gen

I'm pretty sure this is a no-no.

 

I did see somone with a little Honda on the catwalk.

 

At my terminal (Sumner) we were told "nothing could be stored on the 5th wheel deck". So with that said, where will you keep the fuel and secure the genny if your terminal has a simular policy? Not trying to be a "naysayer" just food for thought.

 

Then you would also have to carry a chain (those little gens are worth $1000+ or so!!), an extension cable....and I'm sure someone might pass onto dispatch the truck number with a pic.....it only takes one...not to mention the CO dangers...

I would not chance it...but as an owner operator...it would be a cheap way to avoid getting a TRI-pack....

Have you thought of a sealed 12v battery that you could keep in the cab (deep cycle, not a car battery, Optima, and a few other company's make them), and recharge..I don't think that you could ever get enough amps to recharge it off a 12 lighter plug....but a pair of alligator clamps, and a few feet of wire would fix that!! The full set-up would weigh about the same as a Genny (about 50-60 lbs depending on the battery chosen)...can be stored in almost any position or location...inside would be preferred for temperature reasons, and they do not release hydrogen when they recharge...so that is OK....and you could just wire it up to your batts when you drive...then disconnect it for use...not a ton of power...and you don't want to use more than 75% of the change...but enough to run an small inverter to run a laptop, LCD TV, maybe a fan...and even some LED lights...no worries about running the truck batts down!! Deep Cycle batts hold much more power than cranking batts....they are commonly used on Boats, RV's and even some truck aux power systems (usually in banks using 6v golf cart batts...but these are usually flooded batts...and perform on a lower level...but they are cheaper...).
It might be safer job wise...and cheaper!!

 

My Volvo has 4 dual purpose batteries. They last a long time when they are in good shape.

The big overhead light in my cab kills the quick. Computer? Probably run it all night.

 

LED bulbs are now so cheap, and available....there is nor reason not to toss one in (it would cut power usage by 75-90&#37...the better ones have good light...the cheaper ones are kinda cool/ghostly light...just like with an inverter, you get what you pay-for... a cheap low efficiency inverter costs you not only run-time, but also with their typically short life...so buy quality!!
I think you could put the entire thing in a milk-crate type of box...just like the way slip-seat/truck sharing drivers do with their CB's+radio's.
It might make life just livable enough, and keep you idle down low enough to keep getting the bonus!!

 

Im sure theres a 1000or 1500w generator you could fit in the side compartment of the volvos i know there big enough......just a thought....i know ill have my inverters when i start back with Swift soon