Electrical Adapters

[Leo7]

Excuse my ignorance, but since we have moved up from a tent trailer to our new Cougar, I have a question about electrical adapters. We have a 30 amp cord with our trailer and I'm assuming that most campgrounds have 30 amp service. Do I need to purchase a 50amp male/30 amp female or 15 amp male/30 amp female adapter? We already have a surge protector so if we needed the adapter, I assume that the adapter would be connected first to the outlet, followed by the surge protector, followed by the 30 amp power cord.
thanks,
Leo

[Festus2]

If your RV is wired for 30A and come across a campground that has only 50A available, then you can get a "dogbone" adapter from 50A male to 30A female. You can also get an adapter that goes from 30A to 15/20A. I have a 30A converter and haven't yet found any need to use an adapter from 50 to 30A since I've not come across any campground that doesn't have 30A.

Your connection configuration is right - outlet----> protector----> cord---->RV

[GaryWT]

Any campsite that I have been to, if it has 50 amp then a 30 amp plug is always available. We do carry a 50amp adaptor as sometimes the 50 amp plug is in better shape. Generally if it has 30 amp then that is all it has. We have been to two campgrounds in the last 3 years that did not have 30 amp and we used an adaptor to plug into the 15/20 amp outlet.

[jtyphoid]

I have not ever been anyplace that had 50A but not 30A, so I don't think that you'll have any need for a 50 to 30 adapter.

I do, however, recommend that you have a couple of 15 to 30 adapters. Just remember that you have to carefully manage your power usage when using these adapters. I recommend that you carry more than one because I've had more than one fail on me over the years.

[Javi]

For a 30a trailer I'd suggest you carry a 50 male to 30 female and a 15a male to 30a female dog-bone. Also a 30ft or more 20a extension cord for those times 30a just isn't enough.. When we had our TT with 30a service I often had to use the extension cord for the electric griddle and breakfast.. as it would throw the 15a breaker in the trailer..

[mazboy123]

you just need a a few if you have 30 amp. 30 to 20 amp might be good. you can use this at home or with a generator.

you don't need a surge protector in my opinion.

[Bob Landry]

Buy the adapter that allows you to plug into the 50A outlets and do that as much as you can. The 30A service on CG pedestals are in notoriously poor condition from non-stop use and they don't get replace until they fail.
I added a second 30A service to my Outback and built a breakout box so that I can have two 30A cables running off the 50A outlet. I also added an additional 20A inlet to run space heaters on during cold weather. 80A is not as good as 50A service, but it's much better than 30A any day.

[SLIMSHADIE]

I have 30amp srevice in the camper. I carry the 50amp dogbone and the 15/20amp dogbone. Also have 2 30amp 25' extension cords. State parks around here have the farthest electrical service form the campsite ive ever seen. They are older but have more stuff to do in my opinion.

[Setterman05]

My second trip camping with my new trailer we were at a campground that the 30Amp plug was wore so bad it wouldn't maintain good connection. I had purchased a 50amp adapter as a precaution... and boy am I glad I did.....

[natedog_37]

I carry a 50 -30 amp and a 15-30 amp
Plus a extra 30 feet or cord.


I mostly plug into the 50 just because 90% of the time they seem to be a better connection.

I only use the 15-30amp when I am plugged in at home to charge the battery, and simple things. Never run the AC, or Microwave.