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Planning short trips and long drives on your RV can be very fun and provide you with a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. But the scorching heat might require you to turn on the air conditioner and the darkness in the night might require you to switch on the lights.So, generators become a necessity to power the electrical appliances in the RV. There are several options that are available in the markets when you are choosing a generator for your RV. in the following list, we have mentioned some factors that will make your task easier when selecting the RV generator.
- Wattage: This is defined by the continuous power that can be supplied by the generator to the electrical appliances. It determines how many appliances of what wattage can be connected to the generator at a given time.
- Output Wattage: The output wattage is the peak wattage that can be handled by the inverter. The total surge of the electrical appliances combined will be equal to or lesser than the output wattage of the generator combined.
- Run Time: The run time of the generator is the uninterrupted power that can be provided for the electrical appliances. It is the power that the generator provides when they are running on fuel.
More details on the factors to consider when selecting the generator for travel trailers are listed in the “Buying Guide” given later in the article. In this article, we have listed the best products with their notable features, advantages and disadvantages. Read on to know all about them.
Best Generator for Travel Trailer Table
Best Generator for Travel Trailer Review
1. Jackery Generator
With the in-built solar panel and drawing power from resourceable energy, this is one of the top picks when it comes to choosing the generator for your RV. The highest efficiency of power is ensured with the in-built MPPT control of the solar panel.
This unit also features two alternative ways to charge, that is, through the wall outlet or car outlet. It is enhanced with the featured 240Wh lithium-ion battery pack. The device is guarded with several layers of technology for thermal protection, overvoltage protection, overcharge protection, over-discharge protection, short current protection, and overcurrent protection.
It weighs only 6.6 pounds and is very easy to carry while travelling for backyard camping, road trip, and tent camping. It can easily charge devices like cameras, laptops, phones, lights, fans, etc.
Best Features
- Wattage: 200 watts
- Fuel Type: Non-Gasoline
- Power Source: AC, CarPort, Solar PAnel
- Voltage: 110V
Pros:
- 3 ways to charge.
- 240Wh lithium-ion battery.
- Different layers of protection technology.
- Lightweight design.
Cons:
- You cannot charge and use the device simultaneously.
2. WEN Generator
From recreational power to emergency backup, WEN is known to be at the top of its game. This is a 2000W portable inverter generator that provides clean energy at the time of need.
The innovative eco-mode enables the generator to adjust the fuel consumption and prevent excess gasoline usage. It can be connected to other WEN devices to draw or provide power. With reliable power, the generator also limits the total harmonic distortion under 1.2% at full load and 0.3% at no load. It is compatible with most electronic devices. The 4-stroke 79.7 cc engine performs quiet operation at 53 dB at quarter load.
The compact design and lightweight build is easy to carry while on trips or moving from one jobsite to the next.
Best Features
- Wattage: 1600 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Eco-mode for adjustable fuel consumption.
- Less than 1.2% THD.
- Quiet operation.
- Easy to carry.
Cons:
- For some buyers, the oil leaked due to packaging.
3. Generac Generator
This generator by Generac is the perfect partner for outdoor enthusiasts as it provides clean and reliable power without disturbing the neighbours or the wildlife when on camping.
Enabled with the TruePower technology, this generator is compatible to charge sensitive electronics, appliances, and tools. The economy mode reduces the fuel consumption and noise emissions. It also operates in low-noise for longer periods of time. The parallel capacity allows it to connect two other units at the same time for powering heavy-load products.
It is fully-enclosed and compact. Additionally, it is also lightweight to make it highly portable.
Best Features
- Wattage: 1700 watts
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- True Power technology for sensitive electronics.
- Low noise emission.
- Low fuel consumption.
- Compact design.
Cons:
- People had a problem with the durability.
4. Westinghouse Generator
With the running watts of 3600 and peak power of 4640 watts, this generator is known for reliable power and clean energy.
Featuring the 4-gallon fuel tank, this generator runs for 14 hours non-stop. This device is powered with the 4-stroke 212 cc OHV engine and also features a long-lasting iron sleeve with low oil automatic shutdown. The brand offers a 3 years manufacturing warranty.
The easy plug-and-play feature makes the operation simple. It is packaged with oil, oil funnel, and a tool kit. Further, the user manual helps the user to get started with the product.
Best Features
- Wattage: 3600 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- 4-gallon fuel tank.
- 14 hours run time.
- Long-lasting iron sleeve.
- 3-years warranty.
Cons:
- People had an issue with the packaging.
5. A-iPower Generator
This generator produces running watts of 1600 W and the starting power of 2000 W. It is known for providing safe and clean power for sensitive electronic appliances like laptops, televisions, smartphones, and other electronics.
With the ‘low-idle’ technology, this generator can run for 4 hours at 100% load and for 7 hours at 50% load. It is equipped with a low oil alert light indicator and also low oil auto-shutdown. It helps to keep the generator running for longer years. It features a dynamic 80cc 4-stroke OHV engine that supplies enough power to enable a low-noise operation at as low as 52 decibel.
The compact and lightweight generator weigh just 46 pounds which makes the tailgate and camping experience favourable.
Best Features
- Wattage: 2000 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Low-idle technology.
- OHV engine.
- 52 decibel noise while operation.
Cons:
- People had problems with the warranty policy.
6. Champion Generator
This generator is designed for safety by including a low oil shut-off sensor and the ability to hold 0.6-quarts of oil.
With a running wattage of 3500 watts and peak wattage of 4375 watts, this device enables the user to enjoy 12 hours of nonstop service for a full tank. The low-noise of 68 decibel allows operation from 23 feet. The in-built voltage guard and surge protector restricts any chances of power overload and keeps the equipment and electrical appliances safe. Also, the intelligauge technology on the control panel allows to monitor frequency, voltage and running hours with ease.
The brand offers 3-year of limited warranty and free technical support.
Best Features
- Wattage: 3500 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Low oil shutoff sensor.
- In-built voltage guard.
- Surge protector.
- 3 year warranty.
Cons:
- People had problems with the support line.
7. SereneLife Generator
This is a dynamic generator that features a variety of outputs, like 110V dual AC outlet, 3 12V DC ports, 3 5V USB ports which is capable of charging all electronic devices such as the running lights, camera, laptops, tablets and phones. It can also be compatible with small home appliances as well.
There are 3 charging modes of the generator. For the first method, it is charged through the solar panel, the second way to charge it is through the wall outlet and the third way to charge it is through the 12V car charger. With the 4200 mAh power capacity, it is perfect for emergency power backup.
This device also features a battery level indicator and LED flashlight. The brand offers 1-year warranty.
Best Features
- Wattage: 180 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered, solar powered, battery powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Ergonomic and portable
- Quite powerful for its size
- Perfect for emergency backup
Cons:
- Users had problems with the noise.
8. Briggs & Stratton Generator
The USP of this inverter generator is the convenient monitoring system with features like the overload alerts and LED light indicator for low oil.
This device also has technology like CO guard which is basically a carbon monoxide shutdown technology that shuts the generator down when the harmful carbon monoxide levels are detected. It is safe for sensitive electronics like gaming systems, phones and laptops. Additionally, the internal components help to reduce the noise of the device.
The parallel connectivity system enables two devices to connect at the same time. The lightweight and compact design enables easy storage and transfer.
Best Features
- Wattage: 1800 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Convenient monitoring system.
- CO guard technology.
- Parallel connectivity system.
- Compact and lightweight.
Cons:
- Some people found it difficult to start.
9. GENKINS Generator
This is a commercial class and professional 4-stroke 79cc OHV engine which produces 1900 starting wattage and 2300 running wattage of safe and clean power for all the types of electrical appliances.
The generator includesNEMA 120V 5-20R household outlets with pure sine wave electricity with less than 2% total harmonic distortion, along with double USB ports. The LBSC technology adjusts the engine speed automatically according to load conditions. This feature enables low-noise operation and can save up to 25% of fuel. The low-oil automatic shutdown combines in-built overload protection and a light indicator to save both the device and the appliances. The 1.32 gallons fuel tank enables it to run effortlessly for 8 hours.
The brand offers a 2-year warranty. The ultra lightweight design helps to increase the portability.
Best Features
- Wattage: 2300 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gas-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Commercial class and powerful.
- Pure sine wave electricity.
- LBSC technology.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- For some users, the on/off knob broke.
10. Honda Generator
Honda has come up with a popular and versatile model that is compatible with several appliances like blenders, TV, microwave, fridge, furnace, AC units and many more.
The advanced inverter technology is reliable for powering sensitive equipment with stable, clean, and safe power. The operation is super quiet at just 49 decibel to 58 decibel. The eco-throttle enables it to run for 20 hours at 3.4 gallons and is great for overnight power. It also features auto-shutoff when the oil levels are low.
The lightweight design makes it easy to carry around.
Best Features
- Wattage: 2800 watts
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Power Source: Gasoline-powered
- Voltage: 120V
Pros:
- Advanced inverter technology.
- Eco-throttle.
- Can power sensitive equipment.
Cons:
- This generator featured a broken spark plug cap for some users.
Things To Consider When Buying A Generator For The Travel Trailer
When thinking of camping the air conditioning system for the RV is a must. As all the electrical appliances cannot run on the RV, the generators become a must-buy. The generators help the RVs to run successfully without any hassle. In the following section, we have listed the factors that will help you decide the ideal generator for you.
1. Wattage
In the case of the generator, the wattage plays an eminent role. It is the measure of the power that the generator can supply when it is attached to the electrical appliances. The power decides how many appliances can run smoothly when connected to the generator. The unit to measure the wattage is watts. You need to make sure that the total wattage of all the electrical appliances combined is lesser than the wattage of the generator. For instance, a 2000 watts generator can easily run appliances that have a total wattage of 1000 watts.
2. Output Wattage
This criteria is similar to the running wattage of the generator but there is one basic difference between the two. The output wattage is the measurement of the maximum power surge that can be handled by the generator. This is measurement of the maximum power surge of all the electrical appliances combined to check if the generator can handle it or not. You need to make sure that you buy a generator with greater power wattage than the peak power of all the connected devices. For instance, if the total peak power of all the electrical appliances is 2500 watts, then you need a generator with an output wattage greater than that.
3. Run Time
Any generator when connected to any electrical appliances of the RV are bound to consume power and electricity. The generator then produces power with the help of fuel that helps to run the engine. The fuel consumption is a primary factor when considering the cost of running the generator. It is suggested to go for those generators that run for at least 10 hours when they are connected to any electrical appliances. It implies that the generator will supply power uninterrupted till it needs refuelling.
4. Power Outlets
The generator produces electricity which can be used by the electrical appliances connected to them through the outlets. The power outlets of these generators come in several settings. When you are investing in a generator, you need to know about the voltage and power it can offer and the number of outlets that it features. So, the 20A 120V is the most popular and common household power outlet but the required RV outlet is 30A 120V.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans: The run time of the RVs depends on the particular kind and model of the RV. You can get a massive range of run times when it comes to the RVs and you can choose from 8 hours to 24 hours.
Ans: The size of the generator for the RV depends on the voltage and the amperage of the RV. There are some RVs that have 50 ampere supply while others have 30 ampere supply. Now, you need to calculate the wattage multiplying the ampere value and the voltage value. If the value comes to be 3600, then you need to find a generator which has the maximum wattage of 3600 watts.
Ans: You need to turn the RV generator on for at least 5 minutes to 10 minutes once a month. This ensures that the fuel is in good condition and that the RV generator is running properly.
Ans: It is completely safe to keep the generator on when sleeping at night. But, you must be cautious to close all the vents and windows when running the generator.
Ans: The major drawback is that it has levels of extra insulation owing to the largely associated voltages.
Final Word
With this guide at your disposal, choosing the best generator for a travel trailer will be like a walk in the park. We have listed all the criteria that you need to know for buying the best generator for travel trailers. Therefore, you just need to apply these considerations when buying the generator. If you still have doubts, you can write to us in the comments section below.
- If you are here for the recommendations, we have listed the top three favourites from the list. The first recommendation is Jackery Generator. It can be charged in 3 ways and features 240 Wh Lithium-ion battery.
- The second suggestion from the list is WEN Generator. It has eco mode for adjustable fuel consumption and quiet operation.
- The third and final product from the list is Generac Generator. It features TruePower technology which allows power sensitive equipment.
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