Best Generator for RV & Camping
Short answer: the RV air conditioner is the deciding load. A 13,500 BTU unit runs ~1,800W but surges to ~2,800W at startup, so with a fridge, microwave, and lights you want a 3,000–3,500W inverter generator. A 15,000 BTU AC surges to ~3,300W and pushes you to 3,500W or larger, or a soft-start kit. For no-AC camping, a quiet 2,000–2,200W inverter is plenty.
For RV and campsite use, two things matter beyond raw watts: noise and clean power. An inverter generator is the standard choice because it’s far quieter than a conventional portable (campgrounds enforce quiet hours) and produces stable power that won’t harm your electronics. Size is set almost entirely by whether you run the air conditioner. Here’s the honest capacity and picks by class. Product links are Amazon affiliate links and never change the advice.
RV sizing at a glance
| What you run | Approx running / surge watts | Recommended class |
|---|---|---|
| No AC: fridge, lights, charging, TV | ~600 / 1,200 | 2,000–2,200W inverter |
| 11,000 BTU RV AC + basics | ~1,400 / 2,200 | 2,200–3,000W inverter |
| 13,500 BTU RV AC + fridge + microwave + TV | ~3,100 / 4,100 | 3,000–3,500W inverter |
| 15,000 BTU RV AC + basics | ~3,300 / 4,600 | 3,500W+ inverter (or soft-start kit) |
RV AC wattages are from Honda’s recreational chart (11,000 BTU: 1,010 run / 1,600 start; 13,500 BTU: 1,800 / 2,800; 15,000 BTU: 2,000 / 3,300). Run your exact setup →
RV & camping generators by class
Pick the class that matches your sizing result. Confirm the current rated and surge watts and that the unit has the outlets your RV needs (many RVs use a 30A TT-30 plug) before buying.
2,000–2,200W inverter — camping without AC, or a small RV AC:
3,000–3,500W inverter — 13,500–15,000 BTU RV AC plus appliances:
We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases at no cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. Wattage ratings and prices change — verify the current rated/surge watts and RV outlet type before buying.
The AC startup surge is the whole game
Everything else in an RV — the fridge, lights, a TV, charging — is light. The air conditioner is what decides your generator size, because its compressor surges well above its running draw at startup. A 13,500 BTU unit running at 1,800 watts spikes to about 2,800 watts the instant the compressor engages, which is why a 2,000-watt inverter often can’t start it even though it could run it. The fix is either a bigger generator, two smaller inverters run in parallel, or a soft-start kit on the AC that flattens the surge and lets a 2,000–2,200W inverter carry a 13,500 BTU unit. See running vs starting watts for why.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator do I need for an RV?
The AC decides it. A 13,500 BTU RV AC runs ~1,800W, surges to ~2,800W, so with appliances you want a 3,000–3,500W inverter. A 15,000 BTU unit surges to ~3,300W (3,500W+ or a soft-start kit). No AC: a 2,000–2,200W inverter is plenty.
Can a 2,000 watt generator run an RV air conditioner?
Usually not alone — a 13,500 BTU AC surges to ~2,800W. A small 11,000 BTU unit may start on 2,000W, and a soft-start kit lets some larger ACs run on a 2,000–2,200W inverter by cutting the surge.
Why use an inverter generator for camping?
Much quieter (campground quiet hours), clean stable power safe for electronics, fuel-efficient, and many pair in parallel to add capacity for an AC.
Related: Generator Sizing Calculator · What Size Generator Do I Need? · Running vs Starting Watts · Best for a Power Outage