Is an RV Generator Worth It? Powering Your Adventures

Is an RV Generator Worth It? Powering Your Adventures (And Your Comfort)

The open road, the smell of pine trees, the freedom to roam wherever your heart desires – that’s the dream of RVing. But once you leave the familiar embrace of a campground with hookups, a critical question emerges: how will you power your home on wheels? Lights, refrigerator, charging phones, maybe even that glorious air conditioner on a sweltering day – all require electricity. While shore power is king when available, and solar technology is rapidly advancing, for many RVers, the question boils down to: Is an RV generator worth the investment?

It’s not a simple yes or no answer. The "worth" of an RV generator depends heavily on how you plan to use your RV, where you plan to camp, and your personal comfort level with the generator’s downsides. Let’s plug into the pros, cons, and critical factors to help you make an informed decision.

Why Power Matters on the Road

Think about everything you take for granted in a stationary home. RVs condense these needs into a smaller package. You need power for:

• Lights: Essential for safety and visibility, especially after dark.
• Refrigerator: Keeping food cold is paramount, especially when stocking up for longer trips.
• Water Pump: You need power to get water from your fresh tank to your sinks and shower.
• Charging Electronics: Phones, laptops, cameras – modern life relies on staying connected and powered up.
• Fans: Moving air can make a significant difference in comfort.
• Microwave/Coffee Maker: Convenience appliances that require a decent power draw.
• Air Conditioner/Heat Pump: These are the big power hogs, often requiring a generator or shore power to run effectively.
• Battery Charging: Your RV’s "house" battery powers many 12V systems (lights, water pump, furnace fan). It needs to be recharged.

Without a reliable power source beyond your limited battery bank, many of these functions cease to work, quickly turning your adventure into a less comfortable experience.

Power Alternatives: Beyond the Generator

Before diving deep into generators, it’s important to acknowledge the other players in the RV power game:

1. Shore Power: Plugging into an electrical pedestal at a campground. The gold standard – unlimited (within the campground’s limits), quiet, and requires no effort on your part. But you have to be at a campground with hookups.
2. Battery Bank: Your RV has one or more "house" batteries. These power 12V systems. They are recharged by shore power, your tow vehicle while driving (often minimally), solar, or… a generator. Battery capacity is limited and drains relatively quickly depending on usage.
3. Solar Power: Panels on the roof convert sunlight into electricity, which is stored in your battery bank. An excellent renewable source, quiet, and requires no fuel. However, efficiency depends on sunlight, initial setup costs can be high, and it may not generate enough power to run high-draw appliances like AC.

The generator enters the picture primarily when shore power is unavailable (boondocking, dispersed camping, rest stops) and your battery bank or solar setup isn’t sufficient for your power needs, especially if those needs include running an air conditioner or quickly recharging a depleted battery bank.

The RV Generator: A Closer Look

An RV generator is essentially a compact engine connected to an alternator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. They burn fuel (usually gasoline, propane, or diesel) to produce AC electricity, just like the outlets in your home. They come in two main types:

• Portable: Freestanding units you carry with you. More affordable, versatile (can be used elsewhere), but require setup, lifting, and external fueling.
• Built-in (Onan-style): Permanently installed in a compartment on the RV. More expensive, quieter (due to insulation and placement), powered from the RV’s main fuel tank, and started with the push of a button inside.

Generators are often rated in Watts (W), indicating the maximum power they can produce. Running an RV air conditioner typically requires at least 2000-3000 running watts, often more for starting watts (the surge needed to kick the compressor on).

The Case For an RV Generator: The "Worth It" Arguments

Here’s where the generator truly earns its keep for many RVers:

1. True Off-Grid Freedom (Boondocking King): This is perhaps the biggest selling point. A generator allows you to camp anywhere – national forests, BLM land, remote lakesides – without relying on campground infrastructure. You can run everything you need, albeit perhaps for limited periods, far from the nearest power pedestal.
2. Running High-Draw Appliances: Need to use the microwave? Want to watch TV? Really need to escape the heat with the AC? A generator provides the necessary power to run these energy-hungry devices that your battery bank and often solar alone cannot handle.
3. Battery Recharging: Even with solar, cloudy days happen. Even with large battery banks, they eventually run down. A generator is a fast, reliable way to pump charge back into your house batteries in relatively short order (often an hour or two a day is enough for basic needs).
4. Backup Power: Even when staying at campgrounds with hookups, power outages can occur. A generator provides peace of mind as a backup power source.
5. Flexibility and Convenience: You don’t have to chase campgrounds with available hookups. You can stop for lunch and run the AC to cool down the rig or make coffee at a rest stop.

For those who prioritize independent camping, enjoy remote locations, or travel in climates where AC is essential, a generator becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity – making it unequivocally "worth it."

The Case Against an RV Generator: The Downsides

Generators aren’t without their drawbacks, which can make them seem not worth it for certain RVers:

1. Cost: This is the first hurdle. Portable generators can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1500+ for quieter inverter models. Built-in generators are significantly more expensive, often adding several thousand dollars to the price of a new RV. Add to this the cost of fuel.
2. Noise: Generators, by their nature, are loud. While inverter generators are much quieter than older conventional models, they still produce noise. This can be disruptive to your own peace and quiet, and crucially, to your neighbors in camping areas, leading to potential conflicts or violating noise regulations.
3. Weight and Space: Portable generators are heavy and bulky, requiring storage space in your RV or tow vehicle. Built-in generators add significant weight to the RV’s chassis.
4. Maintenance: Like any engine, generators require regular maintenance – oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs. They also need to be run periodically to keep them in good working order. This adds to the cost and chore list.
5. Fuel and Fumes: Generators consume fuel and produce exhaust fumes, which are unpleasant and require proper ventilation. Carrying extra fuel adds another logistical consideration.
6. Regulations: Many campgrounds, especially public ones, have strict "generator hours" to minimize noise disruption. Some places may prohibit them entirely.

For those who primarily stay in full-hookup campgrounds, prefer absolute silence in nature, are on a tight budget, or dislike maintenance, a generator might seem like an unnecessary expense and hassle – making it decidedly not "worth it."

Making Your Decision: Factors to Consider

So, how do you decide if a generator is worth it for your RV adventures? Ask yourself these questions:

• What’s Your Camping Style? Do you primarily stay in campgrounds with full hookups, or do you dream of boondocking and dispersed camping far from civilization?
• What Are Your Must-Have Appliances? Can you live without AC or a microwave when off-grid? Or are they essential for your comfort?
• What’s Your Budget? Can you afford the upfront cost and ongoing expenses (fuel, maintenance)?
• How Sensitive Are You to Noise? Both you and potential neighbors.
• Do You Have or Plan to Get Solar? A robust solar setup can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for a generator for everything except high-draw appliances.
• Are You Comfortable with Maintenance? Or are you willing to pay for it?
• What Are Your RV’s Capabilities? Does it have space/weight capacity for a generator? Is it pre-wired for a built-in unit?

FAQs

• How much do RV generators cost? Portable inverter generators range from $400-$1500+. Built-in generators typically cost $3000-$6000+ installed in a new RV, or more for aftermarket installation.
• Are RV generators noisy? Yes, but modern inverter generators (rated in the 50-60 decibel range) are significantly quieter than older conventional ones (70+ decibels), which can sound like a lawnmower. Built-in units are generally quieter than portables due to insulation.
• How much fuel do they use? Varies by size and load. A small inverter generator might run 8-10 hours on a gallon of gas at a quarter load, while running AC on a larger generator could consume a gallon in 2-3 hours.
• Can I run my RV’s air conditioner with a generator? Yes, but you need a generator with sufficient wattage. Most RV AC units require 2000-3500 running watts, with higher starting watts. Check your AC unit’s specifications and the generator’s ratings (peak/starting watts and continuous/running watts).
• Should I get a portable or built-in generator? Portable is cheaper, more versatile, but requires handling. Built-in is more expensive, quieter, more convenient (push-button start, uses RV fuel), but adds permanent weight/cost.
• What kind of maintenance do they need? Regular oil changes, air filter checks/replacements, spark plug checks/replacements. It’s also crucial to run them periodically (e.g., for 20-30 minutes once a month) to keep seals lubricated and ensure they start when needed.
• Are there rules about using generators? Yes, many campgrounds have specific hours (e.g., 8 AM to 8 PM) when generators can be run to minimize noise impact on others. Always check campground rules.

Conclusion

Deciding if an RV generator is "worth it" boils down to aligning your power needs with your camping aspirations and tolerance for the generator’s inherent drawbacks.

If you are a boondocking enthusiast, crave the ability to camp anywhere, or rely on high-power appliances like air conditioning in varied climates, a generator is likely to be an invaluable tool that significantly enhances your RVing experience, making it well worth the cost and compromise. It provides the freedom and comfort to truly power your adventures off the beaten path.

However, if you primarily stick to full-hookup campgrounds, prioritize peace and quiet above all else, have a limited budget, or are building a robust solar and battery system specifically to avoid a generator, then it might be an unnecessary expense and burden.

Ultimately, the "worth" isn’t about the generator itself, but about the type of RVing lifestyle you want to lead. Consider your typical trips, your essential comforts, and your budget. By weighing these factors, you can determine if an RV generator is the right power solution to fuel your specific adventures.