Quick question about electrical cord length

LauraRey

As I've been searching campgrounds, I noticed that a lot of the provincial and state parks say something like "33m" distance to outlet.  How do they measure that?  And, do you all carry extension cords for the 30amp service?

Ratkity

I have never carried an extension cord for State Parks or private campgrounds here. I usually fill my fresh water tank at home (weekender camper here).  Many East coast National Parks don't have electric except for the host and handicap sites. State parks here have several electric sites, but they go fast.

The 30A cord is 25 ft in the camper. I doubt it's 33m because that's 108 ft. I know a couple people here that carry 25 ft extensions. The only extension cord I carry is a 20A if I want to take my ARB cooler and run it from my truck to the 20A plug in the electric pedestal. Unless you need to run the AC, a 20A extension with an adaptor to the 30A will work just fine on a T@B provided you run everything on propane (Frig and Alde). No hair dryers or ceramic heaters. That'll flip the outside breaker. 

No matter what extension you get if you feel you need one, never coil the cord. It builds up heat due to resistance. My bro-in-law found out quickly that coiling can melt a slightly overloaded 20A-typical gauge outdoor cord (I'd recommend heavy duty gauge 20A if you go that route).

LauraRey

Thanks @Ratkity !

Mouseketab

I have carried a 30 Amp extension cord almost from the time I bought the T@B, and I'd say I use it about 30% of the time. I also carry a 50-30 Amp adapter in case the 30 Amp plug at the site is bad or worn. The 50 Amp plugs are often less used than the 30 Amp and are in much better shape. I have actually needed that adapter at least once a year. I also carry a 25 foot coiled fresh water hose, and an additional 50 foot fresh water hose. I use that about 10% of the time.

creamsicle

A lot of the newer sites in Oregon I see are 50 Amp.  stupid question but do I need adapter for my 2017 T@B

Verna

@creamsicle, yes, you do need an adapter. Walmart has the 50 amp male plug to 30 amp female end in their RV section.  Some call this adapter a "dog bone" because it looks very similar to a dog one with the heavy plugs on each end of the wiring.  

But, most campgrounds do have a 30 amp plug in addition to the 50 amp. Some even have 20 amp (household type plug) sockets in their electrical pedestals. 

Ratkity

The 20A receptacle is liked by year round land yacht campers because of that neat heated (the full length) water hose that has a 20A plug at the water source end. Keep in mind that those yachts have heated basements (storage) and freezing of water tanks and propane is usually not an issue.

I saw one of those hoses this year in March during those two 19F nights I went camping... omg.. cooooooold. The guy was fun to talk to who had the heated hose. He had a class C Plus.. 45'. Beautiful land yacht. All the gadgets, of course. I had meandered over after the first night and asked if his water hose froze (I never dewinterized on that trip, btw). He just smiled and pointed to the bright orange hose - it had a 20A plug that reached the electrical pedestal. It would kick the heat strip on at a certain temp (like heat-tape of old). He said the cord could be plugged back into his outside outlet with an extension cord if the electric pedestal was too far from the water source. Pricy though!! (er, everything he had there wuz )