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Truck Camper Forum _ Support Equipment _ To extend, or not to extend

Posted by: hooter56 May 20 2017, 07:46 AM

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?

Posted by: JADE RACING May 20 2017, 09:06 AM

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.

Posted by: RV_Tech May 20 2017, 02:19 PM

We carry one. I am not sure we will ever use it. We haven't in years. Maybe just lucky. smile.gif

Steve

Posted by: Chief 2 May 21 2017, 05:26 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-Adapter/dp/B00K1W1N58/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495362398&sr=8-2&keywords=30amp+to+110v+adapter

Posted by: RV_Tech May 22 2017, 07:28 AM

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-Adapter/dp/B00K1W1N58/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495362398&sr=8-2&keywords=30amp+to+110v+adapter
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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. smile.gif

Steve

Posted by: hooter56 May 28 2017, 12:09 PM

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. smile.gif

Steve
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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 wink.gif
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!

Posted by: 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.

Posted by: RV_Tech May 29 2017, 11:15 AM

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 wink.gif
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

Posted by: Freespool May 29 2017, 04:43 PM

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.

Posted by: Nobody May 30 2017, 10:53 AM

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.
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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."

Posted by: SidecarFlip May 31 2017, 08:40 AM

My problem is, I carry enough 'stuff' as it is. Don't need more. More 'stuff = more weight.

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