Generator Box/Cage

[Headache]

We've been using a generator on the van for awhile now and after having one stolen I'd like a more secure way to use it. Right now we use it on a storage rack plugged into a hitch on the back of the van with a heavy tow chain through the handle.

I've seen a few generator cages/boxes on trailers. Has anyone ever built one for a van and if so would you please provide pics? Please no retail boxes. Can't afford them. We've been using a Predator 2000 but want a cage that could hold a 2500 too. Thanks

 

[Happy Camper]

I get the feeling you might want to put this in the electrical forum lol.

 

[abnorm]

BIG chain and lock...................and lock the hitch too

 

[Zoomyn]

Way back saw a genny mounted on a trailer A-frame, the neat thing was drop down legs to separate vibration off of trailer frame - lift A-frame high & drop legs then level trailer—- IIRC he could padlock lock it down for travel and had a short coiled bicycle lock cable to keep it safe while up on its stand — he just used pipe at the corners and pin clipped them up or down, the pipes were inside the corners of a sound / hidey box…

 

[bullfrog]

With the battery powered cut off wheel almost any lock is pretty much just preventing crimes of opportunity. Putting the generator inside a wooden box with a toilet seat mounted on top and lid glued down and a toilet paper holder mounted concealing the generator is probably much more effective. If somebody complains about how noisy your toilet is tell them it has a fan for ventilation. Lol!!!

 

[peteg59]

As suggested, hiding or disguising it are great ideas but a true, hardcore, POS thief is gonna find it if the time allows.

Outside motion sensor cameras connected to your phone(s) could also help.
Ring is supposedly coming out with a vehicle compatible system...

 

[Happy Camper]

Can you weld?

 

[Malamute]

Its true that a serious thief can get into about anything, though thats often given as a reason to do nothing, minimal security, or abandon whatever idea it was entirely (not saying that was the intent above). Im of the opinion that most crimes are committed by less than top level crooks, and making something more work than its worth, or even less conspicuous can deter or divert the majority of crooks and is well with the effort.

I needed a gen for my window AC for my dog so I could travel safely in the summer and be able to leave the dog in the truck. I modified a hitch mounted carrier to raise it up to reduce dragging on ditches and low spots and built a wood box. The folding adapter I used also allows me to tow a trailer with the box mounted, so I havent lost any capability in having it mounted. The only real down side is I camp open the rear hatch door, but I can access most of the junk I keep in the back area through the window or from inside the 4runner.

Ive used it for I think 4 or 5 summers, I mount it as soon as it gets above 65 in the daytime, thats my cutoff point to leave the dog in the vehicle without AC capability and only take it off when iot gets cooler than that in the fall. This is with semi-regular cross country trips and staying at motels, but I select morels where i can park right outside my door and have a window to see the rig. I sometimes set a camera in the window with the monitor next to the bed so i can see what the motel noises are without getting up. So far no problems with anyone getting in it. I do get a lot of people curious about it when they hear it running or see me start it up before going into a store or restaurant. The side benefit of all this was I could now take my dog on errands around town when not on the road when it had formerly been too hot to leave her in the vehicle.

Heres pictures and the general idea of the box. https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/full-hillbilly-window-ac-in-a-vehicle.228995/

I have details on how I modified the folding hitch adapter if anyone cares to see how it was done. It essentially raises the cargo basket about a foot or so and eliminates the ability to fold it, though it does allow the carried to tilt back in case I had to access the rear hatch door, but if it was loaded it would be a pain in the behind to do.

 

[frodo2222]

siu D's good, would love to see it and plans if you have those available

 

[Malamute]

siu D's good, would love to see it and plans if you have those available

OK. This is the folding hitch adapter I got (from different source and may be different brand, but identical shape and design.

https://www.ringohill.com/ecommerce/hitches-wiring/2"-ball-folding-receiver-mount.php
Its supposed to allow the carrier basket to be used normally or fold up out of the way, and still has the trailer ball ready to go. Ive had the ordinary hitch mounted carrier baskets drag the ground on curbs and ditches, so had the shank of it cut at 45 degrees, then turned 90 degrees and welded back on. Its then put in the adapter in what normally the folded up position, only its now sitting a foot higher and horizontal. It still gives me access to my hitch ball, ive pulled my pickup bed trailer cross country several times with this setup. Its snug getting the trailer onto the ball under the cargo basket, but works, as does uhaul trailers.



The angled brace piece extends roughly 1 1/2" along the square tube of the cargo basket past where they intersect and welded along the edges to spread the load. I shortened the shank of the folding hitch adapter to reduce leverage on the hitch when loaded. I added a rattle reducer as well, which is not in the pic.

I had one of these cargo baskets already. I ended up having the joints in the middle where it bolts together welded solid and added some approx 1/8 x 3/4 angle across the unsupported areas, they can be seen between the words in the pic describing the angled brace.

I sent Carla a link about this but sent the wrong cargo basket link. Theres numerous ones that are similar on the market. The ones with a folder mechanism as part of the cargo basket probably arent going to work with the adapter thing I modified.

 

[jasper]

Sometimes there are real deals on generators with a weird, crudely cut gap in the carrying handle, but they won't completely cool down.