Best RV Generators: A full guide to power your motorhome
An RV generator is one of the most important pieces of equipment you need to have in order to prepare your RV for long road trips, camping, or fishing.
To be able to use all the amenities that come with an RV, you must have access to the power supply. This is why buying a generator has become so popular. But there are many things one should lookout.
What type of generator is best for an RV?
The first thing to figure out is the type of generator. There are two general types: gas and electric.
Gas generators can be very loud, produce fumes, and need regular maintenance. On the other hand, an electric RV generator costs a little more but it has no noise or fumes and needs less attention than a gas generator does.
RV Inverter generators are the finest option for RV campers. They’re enclosed and quiet enough to use at a campsite. Inverter generators come with microprocessors built-in, making them ‘intelligent.’
What size generator do I need for an RV?
Another important factor to take into consideration when buying an RV generator is the size of it. A bigger wattage means a larger power supply, which can prove helpful in many circumstances. However, you must also keep in mind that a higher wattage will consume more fuel and may cause overheating problems.
What is the quietest generator for RV camping?
In order to get the most out of your generator, it is important to choose a generator that runs quietly. After all, you do not want loud noise when enjoying a moment of relaxation.
There are many different generators on the market and almost every manufacturer claims theirs is the quietest one. However, that might not always be true.
What makes a generator RV ready?
It is important to do your research and read reviews before buying an RV generator. The term RV Ready is used to describe a generator with either a TT-30R or a 14-50R outlet, which allows you to connect your RV directly to your gas generator without the need for an additional adapter. By the way, R in this context stands for the receptacle.
What size generator do I need for a 30 AMP RV?
It is absolutely necessary to choose an RV generator that has the capacity to power your motorhome. An RV with a 30 AMP system requires a minimum of 4,000 watts in order to run efficiently. With 4000 watts, you can easily run all the appliances you need. However, it is also important to keep in mind that an RV generator needs to be sized according to your specific needs – meaning that if you only need to power a few appliances, it will use less fuel.
What size generator do I need for a 50 AMP RV?
Similar to the 30 AMP RV, a 50 AMP motorhome also needs an RV generator with at least 4,000 watts. However, most experts recommend choosing a 6,000-watt generator for your 50 AMP system. This is because most appliances in your motorhome require more than 4,000 watts in order to function properly.
Can I use a 30 amp generator with a 50 amp RV?
No, you cannot use a 30 AMP generator with your 50 AMP RV. The reason for this is that the number before the letter A in amps stands for amperes (the unit used to measure electric current) and it is expressed in positive numbers. On the other hand, the number after the letter A stands for volts (the unit used to measure electric voltage) and this is expressed in negative numbers. Voltage has a significant role when connecting appliances to a generator, which means that two incompatible systems can not be connected together.
Our top 5 picks for the best RV generator are:
- Champion 3800-watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator.
- Cummins Onan (3.6KY-FA/26120) Micro-quiet LP Generator.
- Honda EU3000iS, 3000-Watt
- Yamaha EF 2000iSv2 2000-watt
- Duromax XP4850EH
Champion 3800-watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator is the best generator for RV camping. This generator has a four-stroke engine and can hold up to 50 hours of full load runtime at half load.
Cummins Onan (3.6KY-FA/26120) Micro-quiet LP Generator is an economical choice if you are on the market for an RV generator. It comes with a noise reduction system, delivering at 59db – the quietest on the RV generator market.
Honda EU3000iS is one of the most popular generators for camping, thanks to its Energy Start Feature that allows easy starting without any manual effort. The unit also comes with Eco-Throttle System and iAVR technology features to reduce the noise level up to 20%.
Yamaha EF 2000iSv2 2000-watt is a quiet generator with power capabilities to meet your RV’s electrical needs. This 3 phase generator offers 6000 watts 4,200 surge watts for 30 minutes and comes with Eco-Throttle System, which reduces fuel consumption by 25%.
Duromax XP4850EH is one of the most powerful generators on the market with 7500 watts starting power, 10 hours runtime at half load, and only 59db noise level. The unit comes with a 2-cylinder heavy-duty cast iron OHVI engine to provide peak performance.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the best generator for your RV. We hope that, after reading our article, you have all the information for buying a perfect generator for your RV needs.
Remember that it is important to understand what your RV needs in terms of power output. Once you know this, finding the best generator for your motorhome will be a breeze. Read reviews and find out which features are most important for you, making sure to keep an eye on the price tag as well.