The Best 30 Amp Portable RV Generators For 2024

[@Griffshawn1]

Just added a Predator 5000 to my RV inventory. I love the dual fuel, and the increase in watts from the 3500 is a game changer.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

That's another great choice and the price is certainly right. The Predator line of generators is making a solid name for itself in the RVing community. Enjoy your new gennie!

[@wes326]

Make sure you have enough fuel capacity to run the A/C all night if that is important to you. Some highly capable generators have small fuel tanks. I bought a 3600 watt dual fuel generator and it will go 10 hours on a 15 lb propane tank but only around 5 hours on a full tank of gas (1.6 gallons).

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Good point. Thanks for contributing it!

[@user-zc2md7yt4h]

Im thinking about buying an RV for my family and i just got into this channel and i said thank you oh Lord for peoples like this Sr that helps many people with the all the information he brings is very important and helpful to know at least the basics things rules and all the things the required to have an motor home thank you my friend for exist in this life and for sharing all your knowledge to ignorant people like me God bless you always

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks so much for your kind words and positive feedback. It's much appreciated!

[@rolanddowling1757]

Might add Furman WHO 30to42 tier list of recommended generators. This thing runs 4000 W peak 3200 nominal on gas and 3750 Peak and 33,000 watch on propane. Current sale price at Costco is 599. That’s amazing not quite as quiet as my Honda, but considerably cheaper and very.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

That is a great suggestion Roland. I just saw them go on sale at Costco this last week myself. It's a very good deal!

[@mezio1]

The Honda 3200w is the way to go if your concerned about weight. #3200 w peak but still 2650w, run 54 [on low]-58 [on high] / dsb. It's fuel injected so your run time is better than the others and can have a winter kit installed so no winter freeze-out. It comes in at 60# dry - holds 1.2 gallon of gas for a 9 hrs. run time. You can buy an extension tank that will add an additional 54 hrs. run time. Cost: $2,599 to $2,399 (on-sale). Lastly, nothing starts as easy as a Honda, period. Bonus- Honda resale is awesome too. I sold generators for years. A lot of them come back after 1 year of run time; the Honda's do not. You get what you pay for. * The Generac runs at 61 dsb when metered.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

The continuous running wattage on the Honda you mentioned is a little low for this collection of generators. As I said, Honda is a great brand and they deserve all of the positive reputation that they currently have, but you will also pay well for that kind of quality. It's not everybody's cup of tea.

[@joe1071]

That is a ton of money per watt. Honda is obviously the most reliable, and if you are relying on it year round or more than a couple times a season, then would be worth it. For that wattage, may also consider adding soft start to AC, so you don’t run into problems when AC kicks on

[@RamblinRoadies]

It should be noted that dual fuel generators don't have as high output when running on propane. The Predator is quite popular with RVer's, and a very good buy if you wait for the 25% off coupon. Great video. Thanks

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Good point. Thanks for mentioning it!

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Good point. Thanks for mentioning it!

[@rolanddowling1757]

True. But, if your output is just a little short on being able to start your air conditioner, try putting a Slow Start in line with your generator; it will reduce the spike in current draw, and a few seconds later, the ac starts, and remains, working!

[@user-kx7lq9bf7b]

No mention of electric/remote start? Who wants to have to pull a rope to get power!

[@misteraon]

I have a Champion Dual Fuel open frame inverter generator. It’s a couple dbs louder than the enclosed models, but comes in at almost half the cost while still being an inverter. Plus is it’s lighter at about 80lbs empty and more accessible to work on. It’s also lighter because it doesn’t have an electric starter and battery. So good for the weight conscious. On dual and tri fuel generators it’s good to also keep in mind that power output is less on other fuels. Propane is maybe 10% less output. I believe I get about 3600 running watts on gas and 3150 watts on propane. I like to run propane mostly.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for adding that to the discussion.

[@wfodavid]

Enjoyable vid. I have 2 Predators and the big Genmax 1050 try-fuel. Been more than satisfies with all. Thanks for sharing.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for sharing your generator experience here. It can be helpful for others.

[@lawrencewiddis2447]

Three generators? PLEASE camp at least a mile from me.

[@wfodavid]

@@lawrencewiddis2447 Bless your. heart....

[@GiantsNinerFan56]

Firman makes a great Dual Fuel inverter as well (Costco)

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for that suggestion.

[@BSP1822]

My father in law has that Honda 3000is, and it is so quiet! It's really tall though, so it won't fit in the truck bed without a full-size cap. I'm looking at the champion 4500 for our setup. I do really like that Honda level of quietness though.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Oh yeah, Honda generators are great! Their just very expensive. I think you'll be satisfied with the performance of the Champion though. It has a lot of favorable reviews online.

[@EdExTechur]

I have a Firman... reasonably quiet and fits in the pickup under the bed level. Price was much less than the Honda.

[@BSP1822]

@EdExTechur just picked up a champion 4650 inverter from HD yesterday. $800 and it's actually super close to noise level as the Honda. I was conaidering the Firman when they had them on sale like a week ago at Costco, but ultimately the main difference between that and the Champion (lower power model) was the Firman is made in China and Champion is made in US. I do use Firman power gear for live production events, though. They make a solid product.

[@JHKProduce]

Thanks for the review

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

You're welcome. Safe and happy RV travels to you!

[@alvarezj2463]

You need to check out the Westinghouse 4500 dual fuel as well

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for the suggestion. Have safe and happy travels!

[@arlenewolf5260]

Hi, I have been watching your generator videos with great interest. We are older and trying to avoid the extra weight some generators have with electric starter motors and battery's for their electric start operation. As such I have an interest in the Champion 4000 Dual Fuel model #201050. The Champion is a dual fuel model complete with the 30AMP 30tt RV Plug. It is an inverter type carry handle style generator with 4000 watts peak surge watts. The AC on out Imagine 22MLE is 15KBTU. Should we be fine with this model?? Thank you.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Arlene. Champion makes some great dual fuel generators and since you only have the one A/C on your Imagine travel trailer I think it could be a great choice as it should handle almost any electrical needs you have in your 30 amp RV. And it's only 55 lbs too. Also, the reviews on it are very good too. I hope it works well for you!

[@arlenewolf5260]

@@RVInspectionAndCare We are also hoping that it will be able to be a direct hook up on the gas grill propane quick connect under the RV with a correct screw on fitting for the generator with something like a 12 foot hose. This way we would not need the regulator that comes with the generator.

[@texillini1]

Very informative video. I don’t have an RV (yet, perhaps someday). I didn’t know that you could plug an RV into one of these, especially when boon-docking, I thought you had to rely on solar if you weren’t at shore power. I have a Coleman 6250. So based on this video, I’m guessing that I shouldn’t have any troubles with a 30 amp. But with my model, could I run a 50 amp?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

It may be possible. It depends on what adapter you can get for the 240 volt receptacle. But that Coleman 6250 generator is a construction type that is usually pretty loud so make sure that you are camped well away from other RVers to keep the peace. :-)

[@johnlagrega4435]

You missed the Furman, mine is very reliable 👌🏼

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for the mention. Have safe and happy travels.

[@randythompson6175]

I'm interested in the Cummings dual fuel inverter generator. I noticed you didn't talk about it. What do you think about the quality of a Cummings? Thanks for your input

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Sure, I think it's a great inverter generator. It has very good reviews and most anything that Cummins makes is quality stuff. I just couldn't fit every possible brand into this video. Thanks for watching!

[@GiantsNinerFan56]

You should have mentioned stand alone inverter generators have a floating neutral and may need a bonding plug.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

The purpose of this video is not to cover every piece of information about inverter generators. The purpose is to provide a list of some of the best brands that lots of RVers like to use.

[@TheRealWayneFoley]

I learned this the hard way. Dealer sold me a generator and first time using it had to figure out what was wrong. I ended up making my own bonding plug but I was disappointed that the dealer didn’t provide at least a hint of this requirement. And I may be asking too much that they even know what they are selling. 🤪

[@davidlindsey1835]

Probably the most important spec is pure sine wave, otherwise you will potentially damage most electronics. Modified sine wave is not acceptable IMHO

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for making that point David. And thanks for watching.

[@sterninaerialimages1098]

What about Yamaha?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Yamaha is a great generator. But Honda and Yamaha have similar specs and they both are in the higher cost category. So I used Honda to represent that group of generators.