Best Portable Generators for RV: Complete Guide for 2024

If you are looking for the best portable generators for RVs, you’ve come to the right place. First, we are gonna talk about some of the best models in the market and then talk about features that you should consider to choose the best generator for your RV based on your needs and requirements and your particular situation.

Best Portable Generators for RV Camping 2024

Several manufacturers make exceptional portable generators for RV camping including Honda, Champion Power Equipment, Generac, Westinghouse, Yamaha, Briggs & Stratton, and DuroMax/Duro Star. In this section, we are gonna talk about three products each of which can be the best RV generators of 2024 depending on your needs and applications.

• Honda has a reputation for being probably the best manufacturer in this field. The Honda EU2200i Companion comes on top of our list of the best portable generators for RV because of its exceptional portability, durability, and quietness. It weighs just over 45 pounds which makes it extremely easy to transport. This product has parallel capability and has a running wattage of 1800 W. This is an inverter generator that can be used for sensitive appliances like phones and laptops.

• If what you are looking for is sheer power alongside portability then Westinghouse Wgen7500 is the right option for you. This product comes with a powerful motor that offers a running wattage of 7500 W. This product comes with features to assure safety, durability, and efficiency such as the cooled overhead valve design and oil shutdown. A perfect option for all your power-intensive uses.

• If you want to go for a solar generator among the best RV generators of 2024, you can certainly do so. Look at brands like Goal Zero, Jackery, Renogy, Bluetti, and Lion Energy among others.

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5 Awesome Portable RV Generators from the Ronix Catalog

If you are looking for quality products on a budget, you gotta take a look at the vast catalog of Ronix. If you are looking for inverter generators take a look at these code items: RH-4790, RH-4791, Ronix RH-4792, RH-4793.

The 4 mentioned models are extremely quiet. If you are looking for sheer power for your most power-intensive needs, look no further than RH-4784 which can give you a wattage of 7500 Watts.

Things to Consider Before Buying an RV Portable Generator

Choosing an RV generator is a difficult task. You need to take a lot into consideration which includes the power needs of your RV’s battery, the power needs of the electrical appliances that you use, as well as how much space you have in your RV for bringing fuel.

• Do you know your power uses? You have to measure your power requirements based on the electrical devices that you want to keep and use in your RV.  Try to think about which items take the most amount of power from your system and categorize them into high usage, medium usage, and low usage. You need to also consider the battery of your RV and do a bit of math. Some RVs come with a built-in generator and the power needs are measured by the engineers who have manufactured the RV.

• What are your most power-intensive applications? Certain items like air conditioners and kitchen appliances take the most amount of power. Usually, it’s air conditioners that have the most power usage, although this depends on the weather conditions. An air conditioner in the summer kicks your power needs to at least 3000 Watts. So, the best portable generator for you in this case would need to provide no less than this amount of power.
• Do you use sensitive electrical devices? Sensitive electrical devices like phones, tablets, laptops, etc. need to be powered by “clean” and stable power. If you don’t have a built-in generator in your RV, the best RV portable generators for you would be inverter models.
• How long will you be gone? If you are going to go on a longer camping trip with limited access to the amenities of a civilized life, then you will certainly need more power output and more fuel. You should consider both of these factors. Remember that your RV batteries need to be charged by a generator or solar panel as well because they are not like car batteries!

• How much fuel will you need? Based on how long you will be gone and the fuel consumption of your generator, you should think about how much fuel you will need whether it’s propane or gasoline. Consider all of this to choose the best portable generators for RV.

Read More: best portable generators for home and travel

How to Choose the Best RV Generators

So, after you asked yourselves all those questions in the previous section, you should read this section if you need a checklist for all the technical features of generators.

• To choose the best RV portable generator, the first and the most obvious thing you should pay attention to is power output. Determine the wattage required for all your items. You should start with the most power-consuming device in your RV.
• One of the most important things you should consider is whether a generator is capable of parallel mode or not. If it is then you can line up and connect two or more generators and use the added power of both of them together.
• Consider the fuel type, fuel consumption, and fuel efficiency of your generator based on your budget, free space to carry fuel, and whether you will have limited access to a municipal power source.

• Also pay attention to the runtime of a generator which indicates how long these devices can run continuously. Regular maintenance can ensure optimal performance for a generator. Different devices are different in this regard.
• Always consider the size and weight of the generator to make sure that it fits the storage space of your RV and is easy for you to transport.
• Check the noise level of your generators, especially if you are camping next to other people. Additionally, if you plan to spot animals make sure that your generator is not loud because you will scare the animals away.
• Generators also create emissions because they burn fuel. Check the emissions rating of your generator and make sure it’s compliant with relevant environmental standards and regulations in your area.
• Consider generators with inverter technology for cleaner and more stable power output that is suitable for more sensitive electronic devices like laptops and smartphones.
• Generators have become so much better in terms of price. If you look hard enough you can find a generator for your needs at the right price point.

Best RV Generator for Boondocking

Boondocking is a camping term that is used for the act of camping in areas, away from official camping grounds, where there are no services like electricity. When boondocking the most important thing is to make sure that you have enough power available for all your needs because a boondocking trip wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

Because you would be away from power sources which makes it is essential to have a solar power panel or a generator available. Solar power panels can’t be used in every condition so you should always bring a generator, sometimes even two generators. If you are looking for the best portable generators for RV when you are going boondocking you should pay attention to the following factors:

• Carefully measure the power load of all your electrical devices and bring a generator that can handle that amount. For example, if you have an air conditioner, you will need at least 3000 W.
• If you need to power or charge sensitive electronic devices like tablets, laptops, and phones, you need to make sure that you get something with a “clean” and stable power output. So, you either need to use the built-in generator of your RV which usually satisfies this requirement or an inverter generator.
• Best RV portable generators for boondocking are ones with parallel capability. With this feature, you can bring two 2500 W models and line them together so you can have 5000 W of power.
• The type of fuel that the generators use and their fuel consumption are also extremely important. This is important because you need to bring all of this fuel with you to the trip and pay for it!
• Pay attention to the noise level of your generator. These devices create a lot of sound. This might annoy you, and your neighbors, and scare away animals. You should opt for a quiet model especially if you want to spot animals.

• Don’t forget safety features like overload protection and low-oil shutdown mechanisms. Also, the weight of the generator is extremely important!

Best Generator for RV Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are usually the most power-intensive and demanding devices in your RV. That is why you should prioritize the power needs of your air conditioner before everything else.

AC units usually require at least about 3000 Watts of power to run. The best RV portable generators in this case would be ones with more power than this amount. Additionally, your generator should feature “high surge capacity” to handle initial power spikes during startup without causing overloads.

With a generator that has parallel capability, you’ll be able to add more generators. This adds up the power of your generators together. This is an extremely useful feature for air conditioners.

If you also have sensitive electronic equipment you should go for inverter generators, either as your main generator or in addition to another generator.

How Does an RV Generator Work?

If you are looking for the best portable generator for your RV, getting more in-depth knowledge about how these devices work is probably not a bad idea.

An (electric) generator is a machine that turns mechanical energy or chemical energy into electrical energy. In the context of RVs, generator usually means electrical generators that work with fuel even though solar power panels are also technically generators.

The generators used in RVs work by using a small combustion engine that is powered by fuels like gasoline or propane. This engine then drives an alternator or a generator head to produce electricity.

This electricity is then regulated to ensure a stable voltage suitable for powering the RV and the appliances connected to the RV. The generator gets connected to the RV’s electrical system via a transfer switch.

It should be noted that the electrical output given out by inverter generators is more stable, in comparison to open-frame generators, and thus more suitable for sensitive electronics like laptops and phones.

Some RVs have built-in generators. This generator and its chassis are designed by the manufacturers. These generators are connected to and supplied from the fuel tank of the RV.

RV Generator Adaptors

If you want to use generators and connect them to your RV, you need certain things like a surge protector or an RV generator adapter. A surge protector protects your electrical appliances and devices from voltage spikes and an RV generator adapter is used to connect the output of a portable generator to the RV’s power inlet.

FAQ

What size portable generator do I need for my RV?

The size of the portable generator you would need for your RV depends on several factors including the storage space in your RV, your power requirements, and your budget.

How long can you run an RV generator continuously?

This depends on factors such as fuel type, generator size, load, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Generally, RV generators can run for several hours to a day on a full tank of fuel.

What is the difference between a built-in RV generator and a portable generator?

A built-in RV generator is permanently installed within the RV and typically runs on the vehicle’s fuel supply. It’s engineered for your specific RV and it runs onboard appliances and systems, such as air conditioning and lighting.