As most travel trailers do not come with a built-in generator, if you are planning to use your travel trailer off the grid, then you will need a generator to provide power for things like your water pump.
A generator can be a great addition to camping in your travel trailer, A generator gives you the ability to power your RV’s appliances and your water pump when you’re dry camping or boondocking.
But you may be wondering “Do I need a generator for my travel trailer?”
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of travel trailer generators to help you decide if one is right for you.
Pros of Having a Generator for Your Travel Trailer:
The main advantages of having a generator for your travel trailer are convenience during power outages and having access to power when dry camping, boon docking, or found a generator-friendly Harvest Hosts membership review and discount.
A generator can provide power for essential trailer items like lights, refrigerators, and medical equipment.
It can also help keep you connected to your friends, family, and source of income if you work remotely by providing power for routers, phones, and laptops.
Additionally, generators can be used to go off-grid. This means that people can camp in your travel trailer in remote areas without being reliant on shore power.*
*(If you’re wondering what “shore power” is, head over to our Glossary of RV Lingo to find out the meaning of this term and other RV terms.)
Cons of Needing a Generator for Your Travel Trailer
There are many reasons why you might need a generator for your travel trailer. However, there are drawbacks to needing to have a generator to go camping in your travel trailer.
First, generators can be expensive, both to purchase and to maintain. This is why it is important to compare prices and reviews before making a purchase.
Additionally, generators require regular maintenance in order to keep them running properly. This includes things like changing the oil and filters on a regular basis.
As we all know generators can be noisy, making it difficult to enjoy your surroundings while camping. If you are camping in an area where noise is a concern, it is important to be aware of the potential for generator-related noise pollution.
Finally, if not used properly, generators can be dangerous, emitting carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. This can be dangerous for people and animals nearby.
Always follow the manufacturer’s RV generator guide and instructions when using a generator for your travel trailer, and make sure to ventilate the area well to avoid build-up of these harmful gases.
Should You Get a Generator for Your Travel Trailer?
There are a few things to consider when deciding if you should get a generator for your travel trailer.
Think about how often will you be using your travel trailer and whether or not you will be relying on it for powering your RV activities.
If you plan on doing a lot of boondocking or dry camping, then a generator can be a great way to power up your travel trailer. However, if you are only going camping for a night or two, then you might not need one.
Another thing to consider is the size and weight of the generator. Some generators can be quite large and heavy, so make sure you check out small portable RV generators before buying a generator for your travel trailer.
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that the generator is compatible with your travel trailer’s electrical system and appropriate for your RV camping style.
Do You Need a Generator to Go Camping in Your Travel Trailer?
Generators can be a helpful addition to your travel trailer, but do you really need an RV generator?
You do not need a generator for your travel trailer. However, having a generator may provide you with some additional comforts while RV camping in your travel trailer.
Generators can allow you to boondock or camp off-grid in your travel trailer for longer than a night or two. Though, if you primarily plan to camp with electrical hook-ups or have a solar set-up, you do not need to buy an RV generator for your travel trailer.
If you decide to get a generator for your travel trailer, make sure to get a generator that is the right size for your camper.
Happy Travel Trailer RV Camping!
