Champion Generator Tents: Run in the Rain or Store Safely?

Best for
Storing a small 2000-watt inverter

Best for
Running Champion inverters in bad weather

Best for
Running open-frame generators during storms

The Champion Power Equipment 100376 Storm Shield Severe Weather Portable Generator Cover by GenTent is the running tent for open-frame generators from 4000 to 12,500 starting watts. It is the pick for households that rely on a big portable generator during storms and cannot wait for the weather to clear.

It installs in three steps with a self-attaching design. A large refueling door, an omni-fit electrical panel apron and a natural airflow design let you refuel, plug in and maintain the generator while the cover stays on. The NFPA-rated waterproof cover uses high-strength frame rods rated for winds up to 70 mph and up to 18 inches of snow per day. The rain rating appears two ways: one feature line says up to 12 inches per day, while the description says 12 inches of rain per hour. Several spec lines on the listing, such as engine displacement and running wattage, describe a generator rather than the cover, so ignore those.

The cover weighs 4.4 pounds and carries a 1-year limited warranty with lifetime technical support from Champion. It is designed for open-frame generators, so inverter owners should look at the 100603 instead. A running tent does not change the basic safety rule: always operate a generator outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents.

• Run-in-place cover for 4000 to 12,500 starting watt open-frame generators
• Refueling door and electrical panel apron
• Rated for 70 mph winds and 18 inches of snow per day
• 1-year limited warranty

The Champion Power Equipment 100603 Storm Shield Severe Weather Inverter Generator Cover by GenTent is the inverter counterpart. It is designed for Champion closed-frame inverter generators from 2000 to 8500 starting watts and lets you run the inverter outside in nearly any weather.

Installation is toolless: strap it, frame it, then cover it. High-strength clamps and fiberglass frame rods attach directly to the inverter. Like the 100376, it has a large refueling door, an omni-fit electrical panel apron and a natural airflow design, and the same ratings for 70 mph winds and 18 inches of snow per day. The listing’s spec block again includes generator details such as tank volume and outlets that do not apply to a cover.

If you run a Champion inverter during outages or at a rainy tailgate, this is the one to buy. For help choosing the inverter itself, see our guide to the Champion inverter generator lineup.

• Running cover for 2000 to 8500 starting watt closed-frame inverters
• Toolless three-step setup
• Refueling door and panel apron

The Champion Power Equipment Weather-Resistant Storage Cover, model C90010, is a storage cover, not a running tent. The title says it fits 2000 to 4000-watt inverters, while the features and description say it is designed for 2000-watt inverters, so check your inverter’s dimensions before relying on the wider range.

It has a tough vinyl exterior to protect against sun, UV, rain, snow and dirt, a strong elastic base for a snug fit, and a zipper that gives access to the carrying handle while the cover is on. It carries a 1-year limited warranty.

This suits a small inverter that lives in a truck bed, garage or shed between camping trips. Remove it before running the inverter.

Best for
Storing large 12,000-20,000 watt generators

The Champion Storage Cover for 12,000-20,000-Watt Portable Generators, model 100699, is the large-frame storage option. It fits generators with a frame up to 35.4 by 25.6 by 29.5 inches, which covers Champion’s big home backup units and other generators in that size range.

The exterior is tough vinyl with a cotton lining, protecting against sun, UV damage, rain, snow and dirt, and an elastic base holds it in place. The listing notes it is not designed to fit over wheels. It carries a 1-year limited warranty.

Buy this for a large generator that sits outdoors or in a shed between outages, and switch to a Storm Shield when it is time to run it. Our guide to a generator wheel kit covers moving a heavy unit into position.

The Generator Cover for Champion 201049(4500W Inverter) is a third-party product sold under the brand Xgclmnbv, not a Champion product. It is marketed as a contoured fit for the Champion 201049 4500W inverter from 2020 to 2026.

It uses 420D Oxford fabric with dual seams, side slits with fastener strips, and two buckled webbing straps under the base for wind stability. The listing describes an upper running flap that lets you connect cables and ventilate without removing the cover, but it gives no wind, rain or snow ratings and no NFPA rating like the Storm Shield has. Its product dimensions are listed as 0.39 inches per side, which is clearly an error.

Consider it if you own the 201049 and want a snug, model-specific cover. If you intend to run the inverter in severe weather, the rated Champion 100603 is the safer bet.

The Generator Cover for Champion Power Equipment 201388 is sold under a generic brand and made by a third party. It is marketed for the Champion 201388 in 12500W and 10000W versions.

The listing describes heavy-duty Oxford fabric with reinforced stitching, offering waterproof, dustproof and sun protection. Its own usage instructions say to put it on only after the generator has shut down and cooled completely, so treat it as a storage cover. The listing gives no size beyond “normal” and a placeholder dimension, and no warranty.

It could work as a basic storage cover for a 201388 owner. For a genuine Champion product with stated dimensions and a warranty, compare it with the 100699 storage cover.