How Do You Mount A Generator On A Travel Trailer?
Anthony DayThis article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Key Takeaways
- An RV bumper-mounted generator is an easy option that requires less experience.
- A generator or cargo carrier mounted to the trailer hitch can hold more weight.
- Generator trays secured to the a-frame are stable and easy to drive with.
- You should never run a generator inside your travel trailer.
- It's important to secure your generator to the mount.
Learn how to safely mount a generator to your travel trailer with this helpful guide with steps and product recommendations!
The best ways to mount a generator on a travel trailer are:
- Using a bumper-mounted cargo rack.
- Mount the generator to the RVs trailer hitch.
- Attach a cargo tray to the a-frame of your travel trailer.
Doing something DIY-style can save a lot of money, but it’s important to ensure you’re doing it the right way. We've done our research and have put together a comprehensive guide on how to mount your own generator in a safe and effective way.
Best Ways to Mount a Generator to Your Travel Trailer
Mounting your generator doesn't have to be a hassle, but it is important to ensure you have the right generator and mounting style.
Make sure to double-check your generator and trailer specs before purchasing any new mounting hardware.
Rear Bumper-Mounted Cargo Tray RV Generator Rack
By mounting a generator rack on your travel trailer’s rear bumper, you can easily install up to a 5,000-watt generator.
This is one of the most common ways to mount your generator since it’s easy, beginner friendly, and requires minimal extra hardware since it's just a metal platform that grips your trailer's rear bumper.
Mount-n-Lock GennyGo Bumper-Mounted Cargo and Generator Carrier
The Mount-n-Lock GennyGo carrier mount kit is one of the best bumper-mounted cargo tray options for a travel trailer portable generator.
This cargo carrier will work on any travel trailer bumper between four and six inches.
Made from lightweight aluminum, steel, or hybrid materials, this is a reliable cargo carrier tray kit that will last through any bumpy roads and harsh weather.
Be careful when mounting things to your bumper. Consult your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to determine how much weight your bumper can handle.
The optional Mount-n-Lock bumper reinforcement kit is a great way to increase the cargo capacity your travel trailer bumper can handle.
This is a great product we'd recommend even if your rear square bumper can already handle the rack on paper; it's always better to be safe when it comes to weight distribution.
If you already have a tray or box for your portable generator, stand-alone support arms allow you to create a generator mount with your existing hardware.
Trailer Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier
Whether you're looking to transport your trailer generator or any other heavy cargo, the towing hitch mount offers a safe and secure solution over a bumper mount if your travel trailer has a compatible towing hitch weight capacity.
Your travel trailer's tow hitch is connected directly to the chassis, giving it more stability than a bumper mount could.
Make sure your trailer's hitch can support the weight of the hitch carrier mount and heavier generator.
OKLEAD Hitch Mount Cargo Carrier
This OKLEAD hitch-mounted cargo tray is designed with convenience and durability in mind, perfect for long-haul vacations.
The carrier sports a convenient folding design made out of heavy-duty steel that makes it easy to put out of the way when not in use.
It has a weight capacity of 500 lbs, so you can be sure that it will handle whatever you need to transport.
Because of its high weight limit, you could afford to carry more than just your generator.
One of our favorite details is the metal mesh bottom. The openings make water and dirt fall through instead of accumulating under your cargo or generator.
A hitch stabilizer can reduce shaking and rattling while on the road.
Installing a hitch-mounted cargo carrier on your travel trailer isn't difficult, but it does require some attention to detail in order to do it correctly and safely.
Carrier Tray and Propane Tanks Space for A-Frame
A cargo carrier tray kit made to connect to your travel trailer's A-frame takes advantage of one of the smoothest and strongest parts of the RV.
Stromberg-Carlson Cargo and Generator Tray
This mounting from Stromberg-Carlson can hold up to 300 lbs and still leaves an open space for a propane tank underneath!
We love this solution for a generator mount because it works on many smaller and low-end travel trailers and leaves room for propane tanks below.
Using the a-frame cargo tray method has an interesting side bonus, too!
Placing additional weight on the A-frame of your travel trailer can help improve weight distribution and reduce sway while you're driving your tow vehicle.
Simply put, your travel trailer will be more stable and easier to control, which can be especially important when traveling at high speeds or in windy conditions in your tow vehicle. Trailer sway is the worst.
And your propane tanks will be nearby.
If you don't already have a waterproof cover for your generator, consider this high-quality cover from Champion.
Don't forget that your generator mount is on the outside of the travel trailer!
How Do You Secure a Generator to a Trailer?
Once you have your generator mount setup out of the way, there are a few other things to consider when securing your generator to the cargo tray.
- Use ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure your generator to the generator mount. Make sure to use straps that are rated for the weight of your generator and that they are tightened down snugly to prevent any movement while in transit.
- Generators can be quite loud and can vibrate a lot, which is damaging to both the generator and the travel trailer. Consider using anti-vibration pads or isolators between the generator and the mount to reduce this vibration, noise, and damage.
- If you're worried about theft, you may want to consider using a lock to secure your generator to the trailer. There are a variety of locks available that can be used to secure the generator to the mount or to the trailer itself.
Can You Run a Generator In a Travel Trailer?
You can power a trailer by running the generator outside and nearby, but you should never, under any circumstance, run a generator inside your trailer.
Running a generator inside a trailer is very dangerous due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and explosions. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced when fuel is burned and can be lethal in high concentrations.
When a generator is run inside a travel trailer, there is a risk that the exhaust fumes can accumulate and reach dangerous levels.
This is true in any small, enclosed space where there may not be adequate ventilation to disperse the fumes.
How Do I Make Sure No One Steals My Generator?
Nothing ruins a trip like having your generator worth hundreds or thousands of dollars getting stolen. Luckily, there are a number of relatively easy ways to stop this from happening.
- Lock it up: One of the simplest ways to prevent theft is to lock your generator to the travel trailer using a chain or cable lock. This will make it challenging for any aspiring thieves to simply walk away with it.
- Use a cover: Using a durable cover for your generator will make it less obvious. This can also help protect your generator from the elements.
- Install an alarm: There are a few alarms available that can be used to deter thieves and alert you if someone tries to tamper with your generator or trailer as a whole.
- Park strategically: This is an underrated tip. Avoid leaving your trailer in isolated areas where it may be more vulnerable to theft.
- Use a GPS tracker: GPS trackers have never been more affordable and widely available. Hide a tracker on your generator somewhere inconspicuous, and you'll always be able to track it down if it should end up far away.
