TV Front Hitch for Gen

[MORobb]

Looking for people with experience

I am thinking about adding a front hitch on my F350 to use with a cargo carrier for my generator. I have a predator 3500 and it is too heavy for me to lift in and out of the bed. Don't use it very often, only when traveling more distance that we can cover in a day to get to our destination.

Anyone have any experience doing this? How did it go.

No, I realize that I could buy 2 smaller gens, but don't want the hassle for the few times per year we need it.

MORobb

[Mikendebbie]

I had a Ranch Hand front bumper on my 2 previous trucks - 2003 Chevy 2500 and 2014 Chevy 3500. I carried a champion generator using the front hitch receiver with no problems. I found a pic of the 2003 truck (white truck) when we had a truck camper. In the other pic you can see the hitch receiver on my 2014 truck (black truck). I had to use an extension cord to reach the generator on the 2014 with the 37’ Laredo travel trailer we had at the time. I wish I had one on my 2019 truck. You don’t have to worry about hitting a deer…the Ranch Hand bumper makes deer sausage and protects the truck.

[mlh]

What I did wasn’t like what you are asking about but works great. I put a receptacle on the front of my camper with a short extension cord to the front of my truck bed. Then just leave the generator in my truck. You will haft to install a transfer switch if you choose this method. You can run the generator as you travel to cool your camper or stop for lunch. I installed a remote start on my Predator 3500 watt generator so I can start and stop it when I choose. They are only $129 and easy to install in less than 30 minutes.
Lynwood

[MORobb]

Well I ordered the hitch. I think I am going with the carrier on the front. Ordered a Reese/Draw-tite that bolts right on. We will see hoe it goes.

Lynnwood, do you worry about carbon monoxide with the gen in the bed of the truck/ since the predator exhaust out the back (in the bed) right under the front bedroom?


Robb

[mlh]

Originally Posted by MORobb

Well I ordered the hitch. I think I am going with the carrier on the front. Ordered a Reese/Draw-tite that bolts right on. We will see hoe it goes.

Lynnwood, do you worry about carbon monoxide with the gen in the bed of the truck/ since the predator exhaust out the back (in the bed) right under the front bedroom?


Robb

No. My Motor Home 4000 watt Onan is in the back of the camper with the exhaust directly under a window. I have no worry. If you are worried get a Co2 detector that shows amount in the room in parts per million.
Lynwood

[Richcart]

Originally Posted by MORobb

Looking for people with experience

I am thinking about adding a front hitch on my F350 to use with a cargo carrier for my generator. I have a predator 3500 and it is too heavy for me to lift in and out of the bed. Don't use it very often, only when traveling more distance that we can cover in a day to get to our destination.

Anyone have any experience doing this? How did it go.

No, I realize that I could buy 2 smaller gens, but don't want the hassle for the few times per year we need it.

MORobb

I have a 2017 F350 dually and added a Reese front receiver hitch that bolts on using factor bolt holes. I added a bike rack to carry our 2 E bikes. Each bike weighs about 60 pounds. We were full timing at the time so we were close to max weight on the Monty. With the bikes up front and fully loaded with fuel and stuff, the front axle was 90 pounds over the load rating. I couldn't tell any difference when driving other than the extra 3' needed in front of the bumper. I weighed on a CAT scale and all the axles were within limits, except the front as mentioned; and the Monty 500 pounds below the 16,000 max weight. Just a FYI, check your front axle after adding the load.

[ShaneGreen]

I'm with Lynnwood on this one. Installed a front receptacle and a manual transfer switch and I just leave the generator in the truck.



Another positive is that the front receptacle has given us a lot of flexibility at campsites. We're at a great site right now, but I would have to move the rig forward 10 feet if I only had the factory installed plug. We've actually used the front plug more than the original.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by ShaneGreen

I'm with Lynnwood on this one. Installed a front receptacle and a manual transfer switch and I just leave the generator in the truck.



Another positive is that the front receptacle has given us a lot of flexibility at campsites. We're at a great site right now, but I would have to move the rig forward 10 feet if I only had the factory installed plug. We've actually used the front plug more than the original.

How hard is it to wire up a front receptacle, if you don't have the generator prep package on the trailer? it would be nice to plug right in at the front of the trailer, instead of running a cord all the way to the rear of the trailer.

[mlh]

It’s not a lot of trouble. Just run a wire to your fuse box and add a transfer switch. I made a cord to the generator and you have use of the generator any time you need it, to stop for lunch for AC to cool your camper before you stop.
Lynwood

[ShaneGreen]

I used this transfer switch:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


This receptacle
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1


Take your time and find a good spot to drill through the front wall where there isn't any framing. That's really the hardest part. . .there is a lot of frame work in that wall. You may also want to back up the hole with a little extra wood for support.



You disconnect the existing shoreline wiring where it enters your inverter/Victron/EMS and hook it to one side of the transfer switch. Run new wire from the new receptacle to the other side of the transfer switch. Then run a short length from the switch to where your lifeline used to enter the inverter/Victron/EMS. Flip the breaker one way and you draw from the original location, flip it the other way and it draws from the new front location.

[Bad Moon]

Personally, I would never put something the size of a generator in front of my grill. It would block some of the airflow needed to cool the truck. Not to mention, screwing up the aerodynamics. On a hot summer day, especially ascending a grade, you need all the cooling you can get. Some older trucks are especially vulnerable. So now we will hear from a bunch of readers who will tell us they have been doing it for years and never had a problem. So, your choice.

[MORobb]

Some interesting thoughts. Maybe when I need to take the gen, I will move the bike rack to the front of the truck and put the gen on the back of the 5er. I don't think the gen a gas can will be more than the weight limit on the back.... More to think about.

Anyway the hitch is on the way so I have options