Handling the 50 AMP Power Cord

[Richard Wisner]

Just purchased our new 2011 Montana 3150RL. Curious if anyone has any ideas on how to handle/manage the massive 50 AMP power cord. I can not even decide what compartment to store it in when traveling. I have looked at some power reels, but they take up a lot of space.

[GregN]

Mine came with a round laundry basket that I coil it up in. I have seen some that use a five gallon bucket with lid. They cut the rim down u shaped on both sides on the bucket so the lid can be used and coil the cord in there. Others I have seen just curl it up like you would your garden hose and use velcro strapping to secure it.
The 50amp cord is a bit difficult to coil up when it is cold.

[MuddyPaws]

Laundry basket.

But wait until you try to coil it up on a cold morning!

[NCFischers]

I use a heavy rubber tub and coil it in there. It is more challenging when it's cold but not impossible.

[sreigle]

We coil ours into a round laundry basket. The easiest (now THERE is a relative term!) method I've found is to start feeding the cord into the basket and then spin the basket as you continue to feed it. That way you avoid the twists and kinks. Well, at least it helps some.

When we are breaking camp and it's chilly, like maybe 45 or so, I usually give up and just toss the cord into the bed of the truck and dig it out at the next stop.

MuddyPaws is right. Coiling it while cold is not fun.

[bncinwv]

Most of the time, I just place it inside the front door of the rig. First thing out, last thing in. I do wipe it down with a rag after every use.

[TheJeep]

X2 on the rubber tub

[MuddyPaws]

quote:Originally posted by MuddyPaws

Laundry basket.

But wait until you try to coil it up on a cold morning!

[padredw]

I'm with Bingo on this one. Maybe it's because we are "travelers" and not full timers, but I find that just coiling the cord right in the storage bay on the drivers/service side works fine. It is the last thing in as we depart and the first thing out when we arrive. I have never found any need for a storage container of any kind. JMO & Experience.

[Illini Trekker]

X3 as Bingo said!

[randye]

I just coil it around in the bed of the truck the last thing in and the first thing out.

[Lee F.]

X4 Like Bingo

[snfexpress]

We have a plastic tub adjacent to the convenience center. It is rectangular to accommodate our portable SurgeGuard. I put the tub on the ground or table and then while coiling it into the tub, I use a paper towel to clean it. Then, it is an easy job to lift the tub into the basement.

I also made about a 20' cord out of SO cable which is smaller, more flexible, lighter and more expensive than the anaconda cable that comes with our units (I was able to scrounge this cable for free). I find that the SO cord is used much more often than the OEM one. I also have an extension cord made of the same OEM cable and have used that, as well, but I store that one in the front compartment and use one of the those cable tie/handles from Home Depot for about 5 bucks.

[The Weekenders]

quote:Originally posted by randye

I just coil it around in the bed of the truck the last thing in and the first thing out.

X2

[okierver]

we have a 2011 montana high country 323rl. the first with 50 amp. i coiled mine up and used a strap from one of the rockers in the 5ver and snaped it and wraped it around the cord, then i bought a u hook from the deparment store and mounted it in the front left pass thru storage on the wall. and last thing in just hang it on the hook.

[grampachet]

Here is a link to how I coil mine, if it is really cold it is easier to toss into the bed of the tv.

http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_Kt...2/P1050547.JPG

[noneck]

X4 what Bingo said

[scductman]

I'm with Randye Put it in the truck. when I get home I pull it out and plug up in the back yard.
Bobby

[BB_TX]

About a year ago we were broken into. One of the things they took was the 50 amp cable. Turned out to be not such a bad thing. I bought one of the Marinco yellow 50 amp cables. Still heavy but a whole lot more flexible than that black one, especially when cold.
I just coil it up and throw it in the storage bay on the drivers side.

[kylec2]

We use a milk crate we purchased at The Container Store. I coil it up in the crate and spin it as I place the cord in the crate to keep the kinks out. When I am setup up camp, I turn the crate on its side and simply drag out the massive beast.