The Best 50 Amp RV Generator: A 2023 Buyer’s Guide
There’s no question about it – 50 Amp RV ready generators are expensive, and if you are considering getting a good portable generator for your recreational vehicle you want to make sure it’s money well spent.
But how can you tell if you are getting the best 50 amp generator for RV use? That’s just what we’ll get into here, with this guide to finding a new generator for your RV’s 50 amp electric system.
If you’re in a hurry, and would like to get right to the picks, here are my top recommendations:
- Best 50 Amp RV Generator Overall: Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start
- Best Value 50 Amp RV Generator: Champion Power Equipment 11,500/9,200-Watt Portable Generator with Electric Start
- Best 50 Amp RV Generator – Budget: WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator CARB Compliant
- Best 50 Amp RV Generator – High Power: Champion Power Equipment 100111 15,000/12,000-Watt Portable Generator
- Best 50 Amp RV Generator – Low Power: Pulsar PG5250B 5250W Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Switch and Go Technology
What to Look For in a Good 50 Amp Generator for RVs
This may sound a bit obvious, but the first thing to consider is if the generator is really a 50 amp unit, and fully RV ready.
Some portable generators, even large, high power units, don’t actually have 50 ampere circuitry, or the correct 4 connector outlet to make them readily compatible with any RV that has a 50 amp electrical system.
Needless to say, all of the products in this buyer’s guide to best 50 amp portable generators are fully RV ready, with 50 amp outlets.
But there are a few other questions you might want to ask when selecting a new generator for your RV:
How Much Power Do You Need?
This is an important question, but not a complicated one – I say this because I have read through so many articles on the web that have pages and pages of technical explanations trying to explain just how much power you will need for your RV.
But really it’s simple – if you have a 50 amp Class A recreational vehicle with a full complement of appliances and electrical features, you should really be looking at a minimum of 8,000 watts of running power, and if you have additional AC units, or plan on pretty heavy use, I would recommend 10,000 watts plus.
What makes it even simpler is that all of the generators I recommend – except the one very least expensive pick – have at least 8,000 watts, and most of them are comfortably in the 10,000 watt range.
And the super-budget pick? Well, my first choice, the Pulsar 5250, is rated at a mere 4,250 watts of running power, and so if you are running a minimum range of electrical appliances – and no air conditioners – it might be ok. But we can always say, at least in the case of power generators, more is better!
What’s the Quietest 50 Amp Generator?
I don’t know about you, but I go to the great outdoors for fresh air, beautiful scenery, peace and quiet, and the last thing I want is to have a generator, or anything for that matter, grinding and droning away so conspicuously that the mood is ruined.
So all of the generators I love are very much on the quiet side, and in fact any one of them will be pretty much inaudible when you’re inside your RV, and even if you are outside and near them you might not even notice that they are running.
That said, of all of my picks for best RV ready 50 amp generators, the WEN DF1100T is the quietest, with a mere 72 decibels running noise level.
What is the Generator’s Run Time?
I will clearly list the running time of each of my picks for best RV generator in the table at the beginning of each recommendation, and you will probably want at least 8 hours of half-load running time for overnight usage.
Is This Generator CARB Compliant?
Of course if you are living in (or traveling to) California, CARB compliance is a must, but even if you’ve no plans to visit the Golden State, it’s good to leave your options open, and even better to protect the environment.
All of my picks are fully compliant with CARB and EPA guidelines.
Ok, all of that said, let’s not waste any more time – the great outdoors is waiting after all! So here are my top 5 choices for best 50 amp generators for RVs.
Best 50A Generators for RVs and Camping
A Great Low Power Generator with 50 Amp Plug
Pulsar PG5250B 5250W Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Switch and Go Technology
- 5,250W peak 4,250W rated (GAS)/ 4,750W peak...
- The powerful 224cc, 4-Stroke, OHV, Air Cooled...
- 4 Gallon Fuel Tank gives you up to 12 Hours...
Key Features:
- Noise Level: 72 DBa
- Power Output: 4,250 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 5,250 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 30 Amp & 50 Amp
- Weight: 115 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 12 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
I need to say right up front that this Pulsar 5250 is a bit limited – with only just over 4,000 watts of power, it might not be big enough for most large RVs, and definitely would not be if you are using two or more air conditioners.
But if you are looking for a smaller generator for 50 amp service, for limited usage, supplemental power or highly portable backup, this is the one!
A well built and well designed unit, the Pulsar PG5250B is a dual fuel model, using either gasoline or propane. With gas it has a nominal running wattage of 4,250 watts, and with propane its running output is 3,850 watts.
And of course it has both 30 amp and 50 amp outlets, though unlike some other 50 amp generators the Pulsar does not have dual voltage – it is 120 volts only, without the ability to switch to 240.
There’s nothing really fancy here, just a nicely laid out control and connection panel, sturdy open-frame construction that is relatively light and easily maneuverable, and a very quiet running, smooth and reliable engine – a perfect choice for an ultra-affordable low power portable generator for a 50 amp RV.
Best Budget 50 Amp Power Generator
WEN DF1100T 11,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator CARB Compliant
- Switch between gasoline (11,000 surge watts,...
- Voltage easily goes from 120V to 240V,...
- Electric start powers the 457cc 4-stroke OHV...
Key Features:
- Noise Level: 72 DBa
- Power Output: 8.300 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 11.000 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 30 Amp & 50 Amp
- Weight: 214 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 8.5 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
I know that I said in my introduction that generators for 50 amp RVs are expensive, but in fact this WEB 1100, while not cheap, is surprisingly affordable, especially given its quality, the high power output and the very low noise level.
The WEN DF1100T is a dual fuel generator, ready for both gasoline and propane, and includes a nice propane hose with regulator. It is also a dual voltage unit, capable of both 120 and 240 volt output at 50 amps.
Using gas, the running output is 8.300 watts, and peak output is 11,000 – so plenty for all of your appliances and even a couple of air conditioners. Even with propane the running and peak outputs are still considerable – 7,500 and 9,500 watts respectively.
With all of the outlets you could possibly want or need (including a 12 volt DC plug), a nicely laid out control panel with an intelligent multi-use monitoring meter, electric start, over 8 hours running time at half load, and smooth, super quiet operation, the DF1100T is pretty much the ideal low priced high power generator.
But to me the best feature, and the real reason to get the WEN DF1100T dual fuel portable generator, is the overall quality. Really, in every way – the smooth engine, the solid frame, the fit and finish, the quality of the connectors and switches – this feels like an industrial level generator, and should provide many years of dependable service.
Best Value RV Ready 50A Generator
Champion Power Equipment 11,500/9,200-Watt Portable Generator with Electric Start
- At 11,500 starting watts and 9200 running...
- Trust the reliable 459cc Champion engine with...
- One 120/240V 30A locking outlet, a 120/240V...
Key Features:
- Noise Level: 74 DBa
- Power Output: 9,200 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 11.500 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 30 Amp & 50 Amp
- Weight: 213 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 10 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
For a small increase in price over the excellent Wen 1100, just above, you can get a significant increase in output – almost 1,000 watts more power – and, if possible, an even higher quality unit.
The Champion 9200 watt generator is a bit more expensive than similarly sized units from other companies, but is more rugged and dependable than most of them, and really designed for many, many years of trouble-free service – whether you are using it very infrequently for the occasional RV excursion or camping trip or relying on it every single day.
The Champion 9200 has great running time – 10 hours half-load – and is quiet and smooth running, which makes it fantastic for camping. Another great feature, especially for certain areas and climates, is the cold-start engine, which will always start right up at any temperature – in fact, probably the fastest and most dependable electric start I’ve used.
Also as good as I’ve ever used is the Champion’s intelliGAUGE usage monitor and power meter, and really the whole layout of the super high quality controls and connectors is just great. There are a couple of standard 120 volt 20 amp connectors as well as 30 amp and a 50 amp connectors, both of which are dual voltage (120/240).
With plenty of power for even bigger RVs, lots of appliances and usage and even multiple air conditioners, great running time, easy electric start that works just as well in cold climates, seriously overbuilt commercial-grade materials and construction quality and quiet, smooth and trouble-free operation, the Champion Power Equipment 9,200 watt power generator is perfect for camping, or for lots of other applications, and an easy choice for best generator for RVs at this competitive mid-priced level.
My Favorite 50 Amp RV Generator
Westinghouse WGen9500DF Dual Fuel Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start
- 9500 Running Watts and 12500 Peak Watts...
- Features Two GFCI 120V 5–20R Standard...
- Powered by a Heavy Duty 457cc Westinghouse...
Key Features:
- Noise Level: 74 DBa
- Power Output: 9,500 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 12.500 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 30 Amp & 50 Amp
- Weight: 220 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 12 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
As poetically as I wax about the Champion 9200, just above, it’s hard to imagine that there could be a generator out there that I like even more.
But there is – the awesome Westinghouse WGen9500DF, which is not just my favorite power generator but the one I myself own and use regularly – for RV camping and for everything else.
Although Westinghouse has been around for almost 140 (!) years now, recently they have been really establishing their reputation more and more, and in this case by building some of the most reliable and dependable portable generators on the market today.
And so it is with the Westinghouse WGen9500DF, which is as solid, stable and dependable as they get.
One way you can clearly see this – without waiting for decades and realizing you’ve never had a problem with your 9500 – is to witness the smooth, ultra-quiet operation. In fact, while the generators we’ve already looked at have nominally lower noise levels, in my experience the solidity, stability and smoothness of the Westinghouse makes it seem quieter, and I suspect it has even lower running noise levels than claimed.
In terms of features and functionality, everything is in place with the Westinghouse WGen9500DF portable generator – remote electric start, fantastic running time (up to 12 hours with gas), dual-fuel capability, a full array of 20A, 30A and 50A amp outlets and dual voltage (120/240) for both the 30 and 50 amp circuits, a useful data monitor, and the ability to add the fantastic Westinghouse ST Switch, which turns your 9500DF into a fully functional auto-switching DIY standby generator for your home.
Indeed, All that said, though, my main reasons for recommending this wonderful Westinghouse WGen9500DF portable generator are the product’s quality and the security I feel owning one. All Westinghouse generators are tested before they are shipped out, and the look, feel and operation of this generator just gives me confidence, as does having such a fantastic company standing behind it.
And for even more confidence and security, you can opt for the same generator with a CO (carbon monoxide) sensor, in the WGen9500DFc.
Best High Power 50 Amp Generator for RV
Champion Power Equipment 100111 15,000/12,000-Watt Portable Generator
- Ultra-Powerful – At 15,000 starting watts...
- Electric Start – Trust the reliable 717cc...
- Covered Outlets – One 120V 30A locking, a...
Key Features:
- Noise Level: 78 DBa
- Power Output: 12,000 Watts (gasoline)
- Startup Power: 15,000 Watts (gasoline)
- Plug: 30 Amp & 50 Amp
- Weight: 330 Pounds
- CARB Compliant: Yes
- Running Time: 9 Hours, Half Load (gasoline)
We come right back to Champion Power Equipment for our choice for best generator for recreational vehicles at this highest power level – specifically, the brilliant Champion 12000 watt portable generator – though we should qualify the word “portable” here by mentioning that this big, beefy, ultra-powerful beast does weight 330 pounds!
And when I say “highest power level” we should be clear that this is really as powerful as you ever need to go with a generator for RV use – with a 50 amp electrical system, an RV cannot draw more than 12,000 watts, and anyway even if you are running multiple air conditioners and lots of other stuff at the same time you will have more than enough juice.
So why is this the best generator for RV and camping at this high level? Well, for one thing this is a remarkably affordable product considering its size and output, but it is also remarkably quiet and smooth running as well, and has a really good running time – 9 hours at half load, and often even more with light-normal usage.
I also love the cold-start technology, which ensures that the electric start will work quickly and reliably even in cold weather, and the exceptionally good material and build quality of the Champion 12000, and the fact that I feel like I can totally depend on this generator for any purpose and in any conditions.
Of course all the niceties, features and functionality are in place with the 12000, including 1 fifty amp and 2 thirty amp dual voltage (120 & 240) outlets as well as 2 twenty amp standard 120s, a truly useful intelliGAUGE usage and power monitor, electric start and, again, long running time and especially quiet operation for its size.
All in all a brilliant product – super-tough, dependable, well designed and a joy to use. For my money the Champion Power Equipment 12000 watt is clearly the best high power generator for RV use, and would in fact be my first choice for any application at this level.
