30 amp vs. 15 amp plug?

[63flyingcloud]

Does anyone know what size electrical plug was original on the 60's trailers?

My '63 has a 15amp male plug. The wire it's attached to looks to be heavy gauge, comparable to what I've seen on 30amp extension cords. This makes me wonder if a PO swapped out the plug.

What's on yours?

Thanks,
Tom

[63flyingcloud]

ummmmm........

Anyone else have electricity in their '60s Airstream??

Do you have a 30amp plug, or a 15 amp plug?

Thanks,
Tom

[MW64OVERLANDER]

My 64 Overlander came with a 15 amp plug and a 15 to 30 amp adapter. I don't know if this was the original plug or not. I changed it to a 30 amp plug that would allow the power cord to exit the plug at a 90 degree angle; more compatible with the electrical pedestals found in most campgrounds today.
I still keep all the adapters, including a 30 to 50 amp dogbone because you never know what you are going to run in to.

[Safari Tim]

If you cannot find out a definate answer, I would check the breaker box in your trailer. If your main breaker is a 15 or 20 amp, then you probably don't have 30 amp service.

Also, if you don't have an A/C you probably don't need 30 amp service.

[InsideOut]

I plug it in & it works! Wrong end of the trailer for me!

Shari

[63flyingcloud]

Thanks, Mark, Tim and Shari.

Yep, there's a 15 amp breaker. No A/C. Tempting as it is for a guy to want "more power," I guess I'll subscribe to Shari's principle for now.

thanks again,

Tom

[FrankR]

People always want bigger. in about everything. Most small trailers can operate very well with a 15-20 amp power supply. Adding of having an AC unit is a different requiredment. Having a 15-20 connection is far more convenient than a 30 amp RV connection. Most RV amp adapters can start fires very easily. The low amp use RVs should consider the best quality componets not ampacity. Every adaption is a potential for a poor connection and heat/fire. Frank

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I plug it in & it works! Wrong end of the trailer for me!

Shari

Actually, having traveled alone a good part of this summer, I have learned a TON since this post...

Until the International Rally, I had a 'old-style' 30 amp plug which was also refered to as an old residential dryer plug. It was not compatable with the current 30 amp outlets available at most campgrounds. I would have to use the 'old style' 30-to-15 amp adapter in order to get power. At International I had to go from my old 30 amp male to my old 30 amp female/15 amp male to a 15 amp female/30 amp male in order to plug into the 30 amp facilities available. Needless to say, this was not an ideal situation so I had a new 30 amp cord wired on at the Springfield rally by the Airstream techs in attendance. Now I have a modern 30 amp cord/plug.

Occasionally, I camp at locations that still require stepping down to 15 amp, which is no big deal. However, I found it quite entertaining that at the Antelope Rally in Medicine Bow, WY this last week...my old 30 amp plug would have worked in the old hook-ups they have there. But since I no longer have that cord (thankfully) I used the modern 30-to-15 amp adapter like everybody else. No problem...I don't have and you definately don't need A/C in that part of the country this time of year!

Shari