RV Generator Maintenance: What I Tell Every Camper
Funny enough, you won’t find a generator running anywhere here at the park — full hookups mean nobody needs one once they’re parked with us. But that doesn’t mean your generator stops mattering. For a lot of our guests, that generator is what gets them to us, and what keeps them comfortable on the way to the next stop down the road.
So even though it’s not something you’ll need plugged in here, RV generator maintenance comes up in conversation around the campfire more than you’d think — usually right after someone’s had a generator headache on a trip. So I figured I’d put together what I tell folks, in plain language, no toolbox required to understand it.
Built-In or Portable, the Idea Is the Same
Whether you’ve got one of those built-in units tucked into the belly of your rig, or you haul a portable generator in the basement compartment, the goal of RV generator maintenance is the same: catch the small stuff before it becomes the big stuff.
Built-in generators are convenient — they pull fuel right from your RV’s tank, they’re quieter, and you don’t have to think about them much. The tradeoff is that they can be a bear to access when something does need attention. Portable generators are the opposite: easier to get to and work on, but you’ve got to think about storage, fuel, and not letting them grow legs in a campground (sadly, a real concern).
Either way, the maintenance basics line up pretty closely. The RV Industry Association has solid guidance on the differences between generator types if you’re still deciding what works best for your rig.
Before You Fire It Up: A Quick Walkaround
I tell people to treat this like checking your mirrors before pulling out — quick, but never skip it. Before you run your generator, especially after it’s been sitting:
- Check your fuel and oil levels
- Look underneath for any drips, stains, or puddles
- Check that cords and connections look solid — especially if mice have been anywhere near your rig (and out here, they always have a chance)
- Give the air filter a quick look and tap out any dust
- For built-ins, peek at the exhaust area for anything that doesn’t belong there
None of this takes more than a few minutes, but it’s the difference between a generator that starts right up and one that leaves you standing there wondering what you did wrong.
Oil and Air Filters — The Boring Stuff That Matters Most
I’ll be honest, nobody gets excited about oil changes. But your generator’s engine is still an engine, and it needs the same care you’d give any small motor. Most generators want an oil change somewhere in the 50–100 hour range, and your air filter is on a similar schedule.
If you’re not sure where your hours stand, that’s where keeping a little notebook — or one of those RV maintenance apps — really pays off. Write it down once, and you’ll thank yourself later. Family Handyman’s RV maintenance checklist is a great reference for building out a simple routine that covers all the bases.
Spark Plugs and Fuel — Where Most Trouble Starts
If your generator won’t start, or starts and then dies, fuel and spark are usually the first two suspects.
Spark plugs don’t need changing as often as oil, but they’re worth a look once a year or every couple hundred hours. If a plug looks corroded, fouled, or worn, swap it — they’re cheap, and a bad plug is a frustrating thing to troubleshoot when you’re three states from home.
Fuel is the other half of the equation, and it’s the one people overlook most. Gasoline doesn’t sit forever — give it a month or two and it starts breaking down, especially if it’s got ethanol in it. A few habits go a long way:
- Use fresh fuel, and add a stabilizer if your generator’s going to sit for a while
- Ethanol-free fuel is worth seeking out if it’s available near you
- If you’re storing the generator, top off the tank to cut down on condensation
- Run it monthly for 20–30 minutes, even if you’re not using it — this keeps everything inside lubricated and prevents that stale, gummed-up fuel system
The U.S. Department of Energy has useful information on ethanol fuel blends and how they affect small engines, worth a read if you’re not sure what’s at the pump near you.
When Something’s Not Right
Most generator problems fall into one of three buckets: it won’t start, it runs but the power output is weak, or it’s making noise it shouldn’t.
Won’t start? Check the obvious stuff first — fuel level, on/off switch, battery connections if it’s electric start. After that, it’s usually fuel delivery (clogged filter or gummed-up carburetor) or spark.
Weak power? This often points to fuel flow issues, a dirty carburetor, or — for built-ins — the governor not adjusting properly under load.
Noisy or vibrating? Nine times out of ten, it’s something loose, or the generator just needs to sit on a different surface. A scrap of carpet or rubber matting underneath can cut down on a surprising amount of rattle.
If you’ve worked through the basics and it’s still acting up, that’s usually the point where it’s worth having a pro take a look — especially for built-in units, where getting to certain components means some real contortion.
My Bottom Line
RV generator maintenance isn’t glamorous, and it’s easy to put off — especially when the generator’s been working fine for months. But like a lot of things with RVing, a little attention up front saves you a lot of frustration down the road, usually at the worst possible time.
Here’s the simple version: keep it clean, keep the fuel fresh, run it now and then even when you don’t need it, and don’t ignore the small stuff. Do that, and your generator will be there for you when you actually need it — even if, once you roll into a place like ours, you get to shut it off and forget about it for a while.
Once you’re ready to roll, we’d love to have you out here at Grand Lake. Take a look at our amenities and check out our monthly rates if you’re thinking about an extended stay. See you at the park!
Author: Darin Berryhill