Having the creature comforts of home is one of the primary benefits of traveling in an RV.

Although you’re enjoying life on the road, being able to use various appliances and electronics can ensure that your journey is even better.

However, depending on the kind of traveling you’re doing, it may not always be feasible to plug into shore power whenever you need to operate the different machines inside your mobile home.

For those instances, having a portable generator is a must.

Today, we’re going to be looking at the best generators for travel trailers, although they can also be useful for other types of RVs as well, depending on your needs.

Let’s see what they have to offer.

COMPARISON CHART

IMAGE	PRODUCT
	1. Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Wireless Remote Start Durable construction Quiet operation at 57 dB Two outlets USB adapter built-in	LEARN MORE ►
	2. Westinghouse WGen3600 Portable Generator – 3600 Rated Watts & 4650 Peak Watts Durable and rugged design High-powered generator Over 4000 peak watts Weather-resistant housing	LEARN MORE ►
	3. WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator Rugged construction Easy to carry and use Lightweight when compared to other generators Produces up to 2000 watts	LEARN MORE ►
	4. Duromax XP4850EH 3850 Running Watts/4850 Starting Watts Dual Fuel Electric Start Portable Generator High-powered generator Continuous wattage of 3850 Runs on propane or gas Rugged construction	LEARN MORE ►
	5. Honda Power Equipment EU3000IS 3000W 120V Portable Home Gas Power Generator Operates a wide variety of appliances Super quiet Fuel efficient Advanced inverter technology	LEARN MORE ►

OUR TOP 5 PICKS

#1 Champion 3100-Watt RV Ready Portable

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Specifications

Features

• Durable construction
• Two outlets
• Wheels for portability

• Quiet operation at 57 dB
• USB adapter built-in
• Easy to read LED lights

When looking at the best generators, one of the most significant decisions you’ll have to make is the type of fuel you’ll be using. While you can use either gasoline or propane, I highly recommend the former because it generates more power and it’s easier to find.

All of the generators on this list run on gas, and our first model from Champion is a high-quality unit that will make it easy to boondock wherever you are.

Wireless Remote Start

If convenience is something important to you, then you’ll really appreciate this bonus feature that comes with this generator. Rather than having to go to the machine itself every time you want to turn it on or off, you can simply use the remote control feature.

While I don’t recommend doing this all the time (as you have to monitor the fuel level and output on occasion), it’s a nice luxury to have when you’re looking for a quick and easy way to generate power.

3100-Watt Output

When comparing different generators, one of the most crucial elements will be the wattage output. You will have to convert watts into volts so that you can figure out how many appliances can run off of a single motor, but on average, you’ll want at least 2500 watts for a travel trailer.

Another thing to pay attention to is the peak wattage versus continuous wattage. In this case, you can get up to 3100 watts when the generator is first starting, but it only operates at 2800 watts, so keep that in mind when determining your power needs.

Clean Power for Electronics

One thing that you may not realize if you’re still new to the world of generators is that they can produce fluctuating power. Unlike the electricity coming from your outlets at home, generators are not always capable of keeping a smooth current.

Unfortunately, when these hiccups happen, they can damage sensitive electronics, like laptops or smartphones. Thankfully, this particular generator is designed to alleviate this problem so that you can use it for all kinds of electronics without any worry.

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#2 Westinghouse WGen3600 Portable Generator

Specifications

Features

• Durable and rugged design
• Over 4000 peak watts
• Automatic low-fuel shut off

• High-powered generator
• Weather-resistant housing
• Three-year limited warranty

For some travel trailers, only having a couple thousand watts may be enough. However, if you’re looking for something with a bit more power and reliability, then this model from Westinghouse may be better suited for your travels. Let’s see how it stacks up compared to the others.

Four-Gallon Fuel Tank

One thing that I haven’t really discussed yet is the size of your fuel tank. For the most part, generators can only take about two gallons or less, but that means that you can use them for about 6-10 hours, depending on how much power you need.

For maximum usage, I recommend only drawing about 25-30% of the total power offered by the generator. So, if it produces 3000 watts, then you should just be utilizing 900 of them at any given time if possible.

With four gallons in this tank, the generator can run for up to 18 hours (at 25%), making it much better for boondocking than some of the other models on this list.

Sealed Outlets for Weather Resistance

Another thing about generators for your travel trailer is that you’ll be keeping them outside when they’re in use. Not only will the noise prohibit them from staying inside the trailer, but the fumes can be toxic as well.

Depending on where you are and how well you can cover your generator, being outside can be dangerous. Thankfully, this model has sealed outlets so that rain and other debris won’t get caught in them, potentially causing damage.

3600 Continuous Watts

As I mentioned, you may need more power for your appliances, so having something as rugged and high-powered as this machine might be just the ticket. With a running output of 3600 watts, you can use this unit for almost anything inside your travel trailer.

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#3 WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter

Specifications

Features

• Rugged construction
• Can be chained with other generators
• Produces up to 2000 watts

• Easy to carry and use
• 1600-watt operating power
• Two outlets

Because we’re talking about travel trailers with this list, you may not need a massive and super-powerful generator. Assuming that you only have a few electronics inside your mobile home, a compact model like this one from Wen may be more than enough. Let’s see what it can do.

Ultra-Quiet Design

One issue that many people have with generators is that they can be annoyingly loud. For the most part, high-powered models will make their presence known, particularly if you keep them running all of the time.

Fortunately, if you’re worried about having a lot of noise pollution, this particular unit is designed to be quieter than most, with a decibel range of about 51. This is lower than most conversations, so you can use it without it being too distracting.

Wen Eco Mode

As long as you’re not operating high-powered devices like a heater or air conditioner, this generator works well with most other small appliances, particularly with sensitive electronics like laptops.

To save even more fuel and reduce your costs, this generator has an eco mode, which means that it will automatically adjust its output to meet demand, rather than giving you a bunch of watts that you don’t need.

Parallel Operation

One element I briefly mentioned in the review above was the ability to chain generators together to draw more power. Since this particular model is relatively low in wattage, this capability may be necessary.

All you have to do is connect multiple units together, and you can double or triple your electric output. However, keep in mind that while this generator is compact, bringing multiple versions along for the ride can limit your storage space substantially.

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#4 Duromax XP4850EH 3850 Portable Generator

Specifications

Features

• High-powered generator
• Rugged construction
• EPA certified for outdoor use

• Runs on propane or gas
• Easy to use
• Heavy-duty frame lasts longer

Although gas is the primary fuel source for generators, it’s not the only option out there. So, if you’re thinking about using propane from time to time, you may decide that this dual-fuel model from Duromax is the best option. Let’s see what it can do.

Seven-Horsepower Motor

When it comes to power output, this is by far the most potent unit we’ve seen so far. With a max wattage of over 4500 and a continuous output of 3850, you shouldn’t have any problems with powering various appliances inside your travel trailer.

The other benefit of having such a high-powered motor is that it’s built more solidly than some of the other lighter units, and it’s made for continuous operation, not infrequent usage.

Dual-Fuel Design

One of the most intriguing features of this or any generator is the fact that it can run on both propane and gasoline. Both fuels have their benefits, so let’s do a quick breakdown.

Propane – can last longer in between uses (won’t expire). It burns slower, so you can use the generator for more hours. Propane doesn’t generate as much power, however, and refilling the tank can be trickier.

Gas – easy to find and fill the generator whenever necessary. Generates more electricity, and it’s usually more stable. However, gas burns faster, so you only get a few hours of use, rather than a whole day.

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#5 Honda Power Equipment EU3000IS 3000W 120V Portable Home Gas Power Generator

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Specifications

Features

• Operates a wide variety of appliances
• Super quiet
• Fuel efficient

• Advanced inverter technology
• 3000 watts of power
• Runs for over 20 hours on a 3.4 gallon tank

Introducing the Honda Power Equipment EU3000iS, your 3000 watt generator that’s perfect for all kinds of applications. With an advanced inverter, this generator gives you clean and stable power that’s perfect for running computers and laptops.

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The Difference Between Solar Panels And GeneratorsA solar panel may be able to provide you with some electrical power, but they fail to work at night or during cloudy days. The size of your array and battery bank (which will cost thousands of dollars in the beginning) determines how much electricity you can get from solar for AC units and power-hungry equipment. Generating power is the best use of your money.What size generator do I need for my travel trailer?An RV generator typically produces between 2000 and 4000 watts of power. Prepare yourself by knowing what you want. If so, does your trailer only need a limited amount of power? 2000 watts should be enough for you.What type of generator is best for a travel trailer?RV campers should use inverter generators. As far as sound goes, they have enclosed bodies that minimize noise, making them suitable for campgrounds. Generators that use inverter technology are ‘smart’ with built-in microprocessors. By regulating the current, your electronics will not be damaged

CONCLUSION

When it comes to the best generator for travel trailers, I would have to say that the model that combines all of the best features, including noise, power output, and convenience, is the Champion Generator.

I appreciate that this model provides sufficient power for most appliances, as well as the fact that it’s both reliable and easy to use. Although it’s not the most capable unit on this list, it will work well in most travel trailers and will stay in good condition for longer, which is why it’s my top pick.