50 Amp Service On Travel Trailer?

[Rob0702]

Does anyone know why travel trailers are now coming equipped with 50 Amp service, and not 30 Amp service like it used to be? In the past, 50 Amp service was reserved for Class A Motorhomes, with specific campsites set aside for them. My 2022 Palomino Puma came with 50 Amp service. Most of the campgrounds I have been to are all 30 Amp service, which required me to get a 50 Amp to 30 Amp "dogbone" adapter. If the unit is meant to be connected to 50 Amp service, then anything less than 50 Amps at the campsite is going to be a step down from what power the camper was meant to be connected to. I know the trailer has a power converter, but is there a downside to not being connected to a 50 Amp service?

 

[dangerranger]

As TT's get bigger and bigger they use more power. My own TT is wired for a second A/C, Microwave, convection oven, 3 TV's, an electric fireplace, etc.... I may not use all that but its there and someone is using it. DR

 

[wmtire]

I know the trailer has a power converter, but is there a downside to not being connected to a 50 Amp service?

The downside is you can only use up to 3600 watts of electrical items when connected to a 120 volt AC 30 amp outlet vs using up to 12,000 watts of electrical items when connected to a 120/240 volt AC 50 amp outlet.

It's almost a 2/3rds difference. See this link:

https://www.rvtechmag.com/electrical/chapter3.php

Not sure what you mean by "know the trailer has a power converter". Here is a link on what the converter does:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/converter-or-inverter-they-are-different-152813.html

 

[Rob0702]

50 Amp Service

Thanks for the reply. I can understand 50 Amp for larger travel trailers with 2 A/C units, multiple TV's and such. I have a 27' TT with 1 A/C unit and 1 TV. So it must be they new norm for the RV industry to just make all campers with 50 Amp service. I'm thinking that being hooked up to 30 AMP service would minimize me being able to use the A/C and the microwave, or other appliances at the same time. I don't think that's an issue if you're connected to 50 Amp hookup.

 

[Rob0702]

Thanks for the very informative article! It all makes sense!

 

[D W]

My TT is only 30a. Sometimes we travel into the interior where it does get hot. We run the A/C, but we have to manage the loads.

Sort of like this:

 

[bikendan]

Thanks for the reply. I can understand 50 Amp for larger travel trailers with 2 A/C units, multiple TV's and such. I have a 27' TT with 1 A/C unit and 1 TV. So it must be they new norm for the RV industry to just make all campers with 50 Amp service. I'm thinking that being hooked up to 30 AMP service would minimize me being able to use the A/C and the microwave, or other appliances at the same time. I don't think that's an issue if you're connected to 50 Amp hookup.

I've never seen a TT with 50amp, under 26ft. Usually a 50amp TT is over 28ft.
Extra tvs use very little power and don't require 50amp service.
Newer RVs have much more technology and bling, than older RVs.
Fireplaces, second a/c and other luxuries do require more power since they aren't 12v.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Does your trailer meet the specs for the optional limited edition package?