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12-19-2014, 12:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 286
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50 amp v 30 amp service
I am hoping someone can help answer a simple question for me. I am making some reservations for campgrounds for this summer and some of the sites have 50 amp services. I only have a 30 amp system. Can I use the 50 amp service with an adapter on my pigtail without damaging my motor home?
Thank you for your help.
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12-19-2014, 12:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Stromsburg, Nebraska
Posts: 1,682
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Yes. Get a 50-30 dogbone and you're good to go. Also note, most sites with 50, also have a 30a plug. All of them I've stayed at did.
Happy Campin!
__________________
Joel and Teresa
2016 Sabre 34TBOK
2006 GMC 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4
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12-19-2014, 12:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 286
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Thank you sir. I thought they would have both but when I called the campground the young lady wasn't sure. It is a state park so ip wanted to be sure we were good to go. I may buy a pigtail adapter just in case!
I appreciate your time.
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12-19-2014, 12:50 PM
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#4
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Dazed & Confused
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NW PA
Posts: 380
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Generally speaking, the amp rating stated is the max available. I have seen many parks with some 30A max and some 50A max sites. well over 90% of the places I have been have a power pedestal which looks like the attached photo and has 50A 240 VAC, 30A 120 VAC and 20A 120 VAC receptacles. You can always get yourself a good quality 50A to 30A adapter, just in case.
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~Mike & Kim~
2014 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W Diamond Package
2020 Ram 2500 6.4L Crew cab 4WD, 4.10 Axel
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12-19-2014, 12:59 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 286
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Thanks Mr. Hoffman. I will buy an adapter just in case the pedestal only has the 50 amp.
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12-19-2014, 01:42 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Palm Coast FL
Posts: 746
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MEhoffman has it correct. That said, an adapter to allow you to plug in the 50 amp circuit will give you the full 30 amps you can use. Usually the 50 amp plug (outlet) is less used therefore in better shape electrically speaking than most of the 30 amp plugs (outlets).
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 Brenda and John
'14 Ram 3500 MCSB 6.7L HO PullRite 16K S/G, Grey Columbus 320RS Camped '14 - 146 days/'15 - 196 days
USN-EOD(Ret), Master Chief, 30 yrs,
Master Blaster of the Navy
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12-19-2014, 01:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtstromsburg
Yes. Get a 50-30 dogbone and you're good to go. Also note, most sites with 50, also have a 30a plug. All of them I've stayed at did.
Happy Campin!
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Not all!  Youroo!! 
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12-19-2014, 02:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lexington, NC
Posts: 2,621
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigTJohn
MEhoffman has it correct. That said, an adapter to allow you to plug in the 50 amp circuit will give you the full 30 amps you can use. Usually the 50 amp plug (outlet) is less used therefore in better shape electrically speaking than most of the 30 amp plugs (outlets).
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Good point. I never thought of that.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Apex 249 RBS
2010 Silverado LT 5.3 V8
The world is a great book, of which those who never stir from home
read only a page. - St. Augustine
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12-19-2014, 02:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
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adapters, extra water hoses, extensions for both all come in handy. Don't need them all the time but as little as we camp I've needed 110, 50amp converters as well as extra long water hoses. Probably could use a 30amp extension as well.
Not sure who lays out some of the camp spots out there but some are horrendously bad.
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Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam
Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
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12-19-2014, 02:31 PM
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#10
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Dazed & Confused
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NW PA
Posts: 380
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
Not all! Youroo!! |
Excellent example of why it is good to always carry adapters.
And as I found out on my last trip, carry an extension cord rated for you service! 
__________________
~Mike & Kim~
2014 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W Diamond Package
2020 Ram 2500 6.4L Crew cab 4WD, 4.10 Axel
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12-19-2014, 02:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chardon, Ohio
Posts: 513
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If all you need is 30 amp service I wouldn't pay for 50 amp when I won't be using it. At all the sites I've stayed at 50 amp service cost more than 30 amp.
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Bill, Maura & Rosie the rescued Boston Terrier
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q-26K Chassis...traded in 2015 Wildcat 282RKX
Towing 4 down 2014 CR-V EX-L w/Nav & Blue Ox & Ready Brute Elite or 2018 Colorado Crew Cab 4x4 V6 longbed
NRA Endowment Life Member, FMCA #455593, WIT #170814 & Mid-Ohio Winnies
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12-19-2014, 11:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prof_fate
adapters, extra water hoses, extensions for both all come in handy. Don't need them all the time but as little as we camp I've needed 110, 50amp converters as well as extra long water hoses. Probably could use a 30amp extension as well.
Not sure who lays out some of the camp spots out there but some are horrendously bad.
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Plenty of Power,just not laid out very well! Youroo!!
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12-19-2014, 11:09 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 286
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Cover Dog - you are correct except in this case it is only a $3 up barge and I get sewer so it seems well worth it to us. Thanks everyone for the feedback.
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12-20-2014, 12:53 AM
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#14
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Ret E-9 Anchor-clanker
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Genoa, ILL
Posts: 1,476
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Youroo, did you take this picture? It looks like Illini Forest Preserve in Hampton Illinois. I have camped there several times (a great CG on the Mississippi river) and have seen this spot too.
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Don & Dona W/yorkies Gizmo, Master Chief, & Tali
2011 Flagstaff 8528 BHSS 2015 Ford 6.7 XLT
2010 Full Timers & Still Going
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12-20-2014, 07:19 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 9,863
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cover Dog
If all you need is 30 amp service I wouldn't pay for 50 amp when I won't be using it. At all the sites I've stayed at 50 amp service cost more than 30 amp.
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It is interesting that different areas of the country are different for charges. We have never had to pay extra for 50A but it seems the trend is going toward extra charges for anything they can for anything..... esp at the chains........
As others have stated all campgrounds have different layouts..... have needed extensions for water, power, sewer and adapters. Just do not know til ya get there........ nicer to be prepared.
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2005 Dodge 3500 Cummins
2017 Wildwood Lodge 4092 BFL
1966 Mustang GT
1986 Mustang SVO
Lillie Spoiled Rotten Boxer Mix
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12-20-2014, 07:56 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
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We stay at a campground that only has 50 amp service. They will rent or sell a dogbone if your trailer doesn't have 50 amp. So as stated by Youroo not all campgrounds have 30 & 50 amp service.
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12-20-2014, 08:35 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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I always just about plug into the 50 amp with a dog bone, The only reason is that the 50 amp plug in most cases is in better condition for some reason. I have always been asked if I need 30 or 50 but never remember being an extra charge. I only remember 1 CG that had all 30 amp. Still there was a lot of big 50 amp motor homes in there. Never heard any complaints from any of them. I guess you just use 1 A/C instead of 2. I really don't know is that about the only difference?
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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12-20-2014, 08:52 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donanddona
Youroo, did you take this picture? It looks like Illini Forest Preserve in Hampton Illinois. I have camped there several times (a great CG on the Mississippi river) and have seen this spot too. |
Yes it was! Nice central location for this area,we will return! Youroo!!
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12-20-2014, 10:01 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 286
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In our case it is a state park in northern Idaho and I believe the $3 up charge is more for the sewer than the 50 amp service. This one campsite has a great view of one of the prettier lakes in the continental US and with my state park and senior discounts it is only $23 per night. Well worth the money.
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12-20-2014, 06:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oaklevel
It is interesting that different areas of the country are different for charges. We have never had to pay extra for 50A but it seems the trend is going toward extra charges for anything they can for anything..... esp at the chains........
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I would expect to pay a few extra bucks for 50A, since you plan on using more electric and running their bill up higher. Also, 50A sites are usually larger too
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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