Although it may come as an afterthought, investing in a quiet generator—or buying extra generator noise control equipment—is actually a necessity when traveling in an RV. Generators carry immense power, so noise is a natural side effect of that power being generated and used. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to manage your generator’s noise level. Interested in finding the quietest RV generator for camping? We’ll also list a few quiet RV generator options for you to consider. Let’s get started.

Why are some generators so loud?

With all generator models, electrical energy is directed through an engine which generates a lot of power—and a lot of noise to come along with it. It is important to investigate the noise level of a generator before you commit to any purchase .

Here are a few important things to consider when you’re assessing if a generator operates at an acceptable generator noise level. 

• Size - The size of the generator impacts the amount of noise it produces. The larger the generator, the more noise it will make.
• Built-in RV generator models - manufacturers measure the noise level of a generator before it is installed. Therefore, the generator will sound quieter than the stated decibel rating provided by the manufacturer. 
• Portable Generators - People often ask, “Why is my portable generator so loud?” The answer is simple; portable generators sound louder than installed RV generators since they are housed outside your coach. 
• Distance - Account for the distance at which quietness is measured when investigating a generator’s noise level. If you measure the noise level for the same RV generator at 5 feet vs.10 feet, the results will be different. Many manufacturers note the distance used when they produce their sound measurements in product brochures. At Cummins, we measure at 10 feet (3 meters) for maximum accuracy. 
• Load Level - Consider the load level at which noise is measured. Generators make more noise when working at higher load levels. Make sure you check the generator’s product brochure to ensure you are comparing quietness at similar load levels. 
• Angle - The angle you use when measuring noise should also be considered. Although most manufacturers don’t share this information on brochures, it’s still very important to check. At Cummins, we measure the noise levels at seven different angles all around the RV generator, then take the average of those measurements to determine the noise level of the generator.

Why does RV generator noise level matter?

Many campgrounds have generator noise level regulations. According to the National Park Service’s Soundscape Management Policy, “Operating motorized equipment or machinery that exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet is considered to be unreasonable.” Breaking the noise level rules of a campground would be a sad reason to cancel a camping trip, wouldn’t it?

But don’t worry, there are quiet generator models available. 

What is the quietest generator for camping?

We are proud that our Onan RV generator models are the quietest options out there and they fall well under the National Park service’s noise restriction requirements. The recently released Onan RV QG 2800i and 2500i generator models are excellent options when it comes to noise reduction. These models are quiet, efficient, and easy to maintain. We offer many other ultra-quiet and efficient Onan generator and portable generator models, all of which are excellent for camping and other RV adventures.

Don’t let a noisy generator ruin your adventures—Explore Onan RV generators.