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06-12-2015, 04:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Removable vs fixed power cord.
For those contemplating the decision of fixed versus removable, here is another aspect to consider. I leave my unit plugged in at home and use a 15 amp extension with an adapter. After 5 years of outside use it is starting to show wear and tear from the elements. Your permanent cord will also do the same if used 24/7/365. It is a lot cheaper to replace a 15 amp cord than the heavier 30 amp cord set. I leave my 30 amp inside the front box and throw the extension inside the trailer. Some over night stays I use the smaller cord if a/c is not contemplated. Easier to use and stow and replace. Just my .02$ worth.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-12-2015, 05:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Another possibility, and the path that we're taking:
Have a 25 ft. 30 amp extension cord, that's used in most cases. Amazon price is less than $50. That's much, much cheaper than the "removable" option.
Just plug into the hard-wired cord cap from the trailer. When you need the extra length, pull out as much of the hard-wired cord as necessary.
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06-12-2015, 05:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Too clever.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-12-2015, 06:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews
Another possibility, and the path that we're taking:
Have a 25 ft. 30 amp extension cord, that's used in most cases. Amazon price is less than $50. That's much, much cheaper than the "removable" option.
Just plug into the hard-wired cord cap from the trailer. When you need the extra length, pull out as much of the hard-wired cord as necessary.
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Do you mean plugging into the non-removable cord and keeping the non-removable one in the trailer most of the time? We have a 30-amp extension cord but we only use it when our cord is not long enough.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-12-2015, 06:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,545
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I have a short 30A extension cord in my trailer I carry for setup in sites where needed. Handy when travelling with friends, and wanting to orient the RVs to face each other. It rarely gets used, as other than the Escape Rally, my trailer is only plugged in while at home. I still haven't done it yet, but I do plan to buy the adapter to be able to use a regular 15A cable with at home. Heck, seeing I don't have A/C, it would probably be better as an extension cord than the spare 30A I carry.
After going with the onboard "Stuff it in, pull it out" cord for 4 years, then converting to the removable cord, of these two options, I would never do anything but the removable, as for me the pros far outweigh the cons. My only regret, is that I never converted it earlier.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-12-2015, 06:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Why is it one can buy a 16/3, 14/3, or 12/3, 15 amp 50' extension cord? Is the 16/3 dangerous or the 12/3 a waste of money?
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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06-12-2015, 07:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,545
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
Why is it one can buy a 16/3, 14/3, or 12/3, 15 amp 50' extension cord? Is the 16/3 dangerous or the 12/3 a waste of money?
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The 16g is fine if the loads are light, and the 12g is better for near full 15A loads at a long distance as the line lose is less.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-12-2015, 07:23 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I think I'm using a 15' of 16/3 cord that can handle maybe 10 amps. It handles my small heater in the winter as well as the trailer residuals without any issues.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-12-2015, 08:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
The 16g is fine if the loads are light, and the 12g is better for near full 15A loads at a long distance as the line lose is less.
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Thanks, JimB
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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06-13-2015, 12:18 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Floating Cloud
Do you mean plugging into the non-removable cord and keeping the non-removable one in the trailer most of the time? ........
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Yup, that's it exactly.
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06-13-2015, 02:35 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews
Another possibility, and the path that we're taking:
Have a 25 ft. 30 amp extension cord, that's used in most cases. Amazon price is less than $50. That's much, much cheaper than the "removable" option.
Just plug into the hard-wired cord cap from the trailer. When you need the extra length, pull out as much of the hard-wired cord as necessary.
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Sounds reasonable to me . Great idea and money saver . Pat
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06-13-2015, 05:02 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Trailer: 2014 17b/ 2012 Chevy Colorado
Posts: 736
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We elected to go with the removable cord as I assumed it would give us extra storage space inside. We store the cord in the front bin. (an option we are very pleased with despite its' high cost)
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06-13-2015, 06:18 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,046
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There seems to be close to 50/50 on removable vs non-removable power cord. Most seem happy with their choice. I am. It's one of those items, when I was working on my build sheet, I decided I could do later if needed/wanted. I preferred to put my option money to something I didn't want to do later (due to my lacking skills), like the propane quick connect.
As Kathie says, it's all good.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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06-13-2015, 07:52 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,372
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I made an adapter that goes from a standard 15 amp pug to a Marino twist lock & use it when I only have a 15/20 amp receptacle available, or with a #12 extension cord when I need a longer cord (I have always carried 2 -25' #12 cords in the RAV4). It also gives me a spare Marino connector, which might be difficult to find on the road...
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06-13-2015, 11:31 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2015 17B Sold 5/2016
Posts: 343
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Reading this thread is making me have one of my, “wish I'd done it” moments. When time permits I'll make the change and do something similar what Jon did.
__________________
Pat
Life is Good
When "Escaping Reality" Sold 5/2016
2012 4Runner
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06-13-2015, 02:55 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
Why is it one can buy a 16/3, 14/3, or 12/3, 15 amp 50' extension cord? Is the 16/3 dangerous or the 12/3 a waste of money?
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I don't think you can. You can certainly buy a 16/3 50' cord, and it has the same plug as a 14/3 or 12/3 cord, but is it suitable for 15 amps? I think Jim and Jim are right - this is about a 10-amp cord, and for many uses that's all that's needed.
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06-13-2015, 04:34 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
I don't think you can. You can certainly buy a 16/3 50' cord, and it has the same plug as a 14/3 or 12/3 cord, but is it suitable for 15 amps? I think Jim and Jim are right - this is about a 10-amp cord, and for many uses that's all that's needed.
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Right you are, small print shows 13 amps.
Yellow polar/solar jacket maintains total flexibility to -67 degrees f
3-conductor, 16-gauge wire, 13-amp rating
Medium duty, small drill, jig saw, sump pump
Power indicator light lets you know where the power is
Ul listed and meets osha specifications
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Happy Motoring
Bob
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06-14-2015, 09:19 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Sacramento, California
Trailer: 2017 Bigfoot 25
Posts: 275
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Our Casita's cord was non-removable, our Escape (bought used) came with a removable power cord. Now that I've had both, I prefer the removable one, as it is one less path into the trailer for unwanted guests.
__________________
DeadEye Dan
2017 Bigfoot 25 Rear Bed
2017 RAM 2500 Cummins Diesel
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