I recently replaced a short bed truck with a long bed truck to go with my short bed popup camper. I don't want to remove the wheels on the generator and store it in the camper like I use to when traveling. Since I have extra space in the back of the truck, I was thinking about leaving the tailgate down and chaining my generator to the tailgate. There will be room for 1/2 the generator to rest in the truckbed. Will this damage my tailgate? I guess I could put a thick sheet of plywood under the camper extending over the tailgate for reinforcement. Anyone see any issues here? I tow a 6000 horse trailer also, so I couldn't use something in the hitch receiver to carry the generator. Thanks
It will work but you might find that your tailgate is picking up quite a few rock dings. I would go with the plywood reinforcement you mentioned. With the tailgate down is there any chance of hitting it with the trailer during a tight turn? Another option you could look into would be a front mounted hitch basket.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
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I leave my tailgate on all the time. I have a rubber mat in the bed so the camper is about 1/2 inch higher but some of the weight of the camper rests on the tailgate. I've done it this way for some 20k happy camping miles. Early on I would check often for stone chips, frayed cables or other problems. I could shed a little weight by removing the gate but its a hassle and I like the extra support. The camper was designed to be used this way my cg is still forward. I am sure every truck is a little different but it works with my GMC.
Sure you can haul the generator on the tailgate. Just strap it down good so it doesn't take a leap off the back of the truck and you will be fine. Motorcycle webbing tie-down straps work good for this. I used to tie mine down that way. If you put mudflaps on the truck, then you'll not have issue with rocks chipping the paint on the tailgate when driving with the gate down.
The hitch-mounted carry method is also good. If you mount a hitch tube right to the generator cage, you can avoid tying it down and just insert it straight into the hitch, front or rear, take your pick, and use a locking hitch pin to assure it doesn't grow legs while you're away from the truck.
I didn't consider a front hitch as I thought it would not be safe to put a generator in front. A simple collision could result in a fire or worse. I just got the truck and haven't hooked up everything. I may need a hitch extension to prevent the trailer from hitting the tailgate when turning tightly. I will definitely get mud flaps to save the tailgate from chips.
Welcome to the forums john2step. First putting the generator on the front wouldn't start a fire unless you have gasoline in it. Worse case in an accident the generator would become part of the engine and you would be up #$@$ creek, but that's the least of your worries. All kidding aside, I would put the generator on a Front storage rack versus the tailgate, mainly because the only thing holding the tailgate to the truck is 2 pieces of sheetmetal and 2 cables. A front mounted Hitch is attached to the frame and will only fall off if you do some serious damage to it.
As for trailering, don't do it with the tailgate down unless you want to get a new one. I've seen too many people do it and have to swerve or turn too fast and crunch the tailgate. And with today's high cost of steel, you would probably have to pay big bucks to repair or replace it. not a good idea.
have fun and good luck
Matt
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
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