Portable generator on truck??

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by noguns3, May 10, 2011.

  1. noguns3

    noguns3 Light Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
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    I own a 1999 KW T-2000. Getting ready for my first hot summer as an owner-op. Thinking about buying a decent portable generator and putting it on the frame (weld brackets and protect it). Going to use it to power a free-standing AC unit. I can get this all set up for about 1200 bucks. Anyone out there have any experience or other ideas to keep cool this summer. There has to be a reason I am not seeing this set up on trucks.
     
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  3. 66truck

    66truck Light Load Member

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    I'm getting ready to do the same thing, what type of a/c unit are you going to use? I was going to put an RV rooftop unit on mine.
     
  4. noguns3

    noguns3 Light Load Member

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    Still pricing ac units, but can't do the rv one on my truck. In theory our idea should work, but have you seen it on many trucks?
     
  5. 66truck

    66truck Light Load Member

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    I have seen pics of a few on here and read of other people doing it , do a search through the apu threads,I think you will find something there , I don't see any reason it can't be done.
     
  6. SHO-TYME

    SHO-TYME Road Train Member

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    Before you go and buy a roof top AC, Call Pat at Nashville Coach in Nashville 615-425-2410, he can tell you the right AC unit to use, some aren't designed for the vibration on the road. Some units also have heating coils in them. Also, make sure the generator you buy will be big enough to handle the AC. Also, set it up so if you get somewhere with shore power, you can plug into that and save your generator for when you need it.
     
    Baack Thanks this.
  7. Svoray

    Svoray Medium Load Member

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    I'm not sure who makes it but I saw a self contained unit mounted on the side of a sand truck. It was the smallest diesel motor and AC compressor I've seen. I asked the guy about it and he said it was supposed to save money by running it when you're parked and shutting off the tractor engine. It was a pretty cool set up...even had a slide cover for it.
     
  8. High Desert Dweller

    High Desert Dweller Medium Load Member

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    Bingo. Window mounted A/C units and small gasoline generators are designed to be stationary. Won't hold up to over-the-road wear and tear. Besides that, you have to deal with the logistics of buying gas every time you shut down for a 10-hour. Add the potential of a fire hazard, and it's just not worth the risk.
     
  9. Svoray

    Svoray Medium Load Member

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  10. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    There are several threads on here about guys doing this with pics. Some have perminant mounts and others strap them down and put them on the ground when they run them. Last time thru WV they had an inspection day going with 15 or so troopers. They would not let guys roll that did not have them perminantly mounted. Gave a guy two ubolts off my cat walk so he could mount his and get rolling. They said it was state law or something. I think a boss man got a bug in his butt about them.
     
  11. Bigray

    Bigray Road Train Member

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    i have a portable gen. on my truck and i use a window a/c to stay cool, 1 year down everything is still working.

    i have pic's posted on TTR in some other thread of same ref.
     
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