How Much Fuel Does An RV Generator Use? You can expect to use one gallon of gas every three hours.
Buying or renting an RV comes with loads of questions. Many campgrounds have full hookups, but if not, or you find yourself spending the night in a parking lot, can you run an RV generator all night?
How about what to do during a rainy day or, if there’s a storm a-brewing. Below are a bunch of other frequently asked questions related to the RV generator fuel question.
How Much Fuel Does An RV Generator Use?
One of the biggest advantages of camping in an RV over a tent is its modern amenities. Camping with a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a heater, and microwave is great.
So you’ll need a generator to provide that power. Here are some fuel use examples:
- How much gas does an onan 4000 generator use? 1/2 gallon per hour. About 12 gallons if run continuously for 24 hours at 50% load.
- On Average, a 5000-watt camper generator that runs on gasoline consumes around 1 gallon of gasoline per hour.
- A 5000 watts RV generator that is fueled by propane consumes around 1 to 1.5 gallons of propane every hour. On the other hand lesser watt generators like 3500 watts, one would need around 0.8 to 1 gallon of propane to run every hour.
- An RV generator that runs on diesel and a having 5000 watts on average consume around 0.75 gallons of diesel every hour.
- How much fuel does a onan 5500 generator use? The Onan 5.5 uses 6 gallons per hour under moderate load.
Is It OK To Run RV Generator All Night?
You also probably wondering, “Can I sleep with my RV generator running?”
Yes, you can sleep with your RV generator running. Have all windows and doors closed and it is perfectly safe to sleep in an RV while a generator located outside running.
Generally, generators can run from 8-10 hours on 1-2 gallons of fuel. which is plenty long enough to keep running overnight.
Also, campgrounds and National Parks don’t want you running them during quiet hours. They may even have a decibel limit. You most likely won’t have these problems boondocking.
FYI: Just be mindful of carbon monoxide when running overnight
Related: Most Quiet Generator For Camping
How Far Away Should A Generator Be From An RV?
A portable generator should be located at least 10 feet away from any windows on your RV. Never place it under your RV to keep it safe from thieves or the elements.
Can You Put A Tarp Over A Generator?
Yes, you can put a tarp over a generator but what would be best is to set up a canopy. Or you can take the tarp and elevate it with poles.
You don’t want the tarp to smother your generator. You need to ensure that no moisture will get into the sensitive sections of the generator.
If you want to use the generator in the rain, using a generator tent is your best option.
Related: Can You Run RV Generator While Driving
Where Do You Put A Generator In A Storm?
You put a generator in a dry place or at least properly covered, where it has a clear space of at least 3 to 4 feet on all sides. This ensures the proper ventilation of the carbon monoxide gas.
You can buy a waterproof tent for a generator.
Can You Leave A Generator Running Unattended?
Yes, you can leave a generator running unattended after you make sure you secure it on a flat surface. Make sure there’s no chance of rolling, tipping, or sliding out of position and causing a potentially hazardous situation.
Related: Best French Press for Camping
The Wrap Up
We hope we answered “How Much Fuel Does An RV Generator Use?” and a slew of other questions that you may eventually ask once you find the perfect generator for your RV and camping trip.
Overall, there are a bunch of different types of RV generators and they all have different fuels and fuel efficiencies. The type of generator you choose should be the one that best meets your needs.
