generator mounted on the front of a food truck VS the back bumper...

What are you thoughts on this? I have a HUGE front bumper with two poles on it that will allow room for my generator vs modifiying my back bumper to attach it there.  Is there a real diff where it should go ? My serving window is towards the back of the truck.

Dog,
I have been struggling with this question for months. I even have considered a small pull behind trailer that could be hand wheeled some short distance from the truck when parked.
 
One other thought I have had is to front or back mount and run the generator exhaust into the truck exhaust system to help keep the noisy level down. I'm not sure what effect the length of the generator exhaust system (exhaust pipe) may have if any on the generator. And frankly I have not found anyone here in town that has any solid knowledge on this topic. Lorna may have some links from here favorite RV groups. Please post what you learn, try, or your success so the rest of us may learn.

i was thinking if I mount it to the front and run a short pipe under the truck to extend the exhaust, if that would make it quieter or if the engine alone since it is just a 420 cc 16 hp engine. I imagine it's a 4 stroke and not entirely annoyingly loud. Lol

Something to consider is WHERE the exhaust will go & discharge...remember that it contains lethal CO (Carbon Monoxide) ... which you don't want even a little bit entering your enclosed spaces...(CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless)
 
I like the idea of the small trailer for it...make sure the wire size is adequate for the load versus the distance of the wire run...IF in doubt you might want to buy 12 AWG "contractors cords" with twist lock connectors...
 
IF you live in a state that has SMOG requirements for motor vehicles, you might end up voiding your DMV certification if you modify the stock exhaust system by tapping into it (every RV I've seen on the west coast has a separate exhaust for the built in genny)...
 
A local caterer in my area has a medium sized trailer, with generous hitch tongue length, and they mounted a genny on the tongue in a VERY nice looking "diamond plate" metal box which protects it from weather and stupid humans...I think the genny is a Honda gasoline 4 stroke at 3,500 to 5,000 watts...(I'd avoid a smelly diesel fueled genny)

you really do sound like a misguided school teacher....and you think we are all 5 years old.....
 
please just stop

did i miss something ?

BackAlleyBurger


you really do sound like a misguided school teacher....and you think we are all 5 years old.....

please just stop

 
GREAT POST!

There is something to consider when you start to change out the exhaust systems on the generator motor. Most of the motors are designed to operate only with the exhaust system they come with. Has something to do with the amount of back pressure to the motor. I have been told by several small engine shops that if you change the exhaust system, unless there is an O.E.M. equivalent that you will drastically shorten your engine life. I have a large Generac that supplies over 50 amps, but the darn thing is so nosy even 75’ away from my trailer it is still loud. If I have to use it I will leave it on the back of my truck and try to park the truck behind something else. I decided to bite the bullet and look for a Honda. Because I operate a trailer I will have to mount it on the tongue but would prefer to mount it on the rear away from oncoming elements.

BackAlleyBurger
      you really do sound like a misguided school teacher....and you think we are all 5 years old.....    please just stop     

 
Bite me...!!!
 
You seem to feel it is your God appointed duty to jump on me...and you sound like a very cranky type person...
 
Only a very INsecure person would take offense and accuse me of treating somebody as a five year old...
 
The entire reason I try to give a "heads up", and safety warnings is that MANY people jump into things without full knowledge of their consequences...such as voiding a cars smog system (which may or maynot apply where you live, it's possible you don't have smog safety inspections in your state)...
 
How many times have we heard of somebody trying to kludge something together...???  Lots...!!!
 
How many times have we heard of somebody gassing themselves with carbon monoxide...???
 
IF you already know these things, great...if you don't know these things then somebody has to mention it...not all DIY folks think these things out...and that's what I'm addressing...the idiots that would unknowingly create a potentially lethal hazard...
Do you have a problem with that...???
 
We ALL start on the same end of the learning curve...including YOU...people are not born with knowledge, it has to be learned...or are you the rare exception...???
 
Chill out and take your meds...

JODY...
 
Honda's are good genny's...
 
One thing I'd suggest...buy a spare regulator spring...it's a very thin coil spring about 10" long (or so) and it goes between the throttle linkage and the regulator vane near the flywheel...once it breaks, the genny will not go faster than an idle...and of course it will break when you least expect it, and IF you don't have a spare, you're SOL...mine seem to last about 2 years, depending on how often the genny is used...it;s a thin, fragile spring...DeWalt genny's with Honda engines use the same spring...(I learned my lesson a few winters ago when the grid power was out for about a week and the genny was the only power source I had)...
 
Just a heads up that I learned along the way...
 

I've seen them on the front and the back.   No comment as to which is better, and if front end or rear end collisions are more common.  One I like a lot was on the front and tied in to the vans gas line.  Not sure about the exhaust system.
 
The funny think was they showed up at an event and the gen would not work, even though it worked fine earlier.  Turns out the van needs 1/4 tank or more of gas for the gen to work.

I struggled with this question and one thing I didn't want was the noise of the generator to bother my customers and I didn't want the noise and vibration bothering me all day long either. I ended up mounting a cargo carrier with a fold down ramp on the rear trailer hitch receiver. When I set up I roll the generator off and put it at the front driver's side corner of the truck on the ground. (Truck has exterior receptacle for generator cable).  My serving window is toward the rear on the passenger side.  Noise is minimal at the serving window  and hardly noticable in the truck.
It adds just a minute or two to set up vs. leaving the generator on the rig.
Here is a picture of the carrier with the generator on it:
 
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcd...2_482888_3800171_n.jpg

Not sure, but I think most RVs are set up that way too so you don't get stranded......

Rootsman
I've seen them on the front and the back.   No comment as to which is better, and if front end or rear end collisions are more common.  One I like a lot was on the front and tied in to the vans gas line.  Not sure about the exhaust system.
 The funny think was they showed up at an event and the gen would not work, even though it worked fine earlier.  Turns out the van needs 1/4 tank or more of gas for the gen to work.

 
yeppers, i already have the supply line for my genset gas installed in the new gas tank, you want to set it at about the 1/4 tank level or so, so you dont let the genny suck the tank dry and leave you stranded