power cords

[Montana_4221]

I have been doing searches on the internet for a 30 amp power cord that will plug into the 50 amp receptacle on the rig. CW carries one made by Marinco that has a 25 foot cord on it for 129.00.

Do you know if one can be found for less or is that the going rate?

[richfaa]

You might find them on sale at Cw or other places but they are pricey.I know that the long 50amp cords are heaver than the 30 amp but did not think they were too much to handle.We went for to 50 to 30 adadptor..a lot less $.

[Charlie]

Michael-
I use a 30 amp 25'cord that I had purchased several years ago, but had to buy the Marinco 50-30 amp adapter and it cost somewhere around $80 so I was not out the cost of the cord plus the adapter. The $129 price for the cord and adapter sounds about right.

[2007dura]

I went with the Marinco 50-30 amp adapter and the 12" cord. A guy I worked with had a 25 foot 30 amp extension cord for sale for $5. I use this set-up all of the time now. Don't have to lug the heavy 50 amp cord. Got the adapter on sale at CW.

[Parrothead]

Michael
We use the adaptor - a lot less money. We leave the 50amp cord in the basket and unroll just as much as we need. It is easier to carry in the basket and also keeps the camp site neater. In all our years of RVing we've only needed an extension cord once. We knew we needed one at this particular CG and bought one. Wouldn't you know the only time we used it, we forgot it and left it at the site! Someone sure got a good deal on that one.
Happy trails..................

[Lstierw]

I think that it is a good idea to have both the 50 amp cord and also the 50/30 adaptor from the rig along with the 30 amp cord. We have found alot of 30 amp parks and the 30 amp cord will not take up much space....

[Montana Sky]

I have a 50amp cord, 30amp cord and a 50amp-30amp adaptor. I have been into a few parks where my 30amp cord was not long enough to reach, sure glad I had the extra 50amp to make the difference. I keep both my 50amp and 30amp cords rolled up in the laundry basket, just take out which one I need. Works well for me.

[OntMont]

We have the 30 amp Marinco, it is expensive, but it is one of those things where you get what you pay for. It is much easier to handle than the 50 amp, or even the regular 30 amp. Although you can get the short adaptor to use with a regular 30 amp, I would go for the 30 amp Marinco, you never regret buying a quality product, even though it is kind of pricey.

[kdeiss]

I purchase a 30 AMP marinco off the net about two years ago. A lot better price than CW and better quality that my origanal. It was a RV/ Marine supply. I would just search Marinco they also had the adapter.

[sreigle]

90% of the time I use our 30-amp cord attached to this adapter from Camping World:



They also have a 30 amp full length cord with this 50 amp connector on the FW end, at almost twice the price of the adapter.

[dsprik]

Steve, do you remember what the adapter cost?

[Northstar]

Steve, I have been looking for that type of adapter for some time now. Perhaps the next time I visit CW maybe they will have one in stock.

[bobgay]

Dave, the adapter (with 12" cord) is $79.99 at Camping World. The 25'cord is $128.99.

Northstar, you can buy this from CW over the internet (campingworld.com). Shipping is $1.00.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Bob!

[Garin1]

I know I am going to be sorry for asking this but,,,,,
if you have a 50 amp rig why are you using a thirty amp cord

[carlson]

You would probably need 50 amps if you have a dryer and second air conditioner and were running them all at the the same time.

If you look at the price of the adapter and a good 30 amp cord, you come out at about the same price as the 30 amp cord with the 50 amp plug.

Go to a marine supply place and save some money

[sreigle]

The 30 amp cord is very unwieldy to deal with, especially in cooler weather. The 30 amp cord is much more user friendly. So, if you don't need the full 50 amps, why deal with that cord?

In our case there's another reason. We have the older electrical system used in the early 2003 models and prior. Late 2003's (with the flat floor) have a better electrical setup. We have 2nd AC prep but no second AC. We have 50 amp service but it is split -- 20 amps for the 2nd AC we do not have and 30 amps for the rest of the coach. We do have a washer and dryer and can run them along with the AC (or substitute on elec heater on high or two on low) and two laptops, tv's, lights, etc., all while on a 30 amp connection. To run the microwave we'd have to shut off one of the high draw appliances first or we'd pop a breaker.

In our case the above is true whether we're hooked to 30 or 50 amp. The only time I put out the 50 amp cord is in Independence, MO, for Nov/Dec when it can get very cold. The reason is that should we pop a breaker I want it to be the one inside the coach, not the one out in the ice, snow, and cold. Sometimes the park's 30 amp breaker is weaker than ours and will pop before ours does. Connecting to 50 amps avoids me having to go out in the bad weather to reset the breaker. Last time I didn't even haul out the 50 amp cord. I just used the adapter on the Montana, then the 30 amp cord, then another adapter to attach that cord to the 50 amp park outlet so we were on a 50 amp breaker. I know, more info than you wanted to know.

[bobgay]

Good explanation, Sreigle. Your approach sure sounds a lot easier than having to wrestle with that 50 amp cord.

[sreigle]

By the way, Garin1, that was a good question. Exactly the kind of info we try to learn and make available on this forum. Thanks for asking it.

[jpbcny]

My 2006 329RLS Montaineer came with a 50 AMP Power Center, as it doesn't have a 2nd A/C, or a Washer/Dryer this is a bit of overkill, I have yet to stay in a Campground with 50 AMP Service (I mainly camp in the New York State Park System, amd do some Basic Site Camping, with no utilities). I purchased the 50 AMP to 30 AMP Adapter, and I have (2) 25 FT 30 AMP extension cords, which helps me reach the electric on some unconventional sites. I certainly would only use the 50 AMP cord if it were the only option.

JP