How to use an RV or camper as a backup shelter in an outage: shore power, batteries, propane, generators and carbon monoxide safety.
- An RV has three power systems: 12 volt battery, 120 volt AC and propane.
- Run generators outside and away from windows, and keep working CO alarms inside.
- Never use a stove, oven or grill as a heater, and never cook with a camp stove inside.
A parked RV or camper can be a handy outage refuge. It has a bed, a toilet, a small kitchen and its own battery. But it is also a small sealed box full of fuel burning gear, so how you use it matters.
This guide covers the main power sources in a typical RV, how they behave in an outage, and the safety rules that apply, especially around carbon monoxide.
Know your three power systems
Most RVs run on three separate systems. The 12 volt system uses the house battery and powers lights, the water pump and fans. The 120 volt AC system powers outlets and the air conditioner, and normally comes from shore power or a generator. Propane runs the stove, often the fridge and furnace, and sometimes the water heater.
In an outage, shore power goes away if you were plugged into the grid, so you fall back to the battery, propane, a generator or a solar and inverter setup. Read your owner manual so you know exactly what each switch and breaker does before you need it.
Using the house battery wisely
The house battery can run lights, a water pump and device charging for a limited time, but it will drain. Cut the draw by using LED lights, turning off unused fans and avoiding the inverter for large loads. Many RV furnaces use a blower that pulls a surprising amount from the battery overnight, so watch the voltage on a battery monitor if you have one.
If your RV has a solar panel, it can trickle in charge during the day. For more on adding portable panels, see our guide on charging a power station with solar panels.
Generators and shore power
Built in or portable generators can restore 120 volt power, but the exhaust is dangerous. Keep the generator outside and as far as practical from any window, door or vent, and point the exhaust away from every living space, including your neighbours'. Never run one under an awning where fumes can gather, and never inside a garage.
- Install battery powered or battery backup carbon monoxide alarms in the living area and near sleeping spots, and test them.
- Use a cord rated for the load, and check that your shore power connection matches what the generator can supply.
- Do not back feed a home through an outlet. If you want to power house circuits, use a properly installed transfer switch.
- Check the owner manual before running big appliances such as an air conditioner on a small generator.
Our portable generator safety guide and generator sizing guide go deeper on both topics.
Propane and carbon monoxide safety
Propane appliances are designed for RV use, but they consume oxygen and make carbon monoxide if they are not vented or working correctly. Never use the oven or stove burners as a heater. Never bring a camp stove, portable barbecue or charcoal grill inside to cook or warm up.
Make sure the vents for your furnace and water heater are clear of snow, leaves and debris. Have propane systems inspected by a qualified technician on the schedule your manual recommends, and keep a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm in working order.
Be sure the RV's propane detector, if fitted, is working. Know how to shut off the tank valve quickly. If you smell gas, shut it off, ventilate, and get everyone out before you call for help.
Using the RV as outage shelter
An RV can be useful if the house is too cold, too hot or unsafe. Park it on level ground away from trees, power lines and flood risk. Keep a supply of drinking water, and remember that the onboard tank water may not be safe to drink unless you know how it was stored. Our guides on treating water and staying warm without power help here.
Insulation in many campers is thin, so in very cold weather the RV may not hold heat well, and in a heat wave it can get hotter than the house. Do not rely on it in extreme conditions without a heat plan. If you are evacuating, keep the fuel tank topped up and plan where you will park and how you will get weather and emergency alerts. Our alerts and outage reporting guide can help.
Quick RV outage checklist
- Charge the house battery and any power banks while you still have power.
- Fill propane tanks and fuel for the generator, stored safely.
- Test CO and smoke alarms and replace batteries.
- Pack water, food, a first aid kit and lights.
- Write down the manual's key shut off steps and keep it in the RV.
Quick answers
Can I run my RV generator in the garage?
No. Generators must run outdoors well away from windows and doors, because exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
Is the RV's tank water safe to drink in an outage?
Not necessarily. Treat it or use stored drinking water unless you know how the tank has been kept and cleaned.