb Capacity Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier | Trailer Hitch Cargo Carrier & 16cu Waterproof Cargo Bag & Net| Hitch Rack Cargo Trailer

They rate it at 500lbs which gives me a 3x safety factor. I haven't found the rating for the bumper or receiver on the Montana yet but it is integrated so 500lbs seems reasonable. I'll follow up if I find the rating or talk to a dealer.
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Old 05-27-2023, 04:48 PM   #11
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Congratulations and welcome.
We have the same model year. The hitch reciever has a sticker on it.
300lbs max load.
We have a similar sized folding carrier (it weighs 70lbs). We have two Harbor Freight 2000W Predator generators on it (48lbs each).
You have to parallel the HF 2000W generators (1600w running) to run one air conditioner (SoftstartRV installed on the bedroom unit).
This Champion generator is on sale. One of these should run one air conditioner.
You can parallel them to run more.
If I was buying again I would get this one.
They are cheaper than HF too.
https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Powe...s%2C759&sr=8-2
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Old 05-27-2023, 04:58 PM   #12
Van the traveling man
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@Daryles

Thanks for the info. I should be good with 300 lbs and I haven't taken possession yet because I'm adding a B&W gooseneck since this rig has the Reese Goosebox. I'll double check the sticker when I pick it up but feel good about 300lbs. Thanks!
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Old 05-31-2023, 02:45 PM   #13
tom woodward
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WE have the 353RL, 2015 with two Acs, 15000btu and a 13500btu. I have a Westingtonhouse 3400 ( I think, it's out in the garage) dual fuel and I can run two Acs with a soft start on the 15000 unit. Not sure I'd want to run anything else and don't run both very often but it will work as I've tried it. If running the generator I usually run the 15000 unit, all day. Stop it and run the 13500 to cool the bedroom and then switch back to the 15000 unit and close all the vent to direct it into the bedroom at night.
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Old 05-31-2023, 02:52 PM   #14
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Welcome tot he MOC! Enjoy the ride!
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Old 05-31-2023, 05:47 PM   #15
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Genset on hitch

I planned go do the same thing, but decided against putting the generator on the rear of the trailer. I have a Champion generator. I decided to put it in the generator compartment while traveling and then on the rear of the camper when in use. I am 57 years old and have little trouble putting the generator in or taking it out of the compartment. It is out of sight unless it is in use, so less theft concerns. It also puts the weight on the hitch rather than lifting up on the hitch. I run the water heater on gas when using the Air conditioner to keep the load on a 3000 watt generator within tolerances.
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Old 05-31-2023, 06:02 PM   #16
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Kirk - several folks here have mounted the generator on a slide tray. There are several past threads on the subject. The screen shot below is from a YouTube channel I LOVE RV LIFE, and he owns a Montana. He welded a frame to go in the front compartment. It’s on my list of tasks for my rig…someday.
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Old 06-03-2023, 04:45 PM   #17
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Van,
I have a Champion dual fuel that supposedly weighs 110lbs. I travel with it in the back of the truck and at 76 years old can still lift it out ok.

I followed a fiver out of the camp ground one time with a bike rack and two bikes on a real carrier. The place had speed bumps about every hundred feet and even though he was doing about 5mph and slowed down even more on the speed bumps the bikes were still bouncing all over the place. I decided right then and there never to use a rear carrier. It's just like a diving board back there. Every little bump is magnified 10x.
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