I was thinking this over for about a week now..Id really like to have a genrator on my truck..I will buying a travel trailer soon and am gonna buy a smaller one for that.But i was also thinking of buying just the gen part and maybe running it off the pto under the truck. This would be handy for times when im needing to work and use power tools. I wont be taking the trailer all the time so bringing a genarator with me would be a bear.My rig is gonna barely fit onto my trucks deck.So im thinking something like this running of the pto to run my 200v mig and powertools at the camp.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_36914_36914

Then for the travel trailer just get a cheaper portable unit. I can find them used easy..Anything big like spot lamps and welding i could run the truck to use the bigger unit.

My question is how hard is it to get the pto unit and get it running..Ive never worked on one so i know little about them. Im guessing its just a unit that bolts to the side of the tranny and then engages and disengages with a cable or lever..The output runs to a shaft and then to the tool?

An alternative would be finding a diesel powered generator and mounting that under the rear section of the truck..Run it off the trucks fuel tank and use it for both the trailer and my big power needs..Either way id like to keep both at under 2 grand and keep my truck weight down..I only have about 8k lbs to spare to stay legal.

what do you guys think

What kind of truck is this? What transmission? What year?

sorry bout the brain fart.. its the uhual s1600 international in my avatar.. its a 5 speed tranny with two spot for a pto unit iirc.

you wouldn't happen to know the make and model of the transmission would you?

spicer cm4054A tranny i believe.


I thought about the pto thing too, but, i'd hate to put the hours on my truck to run a generator. i'd just have a stand alone generator personally.

Assuming you get the output shaft spinning on a PTO unit and manage to mount a genset alternator, the only technical hurdle would be getting the right RPMs to make the generator head unit put out 60 Hz power. Some electronic stuff with brainboards can get weird real fast if you start sending it 25 or 100 Hz power from a grossly incorrect generator speed.

Sounds like a lot more work than it's worth to me.

Big ass alternator-------->batteries (to smooth things out)--------->big ass inverter.

This solves the frequency issue. Aside from a very few drill chargers I haven't seen anything short of a laser print freak out with modified sine wave power. This route could very easily be cheaper than a generator head. You can get a massive 24 volt alternator for cheap off eBay along with 24 volt inverters. 24 volts means half the current necessary to create the watts you need making the system more efficient.

I had looked into doing this on my Dodge a while back and the cost of the PTO unit for the tranny was the biggest issue and turnoff to me. I want to say it was around $1500 :eek: for the pto unit but don't quote me on that. I forgot the site that had them.

Edit, found this site but doesn't help with prices.
http://www.sandstruck.com/tables/index.htm

An alternative would be finding a diesel powered generator and mounting that under the rear section of the truck..Run it off the trucks fuel tank and use it for both the trailer and my big power needs..

I'd go this route. Likely end up being more efficient than running the truck engine and all.

I would buy a nice quiet Honda or the like. Diesel generators bring the suck for noise, especially small ones that aren't in an insulated cabinet. Your fellow campers and wheelers will also appreciate it too.
Travis..

I would buy a nice quiet Honda or the like. Diesel generators bring the suck for noise, especially small ones that aren't in an insulated cabinet. Your fellow campers and wheelers will also appreciate it too.
Travis..

X2 It is amazing how incredibly quiet those are!!! They must have had engineers specifically assinged to making the thing quiet lol

I bought a Yamaha 3000W inverter generator ($2K:eek:) that is unbelievably quiet and easily runs my 110V Hobart welder. It can also power my camper A/C. Love it!
The downside is no 220V power. :homer:

yeah i stopped at a drivetrain shop today and he steered me saway from the pto generator..I guess it makes more sesne to save it for something like a winch..

I think im gonna hold out to look for a cheap diesel generator for the truck..I dont have long money for a honda for the camper when i get it but it will have a seperate unit if the diesel one cant be made quiet from some insulated panels under the truck..

I have an inverter now in my work van that runs up to like 10 amps..So i may put that in the truck being as my new grinder runs at 14 amps.lol..Its super overkill to keep my drill charger and laptop running all day..I have a smallish 400 watter for that to install.