Cutting RV Electric Cord in Half

[GypsyBuzz]

I use a 5 gallon bucket to coil up my Shore cable. Cut a hole in the bottom large enough to pass the male end through. The coiled up cable fits nicely in my basement!

[Allisfan]

Make sure it's not plugged in when you cut it! [emoji41]

[raceready]

I use the $14 air hose reel from Harbor Freight I mount it in the front storage compartment, I'm done. I just hook it on the wheel use a Rag and roll it up and puts it right on every time. for the ride out makes it so easy.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by cruisinhwy66

Since the purchase of a new 5th wheel, w/50 amp service, the 1 thing I dread is having to lift the 36' cord out and into storage. I considered buying a shorter 15' cord that weights less, but then I'll have to carry 2 cords in case of being to short at some parking spots. Then it hit me, I could cut my 36' cord in half, attach new M/F plugs on the cut ends. This way I could reduce the weight and still have the length should I have a need.

Has anyone done this successfully and what are your thoughts?

cruisin

Yep, that will work just fine. That's what I do.

[muddyrode]

i bought a shorter cord for the RV and then cut the original cord into added news ends, so i have a 20' and a 10' extension cord
i usually only carry the the RV and the 10 footer with me

[smithmdsmith]

Originally Posted by s1njin

Anybody? If I'm doing something silly please let me know?

I would be hesitant to leave the connection sitting inside the trailer. I've had the plugs scorch and melt. As they are plugged and unplugged, the metal can wear. At some point they may start not connecting solidly. Then they can arc, scorch, melt, and possibly cause a fire. I want that connection outside of my trailer.

[Camper Al]

My traveling partner adapted a 30 amp cord with a 50 amp female plug for his rig. Says most of the time you don't need 50 amps since you're not running both AC's etc.

[B and B]

I have a built in Cable Reel with 35 ft on it. I generally use 2 30 ft 50 amp extensions to reach the pedestals in our provincial parks. This past week I added my last chance 50 ft 30 amp top reach the pedestal.

[Silverbirch]

Originally Posted by cruisinhwy66

I could cut my 36' cord in half, attach new M/F plugs on the cut ends. This way I could reduce the weight and still have the length should I have a need.

Has anyone done this successfully and what are your thoughts?

cruisin

The guy who mows our lawn cut the power cord in half once.

[kgkerl]

Unless you need 50 amp service I use my 30 amp cord with a 50 amp adapter for one night stays. I do this for 16-20 days a year driving from WI to AK every year.

[Mike968]

I bought a used Monaco a few years back and the previous owner had cut the cord in half and attached, what I assume, are good quality connectors.

The problem is over time the outer insulation has shrunk revealing the leads beneath. It’s not a big deal, there is no exposed copper and I wrapped it with electrical tape, but it looks “non-standard” if you know what I mean.

[diver165]

I’d sell the long one and buy 2 before I cut it. My thoughts, you’ll never get the spliced plugs as sealed up and water tight as the molded plugs. They’ll never be as good. And if you were able to do it you’ll have spent far more energy, time and money then to just buy 2 shorter cords. I guy I know lost his boy to a very similar incident. The rv was plugged up at home. The boy walked out into the yard near the rv and was electrocuted. They had spliced their cable together to make a longer cord. The grass was wet from raid during the night. Almost killed his mom and dad too when they found him collapsed, they ran to his rescue. The boys mom saw her husband collapse and figured it out quick and was able to shut the power off.

They were nice people. It was a new travel trailer and they used a home made extension to their factory cord to plug the trailer up to the house.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by kgkerl

Unless you need 50 amp service I use my 30 amp cord with a 50 amp adapter for one night stays.

I don’t like wrestling the 50 amp cord, so I do as kglet does, even for long stays. As long as someone manages there electrical usage, the 30 amp cord works fine. I keep the 50 amp cord on board just in case I am too far from the pedestal for just the 30 amp cord.

[Kirk S]

Originally Posted by s1njin

Anybody? If I'm doing something silly please let me know?

If it works for you I guess it's fine, although the way you described it you put the female plug on the RV which would mean you have the male end on the cord from the pedestal. If so, and they become disconnected while plugged in, you'll have exposed live connectors on the male end.

[RacerRalph]

Originally Posted by s1njin

I have a related issue whereas I have a power cord in its own (small) bay w/ a hole (also small) that I'm supposed to feed the cord through (and of course the head of the cord barely fits through the hole and that's WITH a lot of motivating on my part).

I cut the cord short in the bay, put a female end on it, put a male on the other, and I join them in the bay. I leave that join in there w/ the door shut.

Anything I should be aware of w/ this configuration? I've been doing it like this for years.

I did the same, this allows me to leave my EMPS inside the locker. Works fine so far.