Power Cord Length - Montana Owners Club

Doug K · 03-08-2012, 01:34 PM

I'm finally getting close to finishing up the refurb of our new to us 2006 3400rl Monty and I need to buy a 50 amp power cord. The cord was missing when we bought the 5th wheel. What do you recommend for the length of the cord? I'm thinking a 25' or 30'.

Doug & Virginia

bncinwv · 03-08-2012, 01:58 PM

The one that came with our rig is 30'. Depending on where you camp, I would think 25' would be plenty. The connection is on the rear and most sites have the power pedestal close to the rear of the site (at least everyone we have camped at does.
Bingo

jimcol · 03-08-2012, 02:31 PM

When the 30' is too long you can always put the excess in a loop on the ground. When the 25' is a foot too short! Well it's too short. I guess the same can be said when the 30' is a foot too short. In 6 years with this rig I have only been too short once with the 30 foot cord and had to extend it with my 30 amp extension cord. Jim

awaywego · 03-08-2012, 02:35 PM

I have been in several sites where I had to leave the trailer closer to the front because the cord would not reach. I now have a 15 foot 50 amp extension cord to add to the original if I need it. As Bingo says I think it is about 30 ft. It will reach from the rear to about the storage compartment doors and the trailer measures 39 ft.

1retired06 · 03-08-2012, 02:46 PM

You should be good with the stock length; we always have been.

Bill-N-Donna · 03-08-2012, 02:54 PM

If I had the choice I would go with the longer one. However, if you’ve seen some of the postings on this forum it’s like dealing and wrestling an Anaconda especially when it gets cold. We use the 50 amp cord whenever we can but we also have a 30 amp cord for whenever the 50 isn’t available. If for some reason the 50 amp would be too short using the proper adapters and plugs we can use the 30 amp for more length. With the 30 amp we are somewhat limited on power usage but a 30 amp will work for us. I really like having this set up because we actually have a choice and sometimes I think that is good.

Bill-N-Donna · 03-08-2012, 03:01 PM

On another note, having a cord too long may be a problem with voltage drop but I’ve never had a situation where it has been problem. I’m not certain at what point it would make a difference or where it would be too much length for what you may be using. There are other people on this forum more knowledgeable in this area and may have a comment or two on that.

BB_TX · 03-08-2012, 03:23 PM

I have a 30' 50 amp cord, and a 25' 30 amp cord for when the park only has 30 amp service. Both have always been adequate. But twice after getting jacks and stabilizers down I had to raise them back up and pull the trailer up about 3' because I had stopped just a little too far from the outlet.

An extension would have been nice, but another thing to carry. But now that distance is the first thing I check when I pull in.

**DQDick** · 03-08-2012, 03:38 PM

We have the 30' original and a 25', 50amp extension. We've used the extension twice and will have to use it again this summer in our camp hosting job. We don't really need a 25' extension, 10' would probably be adequate, but I got it on sale and it's nice to know I won't come up short.

NCFischers · 03-08-2012, 11:51 PM

Bill,
The cord would need to be a great deal longer for voltage drop to be an issue.

southern thunder · 03-09-2012, 12:39 AM

I have the standard cord and had to purchase a 15 foot 50amp extension on our last trip. I may never need it again, but I did once.

DonandJudy_12 · 03-09-2012, 05:14 AM

Go to an electrical contractor and purchase whatever length cord you decide you need- Be sure to buy the best cord available- You can buy connectors at most RV accessory stores to assemble your own power cord- The reason to buy the best cord available is that cord is more flexible and also most efficient- In colder weather, you will appreciate the flexibility- The better cord is also smaller in circumference so it takes up less space- Just ask me how I know- JMHO- Don

Doug K · 03-09-2012, 05:48 AM

Thanks for all the info. If 30' is the stock length I think I'll just go with that. I do have an extra 30 amp cord from my boating days that I can modify for when only 30 amp service is available.

Doug & Virginia

8.1al · 03-09-2012, 05:56 AM

30' should do you fine Doug. We carry 30amp cord with us "just in case" and in over 8 yrs. of fulltiming have never had to use it

washley1 · 03-09-2012, 06:21 AM

I must camp in a whole different world than many of you. I have been to MANY places where I needed the stock 30' 50 amp cord, coupled with a 30' 50 amp extension, as well as at least one place where I had to add a 30' 30amp extension on to that!

CamillaMichael · 03-09-2012, 06:39 AM

Agree with others, 30' is the way to go.

**DQDick** · 03-11-2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by washley1

I must camp in a whole different world than many of you. I have been to MANY places where I needed the stock 30' 50 amp cord, coupled with a 30' 50 amp extension, as well as at least one place where I had to add a 30' 30amp extension on to that!

This has been my experience also, but what it really says to you is: Start with the 30' 50amp and add to your collection if you find yourself in situations where you need more. If you're going to a "new" state park or similar park, call and ask before you go. Usually for us, however, it's been that we wanted the particular campsite (normally for the view) that for whatever reason wasn't set up for a rig our size but had space for it. We used a regular site that first trip and came back with more cord the next trip.

Hooker · 03-11-2012, 06:31 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

We have the 30' original and a 25', 50amp extension.

Same here.

We have stayed in CGs where you have to park opposite the normal direction to be facing the scenery. In one park if you pull into the space normally (in a 5th wheel) the rear picture window is facing away from the river and towards other RVs. When we did that, the power stalk was on the opposite corner of the Montana's receptical...thus the ext cord.

steelpony5555 · 03-11-2012, 08:30 AM

If you're buying new go with the 30' not much different in price. The 30 amp cord will get you by for those times you need longer but at least it is more flexible and smaller and easier to store.

CamillaMichael · 03-11-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by denandannie

When we traded our Cougar for the Monty, we kept the additional 30 amp cord extension I had added. Glad I did. The 50 amp is a hernia in the making. Plus, I really could not afford the 50 amp surge protector. I already had a 30 amp surge protector, so I use the 30 amp cord with an 50 amp adapter. I can run everything in the rig with a 30 amp cord, as long as I remember not to run the a/c and the microwave at the same time.

Agree that the 50amp power cord is heavy, but we made a decision to have the additional "power users" installed on our Montana and want to be able to use them when we want to use them...which means in most cases needing the 50amp power input. In order to make using that 50amp cord a little easier, we have a platic container sized to, and devoted to, the 50amp cord...the container is a lot easier to manuever in and out of the basement than the cord by itself. It has turned out to be a good fix for us.

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