Portable Generator Securement

[Big Al]

Al,
That may play h*ll on the hinges.

Good point Greg. I'll have to check the structural integrity of the hinges and make a judgement call. As a retired Naval Engineering Officer that's important! That may be a good point to put it lower and closer to the hinge to maximize weight distribution. I hope to not exceed 100 lbs, probably will be closer to 85 lbs.

That rack on the jeep looks convenient; however, with it being in the open there will probably be quite a bit of vibration. I was thinking with a rack being secure to the door we'll minimize the vibration.

Big Al

[greg334]

AL,
The weight limit I understand is something like 40 pounds of sprung weight. The doors are light enough and the hinges are made to pivot on two points for the 270 opening.

The rack (ripped off from a landrover rack produced in the 60's I might add ) is the vibration could be a real concern with the single hinged point and no mount to secure the top of it. Most of the racks produced like this in the past had a single vertical post on and two hinges. A sprinter may be a bigger issue because if you need to open the door all the way, the rack may interfere with it. Remember the jeep pictured has a hatch that opens, not doors.

Have you thought of the RV solution or under the deck solution (Onan)?

[Big Al]

AL,
The weight limit I understand is something like 40 pounds of sprung weight. The doors are light enough and the hinges are made to pivot on two points for the 270 opening.

The rack (ripped off from a landrover rack produced in the 60's I might add ) is the vibration could be a real concern with the single hinged point and no mount to secure the top of it. Most of the racks produced like this in the past had a single vertical post on and two hinges. A sprinter may be a bigger issue because if you need to open the door all the way, the rack may interfere with it. Remember the jeep pictured has a hatch that opens, not doors.

Have you thought of the RV solution or under the deck solution (Onan)?

I have thought about the RV/Onan solution and also a Kohler makes a nice one;however,they are expensive and fuel distribution is a problem.
I have a RV A/C (Carrier 13500btu's) in my shop and also I have a 4KW Onan Propane generater in my shop but both seems too large & heavy for Sprinter.
Onan has had problems with the Microlite series which would be ideal for this size vehicle. I have a friend who has one in my area but it burns oil & Onan folks in Springfield MO gave up on it.
I am a little concerned about a front mount because of air flow to the engine under extreme conditions,i.e. Interstate 8 from Casa Grande to San Diego. I have thought about a roof top carrier and a ladder on the van door or just build a storage box for inside.

Big Al

[greg334]

Al,
I stay away from almost anything propane, I don't beleive we can have a single fuel everything on board.

I would look at what I suggested, a 12 volt system from the generator to the A/C. Piper runs a 12 volt A/C unit and others also have them on their vans. I would look at this as a solution seeing you have fabrication experience.

[stamp11127]

I only posted it as an idea. The old CJ7's had a tire mount that was secured at 3 points and took a beating off road. Same idea would work here if built strong enough. Keep the weight low and close to the pivot point(s).

Here is the link, seems like big bucks but loose the genset while driving and your out some change. Even more if someone else is hurt from a bouncing genset.

$1168.99

Garvin IndustriesEXT Series Bumper System, 84-02 XJ Cherokee

Additional ideas:
RV Bumper Mount Cargo Carrier | ModMyRV

See the last one lower left, set it up to pivot on one of the corners.

Since Big Al said he can weld...