Best length for extension power cable?

[xd40c]

Shorter is always better than longer. You're better off having two 25 ft cords and only using then together when needed. If you can, I'd look for 6 ga. (if it's available). The store bought cords are just fine, you can also make them yourself without too much trouble. I made an extra long one for when the 5ver is parked at the house....

[itat]

I bought a Hughes Autoformer to solve low voltage problems. Works great for when we need to use the two 25’ extension cords or in the middle of summer when everyone is using full power to run all their ACs which drops the supply voltage at the pedestal.

[BriaBeck]

I carry a 30' extension cord. Have yet to need it away from home, but I have to use it here at home any time I want to hook up power, or else run the generator.


Someone was asking about voltage drop, and issues with welding cables.... I would think that the voltage drop issues would be much less pronounced, since the voltage is much higher in the extension cord (120V) vs. the welding cables (~18-22 V while welding). THere will certainly be some drop as the length increases, but not as much as when welding.

[rvdw]

I use 2 x 25ft lengths. A single 25 works 95% of the time but every so often will need one just a little bit longer.

[RVBuff]

I have a 25' and a 50'. I carry the 25' all the time. The 50' stays home. I only bought it when they said I might need it for the FROG rally in Goshen. Turns out I didn't. I've never used either one. I still think having the 25' cord "just in case" is a good idea.

[X_Medic 73]

FYI


If camping in Ontario (Canada), many of the Provincial Parks have "older" infrastructure. Been in a couple "Blue Lake" "Aaron Lake", that have some sites about 10 feet from the power and the next one shares the same pedestal and it's - over 150 feet away - ask me how I know. Used 33 foot (50 amp) - pig-tale to 30 amp cords - 25 foot + 50 foot, and we were still short. Lucky (I suppose) the site was SO BIG we parked across it instead of through it - at the closest spot near the power. JUST LONG ENOUGH.

[emjayuu]

Originally Posted by X_Medic 73

FYI


If camping in Ontario (Canada), many of the Provincial Parks have "older" infrastructure. Been in a couple "Blue Lake" "Aaron Lake", that have some sites about 10 feet from the power and the next one shares the same pedestal and it's - over 150 feet away - ask me how I know. Used 33 foot (50 amp) - pig-tale to 30 amp cords - 25 foot + 50 foot, and we were still short. Lucky (I suppose) the site was SO BIG we parked across it instead of through it - at the closest spot near the power. JUST LONG ENOUGH.

Lol. The only time I have had to use my extension was in an Ontario Provincial site.

[Villagerjjm]

I would not go beyond a 25 foot extension in addition to my 25 foot cord that came with the trailer.

[pgandw]

The only important reason for having more than the 25ft that came with the camper is the ability to run the air conditioning from a preferred location. I'm not big on camping/staying inside any camper - especially an A-frame - when it's too hot to be outside. End result - I have a second 25ft from Walmart to let me run the A/C when I set up in the driveway to load, clean, or make modifications.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame

[Dave Lyon]

I have a 50' extension and a 25' extension. No sense in dragging the 50' around when I only need the 25'.

Ontario Parks can have electrical posts up to 75' from the trailer hookup.

[JSutton]

Many of Ontario Provincial Park sites are huge & you can be a long way from the power source. The Lake Superior PP actually would loan you an extension cord if needed. Nice touch.

[bill32]

My 5th wheel came with a retractable 35 ft. 50 amp cord and I carry two 25 ft. 30 extensions (with adaptors). There are times when I needed more than 85 ft. of cord. Don't buy a 50 ft. as they are too heavy to struggle with at the end of a long day's travel.

[gebills]

We have owned two fifth wheels and a Class C, plus I have purchased one extension cord, all awg-10 ga. All three RV's came with a 30-foot cord and the extension was on sale at a Camping World for a good price. it was also a 30-footer. I wasn't aware that there was anything available but 30-footers.

Referencing how much we typically use, very infrequently we would use nothing over 30-foot. Generally, if close, I can inch the RV a foot or two closer to the pedestal. I do carry the 30-foot extension with me at all times.

[RCPatt]

Ours is a 50 amp cord that is 25' long. We've had one site where the electric line was too short, another where water hose was too short, and another where the sewer line was too short. We had to re-hitch and position the trailer again the first time we encountered this problem. Now we check out utility positions before unhitching and will be adding extensions for each to trailer stock items just in case.

[NMWildcat]

Length of Zero. Have never needed an extension cord anywhere.

If at an RV park with electric, we make sure can reach before we unhook. If boondocking, we can always reach the generators

I really try to not carry around anything that MIGHT get used every couple of years. Makes more room for stuff we actually use!

[5er_tom]

We have used (needed) our 50amp extension cord a couple of times. Once was at the FROG Rally in Gadsden, AL. We had a choice, use the extension cord, or not deploy the kitchen slide, thanks to a tree. No choice really.

[mbanovetz]

Originally Posted by Boomerweps

Decided not to get my question lost in the extremely long "Extension cord or not" thread.
I plan on getting a 30 amp extension cord. Most common are 25' and 50', although I've seen a few others lengths. What extension length has proved needed to you?
Currently I'm considering either a 25', a 50', or 2 25's, all in 10awg. I considered a 10' or 15' but for just a little more you can get the 25'. I do try to use the shortest supply cable I have when connecting for power.

Well We have a 25' and a 50' extension. Depends where we camp what we need. Mostly only 25'. but for our yard our outlet is over 70 feet away so we need both in the yard to have power. in picture the pad is where the camper goes and that green garage is where we hook up power. Long ways away. 2 cords. LOL

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Boomerweps

Decided not to get my question lost in the extremely long "Extension cord or not" thread.

Might as well get it lost in this extremely long thread instead...

[Kaadk]

Here's what I posted in a different thread about this discussion:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

The only time I've needed my extension cord has been at State/Provincial Parks. And those, I've needed my whole 50' because the power pedestals are always far away from the parking pads. For example, here's where we stayed in Pontiac a couple of years ago:

Attachment 183296

My brother had the site on the upper side of the photo (parking pad trimmed in blue), I had the parking pad on the lower side of the photo (also trimmed in blue). The shared power pedestal for both of our sites was near the red X.

Note the set of tire tracks between my pad and the X? Yep, I had to stretch my cord across the access way to the rest rooms.

I'd say you want to have at least 50' of extension cord. You could either get a single 50', 2 25' or a 25' and a 50'. If you only use a 50', yes, you might get some voltage drop. If you string together 2 25's you're going to get a slightly worse voltage drop when you need 50, but less of a drop if you only need a single 25'. With a 25' and a 50' you'll be covered to use the 25' when you need less than 25', 50' when you need less than 50' but more than 25', and if you end up in a situation like above where it's right at the limits, (or maybe a bit over) you can string the 25' and 50' and have no problem reaching (considering you'd be about 100' total from the rig with your original cord). Hopefully never have to do that, but at least you're covered if you do.

And on the weight discussion, I've found my 50' 30 amp extension cord weighs less than my 20' 50 amp cord that came with the new fiver. No way I'm going to wrestle a 50' 50 amp cord. If I need an extension, I use my 50-30 adapter and live on 30 amps.

[wanderer26]

I have never seen a pedestal at the front of a campsight. If i ever do and my 30’ 50amp won’t reach i will look for another sight or another campground. I have a 50’ 30 amp and a 30 to 50amp dog bone but i never carry the long cord. Its for my brother when he brings his motor home to my house.