Power Cord Length

reubenray · 02-05-2012, 03:55 AM

When we made the deal (will pick up in 2 weeks) for the Cougar I notice the power cord was in a recessed part at the rear of it. How long is this cord and how hard is it to push back into the hole.

We are doing our test night at a State Park about 10 miles away. Will I need to bring an additional extension cord for this night? I have several 12 or 14 gauge 25' cords that I could bring. Will these work and if so will I need a connection adapter of some type. I did not pay attention to what type of connection it had.

Jim & Kay · 02-05-2012, 06:03 AM

Not sure of power cord length, have had approximately 15' of cord out and there was still cord left. As a general rule, campers have 25' power cords. If more were needed, I would advise using 10 gage cable, since you are pulling 30 amps. The sell an extra 25' 30 amp 10 gage cord you can use, if needed, with the male and female ends that will work with your existing cord.

Festus2 · 02-05-2012, 09:16 AM

If your test trip is to a State Park, I would think that the power post should be close enough to the site so that an extension wouldn't be necessary. However, most folks carry an extension cord or two with them just in case. You will need an adapter to connect your 30A power cord to the extension cord. I would recommend that you get the heaviest wire gauge possible for the extension cord.
A number of members have also changed over to an external plug-in on the RV rather than pulling and pushing the power cord out and in of the "mouse hole". This means that your power cord is now separated from the TT and needs to be stored elsewhere and plugged in with each use.
For some reason, I found that before I made this conversion, that the power cord mysteriously tied itself in a knot while sitting all by itself in the storage compartment and I could not pull it out all the way. I firmly believe that there was a power cord gremlin who took great delight in tieing the knot and watched me rant and rave while I tried in vain to pull the cord out of its compartment.

jje1960 · 02-05-2012, 09:41 AM

Our SRX is the first 50amp unit we have ever owned. Our other TT's had the 30amp cord, which was pulled out of a hole, kept in compartment box. The 50amp cord now, we have to keep in the front 5Ver compartment, man is that thing heavy! For short overnight only stops, I don't even bother, use the cord that we have run under the unit for genset use in the truck bed, longer stops I drag the 50amp cord out.

Bob Landry · 02-05-2012, 11:02 AM

Do not read the "suggestions" and "recommendations" for the heaviest gauge possible, etc. power cord as such. If you are able to plug into a 30A plug at a CG, the absolute minimum size is 10ga. That is the minimum size that will handle 30A regardless of cord length, and if you are plugged into 30A service, you could easily draw that much without knowing it. A smaller size will overheat, melt the cord cover and possibly cause a fire.
I carry two shore power cords. One is a Marinco 25' and the other is the black cord that came with the trailer. When I changed the inlet on my trailer, I put a connector on the cord and kept it as a spare. Most pedestals will be within 25' of your inlet, but I have been to a coupls of parks where that wasn't long enough. If the inlet is on the side of your trailer, 25' will probably be fine. If it's on the rear as it is on my Outback, you may have an occasional need for a longer cord.

jje1960 · 02-05-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

Do not read the "suggestions" and "recommendations" for the heaviest gauge possible, etc. power cord as such. If you are able to plug into a 30A plug at a CG, the absolute minimum size is 10ga. That is the minimum size that will handle 30A regardless of cord length, and if you are plugged into 30A service, you could easily draw that much without knowing it. A smaller size will overheat, melt the cord cover and possibly cause a fire.
I carry two shore power cords. One is a Marinco 25' and the other is the black cord that came with the trailer. When I changed the inlet on my trailer, I put a connector on the cord and kept it as a spare. Most pedestals will be within 25' of your inlet, but I have been to a coupls of parks where that wasn't long enough. If the inlet is on the side of your trailer, 25' will probably be fine. If it's on the rear as it is on my Outback, you may have an occasional need for a longer cord.

Yea, agree on the 10ga. When I ran the cord on our trailer for the genset, used a 3/10 cord from Home Depot, cost an arm and a leg, like $80.00, but worth every penny.

Hunter757 · 02-05-2012, 11:40 AM

I would offer this: When you pick up your new trailer pull the cord out and see how long it is, this way when you pull into the campground spot you can eyeball the power pole and your camper and pull close enough prior to unhitching.

We have a 50 amp 30ft cord and it is Heavy but I do carry extra 30 amp cords that we have kept from our prior trailers with a reducer just in case or a fellow camper needs one.

Your dealer might even carry a 25ft cord he can give you a deal on with any reducers you might need.

Good luck and Happy Camping

Festus2 · 02-05-2012, 11:41 AM

[QUOTE=Bob Landry;27735]Do not read the "suggestions" and "recommendations" for the heaviest gauge possible, etc. power cord as such. [QUOTE]

Bob:
My "recommendation" to the poster that he get the heaviest gauge possible was not implying that he go out and get a 14 gauge household, general-use extension cord. Not sure what you mean by "do not read the suggestions and recommendations". Perhaps my recommendation was, as written, bad advice and should have been more specific to include the gauge so as not be misleading. I do agree that 10 gauge is what he should be looking at.

Bob Landry · 02-05-2012, 02:39 PM

One thing to keep in mind and I've been intending to follow up on is....You can't carry two standard shore power cables with the intention of joining them together should you need more length. The male end on one will not mate with the female end of the other. I'm wondering if anyone makes an adapter that will let you connect the two and use it as an extension. I think I'll start looking for that now and see what I can find.

cumminsdad08 · 02-05-2012, 02:57 PM

my cord will just so not reach the front of the trailer, exiting dead center on the rear. trailer about 30 foot, so yeah i guess 25 would be an accurate guess. i actually store my cable line in the same compartment, zip tied to the power cord. this way i could pull my cable the same time i pulled my power. i never had a problem pushing it back in. but i am kinda anal about keeping my cords very straight. i usually pull it out behind the trailer and then make sure i feed it in with out twisting it. i prolly wrap a 500-600 feet of cords and air lines a day for work. never have a problem. just all in how you do it.

i do count on the mice to keep the gremlins away

Festus2 · 02-05-2012, 02:59 PM

Bob:
I went out and bought (by the foot) 25' of 10/3 shore-type cord. On one end, I attached a Marinco 30A Male Plug (305CRP) and a Marinco 30A Female Plug (305CRC) to the other. If I need a longer run, I connect the female end of this extension cord to the male end of the shore cord and then plug in the male end into the 30A pedestal. Not exactly cheap but, as you know, Marinco parts are quite expensive.

Bob Landry · 02-05-2012, 04:25 PM

After looking around a while, I figured that would probably be the solution. I was just hoping for an adapter that would allow two standard power cords to be joined together. Maybe another approach would be to do what you did only use a one foot or so length of cord. That would remove the carrying around a 25' cord that may or may not ever bee used. I don't think I'm willing to give up a good spare SP cord to make an extension cord from it.

hankaye · 02-05-2012, 04:46 PM

Howdy All;

Thought I'd just mention this;

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...sion-cords.htm

hankaye

Festus2 · 02-05-2012, 04:57 PM

hankaye:
....shoulda, coulda, woulda. Oh well, I guess I could call mine "custom made". Makes me feel better.

hankaye · 02-06-2012, 07:07 AM

Festus2, Howdy;

I'm aged enough to recall the Yellow Pages adverts that proclaimed;

"Let your fingers do the walking"

hankaye

michol02 · 02-07-2012, 02:22 PM

Walmart has a 30 foot 30 amp rv cord for $49.97.

f6bits · 02-07-2012, 05:13 PM

After reading this thread, all I see are extension power cords. Camping World and my local RV shop. Funny how that works. Though *none* of them are custom made or Marinco.

Tikitim · 02-09-2012, 10:11 PM

Get a 30 amp RV extention cord, problem solved.

therink · 02-10-2012, 03:13 PM

Most walmarts sell a 25' rv 30amp extension cord in the rv section. Around $25. I use it often.

captbru · 02-13-2012, 05:36 PM

I wouls suggest that you carry an extra power cord and water hose. We have pulled into a few campgrounds where the power post is half way down the site or near the front. If you have a 30amp or 50amp get that size cord, amazon.com has them alot cheaper. I have an extra 30ft cord they just fit togeather, you don't need an adapter if your using the same size.

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