To extend, or not to extend, 30 amp extension cord necessary?
To extend, or not to extend, 30 amp extension cord necessary?
hooter56 |
May 20 2017, 07:46 AM
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#1
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Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 18-January 17 From: Mid-Michigan Member No.: 9,373 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: GMC 3500HD 4WD Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac Truck and Camper Setup: Lance 950S |
I plan on boondocking most of the time, especially when I'm alone. With my wife's pending retirement looming all too soon, I will be venturing into parks and organised campsites more often. Do you think it will be necessary for me to have a 25-30 ft extension for my 30 amp shore power cord?
I don't have a problem dropping the cash, but do I really need to haul this thing around if I don't need it? I'm sure it will depend on how close I can get to the power source but is this going to be the case more often than not? |
JADE RACING |
May 20 2017, 09:06 AM
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#2
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Group: Members Posts: 46 Joined: 12-December 14 Member No.: 7,895 Favorite Truck Camper(s): adventurer Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 07 gmc 3500 dually D/A Type of Tiedowns used: torklift/fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: 07GMC3500 dually diesel/auto airbags torklift tiedowns/fastguns 56 gal transferflow tank banks spd brake/tuner;06 adventurer 106DBS 2.5ownan geny awning topper torklift stairs remote bbq rear awning ext trl hitch/basket for sewer tote |
We down sized a few years back and had a 40 ft. 30 amp extension that was hanging in our garage that I stowed in our truck bed, which we have used at least once on every outing traveling these last few years with both t/c's . Happy wife-happy life.
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RV_Tech |
May 20 2017, 02:19 PM
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#3
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Group: Members Posts: 201 Joined: 27-July 12 Member No.: 6,199 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper. |
We carry one. I am not sure we will ever use it. We haven't in years. Maybe just lucky.
Steve |
Chief 2 |
May 21 2017, 05:26 AM
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#4
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Group: Members Posts: 59 Joined: 19-March 17 Member No.: 9,469 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2005 Chevrolet 3500 4x4 Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac with Quick Loads Truck and Camper Setup: 2005 Chevy 3500 4x4 Edge Attitude, 4" exhaust, Airaid Air Intake, Ranchos, Air Bags, Hellwig Big Wig, Cabover struts. Lance 1172 loaded with 200 watt Renogy solar and Zamp controller |
I carry one with me, but if you are camping where you won't need air conditioning you may vey well get by with a good regular extension cord and a adapter that would allow you to plug your 30 amp cord into it.
https://www.amazon.com/Arcon-13993-AC-Power...to+110v+adapter |
RV_Tech |
May 22 2017, 07:28 AM
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#5
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Group: Members Posts: 201 Joined: 27-July 12 Member No.: 6,199 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper. |
QUOTE(Chief 2 @ May 21 2017, 06:26 AM) I carry one with me, but if you are camping where you won't need air conditioning you may vey well get by with a good regular extension cord and a adapter that would allow you to plug your 30 amp cord into it. https://www.amazon.com/Arcon-13993-AC-Power...to+110v+adapter This is a good point and an interesting one. In some cases, if you watch your power usage, you can even use a 20 amp cord and run the air. You just can't use the microwave or any high draw appliance at the same time. For example, you seldom will see an AC drawing more than 15 amps which would still leave a cushion for a power converter, but not for the fridge, power converter, and other stuff. Additionally some manufacturers used AC units with less draw. For example, my Hallmark using a smaller unit which draws about 11 amps. Like so many things with RVs, it just depends on what you want to do and how you want to use your equipment. Steve |
hooter56 |
May 28 2017, 12:09 PM
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#6
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Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 18-January 17 From: Mid-Michigan Member No.: 9,373 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Lance Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: GMC 3500HD 4WD Type of Tiedowns used: Happijac Truck and Camper Setup: Lance 950S |
QUOTE(RV_Tech @ May 22 2017, 07:28 AM) This is a good point and an interesting one. In some cases, if you watch your power usage, you can even use a 20 amp cord and run the air. You just can't use the microwave or any high draw appliance at the same time. For example, you seldom will see an AC drawing more than 15 amps which would still leave a cushion for a power converter, but not for the fridge, power converter, and other stuff. Additionally some manufacturers used AC units with less draw. For example, my Hallmark using a smaller unit which draws about 11 amps. Like so many things with RVs, it just depends on what you want to do and how you want to use your equipment. Steve We did the 20 amp extension cord. After she ran her mini hair dryer for about 10 minutes the breaker popped. I assume about the same time the furnace kicked in I'm getting the extension. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Thank you for your invaluable input! |
SidecarFlip |
May 28 2017, 05:57 PM
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#7
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
My shore power cord is plenty long enough if I ever had to plug into a pedestal, which I never have had to in 25 years.
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RV_Tech |
May 29 2017, 11:15 AM
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#8
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Group: Members Posts: 201 Joined: 27-July 12 Member No.: 6,199 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Hallmark, Northstar, Outfitter Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: F-350 SRW 6.2 Supercab Type of Tiedowns used: Happijack front, Torklift rear Truck and Camper Setup: Hallmark Ute XL No modes to truck Torklift Fast Guns Fast guns had to be cut down to absolute minimum (14 1/2") to use with Happijac front tie down and Hallmark camper. |
QUOTE(hooter56 @ May 28 2017, 01:09 PM) We did the 20 amp extension cord. After she ran her mini hair dryer for about 10 minutes the breaker popped. I assume about the same time the furnace kicked in I'm getting the extension. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Thank you for your invaluable input! I am surprised the furnace played any role in that as the amp draw, even if just off the converter with no battery on board, is pretty minimal. What breaker tripped? Steve |
Freespool |
May 29 2017, 04:43 PM
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#9
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Group: Members Posts: 167 Joined: 2-June 16 Member No.: 8,975 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Still deciding Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 2016 GMC3500dualyy4x4diesel Type of Tiedowns used: Torklift with Fastguns Truck and Camper Setup: The plan will utilize a 3500 GMC with a 11 or 12' TC with a full compliment of Torklift hitch components and tie downs. Stable loads if needed will be installed. |
I carry one and think you would be wise to do the same thing along with a best quality 40-50 foot 20 amp cord. I use electric starters for the bar-b-que and I also charge boat battery's while camping. Having the right size and length electric cords is a must. Speaking of extra weight, don't forget the chains and locks to prevent your camping gear from disappearing.
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Nobody |
May 30 2017, 10:53 AM
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#10
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Group: Members Posts: 124 Joined: 5-November 12 Member No.: 6,339 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Palomino Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: '99 Ford F-250 SuperCab long bed, 7.3L Power Stroke Type of Tiedowns used: Blackstone Mfg Co Camper Clampers, looking for TorkLift Truck and Camper Setup: 2003 SunLite 8.5 WTSB, modified roof lift to support roof air |
QUOTE(SidecarFlip @ May 28 2017, 05:57 PM) My shore power cord is plenty long enough if I ever had to plug into a pedestal, which I never have had to in 25 years. I too have a 30amp cord that I consider 'long enough' to reach most campground power pedestals. I do remember that on one occasion we were at Daniel Boone SP in Kentucky & didn't have enough cord to reach the pedestal (or hose to reach the water faucet, bought extra hose at the C/G store). We used a spare 12ga cord that I carry plus the 15-20/30amp adaptor. Fortunately we didn't require the air conditioner & the 12ga cord worked fine for the fridge & lights for the camper. This happened years ago when we had a large, solid wall camper, LEDs were unheard of then so we just had regular incandescent bulbs. Dunno what would have happened if we'd needed the AC?? I now carry an extra 25', 30amp cord just in case. If I can't reach the pedestal with 50' of cord, I'll find another place to camp... As hooter56 says, "better to have it & not need it than need it & not have it." |
SidecarFlip |
May 31 2017, 08:40 AM
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#11
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Group: Members Posts: 472 Joined: 15-October 16 Member No.: 9,221 Favorite Truck Camper(s): Forest River Palomino SS Type and Brand of Truck(s) Owned: 1997 Ford F350 4x4 LB SRW CC 7.3 diesel Type of Tiedowns used: HappyJac standard Truck and Camper Setup: 1997 Ford F350 4 door 4x4 Crew Cab 7.3 Diesel, Lance 915 loaded, 2015 Palomino SS1500 Loaded |
My problem is, I carry enough 'stuff' as it is. Don't need more. More 'stuff = more weight.
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