Generators

We always try to repurpose what we already have to meet the needs of our Pod.  The generator is no exception.  We bought one after hurricane Sandy when we lived in NJ just to make sure we'd have no more power outages more than a couple of hours.  It worked.  Once we had the generator there we never had to run it.  

+2 or 3 on CharlieM.  There is no inverter on the RPod.  You can't run the AC or microwave unless you have 120v AC from shore power or a generator. 

It's hard to find a generator under 3500 watts that isn't an inverter generator, and for the application under discussion is the way to go.

If you are going to camp anywhere near your generator or you may have neighbors nearby, look at the dB rating.  Hondas and Yamahas cost more but have a reputation for reliability and low noise levels.  There is another brand, maybe Champion, that has a quiet model.  Quiet is worth looking for, and, in my opinion, paying a premium for.

The other big consideration is weight and size.  Two 2000 watt generators are a lot to carry around.  If you have the room, great.  A 3500 watt generator is a whole lot of weight to move around.

The Yamaha 2400ishc runs my air and the microwave -- but not at the same time.  (Never been a problem.)  It's one of the quietest around.  It's roughly twice the cost of that Champion you mentioned though.

TT

At the risk of inserting my HO, I feel the need to correct a few things. The RPOD onboard system is a converter, not an inverter. It converts alternating  current (AC) to direct current (DC). It charges the battery and runs things like lights, pump and fans.  It does not run things requiring AC like the microwave and air conditioner. The main advantage of inverter generators is they are usually much quieter and run at lower speed with lighter load. Saves gas and unhappy neighbors. The waveform from cheap generators is pretty dirty; lots of spikes and noise. the battery and lights don't care but electronics do. If you are buying a generator unless you only camp miles from other campers and don't use any electronics the advantage of a good inverter model is well worth the extra cost. 

Boondocking has the plus of limited noise issues. Not like a campground. I can run my AC with a IX Generac 2000, with the converter CB off. I can charge the battery with the AC off. I can charge battery with AC off and use microwave. I can't run the AC, microwave and charging circuit on a single 2000 watt inverter gen. SO if you want everything, 3500 -4000 is the answer, lot of folks go with the Mjilrod solution.

I've read good things about the Predator 3500 inverter generator at Harbor Freight. If I were looking for a generator, I would probably go with that one.