Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Generator gas towing

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Generator gas towing

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10605
Printed Date: 30 Jun 2025 at 9:00pm
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Topic: Generator gas towing

Posted By: GLBCamper
Subject: Generator gas towing
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 8:27pm

My generator manual says to empty the gas before transporting in a vehicle. Does anyone actually do that? Mine will be in the covered bed of my truck.

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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab
New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd
2016 F150 4x4 Sport

Replies:

Posted By: eye95
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 8:30pm

So, is the gas safer in the can than in the generator???

I've always carried the generator topped off.

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<0>
2017 178 The "eye-Pod"
2011 Nissan Titan

Posted By: Our pod
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 8:33pm

My preference is to run the gender until dry tank. If that's not possible I shut off the gasoline and let the thing run until the carburetor is dry.

I also have an LP gender, but it's too big to take (5 kW).

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Life is good.

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 01 Sep 2017 at 10:48pm

Originally posted by eye95

So, is the gas safer in the can than in the generator???

I've always carried the generator topped off.

+1 But it might depend on whether I'm going camping or going home. I don't do it like I should, but shutting off the gas and letting the carburetor run dry, as someone else mentioned, is really good if you don't plan to run the genny again for a while.

TT

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2017 at 6:06am

1) As others have suggested run the carb dry by shutting off the fuel supply and letting it run out of fuel.

2) All the lawyers want the "Don't carry fuel in it in a vehicle" statement so they have no liability if you have an accident and a fire. It is a fire hazard, if you have a bad accident and the fuel spills out and there's a source of ignition. The same is true for propane tanks or any fuel canister.

Q:How do you get the lawn mower gas tank home??

A: You have to put it in your vehicle of course.

3) Gas STINKS. Better make sure the cap is really good. If the fuel tank get s warm enough in a car, it can vent and gas vapor can stay around a while. STINKY. This is especially true in a toy hauler camper, where there are motorcycles or ATV's and maybe a fuel can too. They stink in an enclosed space. Need ventilation.

4) If you do take the generator with you on a trip, run that gas out of the carb, but also do it several hours before leaving so the generator can cool off and un-stink a bit.

For a pickup truck , if the generator is in the truck bed, it doesn't matter at all. But if you were to carry the generator in the camper, TIE IT DOWN, and make sure it's in good shape (no leaks) and cool, maybe also throw a old blanket under it to make sure.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2017 at 2:45pm

I leave my Honda EU2000i with whatever gas it had in it. There's no option to run the carb dry unless I physically pinch the gas line. I do use fuel stabilizer, which will prevent the carb from gumming up.

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2017 at 9:19am

I carry an extra propane tank and 2 5 gal. gas cans in the back of my truck when traveling. I secure them as best I can, but if there was a serious accident I'd be up S##t Creek. But then, if there was a serious accident, I'd probably be paddling in the same creek anyway. Life is full of risks that we take every day. The question is what is an acceptable risk and it is different for everyone.

Certainly the corporate lawyers for the generator companies would prefer you carry a gas can and drain the fuel from their generator since it insulates them from the lawsuit, but in general it is not very practical. From my limited point of view, best to turn off the gas and run it until the fuel is out of the carburetor. Though it is not risk free, it's not much different than an independent gas can, provided u have a tight cap on the generator fuel tank so the gas doesn't come out. For those generators where that is not possible, just secure them so they stay upright under foreseeable road conditions. If you get in a serious accident, all bets are off anyway.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2017 at 10:54am

I run the gas out of the carb and keep the tank on the generator full. I have it in the bed of the pickup (TV) along with a gas can. I did not find the suggestion to drain the gas tank in my owners manual.

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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2017 at 4:27pm

I'll bet none of the construction folks are riding around with empty gensets, they want to be able to operate and get the work done.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."