RV Generator Buyer's Guide
An RV generator is a great camping accessory. It's a reliable source of power, which is great for boondocking or during a campground power outage. It also offers extra power potential beyond what the campground provides.
If you are wanting to get a portable generator, the following buyer's guide will help make the shopping process easier. For personalized advice or to shop RVs for sale, contact the experts at Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. Our dealership is based in Concord, North Carolina, and we also proudly serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
Determine Your RV's Wattage Needs
The first step is figuring out how much power the portable generator needs to supply. After all, different models offer different wattage capacity. You want to avoid undershooting or overshooting your needs, so take a minute to do a little math.
Identify all the aspects of your camper that the portable generator will power. Then, look up the wattage attached to each appliance and device. Add them all up and get a final wattage total. Make sure the RV generator can accommodate that wattage - and it never hurts to have a little bit of wiggle room.
Some devices use a bit more energy to start up before stabilizing at their power needs. For example, an 800 watts device may start up at 1200 watts before settling in. Get an RV generator with higher wattage capacity than your needs to accommodate this.
Pick The RV Generator's Power Supply
Portable generators rely on a fuel source to provide power. This is usually either propane, gasoline, diesel, and solar.
The most common choices are propane and gasoline. These fuel sources are easy to find and low in cost. Diesel burns more slowly and is more efficient, which makes it a popular choice for those who use an RV generator often. Solar is the most environmentally-friendly option.
Some RV generators are a hybrid, meaning they use two fuel types. If you are unable to access one fuel type, you can get the other and still get your power needs met.
Set A Budget
Portable generators range in price. Think about how much you can reasonably spend, then restrict your search to RV generators within that price range.
Remember to take a long-term approach. Factor in the portable generator fuel costs and occasional maintenance costs to get the most accurate budget.
We hope this portable generator buyer's guide was helpful! Remember you can always reach out to Golden Gait Trailers & RVs with questions. We also carry a range of RVs for sale. Whatever you need, you can find with us. Contact us or stop by our dealership in Concord, North Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.