I recently did the cheapo route, buying a honda generator and a portable air conditioner. Biggest problem is the generator runs out of fuel about every 5 hours. Saving oodles of money not idling the big engine on the truck though and sleeping much deeper.
I have the exact same setup. You can solve your "short run time" problem easy. Go to "vmsales [dot]com" and pick up a larger gas can. I bought the 3 gal one and that (plus the one gal the gen holds) will let you run the a/c all night and still have fuel left over. The 3 gal tank costs about $120 and pays for itself in a couple weeks. Easy to set up as well.
Make sure it is perm. mounted or in box as IL and couple other states are ready to pass laws about this. Strapping down anything with fuel in it will not pass soon. Couple accidents with stuff falling off earlier this year in IL.
Forget the gas for longer run times. There are propane conversion kits available for the EU2000i, Yamaha 2400is, and similar units. Cleaner fuel, mount a tank bracket to the frame rail, and it will run several times longer on a tank than using gasoline. Power output is the same. I know the Yamaha unit with the conversion is 50 state EPA legal including CARB. And it is a tri-fuel conversion that allows use of gasoline, Natural Gas, or Propane at the flip of a switch. And the unit warranty is not affected. When time to refill the tank, pull it off and walk over to the propane station at a Flying J and refill. Or in a pinch, could do the exchange thing at thousands of convenience stores and other locations. Easy to disconnect the hose and store the generator when not in use. You can also mount a larger removable tank than a 20# BBQ version. Mount a 43# and you can run generator every night for almost a week before you need to refill. Here is a link to Yamaha unit already converted: http://www.yamaha-propane-natural-gas-generators.com/ef2400is.htm And it is certified by Yamaha to start up and run those RV style roof mount AC units up to 13,500 BTU's.... even at 110F. These guys do propane APU's and have frame rail tank mounting brackets for commercial trucks: http://lifeforceapu.com/ These guys make a generator specific cargo box for Honda and Yamaha units: http://www.hayesequipment.com/hayes_products.htm
Only freight (goods pulled for hire) can be considered HazMat. The only beef they can have is if the cans are DOT approved and properly secured if carried outside the truck.
Not true. Use a pickup commercially and have 150 gallon tank in the bed of the truck for fuel, not moved for hire, but the truck is, you will receive a ticket for hazmat. It is limited to 119 gallons of diesel.
Dont think you offended anyone, just the too politically correct moderators that dont believe in free speach.
Small amounts of fuel for the operation or maintenance of a commercial motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment) may be designated as materials of trade (see 49 CFR 171.8 ). (a) The aggregate gross weight of all materials of trade on a motor vehicle may not exceed 200 kg (440 pounds). (b) Packaging for gasoline must be made of metal or plastic and conform to requirements of 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 178 or requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration contained in 29 CFR 1910.106. (c) For Packing Group II (including gasoline), Packing Group III (including aviation fuel and fuel oil), or ORM-D, the material is limited to 30 kg (66 pounds) or 30 L (8 gallons). (d) For diesel fuel, the capacity of the package is limited to 450 L (119 gallons). (e) A Division 2.1 material in a cylinder is limited to a gross weight of 100 kg (220 pounds). (A Division 2.1 material is a flammable gas, including liquefied petroleum gas, butane, propane, liquefied natural gas, and methane).
There is another thread on here where they have been discussing problems with the DOT on the catwalks.
