Best Generators For Small RV or Camper 2016

* The generators reviewed in our article Best Generators For RV and Travel Trailer 2013-2014 are still great buys. Feel free to review for more insight.

 

The open road and natural wonders of our world call. And we want to make sure you have a reliable portable generator for your small RV or camper adventure this season. It will be most useful those nights you want to be independent from plugging into or paying for outside electricity. We have complied a list of our best generators for RV in 2016. Our ratings consider quietness, portability, reliability, and affordability of the generator. Let’s briefly discuss why we chose each of the rating categories:

1.) Quietness

A small RV and camping experience is meant to be a peaceful one for both your party and others around you. You don’t want the roar of a loud generator in your ear as you watch the sunset or gaze at the mid-summer night sky. Nor, do you want to draw the ire of your neighbors with overpowering noise from your RV. We recommend a generator with dBa ratings below 60 to ensure a pleasant experience for all. This typically will come in the form of an inverter generator.

2.) Portability

Every traveler knows that maximizing available space and minimizing pack weight are keys to a successful and enjoyable experience. The same idea applies to your RV or camper generator. Many home generators can weigh up to 500 lbs! We recommend an RV generator weigh no more than 100 lbs as it is a manageable weight to load and unload from the RV and will be kind to the miles per gallon performance while driving your RV.

3.) Reliability

Of course this is one of the most important factors. We look for generators with a strong track record of performance and high ratings from consumers and seasoned RV and traveling enthusiasts. We are looking for generators that provide around 2000 watts of output. This is the sweet spot to power an RV (appliances, electronics, etc.) with a little room for an additional needs.

4.) Affordability

We are looking for the sweet spot of affordability and high marks for the prior three metrics. A strong performing portable generator for a small RV or trailer can be had for between $500 and $1,300.

 

Top Rated Inverter Generator For Small RV

Yamaha EF2000iS 2,000 Watt 79cc OHV 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant, Blue

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Our top pick for 2016 remains the Yamaha EF2000iS 2000 watt gas powered portable generator. This generator packs more than enough power and is quiet with a noise rating of just 51.5 dBa. Weighing only 44 lbs, the generator is light enough for most any adult to move. The generator can run up to 10.5 hours continuously without refueling giving you long lasting power. It will reliably power a 5,000 BTU air conditioner, microwave, and small refrigerator. We were extremely pleased with its performance during our own testing and consumers agree with us. The EF2000iS has garnered a near 5 out of 5 stars from almost 300 consumer reviews on Amazon.com.  The generator delivers and exceeds our criteria for under $1000 at a cost of $989. Shipping is included in the price. We feel this is an excellent value that is difficult to top.

The EF2000iS is CARB compliant and is available for sale and use in California.

If  you are looking for a generator to reliably power a large 13,500 BTU air conditioner, try the slightly more powerful Yamaha EF2400iSHC.

 

Best Small RV Inverter Generator With Additional Power For The Money

Champion Power Equipment No.75531i Inverter Generator, 3100-watt

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The Champion Power Equipment No.75531i Inverter Generator, 3100-watt is our favorite RV generator for those seeking a little extra power.  The 75531i is still impressively quiet testing at 58 dBa, only slightly more than the Yamaha 2000iS. The 75531i does weigh considerably more at 80lbs, but wheels and a handle are built in to the generator helping it to maintain a very high portability rating. 80lbs is still extremely light for a generator.  The generator can run 8 hours on a full tank of gas (1.5 gallons) at a 25% load or 5-6 hours on a higher load. Champion offers excellent customer service and support. A two year manufacturer warranty is provided and a knowledgeable customer support line staff is available should you have any questions or require assistance.  Consumers agree that the the generator is a great buy at only $839 on Amazon, rating the generator a 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 100 reviews. Getting 3100 watts of power, light weight, and quiet is rare at this price point. 

Best Small RV Inverter Generator Under $600

Champion Power Equipment 73536i 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”no” align=”left” asin=”B0041K09D8″ cloaking=”default” height=”129″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”no” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xrvlj3ehL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”genergator-20″ width=”160″]Champion Power Equipment 73536i 2,000 Watt 4-Stroke Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator (CARB Compliant)[/easyazon_image]

Champion comes through again with the 735361i 2,000 watt 4 stroke gas powered inverter generator. The generator checks all of our boxes.  The 735361i is light at only 48 lbs and is equipped with a built-in carry handle. It is quiet with a low 53 dBa rating making it perfect for dense camp site areas. Consumers also love this generator awarding it nearly 5 out of 5 stars across 74 reviews on Amazon. The 735361i can be had for $599 on Amazon.com. Shipping is included in the price.

The 735361i is CARB compliant and available for sale and use in California.

Best Generac Generator Values

Generac is a trusted name in the generator market. The company has helped power America since 1959. We would like to share with you our favorite Generac Generators. Generac stands behind its products with a 2 year limited warranty.

 

Best Portable Generac Generator For Home & Job Site Use

Generac 5735 GP17500E 17,5000 Watt 992cc OHVI Gas Powered Portable Generator with Electric Start

 

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The GP17500E combines portability with power. This generator can power the most demanding home appliances during a power outage and is the best alternative for homes not yet equipped with an automatic home standby generator. It can power up to a 5-ton air-conditioner and the entire home in many cases. 17,500 watts is ample power to support a entire home.  Having a cool home during those summer month power outages caused by hurricanes and storms will be appreciated by the family.

We particularly liked how Generac placed the control panel of the generator near the handle for easy access. Some generators place the control panel in hard to reach places which can be inconvenient in dark situations.

Amazon customers love the generator too awarding it 4.5 out of 5 stars across 30 reviews. They were pleased with its reliability and durability.

One minor drawback of the Generac 5735 is that it is heavy at 435 pounds. This is a powerful, sturdy, well-built generator. However, it can be moved with the included wheel set and we found it to be reasonable. The Generator is not available for sale in California as it is not CARB compliant.

The GP17500E comes with electric start for convenience and a hardened steel tube cradle for added durability. The generator costs about $2,700 on Amazon, which is a great price for the high wattage provided.

 

Best Home StandBy Generac Generator Value

Generac 6439 11,000 Watt Air-Cooled Steel Enclosure Liquid Propane/Natural Gas Powered Standby Generator (CARB Compliant) without Transfer Switch

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A standby generator is the ultimate defense for extended power outages. These generator systems provide a seamless transition (within seconds) to backup power in the even of power outages caused by anything from hurricanes to snow storms. A standby generator is hooked up directly to your home’s electrical system and is therefore not portable. However, a standby generator is recommended as the best solution for home backup power. The Generac 6439 provides 11,000 watts of power and may be powered by natural gas or liquid propane. It provides hands-free operation with no fueling, manual start or extension cords. The Generac 6439 is hooked up directly to your home’s existing natural gas or liquid fuel supply which is why no manual fueling is required once installed. The generator comes pre-wired, and with just about everything needed to hook it up to the home – including well written instructions and a customer support line just in case assistance is needed.

The generator costs about $2,399 on Amazon. Shipping is free. Please note you will need to purchase an automatic transfer switch (which runs from abut $300-$400) if you don’t already have one.

The Generac 6439 is CARB compliant and available for sale and use in California.

Best Generac Generator For Camping

Generac 6000 LP3250 3,250 Watt 212cc OHV Portable Liquid Propane Powered Generator with Tank Holder

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The Generac 6000 LP3250 generator is a great camping companion. This portable generator yields 3,250 watts of power and is a more clean alternative to gas generators. Propane can be stored for long periods of time, emits fewer hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than gasoline, and is biodegradable. The LP3250 is easy to transport to camp sites. A propane tank holder is built onto the generator meaning both the propane tank and generator can be pushed by one person using the wheel set included with the generator. This also means less storage space is needed on the truck as the propane tank can rest within the generator. No long fuel lines are required for use. The unit has the requisite outlets with two standard 5-20R 120V outlets, and one L14-20R 120/240V twist-lock outlet.

Consumers like the generator as well giving the Generac LP3250 4 out of 5 starts on Amazon.com over 78 consumer reviews.

The generator is listed for sale on Amazon.com for $609 which includes shipping and a two year residential warranty.

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