Hi Everyone, I have an older Savana Van and want to haul a small generator inside of the rear door but am concerned about gasoline fumes. I don't plan to carry a gas can , thinking I will siphon gas to fill it up when needed. I don't know if the generator will have a vented gas cap yet. If anyone has experience to share I'd Love to Hear from You, Thanks, Craggers
Carrying Gas Generator inside Camper Van
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lllindsey
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I had the same idea.
My neighbor the car genius who fixed my van said NO... i insisted...
he said we would have to make an extension to the exhaust of the generator
and put it out the bottom plus make a hole in the back door for a grill and fresh air.
inside we could put generator in a box that has a gasket to keep air going outside rather than leak into the inside.
i think this is a good idea
a lot of people will warn against it is my guess
My neighbor the car genius who fixed my van said NO... i insisted...
he said we would have to make an extension to the exhaust of the generator
and put it out the bottom plus make a hole in the back door for a grill and fresh air.
inside we could put generator in a box that has a gasket to keep air going outside rather than leak into the inside.
i think this is a good idea
a lot of people will warn against it is my guess
Trebor English
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craggers said:
Do you mean transport the thing in the van and then set it outside to run it?
Almost There
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I have a pair of Honda Ei1000s that I *CARRY* inside the van all the time. I can only vouch for the Hondas, other brands may be different.
Note I said 'carry' not run - don't even think about that one!
Sometimes I forget to close the gas vents but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I have never noticed any fumes from them, the vent seems to be one way - allows air in to the gas tank not venting to allow fumes out.
BTW, I sleep with my head less than a couple feet away from them and it doesn't bother me. But then I also sleep over top of FLA 6 volt batteries and don't notice any smell from them either. Others who are more sensitive to fumes may have a different experience.
The gas can gets carried in my hitch hauler.
Note I said 'carry' not run - don't even think about that one!
Sometimes I forget to close the gas vents but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I have never noticed any fumes from them, the vent seems to be one way - allows air in to the gas tank not venting to allow fumes out.
BTW, I sleep with my head less than a couple feet away from them and it doesn't bother me. But then I also sleep over top of FLA 6 volt batteries and don't notice any smell from them either. Others who are more sensitive to fumes may have a different experience.
The gas can gets carried in my hitch hauler.
These are portable for a reason.
I would not even carry one inside, unless the fuel tank was dry - big advantage of a propane version right there.
And should only be run far from any people, other end of a very long, heavy gauge and good quality extension cable.
I would not even carry one inside, unless the fuel tank was dry - big advantage of a propane version right there.
And should only be run far from any people, other end of a very long, heavy gauge and good quality extension cable.
B and C
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A lot of vehicles have an anti-siphon fuel fill. Check to make sure you CAN siphon before needing to. I would carry extra gas on a hitch haul of some sort or fastened to a back door (on the outside).
My $0.02 worth.
My $0.02 worth.
highdesertranger
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a couple of points. I wouldn't under any circumstances run the generator inside the van. I know the Honda's are fine to transport inside I don't know about others. another thing I don't know what year your van is but most vehicles since the 90's have anti-siphon devices on them, making it impossible to siphon. highdesertranger
Trebor English
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I have a tall thin 6 gallon plastic gas can. I squeeze the large flat sides together then tighten the cap. I never put more than 5 gallons in it. It never has pressure. It doesn't stink of gasoline.
I keep it inside. My van has been rear ended three times. A gasoline container on the back at the point of impact would not be good. I keep the propane and the gasoline inside because I think it is well protected there.
I keep it inside. My van has been rear ended three times. A gasoline container on the back at the point of impact would not be good. I keep the propane and the gasoline inside because I think it is well protected there.
I have a Westinghouse 2000i generator. I carry it inside the van. The cap seals when off. If I dont spill gasoline when filling, I do not have any odor from the generator. Running the generator in or near the van will reduce the gene pool.
craggers said:
Thank-you for your replies : No I would not run a generator inside the Van, I'll check to see if I'm able to Siphon gas from my 2002 Savana Van somehow and No I don't want a rear hitch or cargo carrier . I am Thinking of building a box attached to the rear door outside of the van or putting the Cheap 2,000 Watt generator in a Rubbermaid container inside for hauling around and sleeping next to under the bed when I get that Far building out my used van. lol
Almost There
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Consider weight carefully before attaching anything to your rear door!
The doors and hinges weren't designed to handle any extra weight. Even those old spare tire carriers that were 3 point attachment (both hinges and the edge of the door) eventually pulled on the metal. That's if the metal didn't rust out first from the steel on steel and any movement from bumps etc.
I also have a 2002 Savana and I don't believe you'll be able to siphon gas from the tank.
BTW, my cargo carrier is a swing out one so that I can access the back doors easily. Instead of the expensive box that can be bought with the hitch platform I put a $65.00 Husky Tradesman box on mine.
The doors and hinges weren't designed to handle any extra weight. Even those old spare tire carriers that were 3 point attachment (both hinges and the edge of the door) eventually pulled on the metal. That's if the metal didn't rust out first from the steel on steel and any movement from bumps etc.
I also have a 2002 Savana and I don't believe you'll be able to siphon gas from the tank.
BTW, my cargo carrier is a swing out one so that I can access the back doors easily. Instead of the expensive box that can be bought with the hitch platform I put a $65.00 Husky Tradesman box on mine.
Almost There said:
I agree:
I purchased 2 Honda EU2000 because they were just y’all enough to still fit in a cargo compartment in a travel trailer.
I also can vouch that the vent valves on gas caps for the Honda’s work well. I have never had a gas smell in trailer or that compartment.
Spare gas cans were always stored and transported in truck bed.
I would not recommend transporting anything that didn’t have a a positive closing vent cap (like the Honda portable ones).
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B and C said:
i'm think'in the anti siphon device is the small metal door you put the unleaded gas hose into at the gas station, i think a piece of 1/4 " flexible copper tubing about 3 foot long with a plastic hose and bulb thingy attached to it, would work well
Is it possible to tap into the fuel line with a tee fitting? I did this on an early 80's truck I had. I installed an inexpensive electric fuel pump with a line, valve,and cap that reached to the ground on the curb side of the truck. Had a switch wired in to operate the pump. No siphoning, worked pretty slick.
Jake said:
If you do this on a modern vehicle with fuel injection, I would highly recommend a positive shut-off fuel valve or tap, in-line between the vehicle fuel line and the little 12v pump.
Yes, true. In fact if I were to want to do this on my newer truck I think I'd look at connecting to the existing fuel pressure test port and attempt to wire the switch to energize the fuel pump relay. Eliminate the additional auxiliary pump all together.
ratfink56
Well-known member
It's no easy feat to siphon gas out of these newer vehicles.
If you find it's a problem buy a milspec jerry can. Mine has a small vent on it. I plan to run a hose from the vent to the outside of the vehicle. The can also has a positive closing top with a seal to prevent fumes.
Or you could put a regular gas can and your generator in a container with a good sealing lid and vent the container to the outside.
If you find it's a problem buy a milspec jerry can. Mine has a small vent on it. I plan to run a hose from the vent to the outside of the vehicle. The can also has a positive closing top with a seal to prevent fumes.
Or you could put a regular gas can and your generator in a container with a good sealing lid and vent the container to the outside.
