Shore power extension cord - how long?

[HappyCamperMN]

From the recommended new owner list, I see extension cord 50'...

How long is the supplied shore power cord? 15-20 feet.?.?

I've got a 50-amp service and am seeing options of either 15' ($60) or 30' ($98) for a Camco cord from Amazon. I was thinking a 20' extension would probably work in most situations, then I found 15 and 30 foot options...

What do y'all find necessary for shore power extension cord?

[WaltBennett]

First off, unless you've two AC units, you really don't really need 50 amp service. 30 will do fine with the coffee maker, AC and most things going at once, unless you add a hair dryer, fireplace, two TVs and every light on. Our Montana has about a 30' 50 amp cord and I've had it hooked through adapters to 30 amp campground service several times.

There's not been many places where we had difficulties with the 30' cable, with the receptacle located at the rear of the trailer (why manufacturers do that is totally beyond my understanding). Getting it parked in just the right spot has taken care of everything so far. I've thought several times about getting a 20' or so 30 amp extension since they're reasonably priced compared to 50 amp ones, but haven't yet.

[MarkS]

On my trailer, the 50 amp cord is maybe 30'. If the pedestal is toward the front of the site, it is not long enough. Connector in the back, and a 35' trailer. I have a 30 amp extension that I use for those situations.

30 amps will run the AC, but will trip if the WH turns on at the same time. I leave the WH on propane when I am limited to 30amp.

The 30 amp extension is a lot less expensive and a lot less heavy than a 50. 15 ft would be plenty for most situations.

[Bob Landry]

It's really not our place to judge what the OP needs. His question was about a 50A extension cord.

[Festus2]

We use a 25 ft power cord and find that length is almost always long enough. In many instances, it is too long but better that than too short. I wouldn't go with 15 ft - other than in an extension cord capacity.

On a side note, just recently we were watching a fellow across from us pull in with a 5th wheel. He got out and did all the usual setting up chores - except connecting to the power pedestal. When he had the unit level, chocked and blocked, he then proceeded to pull out his power cord only to find that he was about 2 feet short. So rather than hooking up again undoing what he had did and backing closer to the pedestal, he took out a "thin" 100 ft extension cord and used that to make up for the 2 feet. I wouldn't recommend that anyone do this but I did get a chuckle out of that little faux pas.

[Bob Landry]

If you do the detachable cord conversion, the yellow cord made by Marinco are 25'. My other one that came with the trailer is a little longer, but both reach from the pedestal to the back of my trailer where the power comes in. I've even replaced the end on the Marinco, so it's even a few inches shorter. For an extension, I think 20' would be more that enough I don't think I have ever been in a CG where my cord didn't reach.

[HappyCamperMN]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

If you do the detachable cord conversion, the yellow cord made by Marinco are 25'. My other one that came with the trailer is a little longer, but both reach from the pedestal to the back of my trailer where the power comes in. I've even replaced the end on the Marinco, so it's even a few inches shorter. For an extension, I think 20' would be more that enough I don't think I have ever been in a CG where my cord didn't reach.

Not exactly sure what you mean by detachable cord conversion. The shore power cord in the (soon to be) our unit is coiled up in the front storage with one end that plugs into the side of the trailer and the other end that plugs into the pedestal. Assume that's what you mean and in previous units you needed to convert a hard wired cord to detachable.

I'll probably wait until we pickup our unit, measure the shore power cord and then decide on 15' or 30' extension from there. Seems like 15' should be good for most situations depending on the length of the supplied shore power cord.

Thanks for the feedback.

[bsmith0404]

Have never measured my 50 amp cord, but would guess it is 30'. I have never had a need to use an extension at a camp site, but I do carry a 30' 30 amp cord with me. They are smaller, lighter, and easier to deal with and pack. I also use this cord at home for 12 hours prior to packing to get the refrigerator cold since my 50 amp wont reach the house.

[GaryWT]

We have a 30 amp hard wired cord and have never needed a longer one so I do not have one. Campgrounds in New England that I go to have there electric pretty central to the site.

[wallet14]

We have about 25 foot cord attached. And we have a 25 foot extension. Both are 30 amp. We stay at one site where the pedestal is shared with the site to the right (facing front when you are backed in) all the way at the front of the site. At this location we needed another cord to connect as we were about 2 feet short. Our relatives had an extra 25 foot cord that they no longer used because they have a permanent site so we now carry 50 feet of extensions plus the 25 feet attached.

[Brantlaker]

I have a 15 ft 50A extension cord that I had to use in addition to the 30ft cord that came with my 5er only 2 or 3 times in the last 2 years.The DW and I travel a lot and have been in 35-40 different campgrounds all across the USA.

[Jim Dow]

I just had a power transfer box added in the front storage compartment.

No need for extra extension chords.

The extra box was less expensive than another 50amp chord.

[webslave]

I got rid of the original 50 amp cord that came with my 318SAB. I've always been a fan of Marinco products (much more flexible and easier to manage). I got a 25' 50 amp cord with a right angle adapter (takes the strain off the connection at the trailer) and another 25' 50 amp extension cord. Usually I can get within 25' of the pedestal, but, in the rare instances I can't, the 25' extension cord is more than enough and could even reach the next site over if need be (and I've had to do that a couple of times when there was a problem with my pedestal).

As for using 30 amp instead of 50 amp... Even when I had a 30 amp rig, I would use a 50 amp socket (30 to 50 dogbone) so that I could use a 50 amp socket that was, 9 times out of 10, in much better condition. A better connection means less heat loss from resistance and longer lasting plugs. Many reasons to up to 50 amp on the pedestal, I've never seen a reason to down to 30 amp on a pedestal unless 50 amp wasn't available...

[HappyCamperMN]

Originally Posted by Jim Dow

I just had a power transfer box added in the front storage compartment.

No need for extra extension chords.

The extra box was less expensive than another 50amp chord.

Was this to an existing unit, or an option you had added to your unit before it was built?

I can see how this might be cheaper as the wiring would just be internally use rated rather than insulated and weather resistant (external use).

[HappyCamperMN]

Originally Posted by webslave

I got rid of the original 50 amp cord that came with my 318SAB. I've always been a fan of Marinco products (much more flexible and easier to manage). I got a 25' 50 amp cord with a right angle adapter (takes the strain off the connection at the trailer) and another 25' 50 amp extension cord.

As for using 30 amp instead of 50 amp... Even when I had a 30 amp rig, I would use a 50 amp socket (30 to 50 dogbone) so that I could use a 50 amp socket that was, 9 times out of 10, in much better condition.

Both sound like good approaches. Thanks for sharing!

[trackstand]

Been using this for 4 years with 0 issues. Its hooked to a 30 amp outlet with adapters.

http://www.menards.com/main/electric...972-c-6410.htm

[Bob Landry]

Originally Posted by webslave

I got rid of the original 50 amp cord that came with my 318SAB. I've always been a fan of Marinco products (much more flexible and easier to manage). I got a 25' 50 amp cord with a right angle adapter (takes the strain off the connection at the trailer) and another 25' 50 amp extension cord. Usually I can get within 25' of the pedestal, but, in the rare instances I can't, the 25' extension cord is more than enough and could even reach the next site over if need be (and I've had to do that a couple of times when there was a problem with my pedestal).

As for using 30 amp instead of 50 amp... Even when I had a 30 amp rig, I would use a 50 amp socket (30 to 50 dogbone) so that I could use a 50 amp socket that was, 9 times out of 10, in much better condition. A better connection means less heat loss from resistance and longer lasting plugs. Many reasons to up to 50 amp on the pedestal, I've never seen a reason to down to 30 amp on a pedestal unless 50 amp wasn't available...

I agree. I have never subscribed to the theory that less was better. Why would anyone not use and enjoy all of the benefits of having 50A service and not have to decide what not to run so you could heat something in the microwave?
I just added a second 30A service to my trailer running off a breakout box off the 50A outlet. I would have converted to straight 50A if not for already having a 30A EMS and the power cords. It was just cheaper to do it this way and that with an additional 20A inlet on the trailer gives me 80A of service.

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by trackstand

Been using this for 4 years with 0 issues. Its hooked to a 30 amp outlet with adapters.

Oooh, don't put that cord on anything combustible. I doubt that cord is rated for more than 20 amps. Probably only 15 amps.

[Bob Landry]

Originally Posted by MarkS

Oooh, don't put that cord on anything combustible. I doubt that cord is rated for more than 20 amps. Probably only 15 amps.

That cord is 12/3 and rated for 30A, but what really bothers me about it is the length. When it is in use with another cord, there is 75' of power cord which is already approaching questionable capability.
When used alone, if he is plugging into a 30A pedestal with a dogbone, he still runs the risk of overheating and melting the cord. If he's plugging it into a 20A outlet and going to a 30A trailer, then I go back to my other point of, why not take advantage of all of the electrical service you have available. But then, it's his rig and he can operate it any way he likes.

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

That cord is 12/3 and rated for 30A, but what really bothers me about it is the length. When it is in use with another cord, there is 75' of power cord which is already approaching questionable capability.
When used alone, if he is plugging into a 30A pedestal with a dogbone, he still runs the risk of overheating and melting the cord. If he's plugging it into a 20A outlet and going to a 30A trailer, then I go back to my other point of, why not take advantage of all of the electrical service you have available. But then, it's his rig and he can operate it any way he likes.

Bob,

The cord is marginally ok for 30. The length is a problem. I wonder if the AC will even start. Lots of voltage drop.

The bigger problem is the connectors. They are not rated for 30. 15 or 20 not 30.

Yeah, it's his rig. Hope he doesn't burn anything up.