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04-22-2014, 02:30 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: .
Posts: 580
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I guess this qualifies as a mod...winch fixture for generator.
When we bought our new fifth wheel (Jayco Eagle 351RLTS), it was with the idea that we would keep it for a very long time. I wanted to also get a generator that would match the fifth wheel. I didn't want to have a generator that I would have to "manage." I wanted to have one that would run everything in the camper, including both A/C units, simultaneously, if needed. The decision was made to buy the Honda EU6500iS.
The only drawback to the EU6500iS is it's size and weight. Moving it around on the ground is no problem, as it has wheels and handles. Transporting it from place to place can be the problem, because it's bulk makes it hard to load. I wasn't going to let this keep me from having the generator I wanted to have. I ordered it with the determination that I would find a way to make it work.
My two main requirements were that the generator be secure while being transported, and that it could be loaded and unloaded by one person. I initially thought about building some kind of cargo tray on the back of the fifth wheel, but dismissed that quickly. It wouldn't be very secure, and I really didn't want all that weight hanging back there. The decision was made that it had to be transported in the basement of the fifth wheel.
My initial plan was to just use some ramps and push it up into the basement. After getting the generator assembled and pushing it around in the shop, I realized this wouldn't work. The generator was simply too heavy for one person to push up an incline. I hurt my back loading previous generator in the back of the truck, and I didn't want that to happen again.
So this is what I came up with. I built this winch fixture to both load and secure the generator in the basement. All of the steel is stuff I just had laying around. The 2"x3"x.120" wall square tubing absorbs most of the forces exerted by the winch while loading. It is butted up against the sidewall by the basement door. The 11 gauge 1" square tubing is really just there to keep the winch a specified distance from the 2x3, but it also serves as a guide for the generator wheels. The 14 gauge .75" cross member serves as a wheel stop for the generator.
The 1700 pound Warn winch is more than enough for the generator. It is from Tractor Supply, as are the ramps. I paid less than $200 for the winch and ramps. I extended the winch's battery leads with a set of ATV jumper cables from O'Reilly's. I just connect those to the camper's battery when I need to use the winch. The entire fixture is connected to the crossmembers beneath the basement floor with four #14 self-tapping sheet metal screws. I contacted Jayco to find out the material and direction of those crossmembers. After getting that info, it was just a matter of measuring and putting my mounting tabs in line with existing floor screws. In the interest of longevity, I had the fixture powder coated. That was $65.
I've used the finished product on one trip earlier this month. So far, so good.
I hope I upload these pictures correctly. I believe they are self-explanatory.
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04-22-2014, 02:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: .
Posts: 580
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More pics. One thing I want to get done is to build some kind of trolley for the back feet of the generator. Right now, I have to hold the feet up off the ramp while the winch pulls the generator up.
I carry the ramps in the back of the truck.
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04-22-2014, 05:06 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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Yep, that's a Mod...., and one that save's the back!! Looks like it worked out well and fits nicely in the basement.
The genny I have weighs in at 75lbs, and I only move it around when absolutely necessary.
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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04-22-2014, 05:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kalamazoo, West Michigan
Posts: 1,817
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I like it!! Nice job.
__________________
2006 23B Hybrid with 10k round bar WDH
2011 F150 4x4 SCREW Ecoboost, Max Tow, Integrated TBC, 3.73 LS axle, Firestone Ride Rite airbags.
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04-22-2014, 06:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 6,818
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Anything welded is a mod
Nice work!
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04-22-2014, 06:46 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
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Really nice job Tex
__________________
Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
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04-22-2014, 07:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Regina SK Canada
Posts: 634
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Well done!
__________________
2013 Jayco Flight 33RLDS ( Parking this at seasonal site)
2013 F150 EXL Screw 5.0 4x4 3:55 locking ( not towing the above trailer with this truck)
Spending my children's inheritances on my toys!
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04-23-2014, 07:31 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Battle Creek
Posts: 50
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Awesome Mod - I'm jealous Right now I have the EU3000is (23.3A output) and would love to upgrade to the EU6500is, but alas $$$$ are ruling at this point.
Your pictures show the loading process very well, but I'm curious how this system works during the "unloading" phase?? I can see using the winch to "hold and lower" the genset once its on the ramps, but how do you initially get the heavy genset back up over the lip of the basement door?
__________________
2005 Ford Excursion (4x4 Limited, 6.8L V-10 Gas, 3.73 Axle Ratio, E-rated Tires)
2013 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS (Outside Kitchen, Hide-A-Bed, 15k A/C, 50A Service)
Husky Centerline WDH (1400#)
Honda EU3000is
DW, DD x 2 (10 y/o twins), DS x 2 (8 & 6 y/o), and "Oscar" the Weiner Dog
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04-23-2014, 11:22 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: .
Posts: 580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtbreeves
Awesome Mod - I'm jealous Right now I have the EU3000is (23.3A output) and would love to upgrade to the EU6500is, but alas $$$$ are ruling at this point.
Your pictures show the loading process very well, but I'm curious how this system works during the "unloading" phase?? I can see using the winch to "hold and lower" the genset once its on the ramps, but how do you initially get the heavy genset back up over the lip of the basement door?
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I've got a couple of little short ramps from that 2x3 down to the basement floor. They are 3/16" plate, about 3 inches wide, and perhaps 6 inches long. The pictures may not show them very well.
When unloading, I have let out some slack in the winch cable, and then manually pull the generator up those little ramps until the wheels reach the highest point. It hasn't proven to be very hard to do.
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04-23-2014, 11:36 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: .
Posts: 580
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You can see those little ramps in the second picture on the first post.
BTW, we bought our generator last October from Max Tool in California. They had the best price I could find anywhere, including Wise Sales. It was $3789. I just checked and that is still their price. No tax and free shipping. It was a pleasant transaction.
We put it on one of those 0% credit cards and took our time about paying it off. We just got it paid for last week and cancelled the card.
I really tried to buy the generator locally. I checked with several area Honda dealers, and they all quoted me something in the neighborhood of $4500, plus our 8.25% sales tax. Sorry, but that's just too much of a price difference for me to ignore the better deal.
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04-28-2014, 05:09 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Aldergrove British Columbia
Posts: 815
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Wow what a great mod. I don't think I've seen anything like this before. I like the thought process you explained in the write up. I like to approach things in a similar manner. Thanks for sharing
__________________
Richard
2011 Jay Feather Select 28U
2007 Silverado Crewcab LT 6.0L
Happily married and father of
two university students.
Cancer survivor
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02-15-2016, 03:54 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Devils Lake, ND
Posts: 41
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I think you just saved me $1200. I was going to add the generator option to our NP375BHFS but after seeing this I'm gettin the Honda EU7000i. Thanks!
__________________
2018 Jayco Talon 413T
2017 Ford F-350 FX4 6.7l 3.55 CCLBSRW
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02-15-2016, 05:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: .
Posts: 580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TDMZKTAGratton
I think you just saved me $1200. I was going to add the generator option to our NP375BHFS but after seeing this I'm gettin the Honda EU7000i. Thanks!
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Cool, thanks for the kind words.
Be sure to measure the height of the EU7000i and your basement door opening. It was close on mine.
I'd love to have the EU7000i....the new and improved version of the EU6500i with fuel injection. Let me know how that works out for you. I'm up to 600 hours on my EU6500i with ZERO issues. I change the oil in it every 100 hours and use only Mobil 1. I put about 100 hours on it at every Nascar weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.
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02-15-2016, 06:56 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Devils Lake, ND
Posts: 41
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I like the idea of the "stock" generator from the factory and it being self contained. I like the idea of fuel injection even more. The dealer I ordered mine from has another on the lot. I called earlier and requested they go out and measure the opening before I commit to the Honda. I should hear back from him tomorrow... Keeping my fingers crossed!
__________________
2018 Jayco Talon 413T
2017 Ford F-350 FX4 6.7l 3.55 CCLBSRW
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02-19-2016, 07:32 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Devils Lake, ND
Posts: 41
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If I take out the tray, it should fit... The opening is 29" and the height of the generator is 28.4".
__________________
2018 Jayco Talon 413T
2017 Ford F-350 FX4 6.7l 3.55 CCLBSRW
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