News & Updates

Travel plans for pretty much everyone have been disrupted in a big way this year. However, many families are still planning to get away from it all and spend time together in the great outdoors, all while staying safe. How? In an RV. 

It’s RV season, and whether you’re brand new to RV camping or if you’ve been doing this for years, now’s the time to make sure you have the right generator to power everything you need so you can relax and have a great time. 

There are several important things to consider when you purchase a generator for your RV. 

Is your generator RV-Ready?

RV Ready means your generator has either a TT-30R or a 14-50R outlet so you can plug your RV directly into your generator without the need for a separate adapter. By the way, TT stands for travel trailer, and the R stands for receptacle. Look for a Champion generator that says “RV Ready.”

Is your generator quiet? 

Campgrounds and parks have noise ordinances for many reasons, and it’s wise to make sure the generator you purchase will stay well within the boundaries of what’s allowed. No one wants to be known as that obnoxious family with the loud generator, plus, you are probably camping to enjoy the wildlife, not scare it all away. Champion inverter generators are quiet and popular among seasoned RVers. 

How much power do you need? 

Do you plan to run an AC, fan, or heater in your RV? Obviously, you’ll need to run your lights and refrigerator, and then think about other items you’ll use and whether or not you’ll be using several of them at the same time, like your coffee maker, microwave, blender, or slow cooker. For entertainment, don’t forget about your TV, satellite receiver, laptop, and gaming console. Champion has a handy Generator Selector that makes it easy to think through your power requirements so you can see which generators will be the best fit for your needs. 

How much does your generator weigh? 

If your generator is on the heavy side, make sure you get one with a handle and a wheel kit so you can move it around on your campsite when you need to. Considering the weight of your generator is important if you plan to take it with you off-site for boating, fishing, or other activities. Many people really love the flexibility of Champion’s ultra lightweight inverters that are parallel ready. If you buy a parallel kit, you can use it to easily connect two compatible inverters together when you have greater power needs. Whenever you need lightweight, portable power on the go, grab one inverter and take it with you.

What type of fuel does your generator require?

You can choose a generator that runs on gasoline or propane or both. A Champion Dual Fuel generator can be operated right out of the box on gasoline or propane, and since only one fuel source is allowed to operate at a time, you can easily and safely switch between fuel options depending on which is most effective for your needs.

What other features are important to you? 

Portable generators for RV use are available with many other special features, such as electric push-button start, wireless remote start, economy mode, USB outlets, surge protector, and much more.   

Whether you plan to travel for the entire season, take a week or two with the family, or enjoy a quick weekend getaway, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve chosen the best portable generator for RV season. 

At this point in 2020 everyone is ready for good news, so do we really need to bring up hurricanes right now? It’s a fact that hurricane season is upon us, but as long as we stay informed and make sure we’re prepared, this doesn’t necessarily have to mean bad news.

The Weather Company’s 2020 Atlantic Hurricane forecast predicts this season to be more active than usual with 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). For comparison, an average season has 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov 30, so now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared. 

Due to the fact that many of us are still sheltering in place, it’s more important than ever to make sure the power in our home stays on. Our homes mean safety and protection, and owning a reliable generator will make sure you and your family have peace of mind when a storm hits. 

Here’s a handy to-do list to make sure you’re prepared for whatever hurricane season brings. 

Evacuation Plan: Know the recommended evacuation route, and keep your gas tank full.

Supplies: Keep bottled water and other supplies on hand.

Hurricane Kit: Include a first-aid kit, medications, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, batteries, whistle and local maps.

Copy Important Documents: Back up your computer, and keep copies of important documents in a safety deposit box.

Prepare Your Home: Secure or store outdoor items, and make sure your roof, shingles, and gutters are in good shape to withstand strong winds. Check your trees and landscaping, and make sure you know how to board up your home if necessary. 

Back Up Your Power: If you don’t have a plan for backing up the power in your home, determine what type of generator you need in case of a power outage. 

There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby. 

A portable generator is a convenient solution if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed. 

If you’d like to power more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they are connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring security and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.

Things that used to be no big deal take a lot more time and effort due to the current strain on our country’s resources and the restrictions many of us are under. Now is not the time to wait until the last minute. The security and safety of your family is more important than anything. When a hurricane causes a power outage, you won’t regret your decision to have a safe source of power. 

While the weather is still calm, make the preparations you need so when a hurricane occurs, the good news will be that you and your family are ready. 

It Takes Drive To Be A Champion

Tenacity is defined as having great determination and it is this tenaciousness that drives the five Champion Power Equipment sponsored athletes to deliver inspiring performances.

We are very proud to have Grant Enfinger, Kaique Pacheco, Shane Lineberger, Jason Lentz, and Casey Currie on our team for their 2019 seasons. (Click each athletes image to view their video)

https://youtu.be/xv1eL5hinA4

Grant Enfinger

Beginning in 1996 racing go karts, Grant has steadily climbed the ranks through the years, winning his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2016 and qualifying for  the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs in 2018. The 2019 season had a thunderous start with Grant taking P2 at Daytona, followed by seven other Top 5 finishes, four Top 10 finishes and winning the POLE Award at the Kentucky Speedway in July. As Grant drives the ThorSport Racing truck onto the track, the constant cheer and support of his fans always helps propel him forward.

Kaique Pacheco

The last few years the name Kaique Pacheco has been synonymous with professional bull riding. Kaique started bull riding at the young age of 17, and has since claimed the PBR Rookie of the Year title at age 21, followed by second place wins in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Standings for 2015 and 2016. To further ignite his rankings, Kaique became the 2018 PBR World Champion with a whopping 5,444.16 points.

Shane Lineberger

This year we welcomed the newest addition to our team: Shane Lineberger, a professional bass angler. Fishing in Bassmaster Opens since 2011, his top  performances earned him a spot in the Bassmaster Elite Series for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2018 he received an invitation to again compete in the 2019 Elite Series. In one of his best performances so far he finished 16th out of 221 boats at the Basspro.com Open in Lake Chickamagua. As the season continues, Shane stays focused and is ready for more of that biting action.

Jason Lentz

A young Jason Lentz is eight years old when his splits his first log; jump ahead five years where he competes  in his first junior division wood chopping event. In 2010 he makes the leap into his first professional series: Stihl Timber Sports. A fourth-generation professional lumberjack, he’s since earned the world number 1 rank in 2018 and the title of the Tony Wise All-Around Lumberjack. 2019 is off to a steady start with Jason winning his first show of the season and earning several top finishes thereafter.

Casey Currie

Motorsports is not just a trend for Casey Currie, it’s the family business. For over five decades, his family has built rear ends for many off-road and NASCAR racing styles. At just 16, he rode his first race truck and six years later created an eight-truck team for Monster Jam events. In 2017 and 2018, he took champion wins at the  King of Portugal and Baja 500 and 1000 events. He also grabbed his first Rally win in the Desafio Inca rally. Fast-forward to 2019, he’s taken the title of Rookie of Dakar and spot one in the Ultra 4 Class at the Mint 400. “Boundaries” is not a word in Casye’s vocabulary.

These are a collective group of athletes that push the Champion team forward in many ways. They have proven time and again that no obstacle is too great to overcome and we can hardly wait to see what the rest of the 2019 has in store for our tenacious athletes.

If you’ve ever been caught unprepared when a hurricane hit your area, there’s no doubt you’ll have all your ducks in a row the next time hurricane season comes around. We spoke to several people who survived Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina and Hurricane Andrew in Florida to get their recommendations on how to prepare for hurricane season. When we asked them to share their most important hurricane preparation advice, our survival experts came up with these words of wisdom.

1. Gather supplies and prepare a safe area in your home. Make sure you have a first aid kit, medications, batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio, as well as a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for your family and your pets.
2. Take advantage of technology. Purchase one or two portable phone chargers, and make sure they’re charged up. Download a smartphone app that will notify people of your location and whether or not you’re safe. The Red Cross has a free hurricane app you can download. Check redcross.org and this article for a list of great apps to get you through an emergency.
3. Be prepared to evacuate. Even if you don’t live on the coast, you should still have a plan for evacuating, and make sure that plan includes your pets. Put important family documents in a binder so you can take them with you. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, make sure you keep your gas tank full and have your supplies ready to go.
4. Prepare your home and your street. Reinforce garage doors, and board up your windows with ⅝-inch plywood or hurricane shutters. Bring in outside items if they can be picked up by high winds, and check the storm drains in your neighborhood to make sure they’re free from debris. If not, organize your neighbors to get together and clear away any debris that could clog drains and create drainage issues.
5. If you own a portable generator, it’s smart to have plenty of extra propane or gasoline on hand to fuel it, as fuel will be in high demand during and after the hurricane. If your generator has been in storage, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to make sure it’s ready to provide backup power when the power goes out. Here is a helpful video on how to remove and prep your generator from storage.

Readiness for a hurricane power outage should include a generator. During the hot summer months, going for days without air conditioning is not only miserable, it can be dangerous for you and your family, plus the high temperatures and humidity can damage your home’s interior. Depending on the type and size generator you own, you can have access to your lights, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, and more, not to mention access to the weather and news.

There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby.

A portable generator is perfect if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed.

If you’re interested in powering more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they’re connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring safety and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.

Following the advice of hurricane survivors to prepare now is smart, plus knowing you have a safe source of power ready to go will provide peace of mind for you and your family during any season.

https://youtu.be/9qAM7VFLfps

As California power companies take responsibility for helping to keep our communities safe from the danger of wildfires, we all need to be prepared in the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff. When vegetation is dry and high winds occur, if a live power line goes down, conditions are ripe for a fire to break out and spread rapidly, putting lives and entire communities in the path of devastation. During extreme weather conditions, especially during periods of high wind, power may be turned off for days in order to prevent wildfires from occurring and spreading.

Many people here in California have never experienced a prolonged period without power, and have not had a reason to think about what to do and how to prepare for such an event. Most of us would be able to deal with a power outage of a few hours, but there’s a strong possibility that we need to be prepared for the power being shut off for an extended period of days.

Here are some practical steps you can take right now so you’ll be ready ahead of time when the power goes off.

1. Always have a reliable generator by your side. A portable generator is fueled by gasoline or propane, and some models even allow you to switch between fuels. A portable generator can back up a few essentials or almost everything in your home, and should be chosen based on what items you need to power, your preferred fuel, and what features are important to you. A home standby generator must be professionally installed and is connected to your home’s propane or natural gas system, so it never needs to be refueled. When the power goes out, your home standby starts automatically, and when power is restored, it returns to standby.
2. Make sure you can open your garage door manually. In case you need to leave your home or evacuate while the power is out, you’ll need to be able to get your vehicle out of the garage. Locate your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer if necessary to get instructions, and practice opening it ahead of time to make sure you can do it successfully. It’s also important to keep plenty of gas in your vehicle’s fuel tank so you’ll be ready to go if you need to.
3. If you own a backup generator, make sure it’s operational. It’s important to test your generator periodically to make sure it’s ready to safely provide a source of backup power for you. Don’t forget to review your owner’s manual to make sure you know how to operate your generator safely. If you plan to use a portable generator to back up your power during a Power Shutoff, make sure you have a supply of either gasoline or propane on hand. Check your owner’s manual to learn about the approximate runtime for a tank of fuel to determine how much fuel you should purchase.
4. Put together an emergency supply kit. Make sure your first-aid kit is new or replenished with fresh supplies. You’ll also need flashlights, lanterns, a radio, extra batteries, a written out list of emergency phone numbers and contacts, non-perishable food, bottled water, supplies for your pets, and cash.
5. Make sure you have backup charging methods for your phone. Purchase additional backup battery phone chargers for yourself and your family so you’ll be able to stay in touch with emergency contacts and reach out for help when you need it.
6. Plan ahead for medical devices that rely on power and medications that need to be refrigerated. The medical needs of you and your family are top priority. Keep prescriptions together in an easily accessible location, and keep necessary medications on hand. If you have medications that require refrigeration, or medical devices that require power, secure an emergency plan for relocation or an alternative source of  backup power. For emergency lifesaving medical devices, it’s important to follow the ADA Emergency Power Planning Factsheet and contact your local power company to inform them of your needs and discuss the available options.

Although power companies plan to send out an alert to customers when the power is about to be shut off, it may not always be possible depending on weather conditions. Since we’re based in California, all of us here at Champion Power Equipment are preparing our homes and families for this challenge right along with you. Our team is available to provide the support you need and answer your questions as you make plans to secure a safe source of backup power. If we take the time and make the effort now to prepare our homes and our families, we can face a Power Shutoff together with confidence and peace of mind. For more information and helpful resources, please visit calpowershutoff.championpowerequipment.com or the official California Public Safety Power Shutoff website at www.prepareforpowerdown.com.

When an unexpected hurricane or storm hits and the power goes out, it’s a pain, but, no worries. You’re one of those people who has planned ahead for emergencies by purchasing a generator. You can handle it. All you have to do is power up your generator to get the lights back on. Then it hits you. Your generator is still in storage.

Has this ever happened to you? Don’t let it. Get ahead of hurricane season now and make sure your generator is ready for action when the power goes out.

Checking and prepping your generator can be done anytime, since storm seasons can also occur at different times throughout the year depending on your location. It makes sense to know what steps to take so you can make sure you’re always prepared for the unexpected.

First, if your generator has been stored improperly with gasoline in the fuel tank or carburetor, all of the fuel must be drained and the carburetor must be cleaned before you can use your generator safely. If you didn’t realize there was a right way and a wrong way to store your generator during periods of unuse, check out our Help Center for more info on how to clean a gummed up carburetor. Then, the next time you are ready to store your generator, resist the urge to just put it away quickly because you have other things to do. Taking the time to store your generator properly will save you time and hassle when you need your generator the most – during an emergency.

If you did store your generator properly by draining the fuel tank and carburetor according to your owner’s manual, great! You have a much easier job ahead of you.

Here’s what to do:

https://youtu.be/z7GRxCUga-Q

1. Take your generator out of storage and place it outside.
2. The first thing you’ll need to do is add fresh, regular octane fuel. Make sure you don’t overfill the tank so you can allow for fuel expansion.
3. Next, you’re going to want to check for fuel leaks. Make sure your engine switch is off, then, turn your fuel valve on. Wait five minutes and then check the carburetor and air filter areas for leaks. If you do happen to discover a leak, you’ll need to disassemble your carburetor and clean it or replace it.
4. If you don’t find any leaks, you can go ahead and turn your fuel valve to off, use a dipstick to check the oil level and add fresh oil if necessary.
5. Next, take a look at your air filter and make sure there are no obstructions like bugs or cobwebs. Remove any obstructions you find and clean and replace the air filter according to your owner’s manual.     

That’s it!

Fresh fuel, no leaks, fresh oil, clean air filter, and you’re good to go. With hurricanes and other storms brewing, you can rest easy knowing that if a storm hits, you won’t be stuck without power because you have taken the time to get your generator ready to provide backup you can count on during an emergency.

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA (Feb. 12, 2018) – Champion Power Equipment, a market leader in power generation equipment, announced they will continue their partnership with NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series (NGOTS) driver, Grant Enfinger in 2019. Enfinger, who enters his third full-time season in the series with ThorSport Racing, will pilot the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Curb Records Ford F-150 for the Sandusky, Ohio,-based team.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be back at ThorSport Racing in 2019,” Grant Enfinger, driver of the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Ford F-150, said. “I’m thankful that Duke and Rhonda Thorson, along with Champion Power Equipment, Mike Curb/Curb Records, and Ford have allowed us another opportunity to show them what we’re made of. As a team we made some really big strides last season, and we’ve worked all off-season to continue down that path. Ford Performance has given us even more resources to work with this season, and we have everything we need to fight for wins and a championship in 2019.

“Champion Power Equipment has been a huge part of my career the last five seasons,” Enfinger said. “Champion’s line of portable generators are a great fit for NASCAR fans who love to tailgate and camp at their favorite race track. It’s always fun to go out into the campgrounds and meet all the fans that support Champion. By getting out there and connecting directly with their consumers, we’ve had the honor and privilege to see that brand grow over the years. I look forward to working with everyone at Champion again in 2019, and cannot thank them enough for their support.”

In addition to adorning the No. 98 for the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS) later this week, Champion Power Equipment will also be the primary partner on the No. 98 Ford F-150 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (February), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March), Dover International Speedway (May), Gateway Motorsports Park (June), Chicagoland Speedway (June), Kentucky Speedway (July), Eldora Speedway (August), and Talladega Superspeedway (October).

“Grant (Enfinger) has been a great ambassador for our brand,” Todd Welzbacher, of Champion Power Equipment, said. “Through our NASCAR partnership over the last five seasons we’ve seen measurable growth in generator sales, and we attribute that to being able to connect directly with our consumers – the NASCAR fans. Our customers have a passion for the outdoors, and we have a passion to provide both dependable and durable power products. On behalf of everyone at Champion Power Equipment, we wish Grant and the No. 98 team the best of luck this season.”

Enfinger, who earned his first career NGOTS Pole Award in the season-opener at DIS in 2016, also has two wins in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at the 2.5-mile track, and will make his fifth career NGOTS start in the season-opening NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, Feb.15. All the action will be televised live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR channel 90 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

For more information on Grant Enfinger visit: www.GrantEnfinger.com or follow him on Twitter @GrantEnfinger or on Facebook at Facebook.com/GrantEnfinger.

About Champion Power Equipment:

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. For more information visit: ChampionPowerEquipment.com.

About Curb Records:

Curb Records is one of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated under The Curb Group by Mike Curb since 1962, Curb Records has achieved 433 number one records, over 1,500 hundred Top Ten records and charted over 4,500 total records. Today’s roster includes some of the top names in Country, Christian and Pop/Rock music. Curb Records has produced over 100 Billboard awards and achievements and was recently honored as the 2015 Mediabase Gold Label of the Year. For more information visit: Curb.com.

About ThorSport Racing:

Entering its 24th season of competition, ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series team, competing in the series since 1996. With 1,110 starts to its credit, the team has amassed three driver championships, 29 wins, 225 top-five and 472 top-10 finishes, 32 pole awards and 5,247 laps led in NCWTS and the ARCA Racing Series. For more information, visit ThorSport.com.

CHAMPION POWER EQUIPMENT CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH CASEY CURRIE IN 2019

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA. (Feb. 1, 2019) — Champion Power Equipment announced they will continue their partnership with professional off-road champion, Casey Currie in 2019. Currie, who recently took gold at the inaugural Jeep Wrangler X Challenge at the Winter X Games in Colorado, will represent the brand’s line of power washers, and truck winches. Additionally, the Anaheim Hills, California., native will also appear at the 13th Annual King of Hammers week, Feb. 1 to Feb. 9, in Johnson Valley, California with the power equipment market leader.

“In addition to the perfect power solution portable generator, you can also count on Champion Power Equipment pressure washers for all your outdoor projects,” Todd Welzbacher, of Champion Power Equipment, said.” Whether he’s in the dessert, or at home washing off all the dirt, we make the power to make his, and your life, easier. On behalf of everyone at Champion Power Equipment, we are honored to have Casey (Currie) represent our current line of pressure washers in 2019, and look forward to launching our new line of pressure washers later this year.”

Currie, whose off-road resume is lined with wins on motorcycles, trucks and buggies in the desert—is no stranger to dirt sports. In 2018 Currie became a Champion Powered Athlete and claimed victories in the 50th Annual Baja 500, and the 51st Baja 1000, while taking home the 2018 Score Series Championship in the Hammers Unlimted Class.

“I compete in 10,000km, 10-day races in the desert, miles away from home, so I need dependable, durable, power products, and that’s exactly what I get from Champion Power Equipment,” Casey Currie, professional off-road racer, said. “Whether I’m in my side-by-side in South America, or in a UTV at home in California, Champion offers portable power solutions to power up for my day, and the do-it-yourself cleaning power, to tackle all my outdoor activities.”

For more information on Casey Currie visit, www.CaseyCurrie.com or follow Casey on Instagram, @CaseyCurrie.

For more information on Champion Power Equipment and their line of Products, visit: www.ChampionPowerEquipment.com

About Champion Power Equipment:

Since 2003 Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson Tennessee, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field.