What’s The Best Generator for RVs? Updated: 2020

1. Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Electric Start

The Champion Power 3800-Watt Portable Generator is designed with your RV in mind. Fitted with a standard 30A RV outlet, it can easily start and run your 15,000 BTU RV Air Conditioner.

Powered by the reliable Champion 224cc engine, and fuelled with either Gas or Propane, it can run up to 9 hours at 50% load with a noise level of 68 dBA.

The Champion 3800 Watt generator is a versatile and powerful dual fuel machine ideal for anyone with an RV. It’s easy to start and best of all it’s great value for the money!

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2. Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator

This portable generator provides amazing value for the price. Not only does it produce lots of power for its size, it is also built solidly. Like most inverter generators, it produces clean stable power which can safely power sensitive electronic devices and appliances. It offers the same power, reliability and durability as the premium Yamaha and Honda Brands at almost half the price.

And it has a wireless remote start so you don’t even need to go outside to get it started.

The Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Inverter Generator is amazing value for money, runs quietly and is CARB compliant. A true all-round machine.

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3. Westinghouse WGen3600 Portable Generator – 3600 Rated Watts & 4650 Peak Watts – RV Ready – Gas Powered – CARB Compliant

The Westinghouse WGen3600 is perfect for camping, powering an RV or travel trailer, tailgating and powering tools and equipment at locations without power supply.

You can easily connect your recreational vehicles with a fitted TT-30 30A 120V outlet for reliable power. No adapters are required which makes this unit a camper’s best friend.

The Westinghouse WGen3600 portable generator is lightweight, compact and packed with advanced features, runs quietly and is ideal for RVs, tailgating and camping.

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RVs and Portable Generators: Everything You Need To Know

RVs refer broadly to a category of vehicles with inbuilt living quarters. These include:

• campervans,
• motorhomes,
• popup campers,
• fifth wheel trailers, and
• caravans.

Irrespective of the type, RVs offer thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and everyday people unparalleled adventure, and a soothing, healing time spent in the outdoors, away from all the stress and troubles of modern living.

Well, not all aspects of modern living are undesirable. Unlike our pioneering forebears, we’d rather venture into the wild with:

• Air Conditioning,
• Refrigeration,
• Water Heater,
• TV, Satellite reception,
• Laptops
• and the ubiquitous smartphone.

Hence, a portable power source is a must.

Fortunately, there are assortments of portable power generators available which will enable you to savor the breath-taking sunset over trees while uploading the picture of it on Facebook and tagging your envious desk-bound friends.

However, choosing the right portable generator can be a daunting task. Here are some helpful considerations.

Power Needs 

The first thing you should consider is how much power you will need. Most new RVs come with standards of luxury comparable with the most stately homes, and as such will require lots of power to run.

Take inventory of  the peak power rating for all appliances and devices in your RV. A suitable power generator should be powerful enough to run them all smoothly.

Conventional generators usually deliver more power and are larger. Inverter generators are smaller and have limited output power. But similar units can be connected together for more power. Inverter generators are also more suited for powering sensitive devices with their pure sine wave output power.  We discuss the pros and cons of conventional and inverter generators in this blog post.

Noise Level 

The idea of “getting away” encompasses leaving all the noise and bustle of the city behind. The ideal portable generator for your RV adventure should be felt, not heard. A noisy generator will make bitter enemies out of neighboring campers and destroy the peace and tranquillity found in the wilderness.

Also, bear in mind that most national parks and even private campgrounds have a noise limit of 60dB at 50 feet. Inverter generators run quieter than the conventional ones. This is because of their smaller engines and complex electronics that adjust engine speeds according to load.

Portability 

Portable generators are not equally portable. As a rule, the larger a portable generator is, the more power it produces. While it’s essential you have a unit that powers your home-away-from-home with all its creature comforts, also consider how easy it is to carry and maneuver into position.

Lager units come fitted with solid rubber wheels and steel handles, but you may require assistance to load and offload them from your vehicle. If you prefer venturing solo, consider units that you can single-handedly lift in and out of a truck.

Your RV generator needs to be able to power all of your appliances including heavy power users like air conditioning units. Make sure you choose one that is already RV ready.

They also need to be optimized to power your sensitive electronic equipment and of course be super quiet so you can really enjoy the outdoors.