Length of power cords

[Keystoned]

So after reading many threads, here is my dilemma.
Our 5W has 50A service with the locking connector, but only one AC unit and I don't see adding another as the height would be way over 13.5' and we rarely plug in anyway.
It came with a 30', 50A locking cord and adapters for both 20 and 30 amps extensions. I think 30A is the most we will need. So far, so good.
My question is of a practical experience nature.
How often have folks here been burned by only have a 25' long extension cord? This is the most common length I see for sale.
Do I really need a 50' or even 30' cord? The port is near the rear of the 5W...and this would be the only 30A cord I would carry.
Thanks in advance!

[NH_Bulldog]

We typically find ourselves using the 25’ extension 2-3 times a year. About as many times as we need a second hose for water. We don’t always camp with hook-ups and we don’t always need the extra cord or hose, but when we do it’s handy to have them. In fact, I would say we loan out our extras just as many times to others who were not as prepared as us.

[tech740]

25 feet from the rear is usually not an issue for us. Are you looking at one of these? Its a cord that is lighter because it is 30 amp but has a 50 amp locking end at the RV.
https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-14436...00269HEKM?th=1

[Keystoned]

Since I have locking adapters for both 20 and 30A cords I was thinking of getting just a normal 30A RV cord and save a few bucks and pounds compared to the 50A beast. The adapter adds another foot.
Like this;
https://www.campingworld.com/25%27-3...ord-27989.html

[flybouy]

If you "really need" any length of shore cable depends on the campground layout. I've seen it where I needed every inch of 50' and I've seen it where the connection is 5' away from the inlet on the side of our camper. What I will say is this, I'd rather look around during the "off season" and find an extension "on sale" and have it readily available than not have it and be faced with the choice of the leaving, the charity of others, or purchasing an extremely over priced one in the campground store. JMHO

[sourdough]

I used to carry 2 25' 50A cables. Previously I had finally migrated to a 50' 30A cable. 50' was too much, 2 25s are a pain to me. I now have a 36' 50A cable that seems to be just about perfect everywhere we go. I still have a shorter one but do my best not to have to use an extension. I don't know what all is available for 30A but I did find a 30' in a quick search. With that you could probably do a little faniggling in a site to make it work. As far as using 30A all the time when I had 50A, I would never go back to 30A again (as far as I know ) but we don't camp like we used to.

[dutchmensport]

On my current 5er (50 amp), it came with a 35 foot cord. My plug connection is in the very rear of the trailer. I now have a 50 foot - 50 amp extension (it has the 3 prongs at the mail end and 3 holes at the female end. With the 35, plus 50, I have 85 feet, and yes, I've used it many times. I also purchased another 25 foot 50 amp cord, which gives me combinations now of 25, 35, 75, and 85 feet.

In addition, I still have my 30 amp cords from my previous camper. Combined all 30 amp cords and I can stretch 120 feet. I also have the step downs and step-ups from 30 to 50 amp and 50 to 30 amp. I also carry a 50 amp Progressive surge protector (EMS) and a Hughes 30 amp Autoformer. I've covered for anything now. And yes, I did plug into a 20 amp house hold plug, ran 100 feet of 30 amp and plugged that into my 35 foot 50 amp at a relatives house last fall. We practiced "power management" again, just like when we had the travel trailer.

Yea, more is better. It's better to be prepared and not need, than need and don't have. We never camp on the same camp site twice. In over 35 years camping together, we've never stayed on the same campsite. Maybe same State Park, but never the same campsite. Every site is laid out different. You never know what you may end up with. Be prepared.

[notanlines]

Keystoned, I have two points to make. First, in my opinion, stay with the 20-25 foot 50 amp extension to tote around. Better to not have to deal with the voltage drop you'll experience with the 30 amp cord plus adapters.
Also, I believe your particular unit came braced for the additional AC unit. If this is so, then the 2nd air would not extend beyond the 13-6. I couldn't imagine having only one AC in your area.

[Roscommon48]

my 25 foot is fine...most of the time. you can always get a 50/30 amp adapter and just use a 30 amp cord.

[KRumm]

Buy this adapter...

https://www.amazon.com/Epicord-90-De...s-light&sr=1-2

And a 25’ 30a extension...

Together they make a standard 30a cord....

If you need 50’ cord plug your 50a cord and the 30a extension cord together with the 30a adapter you already have...

[Keystoned]

Thanks for all the responses. I should have mentioned we have 200W of solar to keep the batts charged and that we try to dry camp in moderate temps between 30-80 F.

KRumm, that is the kind of adapter I already have except for the 90* bend. I would need a dog bone adapter for the 30 to 50 joint.

Notanlines, good points but the second AC would be above the bedroom at the peak height of the 5W so I'm pretty sure it would be too high. Besides, we rarely plug in as stated in the beginning.

Dutchmensport, wow, that is lot of copper but yeah, better to have more than you need.

Others, still not sure I need my 30' 50A cord. Maybe a 50' 30A cord at most or 2x 25'. I actually listed my 50A in CL to trade for a 50' 30A but no bites yet. With my one AC, why would I need a 50A cord?

[flybouy]

I wish ours was 50 amp. With the air conditioner running it's a balancing act to run the microwave if there's any other load. So if the fridge and water heater is on electric and the air conditioner is running then it's maxed out on a 30 amp circuit. I use a 50A male to 30A female at the pedestal because the 50A receptical is typically in better condition than the 30A.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Keystoned

Thanks for all the responses. I should have mentioned we have 200W of solar to keep the batts charged and that we try to dry camp in moderate temps between 30-80 F.

KRumm, that is the kind of adapter I already have except for the 90* bend. I would need a dog bone adapter for the 30 to 50 joint.

Notanlines, good points but the second AC would be above the bedroom at the peak height of the 5W so I'm pretty sure it would be too high. Besides, we rarely plug in as stated in the beginning.

Dutchmensport, wow, that is lot of copper but yeah, better to have more than you need.

Others, still not sure I need my 30' 50A cord. Maybe a 50' 30A cord at most or 2x 25'. I actually listed my 50A in CL to trade for a 50' 30A but no bites yet. With my one AC, why would I need a 50A cord?

I think Marshall pretty much summed up the answer to your highlighted question. In my previous post I mentioned that I would not go back to 30A and those are some of the reasons.

You mention that you generally don't camp where you need more than one AC. Realize that with that AC running you consciously have to decide what you will or won't turn on/use; same with the microwave, hair dryer, curling iron, coffee pot etc. We got so tired of that and popping a breaker, it is LITERALLY like trying to tow with an overloaded truck always deciding what you can or can't take/use because of those limitations. I hated having to do that in both situations. Remember that when using 30A service that is all you have....30A. When using 50A service you have 100A which makes ALL the difference in the world.

[GHen]

Our 291rsts 5wheel also has only one A/C unit.
We leave our 50 amp cord at home most of the time. Replaced it with a 25’ 30 amp and two 10’ extensions. The 25 is good enough for most places, I use an 10’ extension about 10% of our time, normally in big pull through spots and at home. Never used the second 10’ extension. If I could only take one cord, I would have a 30’, it would cover me for 98% of the spots and the last 2% I could just park a little closer to the pedestal.

[Keystoned]

I guess we camp differently. We consider it a hardship to have to plug in because we'd rather be where there is no electricity. Camping at high elevation in the summer does not require AC. We live at 5000' and go up from there usually. The main exception is getting caught in cold and wet weather where supplementing the propane heater with electricity can make or break the experience.
When we leave the house we figure were going off the grid and depending on 12v. If there is connectivity, that is just a bonus. Microwaved popcorn is a treat but that usually means we are not where we'd prefer to be. Now sometimes, hook ups just can't be avoided, like our S. Padre Island trip a year ago. While there we did find some spots with more space and privacy with no hook ups, like right next to the water, literally. That was awesome Just us and the birds and the surf.
I kind of like GHen's approach...

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Keystoned

I guess we camp differently. We consider it a hardship to have to plug in because we'd rather be where there is no electricity. Camping at high elevation in the summer does not require AC. We live at 5000' and go up from there usually. The main exception is getting caught in cold and wet weather where supplementing the propane heater with electricity can make or break the experience.
When we leave the house we figure were going off the grid and depending on 12v. If there is connectivity, that is just a bonus. Microwaved popcorn is a treat but that usually means we are not where we'd prefer to be. Now sometimes, hook ups just can't be avoided, like our S. Padre Island trip a year ago. While there we did find some spots with more space and privacy with no hook ups, like right next to the water, literally. That was awesome
I kind of like GHen's approach...

Yes we do (referencing red highlight). For many decades I camped "off the grid" and enjoyed it but no longer....it's not our cup of tea so to speak. And, how in the world would DW get to use her new washer and dryer??

[Keystoned]

Just could not resist...lol
Funny story about those pics from SPI. The sand was so loose under the truck that I had to drain the fresh water from the TT and pour it where the tires would track us out on low tide. Worked like a charm but I had my doubts...call it an adventure!

[Keystoned]

Well guess what I think I've learned...50A service is really 2x 50A = 100A, from YouTube U. I thought I was comparing 30A to 50A but it's really 30 to 100, quite a difference. Each leg of a 50A cord can carry 50A, which matches the 2 50A circuit breakers in the trailer. Not sure what each 50A breaker feeds but I suspect each one has an AC lead, but only one is active on my 5W.
Also might have learned that circuit breakers are rated at only 80% for continuous use. So while a 30A breaker could start a 30A load, it's only good for 24A continuous. And 50A would be 40A continuous.
I'm not 100% on this yet but all of the above is leading me to keep my 30' 50A super heavy power cord and just get a 30A dog bone for when 50A is not available.

[JRTJH]

If you wonder what each leg of the 50 amp (100 amp total) feeds, you can open your power center and look at the arrangement. The "main input breaker" is in the middle. It's two 50 amp switches tied together. The smaller circuit breakers to the right of the main breaker are fed by the "right side of that double 50 amp breaker" and the smaller circuit breakers to the "left side of the double 50 amp breaker" are fed by the "other leg" of the input power cord.

Most (not all) 30/50 amp adapters and 50/30 amp adapters combine both legs of the input power so both are fed to the main power center 50 amp breaker in the power panel... In other words, if you're using a 30 amp power cord, you have 30 amps feeding the "100 amp input system" that 30 amps can be divided in any amount to either side of the double 50 amp breaker. It can be 30 amps to the right side (if there's no demand on the left side of the system) it could be the opposite or it could be any amount of amperage to either side...

Remember, with a 30 amp input, your "main power center 50 amp breaker will never trip. You are relying on the individual circuit breakers in the power center to protect the individual circuit wiring....

A caution, if you use a 50/30 amp adapter on the input end of your 30 amp cord and plug it into the 50 amp plug on the campground power plug, then use a 30/50 amp adapter on the trailer end of your 30 amp cord, plug that into your trailer, then you will have a 10 gauge 30 amp cord being protected by 50 amp circuit breakers....

IF (unlikely but possible) you have a shorted wire in the 30 amp cord, it could melt, catch fire, burn "to the ground" and neither of the 50 amp circuit breakers would trip.... So, think about cables, adapters, circuit breakers and what's protecting what.....

[GHen]

JRTJH, you are absolute right!
Campers always need to use the pedestal outlet that matches your shore power wire.
I think it’s 12 gauge to the 20 amp breaker
10 gauge to the 30 amp breaker
(Don’t know what the 50 amp is... two 10 gauge?)