Making sure you have the best possible generator is always a priority before going away on your travels. After all, you would not want to be out in the wilderness with a generator that simply is not up to the task.
The legendary Airstream Campers are not known for their power outputs and ability to power all your appliances oofgrid. You may need an alternative power solution like a portable generator.
In this article, we will give you a quick guide on what sort of generator you should go for.
| Image | Title | Click to Edit | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top | WEN 56225i | 2250W | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
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Top | Generac 7127 iQ3500 | 3500W | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
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Top | DuroMax XP10000E | 10'000 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Contents
Why do you need a portable generator?
Your RV will most likely come with a pre-existing battery that will allow you to power a small number of appliances for a short amount of time. However, should you find yourself in need of more power output, the best way to obtain said extra power would be through a portable generator.
Bringing your own generator will open up a huge number of possibilities as far as destinations you can travel to and places you can visit.
This is because you will not have to worry about running out of power for your appliances as quickly, and so enjoying activities like camping in remote locations become so much less work.
What will your generator power?
Your generator will convert its fuel supply into electricity that will allow you to power a number of devices. Appliances such as: TVs, Laptops, kitchen appliances, fridges and air conditioning are all things that your generator will be able to power.
If you are looking to power a water heater or cooker in your RV this will be power with on-board propane tanks, so you do not have to worry about hooking these up to your generator
How much power do you need?
This may be the most important question you have to ponder when thinking about your choice of generator. You are going to want to think about the total starting wattage of all the appliances you plan to power at the same time and then overshoot that mark by a few hundred watts. This will give you a bit of wiggle room for an extra device or two.
For an average amount of appliances, you should aim for around 5,000w to 7,000w but this will depend on your individual needs.
You’ll need an RV transfer switch to connect your generator to an Airstream Trailer unless your generator is RV ready. See our guide on RV Switches here.
Top 3 Suggested Generators for Airstream Trailers
1. Wen 56225i Invertor Gen
- Dimensions: 19 x 11.5 x 18.2 | Weight: 48.5 lbs
- Noise Level: 53 dB operation
- EPA III and CARB Compliant 79.7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine produces 2000 surge watts and 1600 rated watts
- Fuel shutoff maximizes the generator’s lifespan by using up the remaining fuel in the carburetor before shutting down
- Produces clean power to safely operate and prevent damage to sensitive electronics such as phones, tablets, televisions and computers
- Includes two three-prong 120V receptacles, one 12V DC receptacle and one 5V USB port
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Wen 56225i is one of the smallest generators we would recommend for an Airstream Trailer and this one was chosen for its running time and power output.
With a 1 gallon tank for fuel you can get 6 hours running half load and producing over 2000 watts. Now, that is pretty impressive!
This is done by maximizing fuel economy by engaging the Eco-Mode, allowing the generator’s motor to automatically adjust its fuel consumption to extend run time and engine life.
Quiet, lightweight and with a long run time and affordable… What’s not to like!
2. Generac iQ3500
- ULTRA-QUIET – 40% Quieter than Honda* Advanced inverter technology and enclosure design provide optimal quiet performance (* Over 5 dB(A) quieter than the EU3000is, based on independent third-party testing)
- Ideal for work or play - durable steel enclosure, clean inverter power and easy portability make this the ideal generator for jobsites or recreational activities
- 16% more power than Honda, Featuring power rush advanced technology.Rated AC Frequency:60 Hz
- Digital smart lcd - digital wattage meter, run time remaining display, generator status, hour meter and fuel level
- USB ports - charge mobile devices including smartphones and tablets
- Electric start with power dial start/run/stop - three operation settings integrated into one simple-to-use dial (battery included)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We love Generac generators and the actual company itself. They build some really good quality generators and other electrical appliances. They are known for being very quiet and this generator doesn’t disappoint on that factor.
Coming in at just 109 Lbs it’s also a very lightweight generator in the 3000-4000 watt range. Most are over 120 Lbs.
The start up process is easy and connecting your sensitive appliances like phones and laptops is easy and without risk.
3. DuroMax XP10000
- POWERFUL DUROMAX ENGINE: The XP10000E is Powered by a DuroMax 18HP, 440cc DuroMax OHV Engine
- PLENTY OF POWER: With 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts, this unit can handle heavy loads from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools
- MX2 TECHNOLOGY: With DuroMax MX2 technology, get the maximum power from each of the 120 Volt receptacles; Choose between operating the generator at both 120V and 240V simultaneously, or at 120V only with full power
- LOW OIL SHUT-OFF: Protects your investment by automatically shutting the generator off when it senses that the oil is low.
- IDLE CONTROL: Generator lowers RPMs when not in use, saving fuel and reducing noise. Ideal in situations like on job sites where power is used intermittently.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The DuroMax XP10000E has a 440cc OHV Engine that can generate 8,000 watts of running power with a start-up surge of 10,000 watts.
The Duromax dual fuel generator can power all your camping essentials such as lights, small appliances including any central A/C systems you may have fitted to your trailer.
The fully loaded power panel features multiple outlets including 2 120V household GFCI outlets, 1 120V 30A twist lock outlet, 1 240V 30A outlet, and 1 240V 50A outlet. The power panel also has individual power breakers to prevent overloading and keep everything safe.
What features should you look for in a generator?
When looking through your shortlist of possible generators you should keep a note of the features that each one offers. We will go over a few you should look out for now:
Safety Features: Keep an eye out for generators that offer a housing that will keep the environment at bay. Also look for features like surge protection, fuel safety and an emergency shutoff.
Portability: Usually the size of a generator will have a direct correlation on the power output it can provide. So, if you need a bigger generator then make sure it comes with the means to transport it easily, this could be wheels or carry handles or ideally both.
Fuel Economy: If making the most of your fuel is a priority then looks more generators with a good fuel economy. A more efficient generator will save you money in the long run and some generators even come with an eco-setting to conserver power when not all of your appliances are in use.
Fluctuation-safe: Using your generator to power sensitive electronics like TVs and phone chargers will mean you have to make sure you use a generator with a feature to help regulate surges in power and prevent damage to your devices.
Lightweight: Extra weight on your RV means extra fuel used to carry it. Making sure your generator is relatively lightweight will save you money in perpetuity.
Easy Start: We would suggest getting a generator with a remote start primary ignition and a pull-start backup ignition. This will make starting your generator that much easier.
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
To summarise, taking into account your power needs and what features to look out for will give you the best possible choice in generator and grant you the efficiency and ease of use you will need.
In our opinion you can’t beat the Generac 7127 iQ3500 it has all the power you’ll need in a small and compact body perfect to stow away when on the move.
