Your RV generator helps keep the lights on, the air conditioner running, your food cold, and your essential devices charged when you are away from shore power. However, a generator that has been sitting unused for weeks or months may not be ready to perform when you need it.
Testing your generator before leaving home gives you time to identify starting problems, low fluid levels, damaged components, or other issues that could disrupt your trip. While you are preparing your generator, it is also a good opportunity to inspect the rest of your RV, including the windshield, windows, tires, batteries, and exterior seals.
Use this RV generator checklist to help prepare your motorhome for a comfortable and safer journey.
Why You Should Test Your RV Generator Before Traveling
It is easy to assume that your generator will start simply because it worked during your previous trip. Unfortunately, generators can develop problems during storage.
Fuel can deteriorate, batteries can lose their charge, connections can loosen, and small leaks can go unnoticed. Dust, moisture, insects, and rodents may also affect generator components when an RV remains parked for an extended period.
Testing the system several days before your departure can help you avoid:
- Losing air conditioning during hot weather
- Being unable to charge your RV batteries
- Food spoiling because the refrigerator cannot operate
- Electrical appliances shutting down unexpectedly
- Delays caused by emergency generator repairs
- Discovering a fuel or exhaust problem at the campsite
Your RV generator’s specific service requirements will depend on its make, model, fuel type, and operating hours. Always follow the maintenance schedule provided in the owner’s manual. Generator owners can also review general RV generator maintenance information from Cummins.
Start With a Visual Generator Inspection
Before starting the generator, look carefully around the generator compartment.
Check for visible damage, loose wires, corrosion, nesting material, damaged hoses, fluid underneath the RV, or anything that appears different from your last inspection. Make sure the area around the generator is clear and that ventilation openings are not obstructed.
You should also inspect the generator’s exhaust system. Look for cracks, heavy rust, loose connections, or other damage that may allow exhaust gases to escape in the wrong location.
Do not operate the generator when you suspect an exhaust, fuel, or electrical problem. Have the system inspected by a qualified RV or generator technician.
Check the Oil Level and Maintenance History
Low or dirty oil can contribute to poor generator performance and premature engine wear. Check the oil level according to the manufacturer’s instructions before operating the unit.
Review your maintenance records and generator hour meter as well. Depending on the model and operating conditions, your generator may be due for:
- An oil and filter change
- Air filter replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Cooling system service
- Battery inspection
- Belt or hose inspection
Maintenance intervals vary considerably between generator models. Hot, dusty, or demanding operating conditions may also require more frequent service. Refer to the owner’s manual rather than relying on a single universal schedule.
Inspect the Generator Battery
Many onboard RV generators depend on a 12-volt battery for starting and control functions. A weak battery may cause the generator to crank slowly, start inconsistently, or fail to start altogether.
Inspect the battery terminals for corrosion and make sure the connections are secure. If the battery has been in storage, test its charge before your trip.
Remember that the generator battery may be connected to your RV’s house or chassis battery system. Understanding your particular setup can make troubleshooting much easier if the generator does not start.
Confirm That You Have Enough Fuel
Most onboard generators draw fuel from the motorhome’s primary fuel tank. Many RVs are designed to stop supplying fuel to the generator when the tank reaches a certain level so that enough fuel remains to drive the vehicle.
Before testing the generator, confirm that the RV has adequate gasoline, diesel, or propane. If your generator uses propane, inspect the tank level and make sure the propane system is operating correctly.
Never attempt to repair a leaking fuel or propane connection without the proper training and equipment.
Test the Generator Under an Electrical Load
Starting the generator is only the first part of the test. A generator may run normally without producing enough reliable power for your appliances.
Allow the generator to warm up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then gradually turn on several common electrical loads, such as:
- The air conditioner
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Interior lights
- Battery charger
- Television or small appliances
Listen for surging, sputtering, unusual vibration, repeated shutdowns, or significant changes in engine speed. Confirm that appliances receive power and that the generator does not trip a breaker.
Avoid turning on every high-demand appliance at the same time. Your generator has a limited electrical capacity, and exceeding that capacity can overload the system.
Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Generators produce exhaust that contains carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it cannot be seen or smelled.
Test every carbon monoxide detector inside your RV before traveling. Replace expired detectors and install fresh batteries when needed. Never operate a portable generator inside an RV, garage, enclosed storage building, or other confined space.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping portable generators outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents. Review the CDC’s carbon monoxide safety guidance before using any fuel-powered generator.
If a carbon monoxide alarm activates, turn off the generator when it is safe to do so, move everyone into fresh air, and seek emergency assistance when necessary.
Watch for Warning Signs During the Test
Your generator may require professional service when you notice:
- Difficulty starting
- Repeated stalling
- Fluctuating engine speed
- Excessive smoke
- Strong fuel or exhaust odors
- Unusual knocking or grinding sounds
- Oil, fuel, or coolant leaks
- Low or unstable electrical output
- Breakers that repeatedly trip
- Warning lights or fault codes
Record any fault code displayed by the generator. The code may help a qualified technician identify the cause more quickly.
Do Not Forget the Rest of Your RV
Generator preparation is only one part of a complete RV pre-trip inspection. Walk around the entire vehicle before leaving and look for problems that could affect visibility, weather protection, or driving safety.
Inspect Your RV Windshield
Look across the windshield from several angles and check for chips, cracks, edge damage, loose molding, or signs of separation. Temperature changes and vibration can cause existing windshield damage to spread while you are traveling.
Damage in the driver’s viewing area can also make it harder to see traffic, road hazards, and campground obstacles. If your windshield is damaged, schedule professional RV windshield repair or replacement before beginning a long trip.
Mobile RV Glass provides mobile and in-shop service for one-piece and split windshields used in Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes.
Check Side and Rear Windows
Inspect your RV windows for cracked glass, fogging, water stains, damaged seals, and difficulty opening or closing. A leaking window can allow water into the wall, flooring, or cabinetry, potentially causing more extensive damage over time.
Professional RV window replacement and repair can address broken glass, damaged frames, seal failures, and windows that no longer operate properly.
Examine Tires and Wheels
Check tire pressure when the tires are cold and inspect the sidewalls and tread for cracks, bulges, cuts, or unusual wear. Confirm that lug nuts are secure and that your spare tire is properly inflated.
Tire requirements vary based on the RV’s weight and tire specifications, so use the vehicle and tire manufacturer’s recommendations.
Test Lights and Safety Equipment
Confirm that the headlights, brake lights, turn signals, clearance lights, hazard lights, and backup lights work correctly.
You should also test your:
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Propane leak detector
- Fire extinguisher
- Emergency exit windows
- Backup camera
- Windshield wipers and washers
Replace missing or expired safety equipment before leaving.
Look for Exterior Water Leaks
Check the windshield perimeter, side windows, roof seams, vents, doors, and slide-out seals for evidence of water entry. Stains, bubbling wall panels, damp flooring, mildew odors, or soft interior surfaces may indicate an existing leak.
Finding these problems before your trip can prevent rain from turning a minor seal issue into serious interior damage.
Create a Repeatable Pre-Trip Routine
A written checklist makes it easier to perform the same inspection before every trip. Divide the checklist into categories such as:
- Generator and electrical systems
- Windshield and windows
- Tires and wheels
- Engine fluids
- Batteries
- Propane system
- Plumbing and holding tanks
- Lights and cameras
- Safety equipment
- Interior storage
- Exterior compartments
- Tow vehicle or trailer connections
Complete the inspection early enough to schedule repairs without delaying your departure.
Prepare Your RV Glass Before You Hit the Road
A working generator can make your next RV trip more comfortable, but clear, properly installed glass is essential for visibility and protection from the weather.
Do not wait for a small chip, spreading crack, broken side window, or leaking seal to become a major travel problem. Mobile RV Glass provides nationwide RV windshield and window services, with mobile appointments available in many areas.
Explore our RV glass service locations or contact Mobile RV Glass to request a free quote. You can also call (855) 778-4527 for help with your RV windshield or window replacement needs.
Prepare your generator, inspect your glass, and take care of any problems before departure so you can spend more time enjoying the road ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before a trip should I test my RV generator?
Test your generator several days before departure whenever possible. This gives you time to arrange professional service or obtain replacement parts if the generator does not start or operate correctly.
Should I run the generator if the RV has been sitting in storage?
Regular operation may help keep certain generator systems in working condition, but the correct procedure depends on the model. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding exercise frequency, operating load, and run time.
Why does my RV generator start and then shut off?
Possible causes include low oil, insufficient fuel, a weak battery, restricted airflow, an overloaded electrical system, or a component malfunction. Check the generator’s fault code and owner’s manual before contacting a qualified technician.
Can I operate my generator while driving?
Some motorhomes are designed to operate an onboard generator while traveling. Confirm that your RV and generator manufacturer permit it, and make sure the exhaust, fuel system, ventilation, and safety detectors are in proper condition.
Should a chipped RV windshield be repaired before a trip?
Yes. Road vibration, temperature changes, and additional impacts can cause existing damage to spread. Have the windshield evaluated before traveling, especially when the chip or crack affects the driver’s view or reaches the edge of the glass.