Flattened our power cord!

[Melntb1]

Newbie mistake...Need advice/help! I have a 2017 Forester 3011 DS. We set up in the dark last night and because of where the power pole was our power cord had to run under the motorhome. We used our Bigfoot levelers and brought the slides out and decided to call it a night and really set up camp in the morning. When we woke up to proceed setting all the gear out we noticed one of the leveler jacks had come down on the power cord and flattened it. Do we need to get a new one? Will this cause a fire or something? We are not very close to any rv places at the moment. Lesson learned [emoji853]

[Mountainmanbob]

I would split cut the casing so as to make sure (for now) that the inside wires are not and will not touch each other. Possibly they are not that smashed inside? Inspect. Tape up good -- possibly buy new when available?
M-Bob

[Dp26]

Presuming you are not looking at this as a DIY. I would visit a local electric shop, have them look at it, and if a fix is needed, they can do it. Probably not that expensive. But, if they have to cut or splice, ask to lengthen it some, say to 40ft, to lessen the need for extension cord, and so you have enough to not need to go near your levelers.

[DDC]

Since it never shorted out it is more than likely ok.

[KyDan]

If it's not split or showing actual damage, me, I'd just continue to use it. Keep an eye on it. I wouldn't deliberately open it up and I for sure wouldn't splice it.
Just my 2 ¢

[babock]

I would not continue using it until I opened up the jacket. The insulation on the wires inside might have gotten peeled off two wires and all it would take is certain bend and they would short to each other.

[Old Forester]

You probably just redistributed the "filler" between the conductors, which is generally paper or foam. IF the OUTER jacket is not cut by the stabilizer feet, then the inner conductors will be fine. It may not "look" nice, BUT,, do you want to drop $100 plus for the mistake???. A little massaging after the power supply cable has been in the sunlight for awhile could likely make the physical appearance look better... if in doubt, check the resistance with a really good Ohm meter.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Mountainmanbob

I would split cut the casing so as to make sure (for now) that the inside wires are not and will not touch each other. Possibly they are not that smashed inside? Inspect. Tape up good -- possibly buy new when available?
M-Bob

Be SURE To unplug it before you open up the outer jacket.

If there is a break in the jacket around one of the hot wires (one red the other black) and you touch it with your knife, or if your knife penetrates to the wire, it WILL NOT be pretty if it is plugged in!

Like several have said, you are "probably" OK, I just HATE that word as it concerns my safety!

Id open it, tape it back up and use it if the inner wires are all OK. There are those two hot ones plus a white neutral and a ground that is green inside that outer black jacket.

From now on, level it before you connect the power or water or cable to prevent a re-occurrence.

[Drew Schmidt]

Since this is a new RV, check with your dealer if it is covered by warranty or if you purchased it, service contract. Personally, what is your health and safety worth? Cost of a new power cord is a lot less than any health issues (shock) or an electrical fire!!! Better safe than sorry!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Drew Schmidt

Since this is a new RV, check with your dealer if it is covered by warranty or if you purchased it, service contract. Personally, what is your health and safety worth? Cost of a new power cord is a lot less than any health issues (shock) or an electrical fire!!! Better safe than sorry!

Agreed, it is worth a shot at the warranty, etc. But I never heard of a warranty covering owner caused damage.

Another repair would be to purchase two new ends for the cord. Cut it where it is damaged and put a male and female on each end. You will end up with the same length of cord in two pieces and at a MUCH lower cost than an entire new cord.

[satdog01]

When it is plugged in check around, before and after
Flattened area, if it warmer than rest of cable or ends! Get rid of it.
Personally if shows extreme flatness I would toss it!
Either way I would replace it as soon as possible? The rolling and unrolling
Will eventually cause issues. You can bend and unbend copper enough, it will break even inside The sheafh!

[jtesta1]

Use the cord as. The copper will still flow the voltage thru a flat wire. You just changed the shape of the wire not its molecular structure.

[BobFlorida]

If you have put so much pressure on what is usually a very substantial power cable to flatten it, it should be replaced. You have basically destroyed the integrity of the cable and, though it still worked for the night, you need to replace it. Every time you put it away, get it out or pull it around on the ground you are going to be stressing that weakened part of the cable. At some point it is likely to fail - and it could be with serious results. Main power cables are not something to defer maintenance on.

[Mainframe]

Cable is fine, use it.

[Bama Rambler]

My first question is, how flat is it? Can you post a picture of it?

Unless the outer jacket is split, the cable is most likely fine.

As long as it's not tripping the pedestal breaker I'd continue using it.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by BobFlorida

If you have put so much pressure on what is usually a very substantial power cable to flatten it, it should be replaced. You have basically destroyed the integrity of the cable and, though it still worked for the night, you need to replace it. Every time you put it away, get it out or pull it around on the ground you are going to be stressing that weakened part of the cable. At some point it is likely to fail - and it could be with serious results. Main power cables are not something to defer maintenance on.

X 2

When I see damage it is time to replace electric cords. When you see comments that include "probably ", "most likely " , and etc it is time to have a professional test it or to be sure replace it. Once you see a MH burn you will not consider a $150 cost.

[CC75]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

X 2

When I see damage it is time to replace electric cords. When you see comments that include "probably ", "most likely " , and etc it is time to have a professional test it or to be sure replace it. Once you see a MH burn you will not consider a $150 cost.

X^2

You are only talking about $150. Don't eat out once or twice and it will be paid for. Why would you even chance it.

[SilverbackMel]

Well, my 5er was in the shop recently and I went to plug in at the campground and never suspected the center used MY CORD FROM THE REEL!! Once I called: ohh yeah, we had a forklift crush one yesterday, must be yours!!
Fortunately I am equipped to step down to 30 or even 20 amp. I used 30 and next day the dealership was out $240 retail for a new 50 amp replacement. Going to a shop? Empty your rv!!

[SpringerPop]

If you didn't cut the outer jacket, you didn't cut the inner jackets.

Just use it.

Pop

[juhesihcaaa]

This is one of those things that I would replace it as a "better safe than sorry" situation. The power cords are cheap compared to the cost of fire damage.