I am finally posting photos of the tray I made for the trailer tongue on the Scamp. I “borrowed” the idea from Joy and just expanded on it. I wanted it wide enough for the 1000 watt generator, battery and LP tank, as well as a handy plug-in panel for the solar and battery. This is what I came up with.
The generator rides in the bed of the pickup while traveling, but is set on the tray and secured with a locked chain when on site. It is used for the toaster oven or to periodically recharge the battery if there has not been enough sunlight.
The quick-latch on the LP tank is made from the original Scamp tank holder that I just set on the tray and welded it to it. The latch is the type used on pop-up type campers. I bent one end of the strap back on itself to form a lip, and straightened the other one. Then I welded the latch to the strap. It is adjustable so it can be adjusted to fit the tank, and locked to keep it from walking away!
The Solar plug-in on the panel is a quick and handy way to connect the cord from the solar panels to the controller. The Battery plug-in is used to recharge the battery while driving. Since I have only a 4-wire plug, I ran a separate wire back from the front of the pickup to the bumper. I then plug in a short piece of wire from the bumper to the plug-in on the panel. The plug-in can also be used to provide 12v power to any other accessories as needed.
I used two different types of plug for the battery and the solar so that I can’t accidentally plug the solar cord (17v) into the battery (12v).
I added a new photo to show the generator lock and space between generator and battery box. When I placed the generator on the tray for the first photo, I didn't realize it was placed so far to the right and close to the battery box, thus making it appear to be very difficult to plug in any cords. This photo shows there is plenty of space for cords when it is shifted back to the left. It also shows the lock used to secure it. I put a short piece of chain on the bottom so I could lock it part way up and not have to try to lock the chain directly to the tray. Things would have been a little tight.
Also, the battery cut-off switch cuts off only power going to accessories that have a phantom load. The rest of the electric power to the lights, furnace, etc remains on.
Jim,Are you going to think of a way to permently leave the generator on the tongue? Just wondering as we are thinking we'd like to put our 2000i out there on the Casita.
Launey and Earlene
Hi Earlene,
Nice to see you again. I didn't have the tray made for the Sedona trip, but was able to get it done in time for Quartzite. It worked as planned and no one complained when I ran it to warm cherry turnovers for breakfast in the toaster oven.
I am not planning to enclose it since I have room in the pickup for it, however, it could be easily mounted if you desired to do so. If I did, I would mount it in a housing to protect it from the rain and dust, as well as on the bottom to protect it from road slush and dust entering from below the expanded metal when traveling.
Perhaps a plastic pan on the bottom, and a hood that could be easily and quickly lifted off the generator when you wanted to use it.
Jim
Hey Jim,I think we were parked next to you at Sedona? Launeys thinking of a way to maybe stack ours he said,he is worried about the turning radius having it out front.And to have to mount it to where it would keep the honest people honest and leaving it alone ha
Launey and Earlene
Hi Earlene,
Yes, that would be me next to you at Sedona.
Stacking your larger generator on a shelf when mounting it permanently would work fine and not need as wide of a tray on the tongue. In my case, I didn’t feel like lifting it up there each time I used it, so I keep it lower on the tray.
I have seen some nice-looking, heavy-duty supports welded on the tongue made by others to do as you are considering. You could also run an electrical cord close to the generator and leave it so you don’t have to set up each time you use it.
I did have to measure the turning radius when making it, but I have a drop hitch that also extends back a bit, so there has been no issues with that. I have been able to turn around in small town street intersections without wrapping it around my pickup. I figure if I did any sharper turning, I was probably doing something wrong in the first place, whether pulling or backing up with it!
In fact, I have been thinking and measuring again and it looks like I just may have enough room to install an electric hitch jack. Is it really needed on a 13" camper? Pfffttt!, who cares, I can rationalize anything when it comes to the boat or the Scamp.
Jim
Im thinking he's not going to get around to doing to much till it cools down again out here...For now carrying the generator in the truck bed is working fine,just thought it would be nice to have it mounted on the camper and I could just go out and start it whenever I needed it for something with out him havinig to unload it for me,not that its heavy but the truck sits high and I have trouble getting anything out of it lol
Launey and Earlene
Little warm for you right now, Earlene?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Yes I would say alittle hot,I know,I know,its a DRY heat lol...more like an oven then a sauna but pretty warm and arent you guys right in there with us?lol Wish Alaska wasnt so far,its sounding pretty good right now lol
Launey and Earlene
No, we left and came up to the White Mountains until it passes.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Greg I take it its much cooler up there then home right now,I think we are going to have to do something like that if this heat continues here.Sounds like the smartest move to make,enjoy your time.Are you guys in a campground or living off the grid right now? I know nothing about the White Mountains(other then I am asuming they are white lol)
Launey and Earlene
Pages