User Guide For 30 amp RV Extension Cord 50 ft

Sometimes, parking your RV near a power pedestal may not be enough to get your RV connected to the power source. This is why it is often advised you go along with an RV extension cord. 

Suppose you find yourself in such a situation where you need an extension cord for connecting your RV to electrical hookups, then a 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft is a great option. Here's a guide for a 30 amp RV extension cord 50 ft and everything you need to know about it.

RV 101® - RV Education - 30 Amp RV vs 50 Amp RV

 

What is a 30 Amp RV Extension Cord? 

A 30 amp RV extension cord is used on a 30 amp RV that cannot connect directly to the power source using only the power cable. 

A typical 30 amp RV extension cord has three prongs. One of the prongs is a 120-volt hot wire, another is a neutral wire, and the third is a ground wire. The 30 amp rv extension cord is larger than the 15 amp but not as big as the 50 amp. Also, its prongs are arranged differently from the other types of RV extension cords. 

Compared to the 15 amp RV extension cord, the 30 amp RV extension cord 50 ft has thin prongs at an angle instead of parallel or straight up and down.

A perfect example of an RV that used the 30 amp RV extension cord is the Class B campervan with a single air conditioner. 

To understand the type of electricity a 30 amp extension cord 50ft sends into RV, here's an explanation. A 30 amp RV extension cord brings into your RV a 30 amp, 120-volt service, which is equal to 3,600 watts. 

 

Why You Need a 30 amp RV Extension Cord 

Often the electrical system of an RV can either be powered by batteries or external power sources. This source can include generators and specific electrical sources. 

At times, while trying to connect your 30 amp RV to the power pedestal, you may discover the 30 amp power cord is short and is unable to connect to the power pedestal due to length. In such cases, you will need to look for an effective and reliable solution. With a 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft, you can easily solve this issue. 

It would be best if you, however, kept in mind that the 30 amp RV extension cord comes in various lengths. So, the length of the extension cord you will be getting will depend on the distance between your RV and the power pedestal. You can get the 15ft, 25ft, or the 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft. 

 

The Specifications of 30 Amp RV Extension Cord  

Depending on the manufacturer of the particular 30 amp RV extension cord you are trying to buy, the specifications vary. But ideally, you're meant to use a 30 amp RV extension cord for a 30 amp RV. Below is an example of the specification of a 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft.

 

Specification: 

Male plug: 30 amp

Female plug: 30 amp connector.

Rated: 125 volts/ 3750 watts

To be used for RVs with 30 amps twist lock power inlet and require being plugged into a 30 amp power pedestal. 

 

How To Use 30 Amp RV Extension Cord And Accessories Needed 

HOOK UP with POWER - (Power Grip RV Extension Cords)

Using a 30 amp RV extension cord is straightforward. Once you've bought your desired length of the 30 amp RV extension cord, the next is to connect to the 30 amp RV power cord, after which the extension cord will be connected to the power pedestal. While using your 30 amp RV extension cord, we listed below some precautions to follow.

 

Stay Safe

Powering your RV from an external power source means dealing with high voltage. Thus, you must be careful with your connection. For safety purposes, you must ensure your 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft has a ground connection. 

With the aid of the ground monitoring light built into the connector and the power transmission light inside the plug, you can monitor if there's continuous power flow and visually check the ground connection. 

 

Practice Safe Disconnection

While unplugging your 30 amp RV cord from the power pedestal, ensure you don't pull on the cord but rather hold firmly onto the plug to disconnect. If the plug has an inbuilt handle, you can use this. 

 

Keep The Point of Connection Above The Ground

While using your 30 amp RV power cord 50ft and the 30 amp RV power cord, always keep the point where the cords are connected above the ground to prevent it from getting wet or moisture finding its way in. Wetness can cause electric shock. 

 

Advantages And Disadvantages of 30 Amp RV Extension Cord 50 ft

There are various benefits of using a 30 amp RV extension cord 50ft. The first thing is that it is a cord with a lower gauge, making it more efficient and safer for use. Also, using a cord with a lower gauge creates less low voltage loss. Meaning there will be a reduction in the likely occurrence of electrical fires. 

Another crucial benefit of the 30 amp RV extension cord 50 ft is its short length. Extension cords with extremely long lengths cause a significant voltage drop. Lastly, Cords with this type of length coil up easily, which makes transportation and storage easy. 

You should keep in mind that even when using a cord with this type of length, there can be voltage drops if there's a heavy load. Voltage drops can damage your appliance. Using a 30 amp RV extension cord of 100ft is not advisable if you plan to use a lot of power. It would be best to reduce your power consumption when using long cords. 

 

FAQ:

1. How far can you run a 30 amp cord to a camper?

So far, the cord is 30 amp. There's no maximum distance. What you should be concerned about is not length, but the number of cords you'll need if the distance to be covered is that long. For instance, two 50 ft 30 amp RV extension cords have less capacity than a single 30 amp RV extension cord 100ft. Thus, when buying an extension cord, it is better to buy one long enough to cover the distance needed. So far, it is 30 amp. 

 

2. What size extension cord do I need for a 30 amp RV?

For a 30 amp RV, the recommended size is a 10 gauge 30 amp RV extension cord. With this size, there will be little to no voltage drop, and overheating won't occur. 

 

3. What is the longest 30 amp extension cord?

The length of the extension cord varies. It can be 25ft, 50ft, or as long as 100ft. Even though you can get an extension cord as long as 100ft, you should always avoid using extension cords that are too long. This is because the longer the length of your 30 amp extension cord, the high possibility of voltage drops. Significant power loss is synonymous with extension cords that are too long.  

Connecting your RV using a power cord might be difficult, especially when the distance between the power source and the RV is long. But a 30 amp RV extension cord 50 ft can quickly solve this. You should get one today if you own an RV with 30 amp.

Back to blog