30amp

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Fishspike

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So you pull into a campsite. 30 amp power. You use you dog bone 30 amp to 50 then use your 50 amp cable. Or do you carry a 30 amp cable that is easier to handle? Then have another dog bone at the trailer. I’m so confused. Thanks
 
Whatever floats your boat. Either way will work fine. Carrying the extra 30 amp cable would take up a little space but it also would be easier to handle. I have a 30 amp cable but it stays at home. I have various adapters for any scenario I may come across. I do have a 15’ 50 amp extension and have had to use it a few times.
 
Whatever floats your boat. Either way will work fine. Carrying the extra 30 amp cable would take up a little space but it also would be easier to handle. I have a 30 amp cable but it stays at home. I have various adapters for any scenario I may come across. I do have a 15’ 50 amp extension and have had to use it a few times.
Another question. Newbe here. Is an extension the same as a regular power cord? The terms seem to be used interchangeably?
 
My 50 amp cord is attached to the motorhome, so the dog bone at the power stanchion is the way I go. I do carry a 30 amp extension cord though, along with a 50 amp cord. If I need more than the attached cord to reach a 30 amp outlet, then I do use the lighter 30 amp cord of course.
 
Another question. Newbe here. Is an extension the same as a regular power cord? The terms seem to be used interchangeably?
In most cases, the detachable cord has a "Marinco" style twist-lock female connector at the RV end. A standard extension cord has connectors that mate with the 30 or 50 amp connectors at the male end of the cord and the female outlet at the power stanchion.
 
When we had our 50A RV, I did have a 15' extension cord but I also carried a 25' cord for 30a that I had with my previous RV. I don't remember ever needing more than 15' of extension for the cord of your 50a motorhome that was about 25' long.

Based on the way that you phrased your question, I am guessing that you have a 50A RV that has a power cord that disconnects from the side of the RV for storage. If that is correct you could get a 50a/30a adapter for the plug on the side of your RV and a 30a cord to use, but that would also mean not only the added cost of cords but also the need to carry another cord that will probably only be used occasionally. If you spend a lot of time in parks that do not have 50a service, then it might be worth the cost for some convenience but I think that very few people do that.
Is an extension the same as a regular power cord? The terms seem to be used interchangeably?
While people may use the terms interchangeably there is no hard/fast rule. Most people will say power cord for the one that attaches to the RV whether it is hard wired like many or connected with a plug as yours seems to be. As an electrician, the term extension cord means one that has a plug on one end and a receptacle for the female version on the other. But to my knowledge there is no regulation or rule that states what each term must mean when used.
 
Another question. Newbe here. Is an extension the same as a regular power cord? The terms seem to be used interchangeably?
To me a power cord is anything that can be plugged into a socket. The originating end can be hard wired into an appliance.

An extension cord is an extension of the power cord and for me has a male at one end and a female at the other end.

Lamps, refrigerators, washers & dryers and microwaves all have power cords but if they are too far from an outlet you need an extension cord.
 
If you are going to choose between the adapter at the RV or at the power pedistal, I would put it at the pedistal if the RV is using a different style of plug at the RV. This will enable the adapter to be more usable in similar/other applications instead of being specific to the connector on the RV.
 
Thanks everyone. Starting to get it. TT arrives in April. We hope. Trying to get some things figured out
 
To me an extension cord has equal but opposite ends, male and female, that will plug into each other for storage and it simply extends a cord.

Power cords don't necessarily have the two ends matching. Computers for example have that D shaped end on one end and a plug on the other.

The best/cheapest/most-versatile solution for you is to buy a 50A extension cord and a 50A to 30A dog bone.
 
So you pull into a campsite. 30 amp power. You use you dog bone 30 amp to 50 then use your 50 amp cable. Or do you carry a 30 amp cable that is easier to handle? Then have another dog bone at the trailer. I’m so confused. Thanks
I had a 30 amp SUPERFLEX.. not only easier to wrangle. but cold did not stiffen it.

But the answer is "Both" depending on other things
 
I carry a 20 ft 30 amp cable just for such occasions so that I don't have to drag the big heavy 50 amp cable out of the bay, this leaves the 50 amp cable, dogbone, end end of the 30 amp cable inside the electrical bay. This is particularly handy for campgrounds that have a policy of 50 amp coaches being required to use 50 amp sites at a higher nightly rate, which I think is insane if you are living within 30 amp output capacity.
 
I carry a 20 ft 30 amp cable just for such occasions so that I don't have to drag the big heavy 50 amp cable out of the bay, this leaves the 50 amp cable, dogbone, end end of the 30 amp cable inside the electrical bay. This is particularly handy for campgrounds that have a policy of 50 amp coaches being required to use 50 amp sites at a higher nightly rate, which I think is insane if you are living within 30 amp output capacity.
I've stayed at just a few parks that insisted on payment for a 50 amp hookup for 50 amp rigs regardless of whether you used a 30 amp adapter or not. When I asked, I was told it's because too many people wait until dark and then plug into the 50 amp outlet. True? I have no idea...
 
My 50 amp cord is attached to the motorhome, so the dog bone at the power stanchion is the way I go. I do carry a 30 amp extension cord though, along with a 50 amp cord. If I need more than the attached cord to reach a 30 amp outlet, then I do use the lighter 30 amp cord of course.
Yeah, that's exactly how I have the setup for "George"
 
I've stayed at just a few parks that insisted on payment for a 50 amp hookup for 50 amp rigs regardless of whether you used a 30 amp adapter or not. When I asked, I was told it's because too many people wait until dark and then plug into the 50 amp outlet. True? I have no idea...
Well, If I'm paying for the 50 amp site, I might as well use the 50 amps connection.

It's handy for the times when we are running A/C and then my wife or my long haired teenaged son - lol -decide to use the blowdryer.
 
Well, If I'm paying for the 50 amp site, I might as well use the 50 amps connection.

It's handy for the times when we are running A/C and then my wife or my long haired teenaged son - lol -decide to use the blowdryer.
Oh, I agree if I'm paying for 50 amp anyway. If nothing else, it's simpler to just plug into the 50 amp outlet instead of pulling out the 30 amp dog bone. About the only time I use the dog bone at 50 amp sites is if there's an issue with the 50 amp outlet that needs servicing. Most recently that was a simple bad breaker swap and was fixed within an hour of our reporting it.
 
I just don't see a point in paying for a 50 amp site when a 30 amp will do fine, such as for overnight stops when the weather is pleasant and requires minimal air conditioning / heating.
 
I just don't see a point in paying for a 50 amp site when a 30 amp will do fine,
I would agree. I have never been asked what size my RV's power plug is, only if I wish 30a or 50a. It may be happening as we have downsized and no longer have a 50a RV, but in the 14 years we owned one it never happened to me and I frequently went with 30A when power needs were low.
 
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