One of the best things about owning a recreational vehicle is the ability to explore and camp in beautiful, remote locations. But to be successful at camping at campsites that are off the beaten trail, your rig must be fully self-reliant. That means having water storage, a waste management system, and a power source. A generator is the perfect power source, as it will take over when your batteries die, and restore power during outages in developed RV parks. Unfortunately, very few travel trailers come equipped with a generator, leaving many RVers wondering, “What size generator for a travel trailer do I need?”
Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right size generator for your travel trailer.
Why You Should Get a Generator for Your Travel Trailer
Many beginner RVers might mistake their RV’s battery for a power source that can run the rig’s appliances indefinitely. Sadly, batteries, even if hooked up to solar panels, don’t always provide the power needed to run power-hungry appliances like the RV air conditioner and electric coffee maker.
A well-sized generator, on the other hand, can power everything from the AC unit, coffee maker, microwave, dishwasher, electric stove, TV, radio, and laptop. It also guarantees hot water and safe food storage. That means you can utilize all the electric functions of your camper and be more comfortable, no matter where you’re camping. Plus, you never have to worry about power outages.
Top Tip: However, it’s important to be aware how to operate and position a generator safely, so you can protect yourself and anyone who is camping with you. Generators release carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
Types of Travel Trailer Generators
There are different categories of generators you can use to power your travel trailer when boondocking. Here are the main types:
Portable RV Generators
These are generators you can easily move around. They can also serve other uses other than RVing, such as providing backup power for your home. They come in 2 types:
- Contractor or Frame Generators – Designed for construction sites, they have an open-frame design, meaning the engine and generator parts are exposed to the air for natural cooling. They are the most cost-effective and provide between 3,000 to 10,000 watts of available power. However, they are less fuel-efficient and can cause a disturbance if camping close to other RVers due to their high noise levels.
- Inverter Generators – They tend to be fully enclosed with a plastic case, and use fans to cool their internal components. They are more expensive, yet offer a lower power output compared to contractor generators. They come in 1,000 to 5,000 watts. However, they are much quieter and fuel-efficient.
Built-In RV Generators
These types of generators come as part of an RV’s construction or a factory upgrade option. They are installed underneath or in the RV’s frame. They are wired and secured within the RV and are safe to use during transit as the exhaust is positioned outside the rig. Starting them is just a matter of pushing a button from inside the RV. Some even start automatically when batteries are low or when the AC needs to run.
Built-in generators are usually high-watt output generators, between 3,000 to 12,000 watts. You’ll mostly find them in huge fifth wheels and high-end motorhomes. In motorhomes, they normally use the gas from your RV fuel tank, meaning you don’t need to haul fuel cans. One drawback is they are expensive to install if your trailer doesn’t have one. Moreover, maintenance and repairs are costly as it’s difficult to access them.
Solar Generators
Commonly known as portable power stations, these are small generators that have a rechargeable battery system, mostly lithium-ion. They can be powered up using solar, vehicle or campground hookups. They are meant for lighter tasks such as powering laptops, RV flat-screen TVs, music gadgets, fans, and LED lights. A solar generator isn’t powerful enough to run the AC.
An important thing to note when looking for an RV generator is the fuel type. You can choose between gasoline, diesel, or propane. Some run on both propane and gas.
How to Determine Your Travel Trailer Generator Capacity Needs
When shopping for a generator for your camper, you’ll notice that they are rated in watts. This is the amount of energy they are able to provide. There are two different watt ratings:
- Starting Watts – This is the maximum power the generator can deliver for a short burst. Is usually a higher number than the running watts.
- Running or Continuous Watts – This will be a lower value than the starting watt and is the power the generator will deliver continuously for extended periods.
But to determine the wattage that best suits your situation, you’ll need to have an idea of the power requirements of different items in your camper. Notably, some items, such as the AC, require double the wattage on startup, meaning you might need a generator with high starting watts.
Here’s how much power the following common travel trailer appliances consume:
- Air Conditioner
- 13,500 BTU – 1,300 running watts; 2,750 starting watts
- 15,000 BTU – 1,500 running watts; 3,000-3,500 starting watts
- LED Light bulb – 6 watts
- Coffee Machine – 800 watts
- TV – 250-watts
- Laptop – 200 watts
- Microwave – 100 watts
- Blender – 350 watts and a surge of 500 watts.
After adding the running watts numbers above, you’ll need a generator with a minimum of 3000 watts. We’ve not factored in the fridge, furnace, and water heater, as they are more likely to be powered by propane. When starting the AC, you might need to shut off high-energy use appliances like the coffee machine since the AC has high starting watts.
See Also: Using a Space Heater in Your RV: Is It Safe?
Best Size Generator for 30 Amp Travel Trailer
Basically, the maximum power your 30-amp RV can use is 3,600 watts. This number is arrived at by multiplying the number of volts (120) by the number of amps (30). The main consideration when shopping for a generator will be your RV air conditioner.
A small 2,000-watt generator will struggle with a 13,000 BTU AC. So, a portable generator that delivers 3,000 or 3,500 watts of power is a better option. It will run everything just like you are hooked up to shore power. You can pair it with a hard-start kit to provide the generator a startup spike, aiding the starting process of air conditioning.
Still, you’ll need to be selective about what you’re plugging in since running multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously will overload the generator. A 50-amp RV will need a generator with at least 4,000 watts of power.
Top Tip: You can actually pair an inverter generator with another inverter generator of the same size if you need more power for a 50-amp RV. For example, you could pair two 3,500-watt generators to give you 7,000 watts of power at startup. This will completely run a 50-amp service with a residential fridge, two A/C units, a hot water heater and a microwave.
Power Your Camper With a Portable Generator
With a portable generator for a travel trailer, you no longer have to worry about your batteries running out of juice when RV camping without electric hookups. A generator rated 3,000 to 3,600 watts will provide enough power to run all the functions of your 30-amp travel trailer.
A large generator will be an overkill. In most cases, your camper’s wattage needs will actually be less than 3,600-watt. When buying, make sure you get something with a decent run time. Preferably, 20-hour run time on a full tank.
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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
- Cynthia Measomhttps://rvtoptips.com/author/admin_rvtoptips/
