Curious about the right size generator for your travel trailer in 2023? Choosing the wrong size could leave you without essential power.
In this guide, we break down what you need to know about wattage, fuel efficiency, and more.
You can leave your power woes behind and look forward to traveling in comfort and well-lit surroundings.
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What Size Generator For Travel Trailer?
For a travel trailer, a generator producing at least 2000 to 5000 watts is typically required. The exact size depends on the power needs of your appliances and trailer length.
| Size | Watts | Recommended Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 2500 | PowerSmart 2500 Watts Portable Inverter Generator |
| Medium | 3500 | Generac 3500 Watt Quiet Portable Inverter Generator |
| Large | 4500 | Champion Power 4500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator |
What You Should Consider?
Larger generators are more expensive, but they can deliver the necessary power to larger appliances and devices with ease.
Another thing that you need to take into account when choosing a generator for your travel trailer is how much space it’s going to take up in your camper.
You want enough room inside of the RV or truck bed so you can load and unload the generator more easily.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least three feet of clearance on either side, six inches behind it and 18″ in front of it so you can get around it safely when moving from one place to another.
If space is limited inside your travel trailer then consider a smaller generator with a shorter power cord.
How Much Power Do You Really Need In A Travel Trailer?
We recommend that you start by figuring out what appliances are being used in your travel trailer.
This helps determine how much power each appliance needs as well as what type of generator can handle it.
If you have an air conditioner running inside the vehicle while powering other items from one system: then figure another 600 watts so add 1200 total into the equation (plus any extra usage).
The result should tell you what size generator would work best for your situation.
For example, if using 2000-3000 continuous wattage units at all times including those when powering other items outside, then a 4000-5000 watt generator is what you need.
We recommend always purchasing one that’s at least 50% higher than your travel trailer needs to ensure there are no power outages when using these appliances for more extended periods of time.
Another alternative if looking for a generator for travel trailer camping would be an inverter style which provides AC power and plugs in with outlets on either side.
So it can run off battery as well as gasoline-like traditional generators but cost less money.
It might not provide as much output (watts) as a gas-powered model though; but still enough to give relief during emergencies since they’re generally quieter and smaller and easier to store away too!
How big of a generator do you need for your camper?
This is a good question, and it depends on what size camper you have. There are many types of generators with different power ratings and peak output capacities.
Manufacturers will generally provide these specifications in their product descriptions on websites like Amazon.
But keep in mind that most of this information can be easily exaggerated if not backed up with data from third-party sources such as an independent lab test report from one of the certification agencies mentioned above.
A generator should be able to produce at least enough electricity so that your entire trailer’s needs can be met without interruptions.
TIP: Use amperage ratings to compare generators with the same power output rating.
A higher amp capacity means a generator is capable of powering more electrical loads at once. This may be necessary for some trailers that include amenities such as air conditioning or stovetop cooking appliances.
When calculating how much wattage your trailer needs, it’s important not only to consider what you plan on running inside of it but also what will be plugged in outside when camping near an electric source like campground hookups or RV parks where there are available full 240V outlets.
For example, if you have two 50 Amp shore power connections and five 120 Volt AC receptacles (like four interior lights plus one exterior outlet) then use the following formula to determine what size generator you’ll need:
Watts used from shore power + 120-volt receptacle load = total trailer wattage
50 Amp x 20 Amps (120V) = 1000 Watts
3600 Watts – 1000 Watts= 2700 Watts needed for the RV. A 4000 Watt or 5000 Watt generator should work well in this case.
The more expensive models will have less fluctuation while running and typically come with a lifetime warranty, which is nice if your camping plans take you across the country on a regular basis.
They also tend to be quieter than cheaper models so they may be worth the investment depending on how often you camp and what type of camper you have for hauling it around!
>> What size generator to power a space heater?
Does My Small Travel Trailer Or Toy Hauler Need A Generator?
A good rule of thumb is to figure out how many watts your travel trailer or toy hauler needs per hour.
If you have a small, lightweight camper that only requires 100 watts an hour, then it doesn’t need a generator at all.
It can be hooked up to the power grid using shore power in order to charge things like laptops and cellphones with no problem whatsoever.
The power consumption for your bigger, heavier travel trailer will vary depending on the size and amenities in it.
Generally speaking, a generator should be able to handle up to 5000 watts of power without any issues at all.
The amount of space you have though is what dictates how big or small you need your generator to be.
It’s best not to buy one with more wattage than you actually need because then that would just go wasted when there isn’t enough juice in the battery bank needed for an emergency situation like this.
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What size generator for 25 foot travel trailer?
Generators range in size from about 2000 watts to as much as 10,000 or more!
Plan on how many appliances you’ll want to use and what other power needs you to have like air conditioning units, electric heaters, space heaters, and so on.
If you plan to use appliances that require a lot of power like clothes washers or stoves get a generator with more capacity than what you need for entertainment devices.
You’ll also want a portable generator if it’s necessary to move your trailer around frequently.
If the usage is light – then 5000 watts will be sufficient most likely but as soon as there are heavy loads such as air conditioner units, microwaves, or coffee makers the wattage needs to increase significantly.
What Size Generator Do I Need For A 30 Amp Travel Trailer?
If you’re looking for what size generator do I need for a 30 amp travel trailer, the answer is one that can provide enough power to run all of your appliances and extras.
It’s important to plan out how many appliances you’ll want to use on top of entertainment devices like TVs and radios so as not to overload any single appliance or outlet with more than it was designed for.
If users will be heavy in regards to items such as clothes washers, stoves or coffee makers then choose a portable generator because they are usually built with higher wattage capabilities.
5000 watts should be sufficient if the use isn’t too demanding but once there are heavier loads – it’s wise to look at generators that have the greater capability (like 7000 watts).
How Much Does A Portable Generator Cost For Travel Trailer?
Generally, a generator for a travel trailer costs around $150 to $500.
The cost of the portable generator will depend on the size and power that it provides, what type of fuel is used, if it’s an inverter or not, etc.
Inverters are more expensive than non-inverters because they convert AC current into DC current which in turn can be stored by batteries (a bigger battery capacity means you’ll need a larger inverter).
Non-inverters just give out standard alternating current from a regular plug socket while some models come with two plugs so both can run at once!
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How do you secure a generator when camping?
Camping generators are typically meant for weekend excursions that last a couple of days.
They can be difficult to transport because they are heavy and have long power cords, so how do you secure your generator when camping?
You need to find a safe place away from any brush or trees near the campsite; this is where the unit will be running while it’s in use.
The area should also have accessible water and electrical outlets nearby since most campers must bring water to their site before heading out on an expedition.
Once you find a suitable location for installation, make sure there is enough space around it for air circulation as well as protection against falling branches or leaves if these potential hazards exist in your camping environment.
You will also need to check the local fire laws before starting your generator and make sure you are not blocking any access roads.
If it is a dry environment try finding a place for installation where it can be elevated off the ground or at least out of reach from humidity if necessary.
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How do you hook up a portable generator to a travel trailer?
To attach a portable generator to your travel camper, first turn off all electricity sources other than that coming from your RV’s battery system.
Then check with any campground management office before attaching cables so you know what is allowed there.
If not sure about anything electrical hooking up, please consult a licensed electrician beforehand!
Next step: plug one end of a cable into the generator’s outlet and plug the other end into your travel trailer battery.
Find a place on one side or another, either outside by running cables through an inside window that has been cracked for ventilation.
You’ll want to make sure it is not too close to anything flammable like woodpiles or under any type of picnic table if you happen to be camping at someone else’s site that doesn’t let generators run overnight!
Some campgrounds offer power connections right near their hookup areas so all you have to do is connect your camper trailer with its electric cord.
But this may not always be possible because some interior campsites are situated away from electrical connection points, forcing the use of portable generators as the sole source of power.
Some people like to use a solar panel or two for their electrical needs while others just rely on what they can get from campground hookups and what the portable generator provides.
If you do not have any type of battery storage system, be sure to monitor your usage closely so as not to over-tax the generator’s ability with too many high-wattage appliances running at one time!
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How to use a generator with a travel trailer?
If you’re going to be using the generator for a long period of time, it’s best if your travel trailer has an external fuel tank.
Gasoline storage in travel trailers is limited because they are not designed that way.
There are some preassembled kits available, but these can take up more space than what may already exist.
If you have to store gas inside the travel trailer then make sure to follow these guidelines:
Store gasoline with containers in well ventilated areas away from any open flame or spark sources.
Don’t use plastic containers and keep them tightly sealed and out of reach of children at all times.
Always pour slowly when filling tanks so as not to create sparks or fumes. This will help prevent accidental fire hazards.
You should also have an appropriate fire extinguisher on your hands, such as one that is UL rated for paints and solvents.
Consider installing a natural gas tank or converting it to propane. These can be more efficient than gasoline and easier on the environment, too.
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Will a 2000 watt generator run a camper??
Yes, but it depends on how many appliances you plan to use at the same time.
The average load in our campers was about 200 watt hours per day when we were running all the lights inside; other items would vary by individual usage patterns such as radios or televisions (about 100 watt hours), microwaves (1000 watt hours) or hair dryers (1500 watt hours).
Will a 5000-watt generator run a camper?
This is a common question with an answer that depends on the size of your camper.
A 5000 watt generator can power up to 30 amps for one 120 v outlet or 15 amps if you have two 120v outlets, so it would be able to run small appliances like lamps and TVs in most campers.
However, it may not work well for larger items such as refrigerators or air conditioners.
If these are what will need powering during your camping trips, then you should consider looking into other options such as using a diesel-powered generator which will provide more power than gas generators when running large loads like this!
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Will a 3500 watt generator run a camper?
The short answer is yes. The long answer depends on what you’re powering in the camper and how much of a load it will place on your generator.
Let’s take a look at an example to help illustrate this point.
If I plug my refrigerator into a 3500 watt generator, then turn on the lights (approximately 100 watts) while cooking dinner in my kitchenette area (using about 1000 watts), that would put me over my peak rating for continuous power use and likely cause damage to some part of our system if done longer than 30 minutes or so.
>> What generator size to operate refrigerator and freezer?
Will a 3500 watt generator run a 30 amp camper?
The short answer is yes. For the long answer, we need to know what size generator you want and how much power your camper is pulling.
This will determine if 3500 watts can handle it or not. For example, a 60 amp camper may use the full capacity of 3500 watts.
In this case, you will need to get a generator with more power so it can handle your total demand and not overload.
Alternatively, if we are only running lights or basic appliances in our camper then maybe 2500 would be enough as long as no other devices were being used at the same time like air conditioners for instance.
>> What size generator for 30 amp camper?
How big of a generator do I need for a 30 amp camper?
The size of the generator you need for a 30 amp camper depends on what type of load your RV or trailer has. Simply put, this means how much power it uses at one time.
The goal is to find out what wattage (amount of electricity used) in watts that appliance will use when running simultaneously at maximum capacity and then add some margin for safety, usually 20% – 40%.
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FAQs on What Size Generator For Travel Trailer
Do I Need A Generator For My Travel Trailer?
Generators are a great way to power appliances, lights, and other devices while on the road.
Can You Put A Generator In A Travel Trailer?
Yes. It’s important to place the generator in a ventilated area that is not exposed to rain or snow while it is running.
Can You Plug A Camper Into A Generator?
Yes, you can plug a camper into a generator.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right size generator for your travel trailer enhances your on-the-road experience significantly.
Don’t skimp on power—consider your appliance needs, peak vs. running watts, and opt for a little extra capacity.
This ensures you’re never left in the dark, keeping your adventures comfortable and stress-free.
