What do I need the generator for?
Here is a quick video explaining the different types of power in an RV:
The generator can be used to provide power to the RV when you are going down the road or when you are “Boondocking” (camping in a remote area where there is no electrical hookup for the RV).
When the generator is running it provides current to the electrical appliances and electric outlets in the RV so you can plug in things such as computers, hair dryers, coffee makers, etc. A built in generator gets its fuel from the RV's fuel tank. How much fuel a generator uses depends on the size of the generator and the load that you put on the generator. If you are running a lot of electrical appliances and the air conditioners on the RV it will use more fuel. A good rule of thumb is that a generator will use about 1 gallon of fuel per hour of operation.
Our generators will shut down automatically when you get to around a 1/4 tank of fuel in the RV's fuel tank. This is so that you will still be able to drive the RV and it will not completely empty the fuel tank.
* Our Class A Coachmen Pursuit rentals hold 80 gallons of fuel.
* Our Class B Coachmen Nova rentals hold 24 gallons of fuel.
* Our Class C Coachmen Leprechaun rentals hold 55 gallons of fuel.
* Our Class C Coachmen Freelander rentals hold 55 gallons of fuel.
* Our Class C Coachmen Cross Trail rentals do not come with generators.
* Our Travel Trailer rentals do not come with generators.
Turning on and shutting off the generator is easy. The RVs have a switch on the Monitor Panel. You can use this switch to start and stop the generator. Depending on the type of motorhome you are renting, there may be other generator switches located throughout the RV. The generator itself also has a start and stop switch on it in case the remote switches fail.
SAFETY TIP: Always make sure the generator is shut off when you are filling the RV with fuel.
The noise the generator makes varies by the size and manufacturer of the generator. In most cases when you are going down the road, you will not notice the generator sound.
When the generator is running, it does provide power to the TVs in the RV. That being said; if there is a TV in view of the driver at the front of the RV, it may not function when the RV is in motion. This is a safety feature to prevent the driver from watching the TV while driving.
Our motorhome rentals come with generators equipped, but our travel trailers do not. Depending on the RV you are renting, you may need a 30AMP generator or a 50AMP generator. The generator MUST be 110V, not 220V. If you hook the RV up to 220V generator, it will ruin the electrical system in the RV and the customer will be fully responsible for the damages, and will not be covered under the rental insurance.
Items in the RV that do need the generator (or campsite plugin) to operate:
* Overhead Air Conditioner
* Microwave
* Wall Plugs
* TV(s)
Items in the RV that do not need the generator to operate:
* Refrigerator
* Water Heater
* Furnace
* Interior Lights
* Slide Outs
* Awning Controls
* Awning Lights
* Carbon Monoxide Detector
* Propane Gas Detector
* Water Pump
* Sinks / Toilet / Shower
SOURCE: http://www.everything-about-rving.com/we-want-to-watch-tv-in-our-rv-going-down-the-road-can-we-do-that.html