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That's more or less what they do with the Volt isn't it? I hear Nissan's extended range Leaf will have a generator as well.
I think it's a cool idea, and the OEMs are clearly going that way. I don't know if actually towing a generator will be the most economical though.
I thought about this for a bit, and there's two challenges I see to a DIY solution:
1. you've got the additional drag of the trailer and higher load for the generator. The advantage of the Leaf & Volt systems would be that they can minimize losses from the generator to the batteries/engine - you'll have the generator loss, loss in the cable, and the normal charging losses in the vehicle.
2. You won't be able to directly drive the motor with the generator, it'll have to be supplemented by the batteries. Using the leaf as an example, even if you had a 6kW generator at 240V, you're going to dissipate power quicker than can be supplied through the charging port. Using the quick charge port would get you the power you need though. I think to do this properly, you're going to need to get into the motor controller circuitry, perhaps even do a custom motor controller. Which would be fun.
I wonder if anyone's thought of actually making an aftermarket part like this - maybe strapped to one of those luggage racks that goes in a trailer hitch? I'm with you on seeing the appeal to take your short-range EV on a road trip!
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