TL;DR
A small RV (class B/camper) needs a 2,000-2,500W generator. A medium RV (class C/travel trailer) needs 3,000-3,500W. A large RV (class A/fifth wheel) with 2 AC units needs 5,000-7,500W.
RV Generator Sizing: AC is Everything
When sizing an RV generator, your single biggest load is the air conditioner. A 13,500 BTU RV AC unit draws about 1,600W running but needs 2,500-3,000W to start. If you have two AC units (common in large fifth wheels and class A motorhomes), you could need 5,000W or more for starting surge alone.
After AC, the next biggest loads are the microwave (1,000W), water heater (1,200W if electric), and converter/battery charger (500-1,000W). The good news is you probably won't run all of these at the same time — and your RV's power management system may help you prioritize loads.
For most RV owners, a 3,500W generator is the sweet spot. It can handle one AC unit, the microwave, refrigerator, lights, and devices without constant load management.
Top picks for this size
Yamaha EF3000iSEB, 2800 Running Watts/3500 Starting Watts, Gas Powered Portable Inverter #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 30 · $1550
Amazon
YAMAHA EF3000iS, 2800 running Watts/3000 Starting Watts, Gas Powered Portable Inverter #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 28 · $1995
Amazon
Generac 6864 XD5000E 5000-Watt Diesel-Powered Portable Generator - Ideal for Emergency Backup Power and Job Sites - Reliable Power for Demanding Applications - CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 25 · $4249
Amazon
A-iPower SUA4500 4500 Watt Portable Generator Gas Powered Wheel Kit Included, EPA/CARB complied #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 35 · $469
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, Wheel & Handle Kit, RV Ready, Gas Powered, Parallel Capable #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 5K+ ·
Amazon
Westinghouse 4650 Peak Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, RV Ready 30A Outlet, Gas & Propane Powered #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 740+ · $440
Amazon
WEN Super Quiet 3800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut-Off and Electric Start (56380i) #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 2K+ · $594
Amazon
EGO POWER+ Portable Power Station, 3000W, Battery Powered, Inverter Generator for Home and Outdoor, Battery and Charger Not Included - PST3040 #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 516+ · $499
Amazon
WEN Super Quiet 2350-Watt Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut Off, Gasoline Power, Ultra Lightweight (56235i), Black #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 2K+ · $301
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Ultralight Portable Dual Fuel Inverter Generator #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 2K+ · $874
Amazon
Briggs and Stratton 30747 3500 Watt Portable Generator 208cc OHV w/twistlock #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 3 · $499
Amazon
Honda EU3000iS 3000 Watt Inverter Generator, Super Quiet 120V Gas Powered Portable Generator for Camping, RV or Home Backup Power Supply, Up to 19.6 Hour Run Time (EU3000IS1AN) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 112+ · $2399
Amazon
DuroMax XP2300iH 2,300-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Digital Inverter Generator - Gas & Propane, RV & Emergency Ready #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 100+ · $649
Amazon
Westinghouse 2800 Peak Watt Super Quiet & Lightweight Portable Inverter Generator, Gas Powered, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable, Long Run Time #ad
★★★★ 4.3 · 440+ ·
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 2K+ · $1069
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready 30A Outlet, Parallel Capable, Blue/Black #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 1K+ ·
Amazon
Westinghouse 2800 Peak Watt Super Quiet & Lightweight Portable Inverter Generator, Gas Powered, Parallel Capable, Long Run Time #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 3K+ · $549
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 3500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and CO Shield #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 205+ · $600
Amazon
Generac 3,300-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator - Lightweight and Compact - USB Ports for Device Charging - Produces Clean, Stable Power - Great for Home Backup, Camping, and RV Use #ad
★★★★ 4 · 154+ ·
Amazon
Pulsar PGD40ISCO Ultra Light Quiet 4000W Portable Gas Inverter Generator, white #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 467+ · $423
Amazon
WEN 3600-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, RV-Ready, Quiet and Lightweight with Fuel Shut Off (56360i) #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 567+ · $396
Amazon
WEN 4800-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, Electric Start, RV-Ready, Quiet and Lightweight with Fuel Shut Off and CO Watchdog (56480iX) #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 171+ · $679
Amazon
WEN Quiet and Lightweight 4800-Watt RV-Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut Off (56477i) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 444+ · $555
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 5000-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★☆ 4.8 · 98 · $688
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Ultralight Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 256+ · $549
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 4500-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★★ 5 · 168+ · $679
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 4500-Watt Wireless Remote Start Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 59 · $946
Amazon
Westinghouse 4000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 2K+ · $549
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and CO Shield #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 136+ · $584
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 353+ · $585
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with Quiet Technology and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 248+ · $719
Amazon
Generac 3,300-Watt Gas Powered Portable Inverter Generator - Lightweight and Compact - USB Ports for Device Charging - Produces Clean, Stable Power - Great for Home Backup, Camping, and RV Use #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 154+ ·
Amazon
AMERISUN 4500W Open Frame Inverter Generator, 3800 Running Watts Portable Gas Powered Generator with CO Alert, RV Ready, Parallel Ready, Eco Mode, 223cc Engine for Home Backup, Camping & Emergency Use #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 435+ · $210
Amazon
AFERIY 2048Wh Portable Power Station 2400W (Peak 4800W),P210 LiFePO4 Battery Generator,AC Fast Charging, 12V/25A XT60 DC output port,UPS Power Outages,Home Backup,Camping(Solar Panel Optional) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 335+ · $484
Amazon
Generac 3,800-Watt Dual-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator - Gas and Propane Compatible - Quiet Operation - Clean, Stable Power - Great for Home Backup, Camping, and RV Use #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 7 · $1049
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter EFI Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable, CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 80 · $1249
Amazon
Champion 3650-Watt RV-Ready Portable Generator with CO Shield #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · · $420
Amazon
Oxseryn 5000W Inverter Generator Gas Powered, Open Frame Generator, Portable Outdoor Power Equipment, Emergency Home Backup, RV Ready 30A Outlet, ECO Mode, EPA Compliant #ad
★★★★★ 5 · 304+ · $323
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 5500-Watt RV Ready Portable Generator | Open Frame Inverter, Quiet Technology, 3-Year Warranty, CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.5 · · $679
Amazon
PowerSmart 3800 Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator, Quiet Portable Gas Propane Powered with CO Sensor and RV, 149cc 4-Stroke OHV Engine for Home Backup, Camping and Tailgating #ad
★★★★★ 5 · 1K+ · $427
Amazon
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, 2,400W (Peak 4,000W) Solar Generator, Full Charge in 58 Min, 2048wh LiFePO4 Battery for Home Backup, Power Outages, and Camping (Optional Solar Panel) #ad
★★★★★ 5 · 365+ · $800
Amazon
Oxseryn 5000-Watts Portable Inverter Generator, Gas Generator for Home Backup, 30A Outlet, RV Ready, ECO Mode, 60Lbs, EPA Compliment #ad
★★★★★ 5 · 14 · $304
Amazon
These Amazon-available picks meet the calculated spec. For region-specific or licensed contractor-installed options, consult a local professional. See our Disclaimers.
RV Generator Options by RV Type
- Small camper / pop-up / teardrop (no AC or small 5,000 BTU): 1,500-2,000W inverter generator — Honda EU2200i or similar
- Class B van / small travel trailer (1 AC unit, 13,500 BTU): 3,000-3,500W — Westinghouse 3,500W or dual Honda EU2200i in parallel
- Class C / large travel trailer (1 AC + microwave + converter): 3,500-4,500W — Champion 4,500W
- Class A / fifth wheel (2 AC units, full kitchen, washer/dryer): 5,000-7,500W — Generac or Cummins Onan built-in
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need for an RV?
A 13,500 BTU RV AC needs about 2,500-3,000W to start, so a single 2,000W generator won't be enough. However, some Honda generators can be paired in parallel to deliver 4,000W total. Alternatively, consider a soft start kit for the AC unit to reduce starting surge.
Is it better to get a built-in RV generator or portable?
Built-in generators (like Onan) run on the RV's propane/diesel and are permanently installed — convenient but expensive ($3,000-5,000). Portable generators ($500-1,200) are cheaper and can be used elsewhere, but require manual setup, fueling, and security measures.
How much fuel does an RV generator use?
A 3,500W portable generator at 50% load uses about 0.5-0.6 gallons per hour. At full load (running AC, microwave, etc.), up to 1 gallon per hour. Budget for 1 gallon per 2-3 hours of runtime for realistic mixed usage.