Is there a need for RV extension cord?

[Chuck_S]

Be sure of your connectors before buying an "extension cord."

(This refers to 30 amp connections and cords).
During recent preparation for Hurricane Florence I was reminded of the differences between RV and Marine power cords.

RV power cords have a pin connector to the post and a twist connector to the RV. Ya can't use a standard RV power cord as an extension as they need to have twist connectors at both ends. Happily marine power cords have twist connectors at each end and can serve as extensions to either type.

You can bypass these differences with adapters, of course.

I also noted my Honda generator has a marine outlet, not an RV outlet. More adapters!

(Marine practice on some (many?) 40' - 50' boats is two (2) 30a connections rather than a 50a. Gotta carry lots of cables. )

-- Chuck

[katkt]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Be sure of your connectors before buying an "extension cord."

(This refers to 30 amp connections and cords).
During recent preparation for Hurricane Florence I was reminded of the differences between RV and Marine power cords.

RV power cords have a pin connector to the post and a twist connector to the RV. Ya can't use a standard RV power cord as an extension as they need to have twist connectors at both ends. Happily marine power cords have twist connectors at each end and can serve as extensions to either type.

You can bypass these differences with adapters, of course.

I also noted my Honda generator has a marine outlet, not an RV outlet. More adapters!

(Marine practice on some (many?) 40' - 50' boats is two (2) 30a connections rather than a 50a. Gotta carry lots of cables. )

-- Chuck

Exactly.^^^^^

Try it out at home if you’re not sure you have what you need. I had the very same experience with my EU2200i Companion. Imagine my surprise. Lol

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by phillyg

Sooner or later you will need an extension. I suggest a 30a since its lighter and takes up less space, unless you're in FL and absolutely need both ACs running.

I don't agree with this...

If you have 50 amp service in your RV, then a less expensive cord is not really going to save you any money in the long run.

And if weight is the issue, then maybe you need to unload something else!

If you need an extension cord and you have 50 amps, they why settle for 30 amp service just because you can't get close enough to the pedestal, or because you have too much other junk in your RV to support the weight of the proper extension cord.

That just doesn't make any sense...

[llr]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I don't agree with this...

If you have 50 amp service in your RV, then a less expensive cord is not really going to save you any money in the long run.

And if weight is the issue, then maybe you need to unload something else!

If you need an extension cord and you have 50 amps, they why settle for 30 amp service just because you can't get close enough to the pedestal, or because you have too much other junk in your RV to support the weight of the proper extension cord.

That just doesn't make any sense...

I have a 30 amp cord and a 50 amp unit, more for space and cost of something I may never use. If I needed it on a regular basis I would get a 50.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Have never needed an extra cord anywhere. In RV parks we check to ensure our cord reaches before we unhook from TV.

Having to haul around one very bulky and heavy 50amp cord is enough.

Same here. We stay in campgrounds on average of 100 nights per year over the past few years... have towed this trailer more than 18K miles and it's our 4th unit. The parks we choose don't require us to use an extension cord.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Have never needed an extra cord anywhere. In RV parks we check to ensure our cord reaches before we unhook from TV.

Having to haul around one very bulky and heavy 50amp cord is enough.

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Same here. We stay in campgrounds on average of 100 nights per year over the past few years... have towed this trailer more than 18K miles and it's our 4th unit. The parks we choose don't require us to use an extension cord.

I agree... at the campgrounds we choose... BUT.. it's the places you don't choose is where I've need an extension cord or an extra hose.

We got delayed in traffic one time and couldn't make our destination. A quick call to a local to the area campground had a site available IF we had a long cord.

Another time, a couple we were traveling with had a breakdown and we wound up in an unfamiliar State Park overnight. Both of us needed extension cords that night.

Never hurts to have one.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I agree... at the campgrounds we choose... BUT.. it's the places you don't choose is where I've need an extension cord or an extra hose.

We got delayed in traffic one time and couldn't make our destination. A quick call to a local to the area campground had a site available IF we had a long cord.

Another time, a couple we were traveling with had a breakdown and we wound up in an unfamiliar State Park overnight. Both of us needed extension cords that night.

Never hurts to have one.

I can't dispute your scenarios and to further your argument, I can envision other scenarios that would cause me to need other equipment I'm not carrying.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

I can't dispute your scenarios and to further your argument, I can envision other scenarios that would cause me to need other equipment I'm not carrying.

True...

But forgetting the coffee pot or a certain wrench is a little different than the most basic need of any RV...electricity!

Especially if you are only 5 feet more away from it than the manufacturer gave you cord for.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

I can't dispute your scenarios and to further your argument, I can envision other scenarios that would cause me to need other equipment I'm not carrying.

Well there's no doubt you can't carry everything you 'might' need. It's like carrying a bottle jack... hope you never need it... but...

[Chazman]

A few of the posts on this subject could be misunderstood, so I'm throwing in my two cents. Our TT is 50 amps, and therefore has a power cord that has a 4 pin twist lock end that connects to the trailer, and the end that plugs in to shore power is a straight plug in, 4 pin connector. I just found a 50 amp, 30 ft EXTENSION CORD on Amazon that has a four pin male, and a four pin female connector, for $115. If I plug my 35 ft TT cord into the 30 ft extension cord, then plug the extension cord into shore power, I have 65 ft to work with. The extension cord is listed at around 20 lbs.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Chazman

A few of the posts on this subject could be misunderstood, so I'm throwing in my two cents. Our TT is 50 amps, and therefore has a power cord that has a 4 pin twist lock end that connects to the trailer, and the end that plugs in to shore power is a straight plug in, 4 pin connector. I just found a 50 amp, 30 ft EXTENSION CORD on Amazon that has a four pin male, and a four pin female connector, for $115. If I plug my 35 ft TT cord into the 30 ft extension cord, then plug the extension cord into shore power, I have 65 ft to work with. The extension cord is listed at around 20 lbs.

If you are referring to whomever mentioned the Marine twist-lock cords, it's really not misleading at all. Just depends on which end of the R/V shore power cord you want to extend. Many marine cords and/or EXTENSION cords have twist-locks on both ends. A male and a female.

In the case of using one of the marine cords, you'd simply plug your 4 prong male R/V plug into the pedestal and use the marine cord between the R/V's twist-lock and the receptacle on the side of the R/V.

Same cat, skinned differently.

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by 5picker

If you are referring to whomever mentioned the Marine twist-lock cords, it's really not misleading at all. Just depends on which end of the R/V shore power cord you want to extend. Many marine cords and/or EXTENSION cords have twist-locks on both ends. A male and a female.

In the case of using one of the marine cords, you'd simply plug your 4 prong male R/V plug into the pedestal and use the marine cord between the R/V's twist-lock and the receptacle on the side of the R/V.

Same cat, skinned differently.

Agreed.

[Rookiewood]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

I use mine, on average, about once every 2-3 years.

But when I need it, I need it...

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

Similar here, 2-3 times per year !

[wabakami]

Originally Posted by phillyg

Sooner or later you will need an extension. I suggest a 30a since its lighter and takes up less space, unless you're in FL and absolutely need both ACs running.

Sorry, really off topic here but your first sentence gave me a nostalgic moment; back in the 80's or so here in Canada, General tyres ran a commercial with those words, cannot quite remember the exact phrase but something like 'Sooner or later you'll own Generals" or "Sooner or later you'll ride generals"?

Sorry about the hijack, now that saying is running through my head, damn!

Geoff
.

[wabakami]

Just had a few days off here in Algonquin, amidst a three day power outage too; but I did learn that some if not all campgrounds in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario) have available to borrow, thirty foot, 30 amp extension cords with a deposit, subject to availability.

Not sure how many other Provincial Parks do this but it may help in a emergency to ask whatever campground you're at if they have them available!

Geoff
.

[Chazman]

Originally Posted by wabakami

Sorry, really off topic here but your first sentence gave me a nostalgic moment; back in the 80's or so here in Canada, General tyres ran a commercial with those words, cannot quite remember the exact phrase but something like 'Sooner or later you'll own Generals" or "Sooner or later you'll ride generals"?

Sorry about the hijack, now that saying is running through my head, damn!

Geoff
.

Geoff, I can help with that. Manah Manah. (If you don't get it, Google it)

[wabakami]

Originally Posted by doulos

I haven’t needed mine in going on 2 years but I also haven’t needed my spare tire either. ��

Good one!

Geoff
.