An RV is a great way to travel spending weekends and vacations out of town. The travel supposes to be comfortable, even if lasts a few days. The generator supply with power various small home devices on which depends the convenience of your trip. Thus, the best generator for a travel trailer is the one that matches all your requests. There is no ideal option that suits absolutely everyone since everything depends on how you will use it.
How to choose a generator for a travel trailer to make the purchase most useful? Let’s take a look at the main factors that you need to pay attention to.
Campgrounds or Boondocking – What Do You Choose?
Choosing the best generator for a travel trailer, bear in mind the type of the acquired RV. If you prefer to go far away, then you need a powerful generator. Boondocking assumes that you will be able to recharge your batteries only from the generator, so it must provide a lot of energy. For fans of campgrounds, a less powerful generator is suitable since at any camping there is access to the electrical network.
Size Matters
All generators can be divided into large (from 5000 W), medium (from 2500 W to 3500 W), and small (up to 2000 W) ones.
- Large generators are heavy and bulky. Their weight is about 250 pounds and move on wheels. They generate enough energy to provide the necessary power amount to all electric devices in the RV. However, they have significant fuel consumption.
- Medium-sized ones also have wheels, but they are smaller and lighter. These devices are suitable for average power consumption and quite economical.
- Small devices are good for people who do not need a lot of energy. They are light and compact and can be easily transported.
Fuel Type for Generator
Generators can be of different types basing on the fuel consumption.
- Gasoline. Such generators are very popular, as they work quietly and gas can be bought almost everywhere. However, gasoline vapors are dangerous, the fuel is problematic to store, and the generator needs regular and careful maintenance in comparison with other devices.
- Diesel. They are the most expensive and very noisy. They are much safer than propane and gasoline ones since diesel is highly stable. They also generate a lot of electricity with little fuel consumption. The perfect solution if your trailer also runs on diesel.
- Propane. This fuel is safe and environmentally friendly. Propane is economical and burns for a long time and the generator works silently. The only drawback is that this fuel is less common than gasoline or diesel, and there may be problems with refueling.
Choosing the best generator for an RV, consider all features of this or that type of fuel. Some of them can operate on several types of fuel – they are more convenient and versatile but more complex to service.
Useful Tips
To have a purchased generator served for many years, you need to follow a few rules:
- Periodically turn it on every two weeks for several hours if you are not actively using it.
- Check the level of oil and state of filters.
- Keep it clean.
My name is Brandon, and I’ve been interested in cars since I was a kid. I got a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology and worked in a private car workshop. I have two cars that have been completely upgraded with my own hands. So I successfully put all my knowledge into practice.