Generators For Pop Up Campers

If you are planning to buy a travel trailer or an RV but don’t have enough budget to get your hands on them, a pop-up camper might be your solace.

A pop-up camper can be loads of fun to travel with, but if you want a comfortable and enjoyable experience, you need to hook it up to the generator.

The generator will keep your electronics in the vehicle powered when campgrounds and other picnic sites don’t have access to a utility (grid) power supply.

Pop-up campers don’t have much electronic stuff relative to the RVs and camping vans, but if you have a good size pop-up camper with all the required power electronics hooked up in your camper, you need a good-sized generator for powering them.

Typically, portable power stations are good enough for the job.

Still, if you want to have a better bang for your buck, you can have some fine-quality generators dedicated specifically to pop-up campers.

For that purpose, read out our review guide on the best generators for pop-up campers and get your hands on the quality products available in the market.

Are you in a rush? Hold on! Have a bird’s eye view of our top pick and get the best generator for pop-up campers.

Top Pick

10/10 Our Score

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• 22.04 lbs. Weight
• 1002 Wh Battery Capacity
• 1000 Surge Watts

Jackery Explorer 1000 is the jack of all trades that will be the master for each.

This battery-powered portable power station features a 1002 watts per hour lithium-ion battery.

With its 2 X Solar Saga 100W solar panels, you can easily charge it with solar power and enjoy an unlimited power supply.

This Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is an RV-ready and parallel-capable solar generator that is coming in a very lightweight and compact body, therefore, the storage constraints of the pop-up camper will be fully met with this best-quality portable generator.

Given below is the table for a comparison of the 10 best Generators For Pop Up Campers. Give it a read to have a bird’s eye view of the features and specs of the products.

Comparison Table Of The 10 Generators For Pop-Up Campers

Image	Product	Features	Price
Best Open Frame Generator	Westinghouse WGen7500 196 lbs. Weight  420 CC Engine Displacement 9500 Surge Watts	10	Check Price
Top Pick	Jackery Solar Generator 1000 22.04 lbs. Weight  1002 Wh Battery Capacity  1000 Surge Watts	10	Check Price
Best Outlook And Design	WEN GN400i 66.1 lbs. Weight  212 CC Engine Displacement  4000 Surge Watts	10	Check Price
Low Space Demanding	ZeroKor Outdoor Generator 5.07 lbs. Weight  280 Wh Battery Capacity  300 Surge Watts	10	Check Price
Best Portable	EnginStar Portable Power Station 6.5 lbs. Weight  298 Wh Battery Capacity  300 Surge Watts	9.5	Check Price
Best Fuel-Efficient	TogoPower Portable Generator 34.8 lbs. Weight  63 CC 2-Stroke Engine Displacement  1000 Surge Watts	9.5	Check Price
Best Budget Non-Battery Generator	BILT HARD Inverter Generator 104.8 lbs. Weight  212 CC Engine Displacement  4500 Surge Watts	9.5	Check Price
Best Low Power Output	ROCKPALS Portable Power Station 7.7 lbs. Weight  280 Wh Battery Capacity  300 Surge Watts	9	Check Price
Best Ultralight	HOWEASY Portable Power Station 5.5 lbs. Weight  178 Wh Battery Capacity  260 Surge Watts	9	Check Price
Best Battery Capacity	EBL Voyager 1000 23.1 lbs. Weight  999 Wh Battery Capacity  1000 Surge Watts	9	Check Price

In this review, we have selected the 10 best generators for pop-up campers, after careful review and testing of the finest quality generators available in the market.

Go through the detailed review section oevent smartphones, LED lights, and other sensitive electronic devices, pure wave AC technology providef each product to have an in-depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each generator mentioned down here.

Best Open Frame Generator

10/10 Our Score

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• 196 lbs. Weight
• 420 CC Engine Displacement
• 9500 Surge Watts

Westinghouse WGen series generators are renowned for their portability and ease of transportation.

WGen 7500 is a prestigious member of this series and has many enticing features and specs that are deemed fit for a pop-up camper.

Features:

The WGen generator has rated watts of 7500 with a surge wattage of 9500 ensuring the THD cut-off as the standard is less than 3%.

With its 7500 running watts, you have as much power to run a 15,000 BTU Air Conditioning or heating system.

You can also power your electrical grill, stove, microwave, drill machine, and similar heavy-duty stuff that wasn’t operational at 3KW/ 4KW or below wattage.

His generator has an electric start that is ignited by the key fob but if you don’t want to make use of this modern electric start technology, Westinghouse WGen generators have retained the traditional recoil start.

This Westinghouse WGen7500 generator has an enormously large fuel tank capacity to complement the high wattage of 9500 watts.

The 6.6 gallons fuel tank guarded with a fuel gauge is a soothing addition to this generator that will surely please anyone looking for a heavy-duty unit with a large fuel tank.

With its 196 pounds weight, you might be curious about its portability but the wheeled cart with the 8” pneumatic wheels makes it as portable as a lightweight unit without the carrying cart.

Verdict:

Top Pick

10/10 Our Score

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• 22.04 lbs. Weight
• 1002 Wh Battery Capacity
• 1000 Surge Watts

Jackery solar generator 1000 going by the name Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best choice for an all-rounder generator with something for everyone.

No matter if you are looking for a budget-friendly home standby generator for backup power in power outages or a portable power station for outdoors, Jackery Explorer 1000 has got your back.

It will also be your right choice for a solar generator with the solar panels included in the package and a battery-powered inverter generator with parallel capability and an RV-ready 30A power outlet.

Features:

This solar generator is our recommended pick for the best multi-functional generator and is the best overall generator for pop-up campers.

It is an electric inverter power station that can be charged with solar power derived through the 2 X Solar Saga 100 watts panels coming with its package.

If you don’t have solar panels, you don’t have to trouble yourself by looking at any other conventional generator as you can simply charge it with the AC power supply through a wall socket or the DC 12V power from the carport.

This Jackery Solar Generator 1000 solar generator is famous for its zero-emission stance that ensures you an eco-friendly operation free from any carbon or carbon-monoxide products.

This is the reason why you don’t have carbon monoxide sensors installed in this cool and cozy generator.

Verdict:

Best Outlook And Design

10/10 Our Score

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• 66.1 lbs. Weight
• 212 CC Engine Displacement
• 4000 Surge Watts

WEN generators are the high-end products that have the most wallet-friendly price tags among heavy-duty generators for outdoor use.

Since you are looking for a generator for your pop-up camper, affordability is the prerequisite, and therefore, you ought to give this WEN GN400i a must-try.

Features:

This portable power station is a unique design open–frame generator that doesn’t follow suit the standard Westinghouse or Champion’s power equipment bare-bone design.

With its longitudinal design and lightweight body, you can enjoy a comfortable camping time with your friends and family enjoying the full-electric power with this high-wattage unit.

This is an inverter generator that gives a super-quiet almost noiseless operation and is, therefore, a perfect fit for your pop-up camper where you won’t be disturbed by the annoying buzz of your generator’s engine.

With its 3500 rated watts, a camper, especially a pop-up camper is good for running most of the electrical appliances inside the camping van.

But if you want to have a higher power output then you can hook up two or more generators to have their wattage combined with a parallel kit coming along with this generator’s package.

To drive these 3500-rated watts, this WEN GN400i portable generator has a powerful OHV engine with an engine displacement of 212 cubic centimeters.

Verdict:

Low Space Demanding

10/10 Our Score

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• 5.07 lbs. Weight
• 280 Wh Battery Capacity
• 300 Surge Watts

ZeroKor outdoor generators are not very prestigious since they have not fully established themselves in the global market.

But considering their economical yet efficient generator lineup, you are bound to be more than impressed and want to get their generator without breaking the bank.

This outdoor generator by ZeroKor is a small-sized inverter generator that will be a good fit for your pop-up camper.

Features:

This generator is the best gift as a camping accessory and is an extremely portable and lightweight unit that is just the right choice for pop-up campers.

With its small output power, you don’t have to worry about the low battery life of your road essentials.

This is a 300 watts unit (running watts) and with its long-lasting lithium-ion battery you are good to go for a long-distance camping trip that may take 3 or 4 days.

You can plan a weekend camp at a far-off mountaineering valley or a hiking site without being disturbed by the off-grid zone and low battery of your smartphones, laptops, etc.

This ZeroKor Outdoor Generator has a long-lasting battery with boundless endurance that has 280 watts per hour capacity.

This 280 Wh. capacity is sufficient to let you have a backup power of 7 days for recharging your road essentials including a camera, drone, laptop, MacBook, smartphone, and even your lights and fans inside the pop-up camper.

Verdict:

Best Portable

9.5/10 Our Score

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• 6.5 lbs. Weight
• 298 Wh Battery Capacity
• 300 Surge Watts

If you are looking for an ultralight portable generator that you can carry in your hands without straining your arm muscles, then this EnginStar portable power station can be a good choice for you.

This low-wattage outdoor generator is aimed at recharging your road essentials on your camping trips while being away from the grid power.

Features:

Enginstar generators are cost-effective products that have enticing features to attract consumers across the globe.

This particular Enginstar generator is a low-wattage unit just like the aforementioned 300 watts inverter generator.

This is the 2nd lightest portable power station in our listing of the 10 best generators for pop-up campers.

This generator is second in ranking with its 6.5 pounds weight while the leading generator is only 5.5 pounds which is the HOWEASY portable power bank.

This EnginStar Portable Power Station generator gives you a mid-range power output of 300 watts which is barely sufficient for running your lights and fans in addition to recharging some road essentials including the laptop, smartphone, cameras, drone, CPAP machine, and other mini tools.

You can connect this ultralight generator to as many as 8 devices at a time because it features 8 outlets for connecting external devices.

To make the transportation process a bit easier for you, this generator has a built-in carrying handle at the top that is way better than carrying handles at the sides requiring the use of two hands.

Verdict:

derations and queries are mentioned below in our detailed buyer’s guide on the best generators for pop-up ca

Best Fuel-Efficient

9.5/10 Our Score

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• 34.8 lbs. Weight
• 63 CC 2-Stroke Engine Displacement
• 1000 Surge Watts

For all those users who are in search of an aesthetically tidy and appealing multifunctional generator, you may have a look at this TogoPower portable generator.

This Togo Power generator is similar to an animated version of the generators and vacuum cleaners shown in manga and comic series.

Features:

This generator has a large-sized control knob at one side looking like the mouth of the animated generator while its top is featuring a sturdy and well-built retractable carrying handle that shows the head areas of the animation. While the rubber feet under it are locomotors’ organs completing the imagery.

This aesthetically appealing compact generator has a collapsible fuel tank at the left side whose door is curved like the hobbit’s house door you can take this inverter generator being inspired by the animated generator and this is quite a strong reason for increased sales of this model compared to their predeceasing versions.

This 1000 watts TogoPower Portable Generator has a lightweight body that is only 34.8 pounds in weight and to make the portability even better there are rubber feet that allows you to drag it anywhere if you don’t want to go with hand carrying.

The best thing about this portable generator is its petrol and oil mixing quantity that features 50:1 for petrol and oil and gives the best fuel efficiency possible for any gasoline generator.

Verdict:

Best Budget Non-Battery Generator

9.5/10 Our Score

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• 104.8 lbs. Weight
• 212 CC Engine Displacement
• 4500 Surge Watts

BILT HARD generators are works of high-quality workmanship and are extremely efficient in their performance as portable power stations.

This BILT HARD generator is an inverter that is capable of more than enough to power a wide range of electric appliances at home or inside recreational vehicles like camping vans and pop-up campers.

Features:

In the above-mentioned generators, we have provided you with the best quality portable power banks, battery-powered units, and also gasoline generators.

Now it is time for a gas-driven modern generator with a lightweight portable power station outlook and a compact body.

This BILT HARD Inverter Generator is no less than the most enthusiastic power station and if you don’t have a view of its gas tank, you wouldn’t notice that it is a non-battery generator.

With its 212 CC single-cylinder OHV engine, you can enjoy the unrivaled performance.

Thus, you can enjoy the goodness of an open frame generator with a powerful OHV engine driving the efficiency of your generator and a compact small-sized body ensuring the compactness and lightweight nature.

As it is not an inverter generator, the noise level is that of traditional engines in the open-frame units and with its 68 dBA noise level, you wouldn’t be bothered enough to receive complaints from your neighbors.

Verdict:

Best Low Power Output

9/10 Our Score

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• 7.7 lbs. Weight
• 280 Wh Battery Capacity
• 300 Surge Watts

For all those users who are looking for a budget-friendly mini-wattage unit that is not heavy on the pockets but gives the best in class performance with unrivaled runtime and fuel efficiency then you should consider trying this ROCKPALS portable power station.

Features:

This lightweight generator is a traditional-looking modern device that gives a glimpse of a 1900s cassette player or radio but is equipped with advanced 21st-century technologies to give you the best bang for your hard-earned bucks.

Most RV generators don’t suffer strict space constraints as there is ample space dedicated to these RV generators.

That’s the reason why open-frame generators like Champion’s power equipment and Westinghouse WGen series can be installed in the RVs.

But when it comes to pop-up campers there isn’t sufficient space available and you would have to make do with any possible space left under your furniture to temporarily save this generator unit.

Therefore, these ROCKPALS Portable Power Station tiny-sized generators are the right choice for pop-up campers, and any product a large enough size to take more than a few inches of your camper should be altogether discarded no matter how great its specs and features are.

The 280 watts per hour battery of this generator will allow you to keep fully recharged with the abundant power supply available and with its lithium-ion battery chargeable by solar power.

Verdict:

Best Ultralight

9/10 Our Score

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• 5.5 lbs. Weight
• 178 Wh Battery Capacity
• 260 Surge Watts

HOWEASY are the lightest portable power stations and the one added here in our selection of the best generators for pop-up campers is by far the lightest one with only 5.5 pounds to carry along with its battery.

This lightweight body can easily be carried by women and even kids without demanding much physical force and thus are a perfect choice for camping.

Features:

This is the lightest generator in our selection of the best camping generators and with its 5.5 pounds body, you wouldn’t have trouble asking help from your healthy friends to put your heavy-duty generator in your camping van.

Furthermore, with its 8.19 inches height body and its 4.72 width, you don’t have to mind the small space inside your pop-up camper.

You can very easily tuck it under your furniture inside the camping vehicle or place it off the door for quick access and storage.

The output wattage of this mini generator is only 260 watts which is sufficient only for road essentials and lights.

You can at a minimum level power some fans with this 260 watts output power but won’t be able to run your microwave, coffee maker, toaster, or any other electric appliances over 260-rated watts.

As far as the charging modes are concerned, this generator can only be charged in two ways that are the solar charging facility uses solar panels that need to be bought separately as they are not included in the package.

The second mode is by using the AC wall socket. This HOWEASY Portable Power Station generator doesn’t support charging through the 12V DC carport.

Verdict:

Best Battery Capacity

9/10 Our Score

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• 23.1 lbs. Weight
• 999 Wh Battery Capacity
• 1000 Surge Watts

This last power station is the EBL Voyager which rightly suits its name and complements the Voyagers’ voyage accessories.

This powerful power station is the one that is featuring a long-lasting high-wattage battery and is the best option for all those voyagers or campers who like to spend more than a day on the road.

This small and compact power station may look like a 100 or 200 watts portable unit but is nothing less than a heavy-duty 1KW open-frame conventional generator with twice the weight, size and price.

Features:

This large power generator is not about having a heavy-duty power source for running your high-wattage appliances but a long-lasting generator that can keep you fully powered under severe power blackouts with no power for days.

This generator with its 999 watts per hour battery is a powerful unit that can be the dream product of most campers but is restricted by their budget.

If you can have a 1000 watts portable power station with a 1000 watts per hour battery and multiple power outlets, all safety protection layers added, zero emissions, and one press start facility, who wouldn’t want to have this generator, particularly an inverter generator apart from the fact that they are restricted by the skyrocketed cost of these high-end 1000 watts generators.

But this EBL Voyager 1000 generator has all these above-listed features at a very economical price tag and will be a great sight to behold on a camping trip.

This battery-driven generator can also be converted into a gasoline fuel type if the need arises but the two fuel types gasoline and electric cannot be used together.

Verdict:

Best Generators For Pop-Up Campers: A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

If you are a camping geek who frequently goes off the grid and wants to enjoy some quality time at the campsite then having a camping van or an RV may be your desperate desire.

Well, this is not a unique or astounding wish as you can see more than enough RVs and camping vans on specific campsites displaying the increased hype of these recreational vehicles.

Buying Guide Of Best Generators For Pop-Up Campers – Infographics

But what to do if you don’t have enough bucks spared with you? Should you drop the idea of having a camping van altogether and enjoy it in your car?

Well, enjoying camping in your car is the most reasonable and economical solution for all those camping geeks who don’t want to give up on their camping hobby. But don’t worry, budget alone cannot decide your access to recreational or camping vehicles.

What if you can’t have a lush push fully furnished recreational vehicle (RV), you can go all out with a pop-up camper.

Pop-up campers are extremely cost-efficient variants of camping vans and are the most widely used recreational vehicles for overnight camping trips, picnics, hiking events, and similar overnight outdoor activities.

These budget-friendly recreational vehicles have specific requirements that need to be met for ensuring the quality and budget-friendly cost of these vehicles.

These necessary considerations and queries are mentioned below in our detailed buyer’s guide on the best generators for pop-up campers.

1. How To Determine What Wattage Is Best For You?

The first and foremost trouble that pop-up campers need to overcome is determining the size and wattage of their generator.

The requirements of a generator dedicated to a pop-up camper are entirely different from the ones installed in an RV.

Therefore, you need to carefully chalk out and plan all the activities you intend to do at the campground and thoroughly calculate any power requirement along with the assumed wattage.

For instance, if you want to have a BBQ party at the campground and are taking an electric grill along with you, then you need to have a 1000 watts or so generator for running the grill effectively.

But if your need is only to have some tea and toast for the breakfast you can make do with a toaster and stove without needing much wattage.

Typically you would have to power your mini-fridge, refrigerator, TV, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, drill machine, blender, lights, fans, and an AC or heating system.

If these average appliances are all you got to run on your camping trip then a 5 to 6 KW generator will be the best for your pop-up camper.

But if the number and wattage of appliances increase beyond the suggested values, then you need to increase the output power of the generator for accommodating extra rated watts and the additional load of the increased appliances.

2. Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Generators For Pop-Up Campers:

Now that you have decided on the wattage of your upcoming generator, particularly for your pop-up camper, you need to take into account a few necessary considerations that will determine if the upcoming generator is well worth your money or if just a golden goose doesn’t lay any eggs.

I. Size:

The size of the generator is very important for any camper and you shouldn’t exceed the required size as it will not only add to your budget but also will pose space restrictions.

A good-sized generator for a pop-up camper is compact and sleek so that you won’t have to trouble yourself with making space for the generator.

Pop-up campers are more space constricted and therefore have more rigorous size demands than other recreational vehicles.

Typically a 300 to 600 watts portable generator is sufficient for an average pop-up camper but adding more load to your camper will demand extra size and wattage without any doubt.

II. Power Output:

The second most crucial consideration for finding the right generator is having the desired power output.

It is human nature to desire unlimited power but for a portable electric or fuel-driven generator, having unlimited power output is not possible at the moment.

Therefore, you need to carefully choose the output of your generator according to the requirements of your appliances.

If you want to power a heavy-duty Air conditioning unit with more than 13,000 or 15,000 BTU then having a 6kW or 7kW portable generator is a must for you.

But if you just want to run your mini tools and power your road essentials such as smartphones, laptops, cameras, drones, etc. then a 300 watts mini generator will be all you need.

III. Cost:

The budget of your generator is the most significant factor that will ultimately decide which one to buy and which one to discard.

If you have sufficient bucks soared with you, having a high-end prestigious branded generator with a high output power may be the best solution for you.

But if you are currently tight on the budget and want to have some wallet-friendly products then choose the affordable generator with low power output and limited battery capacity so that you want to have to compromise on the performance of the generator.

3. Battery Powered Generators VS Fuel Powered Generators:

After deciding on the necessary considerations of the size, wattage, and budget of your generator, one important consideration here that you would have to consider is the type of fuel running through your generator.

Most commonly all of us have seen fuel-powered generators having a gas, LPG, gasoline, Propane, and other fuel as their food for operation.

But in the last decade with the rapid increase in demand for portable power stations, the demand for electric fuel-type generators that is battery-powered units is more than enough and is much-hyped in the market.

If you carefully observe the camping sites, you would come to the conclusion that more than 75% of all outdoor generators are now coming as battery-powered ones.

This is because battery-powered generators don’t have enormous amounts of running costs which is a continuous source of stress for fuel-powered generator owners.

You would have to decide which one of these two is better for you and the answer will be your preference, not a pet answer claiming one of these fuel types as the right choice in every situation.

4. Portable Generators VS Built-In Generators:

Another important point you have to decide on is the type of generator according to its mobility.

After deciding on the type of fuel you need to determine the ideal mobility type and then go with all the top-notch models to review the best performance of these available generators.

But don’t worry, if you don’t have enough time to conduct thorough research on all the available generators in the market, you can simply go through our review and have a look at the best generators for pop-up campers and then choose any one of these considering it to be a fit for your requirements.

Generally, portable generators are more hyped than built-in ones as you can use them for various purposes at different locations without having rigorous safety precautions, built-in generators.

Portable generators can also be used as home standby generators for providing backup power at home while a built-in generator in an RV will be of no use in any situation.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What Size Generator Do I Need For A Pop-Up Camper?

The exact size of the generator suitable for your camper depends upon the number of electric appliances you intend to power.

Typically a 2000 to 6000 watts generator is a good-sized generator for a pop-up camper and is good for the majority of campers.

But if you have some additional heavy-duty appliances like your electric grill and higher BTU AC systems, you can increase the wattage desired for your needs.

2. How Do You Hook Up A Generator To A Pop-Up Camper?

Most pop-up campers like RVs are RV-ready with a 30A transfer switch and you only need to connect the two outlets with a cable, which is your extension cord.

So, you just simply have to take your portable generator out of the camper, connect the 30A extension cord to the generator and then plug the power switch into your camper’s main power supply outlet.

3. How Far Does The Generator Need To Be From The Camper?

The pop-up campers follow the same safety precautions as that of an RV or other outdoor generators.

You need to keep your generator 10 feet away from the camping van and RV. Don’t ever try to put the generator under your vehicle (for protecting it from thieves).

Final Words:

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