Hey there!I've bought an RV last week, it's my first RV ever, so I'm really excited :)Currently, I'm choosing a generator for my new RV from this list. I think about the Honda generator and I'm open to your advice!Thanks.

Congrats and welcome to the forum.Tell us about your RV, make/model etc. and what you want to run with the generator. It will help us give you a more accurate answer.You generally cannot run several appliances at the same time with a 2000 watt generator.Enjoy your travels.

2000 watt units will generally run your converter to charge batteries, a larger unit is usually required to operate an AC or more than one larger appliance at a time. (larger being microwave, coffee maker, hair drier, etc) 3000-3500 watt units are common among folks who want to run an AC from the generator frequently. Inverter generators are much quieter than construction types, but with the lower noise comes a higher cost. Brands by preference Honda, Yamaha, Champion, Firman, at this point the second tier takes over with most being Chinese manufacture, most are functional clones of existing Honda or Yamaha designed engines. Predator, Ryobi, Lifan etc fall into this group. Service on these models can difficult to find, but parts for the engines are available through the importers.

about 2000 watt generator recommendations and logic.First an inverter generator.. Sweet clean power Yes they cost more but they are clean and the non-inverter "Contractor" grade if you look at the power waveform they can be quite scary. The inverter generators are also way easier on the ears than the contractor types. IN fact all "enclosed" generators are but fully enclosed traditionals generally stop at 1000 watts.Plus Inverter generators can be used in Tandem (Two in parallel) so if you need say 3500 watts to kick start an air conditioner. A pair of them with a parallel kit.. Job done. Now brands. HONDA is a very well known, established and EXPENSIVE brand but unlike all the others they have a genuine honest to need fuel pump.. and an "optionally sealed" gas tank (you open a vent before you start or it stops after a short run).You can replace the gas cap with another that has a hose attached to an "Extended run" tank Run it for a lot more hours from the extended run tank.Now Yahama claims they have a better designed (longer life) engine also about the same price... I'm not sure the Fuel Pump is not the more important thing. Several "Knock off" brands such as Harbor Freight Predator, Champion and others have mixed reviews. but mostly good. About the only ones I'd go against are the 2-stroke engine types and Kipor due to differences in the sound quality.. They may well be no louder on a DB meter but the QUALITY of the sound is different and .. Well Much more annoying.

The Hondas are top quality, durable and relatively quiet. I spent the extra money to buy one and after 10 years of reliable use, I don't regret the extra cost.

You are going to need at least 2200 watt I have two of the 2000Hondas and they do every thing I need. BUT it is a pain to handle two of them, to parallel them. I went with the smaller ones because I can lift and carry them without much effort. Like your first responder said, we need to know your setup and usage. A 3500 would probably be ideal, but at over a hundred pounds one man handling becomes an issue.Come back and let us know your decision. We armchair observers have put a ton of thought and effort into this and we need the gratification that good closure gives us.

New generator for new rv. Recommendations | Good Sam Community

76 Replies

pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 21, 2020
I'd go for the Champion 3400 with remote electric start. If cost were an issue, I'd consider the Harbor Freight 3500.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Feb 21, 2020
Check out the Champion inverter generator reviews. Great reliability, great service, great price.
_1Flyboy
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2020
.... IF you buy a Honda you will pay more, but you will get more. Service, reliability, resale value and a proven generator. If you get a Communist China knockoff you will pay less but also get less and it might , maybe, produce the stated power output....
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2020
Your first thought was "generator?" Solar is quiet, easy, inexpensive.

"biggest decision regarding generator is how quite do you want yours to be"

Particularly if you camp next to me. My solar system isn't making ANY noise to bother YOU.
bid_time
Nomad III
Feb 21, 2020
BarabooBob wrote:
The gen set shown in the above link, a Champion 4000 watt open frame, is listed at 64 db. My 2000 watt Champion inverter is listed at 54 db. That is a huge difference.
But once you hook two of them together to get the watts you need to run the AC, then they are about the same db at approximately twice the cost. Just me - but if i'm going to spend $600 for a generator, I want to be able to do more then make coffee with it.
romore
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2020
enblethen wrote:
Not sure if you have Harbor Freight north of the border. This would be my genset of choice. 3500 watt genset
I have two Honda 2000s and parallel kit , Not that thrilled with them.

I was a small engine mechanic for years and still dabble in it. Not a fan of the offshore clones, parts and service information too hard to get, but price is king. To each their own.
smarty
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2020
oops, quiet :)
smarty
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2020
biggest decision regarding generator is how quite do you want yours to be
in addition to what you need to power
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 21, 2020
Not sure if you have Harbor Freight north of the border. This would be my genset of choice. 3500 watt genset
I have two Honda 2000s and parallel kit , Not that thrilled with them.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Feb 21, 2020
The gen set shown in the above link, a Champion 4000 watt open frame, is listed at 64 db. My 2000 watt Champion inverter is listed at 54 db. That is a huge difference.

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New generator for new rv. Recommendations

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