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Old 07-06-2017, 06:28 PM   #1
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Power cord extension?

On our way to Maine and have encountered a couple of campgrounds where the pedestal was too far to hook up to! We flat moved from one place as the temps called for A/C, the second one (Pinery Provincial) was no problem as it was great at sunset. BUT, I guess if I run into this again in hot country, an extension to the power cord is in order. Best just to have another 25' cord with 3 prong plugs at each end? At least 10 gauge?
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Old 07-06-2017, 06:45 PM   #2
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Yep, 10 gauge. Matches the gauge of the stock cord, and 10 gauge is fine for a 50' run.
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Old 07-06-2017, 08:00 PM   #3
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On our way to Maine and have encountered a couple of campgrounds where the pedestal was too far to hook up to! We flat moved from one place as the temps called for A/C, the second one (Pinery Provincial) was no problem as it was great at sunset. BUT, I guess if I run into this again in hot country, an extension to the power cord is in order. Best just to have another 25' cord with 3 prong plugs at each end? At least 10 gauge?
Yes, we have had to use an extension a number of times. And on water, have even been too far with two hoses. Once we had the water filter on and a third hose of 3' to just make it. Another time, could not make it with that.
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Old 07-06-2017, 08:20 PM   #4
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Ready-made 30-amp RV extension cords are available; that's the fully-functional and straightforward solution for this occasional problem. That's what I have.

If you have the (optional or owner-installed) removable power cord, you can use a 30-amp extension that plugs into the trailer and the trailer's normal (removable) cord. That means that the connection between cords is the twist-lock (NEMA L5-30) instead of the straight RV type (TT-30)... which doesn't matter much but is a little easier to use and more secure. This would commonly be called a 30-amp generator extension cord; you can even get them with weather covers just like the trailer's removable cord (as a marine or RV accessory).

An alternative is a common but heavy-gauge 15-amp extension cord, preferably with at least 12-gauge conductors; you would use an adapter to connect the trailer's cord to it, and plug into the 15-amp or 20-amp outlet at the pedestal. This isn't really suitable for air conditioning, though - it is for lower demands.
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Old 07-06-2017, 08:52 PM   #5
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The extension cords appear to be color-coded as well, with the yellow ones being bigger than the orange ones. I bought a yellow extension cord for my trailer. It's stowed away so I can't check, but I think it is 10 gauge and either 25 or 50 feet long. It was expensive-- $45. Hope someone doesn't steal it when I'm using it.

BTW- at 104F the Escape trailer power cord is quite flexible. It flops around like a wet noodle. You have to find humor where you can in heat like this.
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Old 07-06-2017, 09:32 PM   #6
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The extension cords appear to be color-coded as well, with the yellow ones being bigger than the orange ones. I bought a yellow extension cord for my trailer. It's stowed away so I can't check, but I think it is 10 gauge and either 25 or 50 feet long. It was expensive-- $45. Hope someone doesn't steal it when I'm using it.

BTW- at 104F the Escape trailer power cord is quite flexible. It flops around like a wet noodle. You have to find humor where you can in heat like this.
I bought a 15A 50' 12 gauge, it's yellow too.
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Old 07-06-2017, 10:48 PM   #7
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I carry 25' (I believe) 30A extension cable. I have only used it a half dozen times, but it sure was handy when I needed it. I carry a water and sewer extension too.
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Old 07-07-2017, 02:32 PM   #8
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Power cord extension?

In my Bigfoot I carried both a 25' 30A extension and a 25' 15A extension. I used the 30A once in 2 1/2 years and never used the 15A. In my 5.0 TA I'll only carry the 30A, plus a 30-15 adapter and a 15-30 adapter. If I ever need a 15A extension, I'll use the 30 with both adapters.
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