A road trip in your RV is a lot more fun with the right power supply. Imagine all the trouble you would face if you didn't have electricity in your RV. No fan, no AC, no oven, or electric appliances! That's no way of enjoying a relaxing getaway, is it?
Well, you won't have to worry about this when you have the best generator for RV installed. Moving around from town to town can make it difficult for you to find a steady source of power, but if you have this tool with you, there's no fear of that.
Finding the best RV generator can be a bit daunting as there are so many to choose from. An RV generator might have a great rating and be quite popular, but it might not be the best choice for you.
How will you know which one you require based on your needs? You'll find the answer to all your questions in our buying guide.
Our Best RV Generator Reviews
No need to break a sweat looking around for the finest generator for RV anymore; here's a list of all the ones you need to consider for the best output. We're confident that at least one of the generators on our list will be the perfect match for you.
1. Champion Power Equipment 76533 3800-Watt
Having dual fuel RV generators can come out to be quite helpful. This Champion Power generator gives you the option to choose between gasoline and propane as your fuel.
In some areas, propane can be found cheaper than gasoline, the vice versa is also the case for other locations. Giving you the flexibility to choose your fuel of choice means that you can get an option that is cheaper and works better for you.
An auto low oil shut off feature protects the generator from getting damaged. You won't have to keep an eye out on the oil level and hover around the generator to shut it off, the system will do this for you on its own.
Furthermore, the tank holds about 0.6 quarts of oil. Initially, you get the first tank of oil included with your purchase. So, this is the best RV generator to get if you're in a rush and need an immediate power supply.
Getting this generator started is also super easy. No need to pull on any strings, an easy to use power switch will turn this 224cc generator at one go. The battery for the portable generator is also included with your purchase.
On the generator, you will be able to see how long the product has been running. Hertz and voltage can also be tracked with the same system. The tool will also send out an alert when it needs any kind of maintenance.
That is why this is one of the most beginner-friendly products on our generator reviews. Even if you have no idea how to operate or take care of a portable generator, you will be able to deal with this one without damaging the generator or the appliances connected to it.
2. WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt
Portable generators that do not cause too much noise are a blessing to have. You can use them for your RV, take them out when there is a power outage without disturbing your neighbors and also take them on camping trips.
However, this is a high power 212cc generator the system that operates with only 57 decibels. This is very quiet for a generator of this size. So the tool won't cause you much disturbance when you just want to make a cup of hot coffee in your RV.
Running on an electric start button, you don't need a key to get his thing started. Just turn the knob on to the start position and you'll have power.
If you plan on charging any mobiles or electronic devices, having this RV generator is a must. This unit produces reliable and clean power which is safe for your devices. With that, this tool also creates safe electricity with a total harmonic distortion of only 1.2% making this one of the best inverter generators for RV.
A fuel shut off feature takes account of when fuel levels are low so that the system can reach out to the carburetor and use up the remaining fuel.
After that, the generator shuts off automatically. By doing this a lot of damage is prevented, such as blockages in the fuel pipes. This feature also helps prevent the need for frequent maintenance.
Supplying 3800 watts of power, this RV generator will run almost any appliance in your vehicle. This product is also the best generator for the RV air conditioner as it has the capability of running such a powerful appliance.
3. DuroMax New_XP4000S Refurbished 4000W
Looking for a generator that will run your RV refrigerator, oven, and high power appliances such as ACs? We've got just the generator for you.
The DuroMax New_XP4000S will give you 4000 starting watts and 3300 running watts making this capable of handling heavy loads.
There is also no risk of overheating as this is a 7-HP Air-cooled OHV gas engine. Keeping your engine cool helps increase the longevity of the product and also decreases the need for maintenance.
Running on gasoline, a full tank will cost you less than a tank of propane. This fuel is also readily available in most areas. 3.96 gallons of gasoline fill up a tank in this generator. This is more than enough to run high power appliances for a couple of hours straight.
With a noise level of 69 decibels, it is also a good backup power supply generator. Moreover, the generator won't cause any disturbance in a neighborhood and is also powerful enough to keep you comfortable during a power outage.
DuroMax has also made this generator quite beginner-friendly. With your purchase, you get a spark plug wrench, oil funnel, a toolset, and also a thoroughly detailed owner's manual that shows you where everything is and how everything works.
This is the best RV generator for you if this is your first time operating the tool.
All metal construction RV generators are great if you plan on traveling a lot with the tool. You might drop the tool once in a while by accident but that won't cause much damage to this product. There will be no dents, bends, or scratches either.
4. Champion 3400-Watt Dual Fuel
This model from Champion is an RV generator that is ready to use straight out of the box. The unit can be operated on both gasoline and propane. Choose your fuel according to your convenience.
However, people have had a better experience running this tool on propane because the generator just runs smoother and for a longer time, you can choose gasoline if it is cheaper in your region and easier to get a hold of.
With the help of a 3-position ignition switch, you can turn this generator on with a convenient electric power switch. On the construction, some indicators tell you when to get maintenance done and how long the tool has been running for.
You can also track Voltage and Hertz. A little button in the middle lights up in red to show you when too much power is being used and there is a risk of overloading.
Thanks to this alert, now you can save your generator from being damaged. This also prevents overheating, so you can now take action immediately when the alert goes off. Reduce the overall cost of running the generator by reducing the need for maintenance as well.
And Household outlets; one that is 120V, 30A, and two that are 120V, 20A help you charge your sensitive electronics without causing any damage. Clean energy with less than 3% THD and dual USB adapter let you use this tool without any risks.
Besides that, the engine on this is also air-cooled. So, you can run this generator for long hours without the fear of overheating. Other safety features such as Low oil shut off are also included to help this tool last as long as possible.
Also, you'll be glad to learn that some individuals consider it as the best generator for RV air conditioner.
5. Pulsar G2319N 2,300W
If you're looking for something a bit more on the smaller and more affordable side, we've got something for you as well. This Pulsar G2319N has a 2300 watts peak and 1800 running watts which are perfect if you're looking for something to operate only a few essential appliances for a short time.
Additionally, this RV generator will give you 4.8 hours of usage when running on half load. The tank has a limit of 1.8 gallons of fuel.
Weighing at just 47 lbs, this is a lightweight and compact generator that is perfect for traveling. You can carry this one without using any wheels. There's a handle with which you will be able to pick this up with no hassle. A generator this size is also quite easy to store.
You get clean power that you can use to charge devices as well. The construction works on a single cylinder and has an OHV engine. 4-stroke OHV engines like this one are quite easy to switch on and off.
As this is quite a small generator the unit also does not produce much noise. Only at 59 decibels, this generator makes less noise than most open window ACs. Take this generator out on your camping trip or whip it out when there is a power cut without disturbing anyone.
Indicators at the back show you when you are connecting more appliances that you should. At the back, you can also track your volt and hertz usage along with the time you have been running the tool for.
Parallel capability generators can run using an adapter to give you more power output if you need it.
6. Honda EU2200IC 2200-Watt Companion Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
Medium-sized generators like this one are rarely so portable and travel-friendly. This one from Honda is a generator that you need if you want something that is travel-friendly and easy to carry around.
Moreover, the unit only weighs 46.5 lbs. Because this unit weighs so less, you will be able to take this from place to place without needing assistance.
The 2200 starting watt is a good medium-sized generator to get if you want to run small appliances such as a microwave oven or a coffee maker at the same time. For basic needs, nothing could be a better option than this one.
Honda is also well known for making generators that last ages. Not only is their exterior hard and durable, but the inner system is also flawless. This generator can easily take a few blows and kicks without getting any harm done to itself. You won't notice and bends, scratches or bumps on the surface either.
Furthermore, maintenance is needed once a month just like any other generator. The system works as if it is brand new for this longest time possible. All parts of the generator are made to be a bit bigger than general so that you can change the oil with more ease.
If you feel like you need more power output, you can connect two or even three of these generators to get your desired power. This unit is quite parallel-friendly. At 1/4 th load, this unit will serve you for 8.1 hours nonstop.
Run this generator on gasoline with the same smoothness and continuity you would get with a propane generator. The tank holds .95 gallons of it.
7. Champion 4000-Watt RV Ready DH Series Open Frame Inverter with Quiet Technology
Champion RV generators will never let you down. Their products are wildly popular for being durable and trustworthy.
This Model is their lightweight, modern, and user-friendly version that we recommend if you plan on running a refrigerator or AC on your RV.
The Champion RV ready DH series is an open frame inverter design. This model was specifically designed to work with an RV so the construction is 50% quieter and 20% lighter.
You get 3500 watts of power to use with this generator. If you don't need that much or want to use the generator for longer hours with less load, you have the flexibility of shifting to the eco-friendly mode.
We recommend operating your generator in this mode as often as you can as not only does this help you save up on fuel, but it also increases the lifetime of your generator.
When running on gasoline this tool can give you power for up to 17 hours straight. So, you can use this in case there is a natural disaster and you need a power supply, or as an extra power supply for using power tools during construction or for basic tailgating and camping as well.
To help you charge up all your electronic devices, this tool also gives you clean power supply with a 12V DC outlet. This power has less than 3% THD.
If you need more power supply, you can connect more inverter generators with this one to increase the power output. The generator is parallel-ready!
8. WEN 56203i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
You don't always have to break your bank account when buying an RV generator. Many generators are available at a reasonable price that outperforms a lot of expensive ones. The WEN 56203i is one of these generators.
With this affordable generator, you can get 1700 rated watts and 2000 surge watts. This power is safe and clean so that you can connect all your electronic devices to it without causing any harm to the appliances.
Connect phones, tablets, TVs, or even laptops to the generator for a quick charge without having to worry about any damage.
Furthermore, the system also shuts down on its own when the generator can sense that the fuel level is going down. When this happens the generator uses up any remaining fuel in the carburetor and then switches off automatically to prevent any damage. Low oil shut off features are known for making generators last a long time.
To connect your appliances you get a 12V DC receptacle, three-prong 120V receptacles, and two 5V USB ports.
Weighing at just 39lbs, you will have no trouble traveling with this device. Storing this tool is also not a hassle at all, making this even more RV-friendly.
A huge advantage of using smaller generators such as this one is that they do not make any noise at all. You won't be able to hear them as they make less noise than a normal conversation.
The 4 strokes 79 cc engine does not give up so easily. Meaning, you will get service from this generator for a long time with very little maintenance.
9. TogoPower Portable Gas Generator
With 8000 watts of peak power supply, this is the best inverter generator for RV to operate multiple appliances at once or have high power appliances such as refrigerator sand AC to operate.
This generator is the largest one on our list. Not only will this serve you on your RV trips, but you can also use this as quite a good source of backup power supply for your home.
More so, the unit can run for 8.6 hours at 50% load! So this is the generator to get if you want power for a long time. The powerful 420cc engine is air-cooled and an OHV type. Because you will be using the generator for such high power appliances, this air cooling feature will come in quite handy.
Some indicators show you when the generator is reaching a point of overload, so you can detach a few appliances. But to prevent this overloading in the first place, the generator tries to cool down on its own with the help of the air cooling feature.
A cooled engine will make the generator last a long time and also help you save a lot on maintenance.
You get 8000 watts of starting power and 6500 watts of running power. Appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, emergency power stations, and projectors will work just fine on this generator.
For easier operation, the generator has both key start and electric start options.
The easy to assemble wheel kit that you get can be used to transport this heavy generator from one place to the other.
10. Duromax XP2200is
Although this generator might look small the unit can give you power supply for 12 hours straight!
The unit has a starting power of 2200 watts and running power of 1800 watts. This is more than enough to run a few small appliances in your RV.
For more power, you can add generators to this supply for greater output. The parallel friendly generator produces safe energy so that you can charge your electronic devices and run sensitive appliances without causing any harm.
Noise level of just 52 decibels makes this product almost silent. Even connecting two or three of these won't cause much disturbance. What makes it the best generator for RV is you can't stand loud noises.
Weighing at only 46 lbs this generator does not need any wheel kit to be transported from one place to another.
At the back, you will find all the maintenance alerts, volt, hertz tracking, and also overloading alerts. Operating the generator is also quite easy as all the instructions are provided to you and every switch and the alert button is labeled clearly.
Dual fuel option makes it easier for you to use this generator anywhere. If you're at a place where you can't get propane, just buy some gasoline and you're good to go.
A generator that is so easy to carry will serve you long hours and gives you the flexibility to use both propane and gasoline as fuel is great to have at hand for emergencies.
Since this is an inverter type generator, you can use the USB ports to charge your devices without any worries.
Smart throttle feature also helps minimize fuel consumption by controlling idle speed.
What Size Generator Do I Need for My RV?
Even the best portable generators for RV will fail you if you don't get the correct size based on your needs. Before you settle for an RV generator you need to see what appliance you will be running.
Different appliances will require a different amount of power to run properly. For example, a refrigerator needs 400 to 1000 watt of electricity to run. A TV will take about 200-600 watts, a laptop will take 250 watts, a microwave will take 1000 watts, and a coffee maker will take about 900 watts.
Add all of the powers that your appliances will need to figure out what range of power your RV generator needs to have. You also need to consider the appliances you will be running at the same time.
Go for a generator that has just a tad bit more power than what you need so that you can run all your appliances smoothly. But don't settle for a generator that is too large as it will cost you more money and will be quite unnecessary.
Getting the right size generator is crucial. This is because a generator that's too small can overheat and cause serious safety hazards. Therefore, make sure you know just how many appliances you will run to end up with the perfect sized generator for your RV.
What Size Generator Will Run an RV Air Conditioner?
RV air conditioners take a lot of power to run. This usually ranges from 1400 to 2000 watts. That is why running an RV AC with a generator is a luxury that not a lot of people can afford.
But if you do want that comfort in your RV you should get a generator that can handle this load. To find out which of the generators can run the AC safely, look for the BTUs or Tons of your AC.
If you have a 3 ton AC, you will need a generator that is at least 14 KW. An AC this size will easily cool down small to medium-sized rooms. With a 4 ton AC the generator needs to be 17KW and with a 5 ton AC; at least 20 KW.
Only get an AC this big for your RV if you need it as it requires a lot of power to run an AC of such caliber. Anything less than the limits needed will surely cause safety issues as the generator will overheat.
Also, take into consideration the Amps that the AC runs on. This basic information can be found anywhere on the AC itself or the AC's breaker.
RV Generator Buying Guide for Newbies
In this RV generator review, we have mentioned some of the key features that you need to keep an eye out for. You can't go on and buy just any generator for your RV, there are a lot of factors you need to consider beforehand. Here are the essential features that the best portable generator for RV should have.
Power
This is one of the most important things you need to check carefully before buying a generator. We have mentioned above how to choose the size of the generator you need for your RV. This aspect greatly relies on the amount of power you will be using.
Keep in mind that a generator that is not equipped to run the high power appliances that you have in your RV could be quite a dangerous safety issue. Take a look at all the appliances in your RV that need the power to get a general idea of which size of the generator to buy.
Portable or Permanent
Most of the products that we have recommended in our RV generator reviews are portable. This is because portable generators are easier to set up and connect than permanent ones. Generators that are permanently connected to your RV are easier to operate. A professional needs to come in and install the device for you.
But, you can also use portable generators for your home when there is a power outage if you're not using it for your RV. The device is also quite handy for camping. Portable generators are a bit more complicated to use, but they cost a lot less than permanent generators.
What Type of Fuel to Go for?
You have two fuel options to choose from when running your RV generator. One is gas and the other is propane or diesel. Gas is the most common option but propane is also becoming quite popular. Gas is common because fuel is cheap in some places.
If you live in an area where propane or diesel is cheaper you can get generators that run on both fuels. Generators that run on propane last a lot longer on a single full tank than gas or diesel.
Diesel generators also run a long time as fuel is burned but cleaner. However, diesel generators are not the most popular because they make a lot of noise and also smell quite strong.
Noise Level
Having a generator that makes too much noise is annoying for you and your neighbours as well. That is why now, more and more companies are working towards making generators that produce little to no noise at all.
If you are going on an RV trip alone, the noise might be bearable but when going camping or using the device at home, you need to keep the noise your generator makes under control.
Check out the RV generator reviews to find out how much noise a lot of the popular generators make. Choose the quietest one you can afford and you'll be good to go.
Inverter Vs Conventional
Conventional generators create surges that cause harm to most modern appliances. The current changes quite frequently when using a conventional generator, this unit, which runs on the engine at normal speed, is not recommended for running your appliances. Conventional generators are slowly going extinct.
An inverter generator on the other hand is the best option because it runs on a microprocessor. This helps control the generator's current flow which eliminates harm done to your appliances.
If you plan on charging mobile devices on the generator, an inverter type is essential. These kinds of generators are also cheaper to maintain and better for modern appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
To clear out any existing confusion in your head we've answered these very helpful questions in our RV generator reviews.
- How long can you run a generator on RV?
You can run the RV generator for 8 to 20 hours at one go or without any breaks. Running the generator for longer hours is not as safe since the generator could get overheated.
2. Can you operate the generator when driving the RV?
When your RV generator is directly connected you can use the generator when driving. But do keep in mind that both the RV and the generator will use fuel from the same tank.
3. How often should you run your generator to keep it in good health?
Turn your generator on and use it on the load at least once every month. Leaving your generator sitting idly in the garage will cause irreparable damage to the construction and overall function.
4. How long can the generator run on a tank filled with 20 lbs of propane?
If the running watt is 7000, the generator will give you 8 hours of use.
5. Is it okay to run the generator when it's raining?
Not all portable generators are equipped to work in wet conditions. Just to be safe try not to run the generator when it's raining as the generator needs to be properly grounded. A wet surface could cause electrocution if the procedure is not done right.
6. Gas or propane? Which one is cheaper?
Gas generators are usually cheaper to operate. But this option is not eco-friendly.
7. How often should you get your RV generator serviced?
To stay on the safer side you should get your RV serviced at least once a month. This is because there could be general engine wear, clogged fuel lines, or other serious problems that you should take care of before taking it out on a trip.
8. Can you use old fuel to run the RV generator?
Using old fuel can clog up the fuel pipes in your RV generator. Although this sounds like a waste, the best thing to do with old fuel is to throw it away.
Final WordsPurchasing a good quality generator for your RV will make your trips more worthwhile. With the best generator for RV, you can enjoy almost all the electric appliances you take on your journey, charge your phone, iPad, or any other devices and live a comfortable life.
On our list, we've got a generator for everyone. No matter what your needs are, you'll find the perfect RV generator here for sure.
