Is Onan 11,000-Watt Tri Fuel Portable Generator Quiet Enough for Campgrounds

Updated 05/14/2026 | Published 05/13/2026

Question:

I know bigger generators are usually loud. Is this something that's going to sound like a construction generator all night at the campground, or is it actually reasonable for RV camping?

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

Hey Bill! For an 11,000-watt generator, the Onan # CM98MR is actually pretty reasonable for RV camping. Cummins rates it at as low as 64 dB(A) under load, which is noticeably quieter than a lot of traditional open-frame construction-style generators in this power range.

A big reason for that is the inverter design. Instead of constantly screaming along at full RPM, the engine adjusts speed based on how much power you're actually using. So if you're only running lights, chargers, or a few appliances at night, it stays much calmer and smoother sounding than a typical jobsite generator.

It’s still a large-capacity generator meant to run multiple RV AC units and heavy loads, so it won’t be whisper quiet like a little 2,000-watt camping inverter generator. However, compared to most generators capable of this kind of output, it does a very good job keeping noise levels manageable for campground use and overnight operation.

expert reply by: Robin H