generator on swivel/slide-out (REDUX)

[working on it]

* Here was the way I had done it previously, but it was not as sturdy as I needed...the mount failed.

I built a swivel/slide-out platform for my Honda/Craftsman 2500 watt generator (about 65 lbs). The genny is mounted on a "lazy susan" riding on three 35 lb drawer slides; it pulls out of the trailer, swivels to point the exhaust away from the galley/storage area, and sits on a metal brace for added stability. No photos of it in operation, though tested in the garage (haven't used it in the wild yet)...

* I pulled the genny out at home, to test-run before my latest camping trip. I then tripped over a nearby ladder, and inadvertently contacted and bent the slides. Later, when I was at camp, I was demonstrating the operation to a fellow camper, and pulled it completely off its' tracks. I put in back in place, but it would never work the same again (actually bounced off the tracks again, on the drive home)...so, I rebuilt it today.

* I used Blum Tandem Plus undermount drawer slides (rated at 100lbs), from Rockler, to replace the 3x35lbs slides that broke (cheap HD slides). I thought that the new Blums wouldn't be sturdy enough, compared to the higher rated trio, but actually the set (2 pieces) are much stronger than I had expected, and roll smoother, also. I built a new plywood baseplate, mounted the existing pair of wooden plates (the turntable mechanism, still intact) to it, and attached the upgraded assembly to the new slides (which I previously, and painstakingly, fitted/mounted to the floor of my "galley"). Not easy, as the whole thing was about 85 lbs (not the 65 lbs I had thought it was), and at arm's length.

* Here's pics of the new set-up, which works ever-so-better than the first one. I'll also re-engineer my stabilizer brace, to better withstand incidental contact (as when tripping over a ladder!). As usual, I'm living up (or down) to my username/avatar/credo..."work on it, camp, work on it some more".

• stowed position
• t-pin locks it in place
• pulled straight out, not turned
• close-up of generator
• turned to side
• at full extension, ready to run
• note: 12"+, exhaust port clearance from sidewall
• underside view of Blum slides

[working on it]

I'll also re-engineer my stabilizer brace, to better withstand incidental contact (as when tripping over a ladder!).

* Looking over parts that I had bought, but ended up not using on the trailer, I found a "barrel bolt" and a "cane bolt" amongst them. I used the receiver piece from the barrel bolt, and all of the cane bolt set. The bolt receiver became the support's mount, the cane bolt became the removable support bar, and the brackets to the cane bolt now hold it on the sidewall, when stowed away.

parts used for genny support.jpg (37.48 KiB) Viewed 799 times

support bar mount bracket.jpg (45.12 KiB) Viewed 799 times

support bar in use position.jpg (59.37 KiB) Viewed 799 times

* The cane bolt fits the barrel bolt receiver perfectly, and the generator slide-out is a friction-fit on top of it. Easy to assemble, easy to use, easy to stow away for travel. Money already spent = free parts now! I'll paint the zinc bracket and TEK screws black, to match.

[bbrider]

Sometimes the fix is simple, even better when it's free and simple. Great job!

You said your brackets failed. Did you replace the slide brackets too?

[working on it]

* I used Blum Tandem Plus undermount drawer slides (rated at 100lbs), from Rockler, to replace the 3x35lbs slides that broke (cheap HD slides). I chose the 21-incher set, and used a hitch pin to lock it closed, instead of the Blum slide-locks.