50 amp or 30 amp?

Kristi · 03-25-2014, 08:47 AM

So just say, hypothetically of course,

some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?

PARAPTOR · 03-25-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristi

So just say, hypothetically of course,

some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?

When discussing 50 Amp versus 30 AMP connection you are making reference to the maximum power made available to the trailer 6000 versus 3600 Watts. Not directly related to length other than bigger may require more AC etc which is more power. As you stated with a second AC that is an excellent reason to go from a 30 Amp connection to 50 Amp to run both at one time. As you probably already know there is a 30AMP adapter that will allow you to connect a 50AMP Shore power cable to a GG 30 AMP supply if 50AMP is not available.

**hankpage** · 03-25-2014, 09:07 AM

You can always use an adapter to plug in if only 30amp is available. If I was buying new I would go for the 50amp. New is much cheaper than trying to upgrade later and probably a good selling point down the road. JM2¢, Hank

Quad · 03-25-2014, 09:10 AM

50 amp is the better choice. Most camp grounds have 50 amp service as well. The ones or sites that don't you can use a 30 to 50 amp pigtail.

2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
2013 Laredo 321BH

Kristi · 03-25-2014, 09:24 AM

How many things do you have to turn off when you adapt down from 50 to 30 amp? In our current TT when we plug into 15 vs 30, no A/C or microwave, the microwave is no biggie, but A/C is pretty important to me.

PARAPTOR · 03-25-2014, 09:42 AM

Sounds like you know what to do when downgrading power (30 to 120) same applies going from 50 to 30

50 to 30 no second AC running at same time. AC is the biggie

would still need to manage running microwave, TV's, hair dyers, etc at same time when AC is on

Bob Landry · 03-25-2014, 11:45 AM

Without fail, there are two things that you can just about count on universally. Bigger is better and more is better. Even with only one AC unit, you will find yourself limited with 30A service. With a 2nd AC, it's mandatory. You will invariably hear from some here who are hardcore purist and will tell you that a 15A extension cord and a fan is all you will ever need. Not so.
With 30A, you will find yourself having to turn appliances off to use other appliances and the circuit breaker at the campground pedestal is only going to trip in the middle of the night, as per Murphy. Another reason for going with 50A is the CG 50A outlets are in better shape as they don't get used as much. You'll find a lot of 30A outlets that are worn out and have poor connectivity.
I'm in the process of adding a second 30A service to my trailer and the only reason for not converting to 50A is cost, as I already have a Blue Sea power panel and most of the components and I don't want to have to swap a 30A EMS for a 50A version, buy a 50A inlet and power cord. All of the 50A stuff is high dollar. I also have an additional 20A feed to run fans and space heaters as needed, so that gives me 80A of available power, not as good as 50A(100A total) but it will work. I'll be posting about that later tonight with photos.

As I'm writing this, my UPS driver shows up with all of my goodies.. back to work..

bobbecky · 03-25-2014, 11:55 AM

Actually, with a 50 amp service, you have two 50 amp legs compared to a 30 amp service that has only one 30 amp leg. So when figuring watts, it is 3600 watts for the 30 amp vs 12,000 watts for a 50 amp service. When connected to a 30 amp pedestal, just turn the water heater and fridge to propane only which will reduce the load, but you will still have to shut off the A/C to use the microwave. With a 50 amp trailer, you can run everything at once, even with two A/C's, without tripping any breakers.

HappyCamperMN · 03-25-2014, 12:20 PM

Having the option, I ordered our 31BHPR with 50-amp service. Yes it was an additional $450, but IMHO it's a good investment in either a) convenience of using multiple devices simultaneously or b) the ability to economically add a second A/C unit later should we want to.

SAD · 03-26-2014, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristi

So just say, hypothetically of course,

some one was looking at upgrading to a 5er. Let's say 30-34 foot long. Would you guys rather a 50 amp or 30 amp? Pluses & minuses? I can see where having the extra a/c in a 50amp would be really nice, but what about finding 50 amp hookups? Does it limit your choices much? Anything else we need to consider?

In a camper as long as you're looking at, you will want 2 air conditioners <- which means 50 amp service mandatory

You can buy it with them.... If you don't, you will come back later and ask us how to add it after-the-fact.

airforceret · 03-26-2014, 09:33 AM

If given a choice, clearly the 50 amp would give the most flexibility.

We have a 33 ft with only one A/C and are quite content with it. In fact we don't really want a second A/C as we like having the fresh air (vent open) in the front bedroom at night which would go away if we added the 2nd A/C.

As for running the A/C and microwave on 30 amp service, that will depend on your unit (and the campground power service). Our past travel trailer would run both on 30 amp, our current truck camper will run both on 30 amp, but I suspect our new fifth wheel will not because of the bigger A/C and newer (high watt) microwave.

Good luck in making your choice...

rschad · 03-26-2014, 03:01 PM

I have 30 amp but have bought a pigtail for 50 amp to use when I am at a site that has 50 amp service. My thinking is that this way if I trip a breaker it will be in the trailer and not at the post especially since a few have commented that the 30 amp connections may be worn etc. seemed like a logical thing to do but who knows and easier of it happens at night.

jonbiker · 03-28-2014, 05:16 PM

For 2 1/2 months traveling out west last summer our 30 amp 30" Cougar was not very comfortable in 99 degree heat. We used two fans at night to keep the bedroom cool when we were not in the cool mountains. I connected my 30 amp cord through a 50 amp pigtail to 50 amp service in almost every RV Park. It helped keep the voltage up as shown on our two volt meters that are plugged in 24/7.

I solved the problem by buying a Montana HC 318RE with two a/c units and 50 amp service. Looking forward to our first trip at the end of April when we get back to TN.

Bob Landry · 03-28-2014, 05:48 PM

The OP is in Oklahoma. They are going to need every BTU of cooling they can get.

Kristi · 03-28-2014, 05:54 PM

Bob- very true, I should have mentioned the 100+F summer heat in the opening post

Sent from my iPad

SAD · 03-28-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

The OP is in Oklahoma. They are going to need every BTU of cooling they can get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristi

Bob- very true, I should have mentioned the 100+F summer heat in the opening post

Sent from my iPad

I answered appropriately. LOL

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