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08-03-2018, 02:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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Generator Rack
I built a generator rack for the back of our Escape 19. Our Honda EU200i and a couple of 2 gallon gas cans should fit nicely there.
This is based on the 300 pound capacity ATV rack from Harbor Freight. The white platform is 3/4 inch X 7.5 inch X 12 feet. I had Lowe's cut it into 20 inch pieces. The screws that hold the platform to the rack are #8 X 2 inch self tapping hex head.
Note:. To move the weight forward as much as possible, when we assembled the rack, we moved the sides forward 1 hole. 3 out of 4 holes lined up. We bolted it together then drilled holes in the spine for the 4th bolt. This left a few inches of the spine sticking out the back. This was removed with an angle grinder.
The reflective tape was bought at a local truck stop, measured and cut to fit
The gap in the middle of the platform is to allow tie down straps to attach directly to the luggage rack.
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08-03-2018, 02:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I thought the capacity of the rear hitch was 150 pounds?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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08-03-2018, 02:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
I thought the capacity of the rear hitch was 150 pounds?
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It is. The rack, as it is, weighs about 30 or 35 pounds. The generator weighs 47 pounds. That leaves plenty of capacity for a couple gallons of gas.
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08-03-2018, 02:17 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Tehachapi, California
Trailer: none
Posts: 515
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Just curious as to how you plan to secure it as small generators are a high-value target amongst theives?
__________________
Greg
Formerly owned a 2007 24' HiLo/ 2003 Tahoe combo. Interested in the 5.0TA
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08-03-2018, 02:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingbiscuit
It is. The rack, as it is, weighs about 30 or 35 pounds. The generator weighs 47 pounds. That leaves plenty of capacity for a couple gallons of gas.
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Okay, you mentioned the 300# number in your first post as the capacity of the rack, but you know it is limited to a lot less by the hitch. What about aux lights, will the cargo block the tail lights or plate?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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08-03-2018, 02:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Okay, you mentioned the 300# number in your first post as the capacity of the rack, but you know it is limited to a lot less by the hitch. What about aux lights, will the cargo block the tail lights or plate?
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That would be my question as well: The lower tail/brake lights are somewhat blocked. Unless you also have the high tail/brake light option, I'd recommend adding lights to the back of your rack.
Also, some states' requirements include lights at or near the back of whatever sticks out.
Edit: some like this:
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...kit-63100.html
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08-03-2018, 02:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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My own experience with a similar rack is that I had to be able to remove my box from the rack or I couldn't remove the spare tire.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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08-03-2018, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews
That would be my question as well: The lower tail/brake lights are somewhat blocked. Unless you also have the high tail/brake light option, I'd recommend adding lights to the back of your rack.
Also, some states' requirements include lights at or near the back of whatever sticks out.
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I think the conspicuity tape along the back rail takes care of the visibility problem for the rack itself, but I would still be careful not to block the trailer lights.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-03-2018, 02:38 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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The generator and gas cans will be held down with ratchet straps. They'll be secured by a steel cable and lock.
At this time, I don't plan on adding lights as all the tail lights, upper and lower will be visible. The reflective tape is DOT approved marking. Normally, as long as the attachment doesn't extend further than 3 feet, you are good with no marking at all.
I will make up a 6 or 7 foot power cable so that it will be easy to set the generator on the ground, leave it locked to the trailer, attach the short cable and fire it up.
I've ordered and will have a friend of mine install a Micro Air Easy Start on the air conditioner. This should allow the EU200i to run the AC.
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08-03-2018, 02:42 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingbiscuit
I've ordered and will have a friend of mine install a Micro Air Easy Start on the air conditioner. This should allow the EU2000i to run the AC.
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I think you'll be happy with the MicroAir EasyStart, Dan. Everyone who's installed one that I've talked to is happy with it.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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08-03-2018, 02:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
I think you'll be happy with the MicroAir EasyStart, Dan. Everyone who's installed one that I've talked to is happy with it.
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I think so. My buddy just installed one on his trailer with a 13,500 BTU unit. Prior to the easy starr, his 3000 watt generator would run it, but was on the verge of dying every time the compressor came on. Now, he leaves the generator on economy and you just hear the engine rev up.
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08-03-2018, 08:10 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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I just happen to have a brand new Honda 2000i and
LowPro lock down kit attached to a bumper hitch cargo carrier I’m needing to dispose of ....
__________________
Rich & Mary
"Everything in moderation, including moderation."
- Oscar Wilde
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08-03-2018, 08:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA
Posts: 554
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Thieves walk around with folding bolt cutters in a backpack and can cut a steel cable in seconds ........... I'd be careful. I've heard of people loosing stuff like this while sitting in a rest stop WHILE they were in the trailer.
Barry
__________________
Photography website: https://bjustice.zenfolio.com
2012 Escape "Classic" 5.0 SA / 2017 F150, 2.7 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercab
Former trailers: 2005 Escape 17B / 1972 Boler 13'
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08-04-2018, 08:17 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hellertown, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Scamp 16, TV Rav4 V6
Posts: 100
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The white platform, is that melamine board ? if so you may have a issues with it being outdoors. Hope it works. Carl
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08-04-2018, 09:20 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: San Diego, California
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21
Posts: 72
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Probably starboard or marine board
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08-04-2018, 09:31 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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It's PVC board. I would have bought Starboard but Lowes/Home Depot only had 4x8 sheets.
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08-04-2018, 11:42 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Trailer: Escape 1721
Posts: 223
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Nice craftsmanship.
Loading the generator in the middle could help with rear light viability, especially if you could house the gas cans in another location. That could increase safety too.
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08-04-2018, 12:01 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Deland, Florida
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19 on order
Posts: 182
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The generator will be in the middle to insure things are as balanced as possible. Notice that there's a gap in the planks in the middle. This allows me to attach the ratchet straps directly to the carrier. I think this will be fairly stable.
The gas cans are another issue. If I carry them in the van, we smell gas all the time. If the van is rear ended, then I have gas cans inside the van with us. I'll figure it out one way or another. We're talking about a 2 gallon can.
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08-04-2018, 12:52 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I think I saw a gas can that fit inside the spare wheel well over on the Jeep forums.....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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08-04-2018, 06:19 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zardoz
I just happen to have a brand new Honda 2000i and
LowPro lock down kit attached to a bumper hitch cargo carrier I’m needing to dispose of ....
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Hi would you be interested in separating the gen and low pro which goes in the hitch and locks the gen ? And if so you could pm with price ? Pat
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