As you get more involved with RV camping, chances are you’ll want occasionally to explore how far into nature you can go without sacrificing the comforts of your home away from home.
One of the limiting factors, of course, is how to access the electrical power you’ll need to fully enjoy the amenities of your RV.
The answer is easy enough—a gas-, diesel- or propane-fueled electric power generator that frees you from the power grid. But buying a generator raises a number of questions, including how much power you’ll need, operating costs, and other considerations.
Read on for our recommendations on the best generator for RV camping this year in various categories, and for some tips on how to make the best choice for your RV.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Westinghouse iGen 4500
Best Budget
WEN 56475 4750-Watt Portable Generator
Best Quiet Operation
A-iPower 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
Best Overall
Westinghouse iGen 4500
It takes just a quick look at the features offered by the Westinghouse iGen 4500 generator to appreciate why it made our list as the best overall choice for powering your RV when you’re off the grid or in a location where you may not trust local electrical service.
Outfitted with a household duplex outlet, a 30-amp outlet and even two USB outlets for your phone, tablet computer or other electronic devices, the Westinghouse iGen 4500 iGen is ready to keep you comfortable and connected when you’re off the beaten track in your RV.
It’s also very quiet, producing power while generating just a bit over 50 decibels of noise, roughly equivalent to the sound of a running refrigerator. In addition, the Westinghouse iGen 4500 very fuel-efficient, with a 3.4-gallon fuel tank providing as much as 18 hours of run time.
Pros
- Wheels and handle provide easy maneuvering
- Quiet operation
- Remote start is a welcome feature
Cons
- Customer support may be lackluster
- Oil filling guidance may not be accurate
- Remote start option may be unreliable
Best Budget
WEN 56475 4750-Watt Portable Generator
Priced at well under $400, the gas-powered WEN 56475 4750-Watt Portable Generator was a cinch to make our list as a best generator for RV camping. That low price definitely does not signal that this generator is lacking in any way, with premium features like electric starting and a digital readout that reminds you of when oil changes and other maintenance are due.
The WEN 56475, rated at 4,750 surge wattage and at 3,750 watts in non-surge usage, is powered by a 223cc electric-start engine fed by a 4-gallon gas tank that provides 10 hours of running time. The WEN 56475 also features an array of receptacles for meeting your off-grid needs, including two 120-volt household-type receptacles, a 30-amp three-prong receptacle, and a 120-volt RV receptacle.
Pros
- Easy to move around
- Stands up to every-day use
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Wattage rating may not be completely accurate
- May run louder than some users will like
- Needs careful long-term storage
Best Quiet Operation
A-iPower 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
Operating at just 52 decibels, about the same noise level as your home refrigerator, the A-iPower 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator easily made our list as a best generator for RV camping. But quiet operation is far from the only reason you should consider this Ai-Power model as the generator for your RV adventuring.
Equipped with a 79cc engine, this A-iPower generator produces 2,000 starting watts and 1,600 running watts of power, with an inverter design that ensures safe charging and operation of your cellphones, laptops and other electronic equipment.
Also, the gas-powered A-iPower generator features a four-hour run time per tank, plenty of time for handling daily campsite power needs as a best generator for RV camping. With the A-iPower generator, you’ll get a 120-volt household-style outlet, a 30-amp outlet, and a 5-volt USB outlet.
Pros
- Handy tool kit and oil funnel included
- Starts well even in cold weather
- Variety of power input/output options
Cons
- Ice may build up in unit during very cold weather
- Engine oil not included with new unit
- May be difficult for some users to start
Best Dual-Fuel
DuroMax XP9000iH 9000-Watt Hybrid Portable Generator
With the capacity to run on either gasoline or propane, the DuroMax XP9000iH hybrid portable generator gives you the security of knowing that, no matter what fuel situation you might encounter during your RV adventure, your generator can be adapted to fit the circumstances.
In addition to its hybrid fuel capability, this DuroMax generator made our list as a best generator for RV camping on the strength of its massive power production, delivering 9,000 peak watts and 7,600 running watts through a 459cc engine.
In terms of running time, the DuroMax’s nearly seven-gallon gas tank can provide up to 20 hours of operation, while a 20-pound propane tank provides as much as 9 hours of dependable electrical power.
Pros
- Control panel is well-organized
- Easy initial set-up
- Quiet running
Cons
- Fuses inconveniently located
- Installing automatic transfer switch can be complicated
- Changing oil can be inconvenient
Best Long-Running
GENMAX 3200-Watt Portable Inverter Generator
The GENMAX 3200-Watt Portable Inverter Generator doesn’t have a particularly large fuel tank, but what it does with that fuel is impressive in terms of its running time, and that’s the main reason it’s on our list as a best generator for RV camping.
With its one-gallon fuel tank filled, the GENMAX 3200 provides four hours of electrical power, enough to handle the power needs for a routine weekend in the woods where power isn’t a constant need. And in economy mode, the GENMAX can provide 8 hours of power from a single tank of gas,
Equipped with a 145 CC gas engine generating 5.2 horsepower, the GENMAX 3200 can provide 3,200 surge watts and 2,800 running watts of electrical power whenever it is needed during your RV excursion.
Pros
- Well-suited for camping
- Quality construction
- Outlets and switches covered to protect against damage
Cons
- Difficult to order adapters if needed
- May need frequent resetting during operation
- Not as quiet as some users may expect
Best Generator for RV Camping Buyer’s Guide
The main thing you’ll need to consider as you contemplate the purchase of a best generator for RV camping for your needs is the size of generator you’ll need, measured in watts of electricity.
As you might suspect, your wattage needs will vary with the type of RV you’ll be driving into the great outdoors. For a Class B van-style RV, plan on purchasing a generator that can produce between 2,000 watts and 4,000 watts of power.
Moving up in size, a Class C RV, a van-style camper that’s a little larger than a Class B vehicle, will need a generator that can produce 3,000 watts to 4,000 watts.
And if you’ll be spending time in the countryside in a Class A motorhome-style RV, your choice will depend largely on the number of air-conditioning units in your vehicle. For two air conditioners, plan on a 6,00 watt to 8,000 watt generator. For three air conditioners, you’ll need a generator rated at 10,000 to 13,000 watts.
And finally, for a tow-behind fifth-wheel RV, you should consider a 5,000-watt to 7,000-watt generator as the best generator for RV camping.
Portability
Also as you look for your best generator for RV camping, you’ll want to consider its weight and its portability, as it’s possible you’ll have to move it around when you get to your campsite to keep it away from other campers and out of areas that will likely see a lot of foot traffic. Many generators come equipped with wheels and handles for easy maneuverability.
Noise
For both your own enjoyment of the great outdoors, and out of consideration for other RV campers who may be nearby, to say nothing of the wildlife in the vicinity, the noise level associated with any generator that you’re considering as a best generator for RV camping for your needs should be a prime consideration in your purchase.
Sound is measured in decibels (dBs), and most, if not all, generator manufacturers will include information on the dB levels of their machines in the descriptions of their products. As a general guideline for your RV generator shopping, an audible whisper will register at 25 dB, normal conversation ranges from 60 to 70 dB, and a vacuum cleaner runs at about 75 dB.
On the upper end of the decibel scale, a lawnmower operates at 107 dB, and the noise level at 100 feet away from a jet engine is 140 dB. So, a best generator for RV use should fall somewhere between 25 dB and 70 dB, recognizing that noise can be limited somewhat by locating the generator away from your campsite
Best Generator for RV Camping Frequently Asked Questions
We’re sure that as you consider the purchase of a generator to expand the possibilities for your RV adventures that you’ll have a number of questions. Read on for some guidance as you look for the best generator for RV camping to fit your budget and other needs.
What’s the difference between surge watts and running watts for a generator?
As you work to make a decision on a best generator for RV camping for your particular style and patterns of being in the great outdoors, you’ll hear two terms that reference the power provided by any given generator.
Briefly, the surge watts (also called starting watts) of a generator refer to the power it can produce in a short burst while the generator is starting up. Running watts refers to the amount of power provided by the generator to your campsite during its normal operation.
Will generator power damage my electronic devices?
The power coming from a generator is different from the power that comes to your home through the electrical grid, and you’ll need to take some care when choosing your best generator for RV camping that it won’t damage sensitive electronic devices such as your cellphone, tablet, or TV.
Generator power produces something called “total harmonic distortion” (THD) that can damage sensitive electronics, but with the proliferation of those devices, generator manufacturers have taken steps to reduce THD issues connected with their products.
Still, you’ll want to check the THD specifications for any generator you might be considering as a best generator for RV camping suited to your particular needs. Any generator with a THD rating of 5% or less should be OK to use with your sensitive electronics.
What are the maintenance requirements for a generator?
When you choose a best generator for RV camping for your outdoor adventures, you should be aware that it will need regular maintenance to be reliable and available for use over the long term.
As a first step in ensuring your generator remains in top operating condition, remember to change the oil regularly. A recommended oil-change schedule is to do your first oil change after your generator has operated for 30 hours, and then to change the oil after every 100 hours of operation.
Your generator’s spark plugs and air filter also will need regular attention, and should be changed after every 200 hours of operation. But to ensure the best performance from you generator, you might want to change the plugs and filter at the beginning of every camping season.
Also, while your generator is in storage, you’ll want to be sure its gas tank is empty. To do that, add a gas stabilizer to the fuel remaining in your tank before it is stored away for the off-season, then run the generator until it is out of fuel.
Wrapping up the Best Generator for RV Camping This Year
As a final reminder, our choice for the best generator for RV camping this year is the Westinghouse iGen 4500. Of course, your own particular circumstances will determine which of our recommendations could work as a best generator for RV use for your camping style.
For more on keeping your RV powered up, check out our recommendations for the best RV battery.
- About the Author
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Jim Thompson grew up tent camping with his family, and was introduced to backpacking with the Boy Scouts. He attended a military college, where he was introduced to rappelling, an outdoor activity which he has not pursued.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia, and spent 35 years as a newspaper writer and editor before become a writer for Apple Pie Media.
Jim can be reached at jimt3rd@yahoo.com