Semi Permanent Generator Instillation Question - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

Metternacht · 10-27-2011, 18:45

My Company Has a Large Generator on trailer on site to power the building and office systems during power outages. Is it worth the hassle to place the trailer on Jack Stands to take the weight off the tires. If we go this route should the Stands be on the frame or under the axles? It is a tandem Axle trailer with Fuel cell and the Generator is a MQ Power - 60KVA Generator.

I know its not a mil Genny but I figured this was the best place to inquire.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

swbradley1 · 10-27-2011, 18:46

What are you trying to accomplish?

rlwm211 · 10-27-2011, 18:55

I have seen generator trailers that have a jack on the tongue and one on each corner at the rear. The purpose is to level the trailer and not to lift it off its wheels, even though that can be done easily. Victory Indistrial Products out of Ohio manufactures these in several sizes. Single, Tandem and Tri-Axle Mobile Application Trailers and ISO Containers for stand-by and peak-shaving power generators :: Victory Industrial Products, LLC if you are interested. I happen to have one of their small trailers with an S-250 mounted on it.

The only advantage of putting your generator on jacks is to ensure it is level even if you have a flat. If you did have a tire let go, it could put the machine in such a position that it would be unsafe to use it.

I would figure out how high the rear should be and also to level the trailer, then lower the front, set jack stands to accomplish what you want and then jack the front up and it will transfer the weight from the wheels to the jack stands with out having to use a jack on each corner.

RL

Metternacht · 10-28-2011, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by swbradley1

What are you trying to accomplish?

Thanks for the responses.

We are trying to preserve the tires as much as possible and to level the whole thing up better. The generator sits slightly out of level since the parking spot it is in is not level. It tilts to the left as you look at it. nothing Bad but noticeable.

I could probably do what RL mentioned with 2 jack stands but may add a third as i don't know how good the tongue jack is.

FireFighterHill · 10-28-2011, 16:14

If you want to preserve the tires you really need to cover them. Id cover them in some kind of tire rubber preservative gel and then cover them with a heavy vinyl cover to protect them from the sun.

caliber1 · 10-28-2011, 16:33

Or better yet, once positioned on stands, remove the wheels and store inside somewhere. Not sure if that is an option or not. I have a clients trailer outside that is soon to be mine, after 4 years I wish I had done that. Now it needs tires.

Keith_J · 10-28-2011, 17:01

Removing wheels also lowers theft potential.

caliber1 · 10-28-2011, 17:06

Potential or even temptation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith_J

Removing wheels also lowers theft potential.

swbradley1 · 10-28-2011, 17:43

If you do level it out you can then go to a RV center and pick up the tire covers.

Metternacht · 10-28-2011, 18:21

Thanks Guys. Now I can put together the proposal and go convince finance that this is a good idea. I appreciate all the replies.

Thank you.