If you need an independent power source for your travels, it is important to choose the right generator. In this article we will review several impressive products to help you find the best choice.
Our top choice is the Champion Power Equipment 200954, which is equipped with a solid 4-stroke engine that can produce 4250 watts. It features an incredibly advanced design that delivers lots of power without any excess noise. You can count on it to run smoothly for years.
Before you decide on a certain generator to use with your RV, we encourage you to learn about the following products.
How We Picked The Greatest
As we put together our list, there were several things we looked closely at. This includes the engine inside of each model. A solid and powerful engine is needed for reliable performance on a consistent basis. It needs to give you a good amount of wattage and a decent run time.
We also looked at the control panel on these generators before choosing any in particular for our list. The very best models tend to have a simple design that isn’t overly complicated. It will also offer a good variety of outlets to satisfy all of your needs.
The Top Five Generators Choices for Your RV in 2023:
Westinghouse iGen4500 Portable Inverter Generator | 4.5/5 | ||
GENMAX GM-3200i Portable Inverter Generator | 4/5 | ||
WEN GN400i Open Frame Inverter Generator | 4/5 | ||
Champion Power Equipment 200954 RV-Ready Inverter Generator | 4.5/5 | ||
PowerSmart PS5040 Inverter Generator | 4/5 |
Westinghouse iGen4500 Portable Inverter Generator
The Westinghouse iGen4500 has a rated power of 3700 watts and a peak power of 4500 watts. It is gas-powered and can be started up remotely with the included key fob. It can be started up with the push of a button for easy use. The electric start gives you reliable functionality. You won’t have to mess around with pulling a choke cable.
You will have a Tt-30R 30-amp outlet, which is ideal for recreational vehicles. There are also a couple of USB outlets that you can use to charge your smartphone, tablet, and a variety of other devices.
We particularly like the digital display, which shows you the remaining fuel, current power output, run time, and voltage output. It even displays the number of lifetime hours that are left.
One of the reasons we chose the iGen4500 for our list is its quiet operation. It produces around 52 decibels, which is fairly impressive considering its incredible power.
The 3.4-gallon tank will provide you with 18 hours of continuous use. There is even an economy mode option that you can use to get the most out of the fuel you put in.
Each of these generators undergo rigorous and thorough testing to ensure the best possible performance. They are also EPA and CARB compliant.
The powerful yet fuel efficient design of this generator makes it an excellent choice for RV owners. It uses an active throttle system that automatically modifies the engine speed. This means that it never produces more power than you actually require.
Pros:
- Digital display gives you a lot of useful information
- Electric start lets you get generator going fast with the push of a button
- Comes with key fob for remote start
- Features two USB ports for charging a variety of portable devices
- Incredibly fuel efficient design
- Impressively quiet overall operation
Cons:
- Product manual doesn’t offer much useful information
GENMAX GM-3200i Portable Inverter Generator
The GENMAX GM-3200i boasts a powerful 3200 starting watts output with 2800 running watts. It is equipped with a solid and long-lasting 5.2 horsepower, 145cc gas-powered engine.
You’ll quickly find that the thick housing on this generator helps minimize noise significantly. It never exceeds 68 decibels, and can be as quiet as 62 decibels with a 25% load.
You can get eight hours of continuous use from this generator with just a single gallon of fuel. You have the option of activating economy mode to stretch your fuel usage a bit farther.
There are a number of LED indicator lights that will let you know when refueling is needed. It will also let you know when it becomes overloaded, which is very important to say the least.
This generator’s USB ports let you keep portable devices like smartphones and tablets charged when the power goes out. It also features 120-volt, 20-amp duplex outlets, as well as 120-volt, 30-amp covered outlets. You can increase your power with parallel connections if necessary.
Measuring 18.9 by 17.3 by 11.5 inches with a weight of 47.3 pounds, this generator is surprisingly compact. It is therefore easy to take with you on camping trips or whenever you want to hit the open road. This is just one reason to consider it.
Pros:
- Thick and durable housing minimizes noise
- Can run for up to eight continuous hours on full 1-gallon tank
- Allows for parallel connections to increase power when necessary
- Lightweight design with handle for easy transportation
- Economy mode allows you to conserve fuel
- Automatically shuts off when oil level is low
Cons:
- Does not offer electric start (pull handle design)
WEN GN400i Open Frame Inverter Generator
The WEN GN400i is equipped with a 4-stroke 212cc OHV engine that this generator uses. It offers 4000 surge watts and 3400 rated watts.
This model has a parallel-ready design that lets you connect two WEN generators for even more power. You’ll never have to deal with voltage spikes or other issues that are synonymous with cheaper models.
You will have two 120-volt NEVA 5-20R outlets, two 5-volt USB ports for charging portable devices, and a 120-volt TT-30R outlet. This is just one reason that you should consider this product when seeking out the greatest option.
We also like the “eco mode” that this generator offers. It will significantly reduce fuel consumption to provide you with longer use in emergency situations. It’s also a great feature to have when you just want to save money.
There are indicator lights for low oil, overload, and output. This makes it easy to know when to refuel. The 1.85-gallon tank in this generator will provide you with up to 14 hours of continuous use, or seven hours with half a tank.
Another reason that we included this product in our list is the automatic shutoff feature. It will turn itself off when oil or fuel is running low. This helps extend the life of the generator for years of reliable use. If you need a solid generator to use with your RV out in the wilderness, this one is an excellent overall choice.
Pros:
- Solid and powerful engine gives you dependable performance
- No voltage spikes or other problems to contend with
- Eco Mode lets you conserve fuel and save money
- Indicator lights tell you when oil is running low
- Auto shutoff feature protects against damage due to low oil or fuel levels
Cons:
- It could be a little quieter overall
Champion Power Equipment 200954 RV-Ready Inverter Generator
The Champion Power Equipment 200954 has a 4-stroke, 224cc gas-powered engine that offers 4250 starting watts and 3500 running watts. It is equipped with a 4-gallon fuel tank that will give you 22 hours of continuous use at a 25% capacity.
One of the absolute best things about this generator is the fact that it is so quiet. It only produces 64 decibels from a distance of 23 feet. It is significantly quieter than most other similar models on the market today.
This generator’s recoil start utilizes Cold Start Technology, which makes it very dependable to say the least. You can always count on it to start up smoothly even in very low temperatures. This is something that you will definitely appreciate when going camping.
You will have three bright indicator lights for low oil, economy mode, and AC overload reset. You’ll be able to get this generator started very easily without any unnecessary hassle. It features electric start and choke buttons on the front control panel.
This generator also has a parallel ready design that lets you hook up other inverter generators to maximize your output. This can be incredibly helpful when your power requirements increase suddenly.
The 120-volt 30-amp TT-30R covered outlet makes the Champion 200954 perfect for RV owners. It also gives you two 120-volt 20-amp household outlets, as well as two USB ports.
Pros:
- Significantly quieter than most other models
- Easy to start up on a consistent basis
- Nice variety of outlets and ports to meet all of your needs
- Large capacity fuel tank gives you nearly 24 hours of continuous use
- Versatile design makes it ideal for outdoor use, DIY projects, and more
Cons:
- It can be fairly loud when used indoors
PowerSmart PS5040 Inverter Generator
The PowerSmart PS5040 Inverter Generator offers a running wattage of 3500 and a surge wattage of 4500. It has a 2.54-gallon fuel tank that will give you up to 22 hours of use with a quarter load.
This generator’s 224cc, 4-stroke OPHV engine features a forced air cooling system for years of reliable performance. There are a variety of outlets that you will definitely get plenty of use from.
Your options include a 120-volt 30-amp TT-30R outlet for RVs, as well as two 12-volt 20-amp outlets. You’ll also have two 2.1-amp USB ports.
You’ll find that the 68-decibel noise level of this generator is fairly quiet when compared to some other models. It is designed for parallel use with up to two other generators that are at least 2800 watts each. This gives you the ability to increase your power output significantly should the need arise.
One of the reasons we put the PS5040 on our list is its energy-saving mode. This allows you to start conserving fuel with the simple flip of a switch. It will help you save money and get more use.
The multi-function display on this generator shows you important details at all times while it is running. The control panel as a whole is very simple and easy to use.
Pros:
- Powerful 4-stroke engine offers 4500 starting watts
- Simple and straightforward control panel makes it easy to use
- Energy saving mode can be activated with the flip of a switch
- Offers 22 hours of continuous use with just a quarter load
- Air cooling system helps extend engine life considerably
Cons:
- It is quite large and heavy
Buying Guide
When seeking out the best option, there are multiple factors you must consider. We have compiled a list of criteria to help you select a model that will meet all of your needs.
Engine/Power
One of the most important things to look into when trying to find the greatest is the engine. This will give you a good idea as to how reliable and powerful each one is.
We recommend models that use a 4-stroke, 224 OHV engine that can produce up to 4250 watts. This should give you enough power for your recreational vehicle.
If you want the ability to increase your power output, you’ll need to find a generator that is parallel ready. This will let you connect one or two more generators. This type of design can be tremendously beneficial in a variety of situations. Take a look at how many parallel ports are on each one.
Noise Level
The fact is that the very best will be powerful but quiet. You’ll need to find out what the noise level is for each one before making a final decision.
It is best to purchase a generator that won’t produce more than 68 decibels of noise. This will ensure that you get what you need without having to deal with more noise than necessary. It will also reduce the chances of bothering anyone else who might be in the general area.
Outlets
Take a close look at the various outlets that each generator offers. You should have two basic 120-volt, 20-amp household outlets. Any model that is designed for use with an RV will also have a TT-30R outlet. This will let you power your recreational vehicle with no issues whatsoever.
You’ll find that most modern inverter generators will also be equipped with one or two USB 5-volt ports. This will allow you to keep your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and other mobile devices charged.
Fuel Capacity
You also need to find out how large the fuel tank in each generator is. This will ultimately determine how much continuous use you will be able to get from them.
A generator with a 4-gallon tank can give you up to 22 hours of use at a 25% load. The larger the tank, the longer you will be able to use it.
You should look for models that have an “eco mode” that is designed to conserve fuel. This can help you save quite a bit of money in the short and long term. It can also be very useful when you are in an emergency situation of some kind.
Startup
Some inverter generators can be start up with the push of a button, while others feature a choke cable design. You’ll want to select one that can be start up fairly easily without too much hassle or frustration. Keep an eye out for models that have an electric start. This will help you save a lot of time and effort.
Control Panel
We recommend that you take a close look at the control panel on each generator that you come across. You should select one that has a fairly simple and straightforward design.
The control panel on your new generator should also have indicator lights for low oil and fuel. This will let you know when to refill, which is a pretty big convenience.
Many of these generators have a display that shows the remaining run time, voltage, frequency, and other things. This information can certainly be very useful.
Size
If you are determined to find the best option, you’ll also need to consider each one’s size. There are plenty of compact models that are perfect for RV drivers.
Take a close look at the total dimensions and weight for these products. This will give you a better idea as to which ones will be easy to transport and move around. We recommend getting one that has a telescoping handle.
Safety Features
There are some safety features that you should look out for when shopping around. This includes auto shutoff, which can potentially prevent a fire. This will ensure that the generator automatically shuts down if the oil level is ever too low.
Conclusion
In order to find the greatest, you’ll want to take a close look at each one’s engine. It will need to offer at least 3200 watts. You should also take a close look at the various outlets that these generators have. A TT-30R outlet is required for use with a recreational vehicle. Feel free to comment below so we know what you think about our list.