Tri fuel generators are multi fuel generators that utilize 3 different fuel sources (Gasoline, propane, or natural gas) to produce electricity.
The reason for generating electricity using multiple sources becomes useful when one type of fuel source may not be available during an emergency, power outage, severe snow, etc.
This article will cover the best tri fuel portable generators, the fuel types for these generators, which is best for each situation, wattage demands, and conversion options from other generator fuel types.
Best Tri Fuel Generators
These are currently the two best Tri Fuel Generators on the market in my opinion…
Now let’s compare their features…
Champion 8000 Watt True Fuel Generator vs DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Generator Feature Comparison
Champion 8000 Watt Tri Fuel Generator
The Champion Tri Fuel Generator tops our list of best tri fuel generators for good reason….
This generator is the most powerful, versatile and has the best features and safety measures.
Because the Champion 8000 Watt generator has the ability to power most household appliances, it can be used as a tri fuel whole house generator for most medium sized homes.
If you’re looking for a home backup, you want to make sure you choose a generator with enough wattage to match your home size.
Power
- 10,000 Starting watts, 8,000 Running watts
Performance
- Gasoline: 12.5 hour run time at 50% load
- Propane: 5 hour run time at 50% load
Technology
- Powerful 439cc OHV 4 Stroke Engine
- Power Panel Outlets-120V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L5-30R), 120/240V 30A RV Locking Outlet (L14-30R), (2) Two GFCI 120V 20A Household Outlets (5-20R)
- Easy electric start up
Fuel
- 8.5 gallon tank
- Runs on natural gas, liquid propane or unleaded gasoline
Portability
- Dimensions (inches): 27.6″ x 28.2″ x 26″
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Wheel kit included
Noise
- 74 dB
Safety
- CO Shield Carbon Monoxide protection-Automatic shutoff before CO levels become dangerous
- 3 Year limited warranty, free lifetime tech support
- EPA approved, CARB Compliant
Champion 8000 Watt generator PROS
- Versatile: At 8,000 running watts, its powerful enough to be a home standby generator and has the portability to be taken for outdoor usage
- Safety: CO shield is a potentially life saving technology to help protect you and your family
- 3 Year Warranty for peace of mind + a lifetime of free tech support meaning you know Champion have you covered.
- CO Shut Off Levels – it will automatically shutoff before CO levels become dangerous keeping you and your family safe.
Champion 8000 Watt generator CONS
- Noisy: You may want to consider an insulated enclosure for this generator to help quiet this generator. Or, use extension cord away your peace or conversations.
- Heavy: Although is comes with a portable wheel kit and handle for portability, its still 207 lbs
- Expensive: These great features and versatility come at a cost higher than the other tri fuel generators
Champion 800 Watt Generator Features
DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Gas Propane Natural Gas Portable Generator with CO Alert
The DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator is another strong choice and the second top pick on my list.
It’s ready to backup your home in an instant with it’s 13,000 watts of power meaning all AC, lights, appliances and other items are covered during a backout or storm, and it’s quick and easy to do with it’s 50amp plug that hooks directly to your home with a transfer switch,
I really love the CO Alert technology that automatically detects high level of CO and will automatically turn the generator off to keep you and your loved on safe.
Power
- 13,000 Starting Watts and 10,500 running Watts when using Gasoline.
- 12,000 Starting Watts and 9,500 running Watts when using Propane.
- 10,000 Starting Watts and 8,500 running Watts when using Natural Gas.
Performance
- Gasoline: 17 hours run time at at 25% load and 8.5 hours at 50% load.
- Propane: 13 hour run time at 25% load and 6.5 hours at 50% load.
Technology
- 500cc OHV Engine
- CO Alert with automatical switch off to protect you and your loved ones from damaging fumes.
- Push button and remote start so you can start your generator from a distance.
- Advanced computer with large LED display – you can view the gas gauge, load gauge, as well as the voltage, frequency, and time at a glance.
- Fully loaded power panel – a variety of outlets to suit your needs, including 4 120V 20A GFCI outlets, 1 120V 30A twist lock, 1 120 / 240V 30A twist lock, and 1 120 / 240V 50A HEAVY DUTY outlet.
- Front Facing Fuel Interface with quick connects and extra long hose – this allows you to connect the generator to propane tanks of all sizes.
- 100% Copper windings – this compared to standard alimunum generators makes for a long lasting genrator that withstands the elements and time.
Fuel
- Runs on natural gas, liquid propane or unleaded gasoline
Portability
- Dimensions (inches): 30 x 29 x 26 inches
- Weight: 260 Pounds
- Wheel kit included
Noise
- 77 dB (about as noisy as a lawnmower)
Safety
- CO Alert with automatical switch off to protect you and your loved ones from damaging fumes.
- 5 Year limited warranty, free lifetime tech support
- EPA approved & CARB Compliant
DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator PROS
- Versatile: At up to 13,000 running watts, its powerful enough to be a home standby generator that can power all your appliances when need be, it’ll be very handy in a blackout or storm.
- Safety: CO auto detect and turn off feature will keep you and your loved ones safe from fumes.
- 5 Year Warranty for peace of mind which says a lot about DuroMax and how much faith they have in this machine.
- Tri-Fuel: Meaning whatever your situation you can likely power it with either Gasoline, Propane or Gas.
DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator CONS
- Noisy: At 77Db it’s as noisy as you would expect but then most generators are especially ones of this power that can be used as a home backup, it’s about as noisy as a lawnmore.
- Heavy: Although is comes with a portable wheel kit and handle for portability, its still 260 lbs
- Not Cheap: But then for the peace of mind for home back up and this level of power, if you under spend you’ll regret it later. This is a solid generator, built to last (5 year warranty) and make of 100% copper windings so it doesn’t rust when exposed to the elements.
All round, this is a great choice and worth consider so check it out here…
DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator Features
Sportsman 4000 Watt Tri Fuel Generator (Available Here on Ebay)
The Sportsman 4000 Tri Fuel Generator is a versatile tri fuel generator option. It’s perfectly balanced on flexibility, portability and power.
Power
- 4000 Starting watts, 3,500 Running watts
Performance
- Gasoline: 10 hour run time with full tank
- Propane: 12 hour run time with full tank
Technology
- Moderately powerful 7 HP 420 cc OHV 4 Stroke Engine
- Four 120V, one 120V RV, 1 120/240V, and a 12V DC outlets
- Easy electric start up
Fuel
- 3.6 gallon tank
- Runs on natural gas, liquid propane or unleaded gasoline
Portability
- Dimensions (inches): 24.50x 18.75x 19.50
- Weight: 90 lbs
Noise
- 68 dB
Safety
- Low oil shutdown
- Automatic voltage regulator
- EPA approved
- Non-CARB Compliant
Sportsman 4000 Tri Fuel Generator PROS
- Versatile: Can charge sensitive devices such as TVs, computers and tablets and also work for outdoor activities like camping
- Affordable-Less expensive than other tri fuel generator options
- Less Noisy than other tri fuel generators
Sportsman 4000 Tri Fuel Generator CONS
- Moderate Power-At only 4000 Peak watts, not powerful enough to be a true home backup generator
- Non CARB Compliant
- WARNING-Not recommended for use at 3,000 feet above sea level or higher
Firman 7500 Tri Fuel Generator (Available HERE on Ebay)
Firman 7500 Watt Tri fuel generator
The Firman 7500 Watt Tri Fuel Generator is another solid option for anyone seeking the versatility of a tri fuel generator.
Power
- 9400 Starting watts, 7,500 Running watts
Performance
- 12 hour run time at 50% load
Technology
- Multi-Featured control panels with covered outlets
- Easy electric start up
Fuel
- 8 gallon fuel tank
- Runs on natural gas, liquid propane or unleaded gasoline
Portability
- Dimensions (inches): 27.5x 26x 29.8
- Weight: 212 lbs
- 10 inch Wheel kit and grip handles included
Noise
- 72 dB
Safety
- Low oil shutoff
- 3 year limited warranty on new generators/ 90 day warranty on certified refurbished generators
- EPA approved
- CARB Compliant
Firman 7500 Watt Tri Fuel Generator PROS
- Easy startup– Quick, no hassle electric switch start
- Versatile-Has enough power to be used as an emergency backup home generators and can also be used for outdoor activities
- Affordable compared to other generator in its power class
- Safety– Strong safety features and solid warranty
Firman 7500 Watt Tri Fuel Generator CONS
- A bit noisy
- Heavy and bulky
Also Read: Best Portable Generators [2022]
Firman Vs Champion Tri Fuel Generators
The Firman 9400 and Champion 8000 Tri fuel generators are some of the best options available. But, which is better?
| Specifications | Firman 9400 Watt Tri Fuel Generator | Champion 8000 Watt Tri Fuel Generator |
| Power (Peak Watts) | 9,400 | 10,000 |
| Performance | Up to 12 hours run time at 50% load | Up to 12.5 hours run time at 50% load |
| Safety | CARB/EPA Compliant | CARB/EPA Compliant |
| Price | CHECK PRICE HERE (ON EBAY) | CHECK PRICE HERE |
| Portability | 212 lbs | 207 lbs |
So, Which Tri Fuel Generator Is Best?
The best tri fuel generator option depends on personal preferences, but let’s dive into which generator is best for each area.
Performance
If you’re simply looking for raw power then the most powerful on the list is the DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator with up to 13,000 starting Watts and 10,500 running watts (when using Gasoline).
However if you’re looking for a mix of performance, features AND considering price then I’d suggest the Champion 8000.
This generator has a peak wattage of 10,000, supplying more than enough power to be a backup home generator for small to medium size homes as well as the portability to be used for outdoor activities
the Sportsman 4000 (on ebay) is the least powerful of these three tri fuel generator option.
Portability
The Sportsman 4000 is the lightest by a wide margin but just being light alone is not always ideal because if it doesn’t include a wheel kit you’ll still have to lug it from A to B.
However, the Champion 8000 is one of the best option for portability purposes because it includes a wheel kit and easy grip handles to help you take it from point A to point B.
Likewise the DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator whilst weighing 260 lbs has a wheel kit making it super portable, plus it’s the most powerful on the list too.
Safety
Because of its CO Shield technology, the Champion 8000 is one the safest of these options.
CO Shield light goes off once a minimum CO level is detected and it automatically shuts off the generator.
This is great for peace of mind.
Also, the 3 year limited warranty means your financial investment is also safe.
Likewise the DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator also comes with CO detecting technology and will shut off automatically when dangerous levels have been reached.
It’s warranty is even more impressive as it lasts for 5 years.
Noise
The Sportsman 4000 (eBay) is the quietest of these tri fuel generators at only 68 dB.
However, this is still not super quiet. There are other generators with noise levels in the 50s and even no noise solar generators to consider if noise is a big buying factor for you.
Realistically though you’ll have to expect noise from a generator you hope to power your whole house so if that’s important to you then even at 77Db the DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator is a great choice despite being a little nosier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tri Fuel Generators (FAQs)
What Is The Largest Tri Fuel Generator?
The largest tri fuel generator on this list is the DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator at 30 x 29 x 26 inches, it’s also the most powerful.
The DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator is also the largest tri fuel portable generator as it comes equipped with a wheel kit and grip handle included.
Are These Natural Gas Portable Generators?
Yes, most of the generators mentioned on our list use three fuel types (Natural Gas, Propane & Diesel). However, these generators have slowly been replaced by dual fuel generator types on the market as they are more efficient and safe for use.
We also recommend the later kind of generator for users that want to pick up a new unit from the market.
If you have any problem picking up the ideal model for your needs, you can always use the contact page, and we will get back to you.
What Fuel Is Most Efficient For Tri-Fuel Generators?
When it comes to generator fuel, diesel is hands-down the most efficient option. Because of this, you will save money on diesel compared to using alternative fuels.
However, depending on local diesel pricing, diesel can potentially be the most cost-effective fuel in particular situations.
Unfortunately, diesel is usually missing from a tri-fuel generator’s fuel system. Propane, natural gas, and gasoline have all been tested, with gasoline coming out on top.
Propane, on the other hand, is typically less expensive per gallon and you can easily connect your generator to a propane tank.
A few disadvantages of using gasoline include the difficulty of obtaining and storing it, as well as the fact that it burns less cleanly.
When compared to natural gas, propane has a burn efficiency roughly two times greater.
However, natural gas is less expensive per unit than propane, which is the case for both liquid and gaseous fuels. To choose the most affordable option, look into local fuel prices and energy efficiency first.
Keep an eye on fuel prices to see if you can get a better deal in the future.
Regardless of how efficient or affordable it is, natural gas is preferred by many households. A natural gas-powered generator can run endlessly without the need for manual refueling.
For some, the added cost is well worth the added convenience. To avoid personal injury or damage to your underground pipes, have a professional connect your generator’s gas lines.
Do I Really Need A Tri-Fuel Generator?
In many cases, but not all, tri-fuel generators are the best option. Standby generators have various advantages that portable tri-fuel generators do not.
As an example, the power of a portable generator cannot match that of a standby generator (particularly one powered by a tri-fuel). So they aren’t able to run all of your electronics at once.
Owners of tri-fuel generators should be prepared to use a variety of power sources. A tri-fuel generator isn’t necessary if you only ever use gasoline.
Some homeowners choose not to have their generators’ connected to a natural gas line. A single- or dual-powered generator may be less expensive if this is the case.
Those that need a variety of power sources can benefit from tri-fuel generators, which are designed for those who know they will need them.
Can I Hook Up Natural Gas From My House To My Generator?
You can hook up your generator to the natural gas line, however, you can only achieve this if you are either using a tri-fuel generator or converting your generator to natural gas.
The generator will also need to be close to your house, and you will need to have a gas meter outside of your house.
DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator has this ability and makes it easy too as it comes equipped with a 50 amp plug that hooks up directly to your home via a transfer switch.
Are Tri Fuel Generators Safe?
Because tri fuel generators are able to run on propane or natural gas in addition to gasoline, tri fuel generators have the ability to burn much cleaner than conventional gas powered generators. This is safer for the environment, the user and the generator as well.
The DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator is fairly safe as it comes with built in CO dectector that automatically shuts the generator down when unsafe levels are reached.
Tri Fuel Conversion Kits
Can I Convert A Dual-Fuel Into A Tri-Fuel Unit?
Yes, you can convert a dual fuel generator into a tri fuel generator. If you already own a dual-fuel generator, converting it to a tri-fuel generator will not require any major modifications.
You simply add an additional fuel tank and change over the wiring connections so that all of them connect together. If you decide to go DIY, there are many conversion kits and tri fuel kit online that can help you safely convert your generator.
However, if you don’t understand the dynamics of the mechanical parts you will need a handyman for help with the conversion. Below we recommend the best tri fuel conversion kits for some popular generator models.
1 Tri Fuel Conversion Kit for Honda Generators
2 Tri Fuel Conversion Kit for Predator 3500 Inverter Generator
3 Tri Fuel Conversion Kit for Champion Generators
4 Tri Fuel Conversion Kit for WEN 56380i Inverter Generator
5 Tri Fuel Conversion Kit for Generac Generators
Wattage Demands of Tri Fuel Generators
| Appliance | Starting Watts | Running Watts |
| Blender | 650 | 300 |
| Furnace (1/4 HP) | 1000 | 600 |
| Sump Pump (1/3 HP) | 1300 | 800 |
| Refrigerator | 2200 | 700 |
| Washing Machine | 2250 | 1150 |
| Window AC 13K BTU | 2800 | 1800 |
| Well Pump | 2100 | 1000 |
Also Read: Power Generator Rules and Laws
Top 3 Tri Fuel Generators
I hope you now have a better understanding of the top rated tri fuel generators available. The best choice depends on personal preferences.
Overall #1 Tri Fuel Generator Pick: Champion 8000 Watt generator
When comparing all important factors, We believe the Champion 8000 Watt generator is the best overall tri fuel generator option available given its versatility, performance, and safety features.
Plus the Champion 8000 Watt generator is easily found online by clicking here where as the other options on the list are harder to find new or may need to be bought second hand.
Runner Up Tri Fuel Generator Pick (Very Close 2nd Place): DuroMax XP13000HX TriFuel Generator
Honestly, this is as good an option as the #1 pick and if you’re looking for the most powerful generator (maybe if you want to power your whole home and everything in it) then this would be a smart choice.
Due to it’s power it makes more noise and costs more so that needs to be taken into consideration but overall it’s a solid machine that if you need it you shouldn’t hesitate to buy…
You’ve completed reading all of our tri fuel generator reviews. Which one do you believe is best?
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Last update on 2023-02-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API