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What's the power draw for a heated restroom trailer in winter?

Owen G.asked 4 viewsRestroom TrailersGeneratorWinterizationRestroom trailerPowerEvent planning

We're renting a 4-stall restroom trailer for a weekend wedding in January. The ground is flat grass, and a service truck can get close. The rental company says we need a generator because we need heating. I want to avoid paying for a generator that's too big, but I also don't want the heat to fail. The trailer has electric flush toilets, sinks with running water, interior lights, and a heating system.

What's the actual power draw for a heated restroom trailer in winter? How do I calculate the generator size we need?

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Jules T.Sacramento, CA

A four-stall heated restroom trailer in winter typically draws between 3,000 and 5,000 watts continuously to run the heating system, electric flush mechanisms, lights, and water pump. The rental company should provide the specific wattage requirements for their particular model. To calculate the generator size, you add the starting wattage of the largest motor, which is usually the heating system, to the running wattage of all components. The heat pump or electric heater will have the highest demand, often requiring a surge of 1,500 to 2,000 watts above its running load when it first kicks on. You need a generator with a rated wattage that exceeds this total starting load. An undersized generator will trip its breaker or cause the heat to fail, while an oversized one is inefficient. Ask the rental company for the trailer's exact electrical specifications, including the running and starting watts for the heater, and select a generator based on that data. The unit must be placed on level ground with stable footing for the generator.

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