I have a heavy problem. I need to a way to lift my 3KVa generator onto the vehicle. I can do it at a struggle but am concerned that I might do in a rotator cuff or worse. All of the lifting aids available through "lifting specialists" are a frightening price. Anyone else had this problem?
Regards
Snala
Peter_n_Margaret said
12:06 PM Mar 22, 2018
Leave the generator home.....
Cheers,
Peter
Aus-Kiwi said
12:10 PM Mar 22, 2018
Can you make a ramp ? 35kg is not super heavy . Just need good positioning where two or more can fit . Or some kind of block and tackle ( winch) to assist ?
Snala said
12:23 PM Mar 22, 2018
We do that except when on longer trips so that we can keep batteries charged when no sun. Should have bought a smaller gennie I know but thought it would be good to run air con on super hot days. Maybe not out best decision. Stay home in really hot weather.
Snala said
12:25 PM Mar 22, 2018
Thanks
Have contemplated that. It may yet be the best answer.
Dougwe said
12:43 PM Mar 22, 2018
Welcome to the gang Snala, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Not knowing your den or Tug, is it possible to rig up a slide mount and just slide it out and use it on the slide when needed?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
mezza56 said
02:09 PM Mar 22, 2018
Whats it look like and where are you trying to place it , add pics , maybe then someone may be able to help with an idea, otherwise its the blind leading the blind( no offence to blind persons )
Aus-Kiwi said
02:32 PM Mar 22, 2018
Can it be fitted more permanently? In a more soundproof place ? Our built in 5 Kv Onan is VERY QUIET ..
Snala said
03:39 PM Mar 22, 2018
We have a 2003 Majestic Grande Tourer Off Road so no outside access cupboards to put gennie in. We have a couple of bins on the rear bumper so could mount the unit in place of one of these and still clear the rear lights. Issue is two fold. Gennie is 16Kg heavier than the loaded bin and the height above the centre of the axle is 60cm. I need to maintain a minimum 180Kg at the tow ball so how do I calculate the effect on tow ball by adding 16Kg to rear of van? Then my issue will be to ensure that I can keep at least 180 on the ball. I have the payload available to add the gennie so that is not a problem.
Regards
Snala
Snala said
03:41 PM Mar 22, 2018
We have a Mitsi Challenger PC as tug so it is not ideal to carry inside the tug. See Aus Kiwi re van details.
Snala
Aussie1 said
03:56 PM Mar 22, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Leave the generator home.....
Cheers, Peter
What an absolutely absurd idea. And just how long a cord would one require then. I have found most of your posts are usually reasonably helpful.
landy said
04:11 PM Mar 22, 2018
Aussie1 wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Leave the generator home.....
Cheers, Peter
What an absolutely absurd idea. And just how long a cord would one require then. I have found most of your posts are usually reasonably helpful.
It depends how far you want to go but I suspect quite a long one.
What an absolutely absurd idea. And just how long a cord would one require then. I have found most of your posts are usually reasonably helpful.
It depends how far you want to go but I suspect quite a long one.
May not find one in a store, but bound to be one on Ebay!
Snala said
04:56 PM Mar 22, 2018
We often spend 2 weeks hold up in one spot as Ikciv,s medical condition makes it difficult to move on. We have found that the Gennie allows us to stay even when the weather is not kind to the solar panels. Maybe we could get another battery but that's not what we did. I use the gennie for my woodwork hobby as well. So yes is absurd to leave it behind. Unlimited funds would help to get a larger bank if lithium's but just not the funds available.
Possum3 said
05:13 PM Mar 22, 2018
Tong manufacture a generator box that allows Generator to be run without removing it from box which can be mounted on Draw Bar or Rear Bumper of van (Weight Permitting) www.tongbox.com.au/generator-boxes/
Aussie1 said
05:16 PM Mar 22, 2018
Snala wrote:
We often spend 2 weeks hold up in one spot as Ikciv,s medical condition makes it difficult to move on. We have found that the Gennie allows us to stay even when the weather is not kind to the solar panels. Maybe we could get another battery but that's not what we did. I use the gennie for my woodwork hobby as well. So yes is absurd to leave it behind. Unlimited funds would help to get a larger bank if lithium's but just not the funds available.
And to add to your comment snala, at the end of the day it is YOUR choice. Enjoy your travels (and Genny of course).
BAZZA44 said
05:27 PM Mar 22, 2018
From looking at the photos, I would say that you already have way too much on the back without adding to it.
There is a spare wheel plus loaded jerry can, plus box with unknown weight, plus pole carrier. The bumper brackets were never designed to take this weight unless you have strengthened them.
I am sorry but in my opinion this van is already unsafe to tow without adding more to the back. The pendulum effect will eventually break something or throw the van sideways.
Barry
Mike Harding said
05:35 PM Mar 22, 2018
I think there are two basic questions here:
1 - Do you *really* need a 3kVA generator all the time? 2 - Do you need one occasionally?
If 1 applies then you must either find a way to secure it in a location where it can operate without requiring being moved. Where that may be depends very much upon your setup. An exhaust extension may be useful?
If you don't then sell it and buy a smaller gen.
If 2 applies consider selling the 3kVA and buying two Honda generators which may be run in parallel - expensive.
Or buy a $300 1kW e-bay gen for battery charging and live with lugging the 3kVA unit around when you have to.
And/or buy a $100 block and tackle (Supercheap) and use that to lift the 3kVA unit.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Thursday 22nd of March 2018 05:36:15 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
06:18 PM Mar 22, 2018
Needs to be fitted between draw bar and axle for good weight distribution. Sheesh good luck . Thought of fitting a BIG seperate alternator to tug ?? Btw you can work out the weight on draw bar roughly . If itās half way between axle and tow bar . Itās half the weight . 35kg for instance would be 17.5 kg on the ball .
KevinC said
06:32 PM Mar 22, 2018
Bypassing all the negative judgements, and back to the original problem, if the box was removed from the back and the frame that it sits in was left there, then maybe a ramp could be used. A bit like the ones parts stores sell for loading motorbikes onto trailers. A boat winch at the end closest the spare wheel could provide the muscle to get the generator up the slope. I don't think a chain block would work because of the need for a skyhook to sling it from. Of course you'd need a cover for the generator ... maybe a canvas one could be made to suit. Depending how handy you are, this could be relatively cheap to do, but at the end of the day it still bay be simpler to get a small genie.
My generator is a 3.7 unit which will run a welder. I only ever take it to one particular camp and it's a total pain in the a... to lift it. That said it runs the aircon with ease and I'll be damned if anyone will ever convince me I shouldn't use it. Should I ever need to carry one full time it would be a smaller unit.
Good luck with finding your solution.
PeterInSa said
06:44 PM Mar 22, 2018
Snala, Sent you a PM
Peter
Snala said
06:45 PM Mar 22, 2018
Thanks for that. We use it for the Air con too (under bed Truma) Also useful for heating heat bags when Ikciv's pain gets too bad. Bu...ered if this is going to stop us from seeing all the parts of the country we haven't yet seen. Only got another 10 years before my 80s take over and then I will have to consider slowing up a bit. One of the few skills I don't have in DIY is welding ... mores the pity, but the local men's shed does have the skills so I will ask them to help me get the thing onto the rear bumper.
Snala said
06:47 PM Mar 22, 2018
Thanks Aus Kiwi from this Aus Kiwi.
Snala said
06:52 PM Mar 22, 2018
Much food for thought thanks Mike. Swapping for in investing in a smaller one is on my radar. I chose the 3kva to run air con/microwave in the van and use at home to run my woodworking tools as I do not have power to the shed. and it would cost nearly as much as the caravan to connect as it is about 400m from the house.
Snala said
07:18 PM Mar 22, 2018
Thanks Barry for your comments and I am aware of the pitfalls of overloading the rear. Structure of rear bumper and tyre carrier is same as A frame so very strong.
Pole carrier has 2.1kg of poles only. I weigh everything that goes into the setup and it is recorded on a spreadsheet that calculates if payload is met or not. Tyre at rear is original to the van but boxes have been added. 20 lt water carried behind the tyre = 24kg Van tows brilliantly and is not effected by passing trucks etc. Service Company says that load as set up is no problem as long as I am careful to ensure weight on tow ball is not less than minimum stated. I check weight on tow ball before leaving every day and make positional adjustments to loose load as needed. Have tie down points in van so load cannot move.
oldbloke said
07:59 PM Mar 22, 2018
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Can it be fitted more permanently? In a more soundproof place ? Our built in 5 Kv Onan is VERY QUIET ..
This would seem the best option to me.
yobarr said
08:12 PM Mar 22, 2018
mezza56 wrote:
Whats it look like and where are you trying to place it , add pics , maybe then someone may be able to help with an idea, otherwise its the blind leading the blind( no offence to blind persons )
No chance of offending blind persons..... they wouldnt be able to read your post anyway!
Phillipn said
09:32 PM Mar 22, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Leave the generator home.....
Cheers, Peter
That does not answer the question asked.
Tony Bev said
11:26 PM Mar 25, 2018
Yes Snala, 35 kilograms is a fair weight to lift, and none of us are getting any younger
A suggestion (if applicable to your situation)
If you can fit it in your towing vehicle - you could always ask others to help you remove it, and replace it when you are leaving the camp
I am sure that I, and many others would assist, if we were asked
Hi all
I am new to this forum.
I have a heavy problem. I need to a way to lift my 3KVa generator onto the vehicle. I can do it at a struggle but am concerned that I might do in a rotator cuff or worse. All of the lifting aids available through "lifting specialists" are a frightening price. Anyone else had this problem?
Regards
Snala
Cheers,
Peter
We do that except when on longer trips so that we can keep batteries charged when no sun. Should have bought a smaller gennie I know but thought it would be good to run air con on super hot days. Maybe not out best decision. Stay home in really hot weather.
Thanks
Have contemplated that. It may yet be the best answer.
Welcome to the gang Snala, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Not knowing your den or Tug, is it possible to rig up a slide mount and just slide it out and use it on the slide when needed?
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Whats it look like and where are you trying to place it , add pics , maybe then someone may be able to help with an idea, otherwise its the blind leading the blind( no offence to blind persons )
We have a 2003 Majestic Grande Tourer Off Road so no outside access cupboards to put gennie in. We have a couple of bins on the rear bumper so could mount the unit in place of one of these and still clear the rear lights. Issue is two fold. Gennie is 16Kg heavier than the loaded bin and the height above the centre of the axle is 60cm. I need to maintain a minimum 180Kg at the tow ball so how do I calculate the effect on tow ball by adding 16Kg to rear of van? Then my issue will be to ensure that I can keep at least 180 on the ball. I have the payload available to add the gennie so that is not a problem.
Regards
Snala
We have a Mitsi Challenger PC as tug so it is not ideal to carry inside the tug. See Aus Kiwi re van details.
Snala
What an absolutely absurd idea. And just how long a cord would one require then. I have found most of your posts are usually reasonably helpful.
It depends how far you want to go but I suspect quite a long one.
Thanks
Pics attached
May not find one in a store, but bound to be one on Ebay!
We often spend 2 weeks hold up in one spot as Ikciv,s medical condition makes it difficult to move on. We have found that the Gennie allows us to stay even when the weather is not kind to the solar panels. Maybe we could get another battery but that's not what we did. I use the gennie for my woodwork hobby as well. So yes is absurd to leave it behind. Unlimited funds would help to get a larger bank if lithium's but just not the funds available.
And to add to your comment snala, at the end of the day it is YOUR choice. Enjoy your travels (and Genny of course).
There is a spare wheel plus loaded jerry can, plus box with unknown weight, plus pole carrier. The bumper brackets were never designed to take this weight unless you have strengthened them.
I am sorry but in my opinion this van is already unsafe to tow without adding more to the back. The pendulum effect will eventually break something or throw the van sideways.
Barry
I think there are two basic questions here:
1 - Do you *really* need a 3kVA generator all the time?
2 - Do you need one occasionally?
If 1 applies then you must either find a way to secure it in a
location where it can operate without requiring being moved. Where
that may be depends very much upon your setup. An exhaust extension
may be useful?
If you don't then sell it and buy a smaller gen.
If 2 applies consider selling the 3kVA and buying two Honda
generators which may be run in parallel - expensive.
Or buy a $300 1kW e-bay gen for battery charging and live with
lugging the 3kVA unit around when you have to.
And/or buy a $100 block and tackle (Supercheap) and use that to lift the
3kVA unit.
-- Edited by Mike Harding on Thursday 22nd of March 2018 05:36:15 PM
My generator is a 3.7 unit which will run a welder. I only ever take it to one particular camp and it's a total pain in the a... to lift it. That said it runs the aircon with ease and I'll be damned if anyone will ever convince me I shouldn't use it. Should I ever need to carry one full time it would be a smaller unit.
Good luck with finding your solution.
Peter
Thanks for that. We use it for the Air con too (under bed Truma) Also useful for heating heat bags when Ikciv's pain gets too bad. Bu...ered if this is going to stop us from seeing all the parts of the country we haven't yet seen. Only got another 10 years before my 80s take over and then I will have to consider slowing up a bit. One of the few skills I don't have in DIY is welding ... mores the pity, but the local men's shed does have the skills so I will ask them to help me get the thing onto the rear bumper.
Thanks Aus Kiwi from this Aus Kiwi.
Much food for thought thanks Mike. Swapping for in investing in a smaller one is on my radar. I chose the 3kva to run air con/microwave in the van and use at home to run my woodworking tools as I do not have power to the shed. and it would cost nearly as much as the caravan to connect as it is about 400m from the house.
Thanks Barry for your comments and I am aware of the pitfalls of overloading the rear. Structure of rear bumper and tyre carrier is same as A frame so very strong.
Pole carrier has 2.1kg of poles only. I weigh everything that goes into the setup and it is recorded on a spreadsheet that calculates if payload is met or not. Tyre at rear is original to the van but boxes have been added. 20 lt water carried behind the tyre = 24kg Van tows brilliantly and is not effected by passing trucks etc. Service Company says that load as set up is no problem as long as I am careful to ensure weight on tow ball is not less than minimum stated. I check weight on tow ball before leaving every day and make positional adjustments to loose load as needed. Have tie down points in van so load cannot move.
This would seem the best option to me.
No chance of offending blind persons..... they wouldnt be able to read your post anyway!
That does not answer the question asked.
A suggestion (if applicable to your situation)
If you can fit it in your towing vehicle - you could always ask others to help you remove it, and replace it when you are leaving the camp
I am sure that I, and many others would assist, if we were asked
Some strong young male backpackers come to mind