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Old 01-06-2015, 02:13 PM   #1
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2015 50A Power Cord Stiff and Near Unusable

I am really disappointed in the cheap hard plastic covered 50A power cord. It was quite cold during setup and I could hardly get it to stretch far enough to get to the box which was maybe 20’ away because the cable would not uncoil and lay flat. I had to tie the cable back to the trailer to keep it from putting too much strain on the receptacle at the trailer wall. The 10’ or so that laid in the sun for a week finally laid out flat though it was still very stiff only straight now. The part that was in the shade was still coiled and very stiff. When we broke down early Monday morning it took both my son and I nearly 10 solid minutes of wrestling with it to get it in enough of a coil to go back in the rear storage area. I am going to buy a new 50’ CAMCO brand power cord (nice pliable rubber jacket/conductors) and a new female plug receptacle to turn the stiff Airstream cable into an emergency extension cord.

The trailer hitch connection cord is the same way. When cold it is extremely stiff to the point of worrying about it coming lose or breaking the receptacle bracket when turning tight. I guess I will replace this as well.

This is cost cutting at its worse.
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Old 01-06-2015, 02:29 PM   #2
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We have camped often in cold weather. Our 30 Amp power cord is bad enough to deal with, so I can imagine that the 50 Amp would be worse. We we have always done when it's cold is transport the power cord in the tow vehicle while traveling. We have found that this makes it easier to deal with when we set up camp.

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Old 01-07-2015, 06:07 AM   #3
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Yes, carry the cord inside. When breaking camp we put the cord in the bed if the truck using very wide coils. When it warms enough during the day we then put it In the trailer. Rough if you don't have a truck. Peace, jim
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:16 AM   #4
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One can have the same problem to a lesser extent with the cable TV cord and the slinky. When I disconnect the cord from the truck I do not coil it up in cold weather but leave it extended to some extent so it is easier to rehook. Peace, jim
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:31 AM   #5
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You might also look into the new 50 amp power cables from Marinco, aka Park Power. They are made with a polyurethane casing and are very flexible.
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Old 01-07-2015, 06:36 AM   #6
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Marinco is my choice

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012FB View Post
I am really disappointed in the cheap hard plastic covered 50A power cord. It was quite cold during setup and I could hardly get it to stretch far enough to get to the box which was maybe 20’ away because the cable would not uncoil and lay flat. I had to tie the cable back to the trailer to keep it from putting too much strain on the receptacle at the trailer wall. The 10’ or so that laid in the sun for a week finally laid out flat though it was still very stiff only straight now. The part that was in the shade was still coiled and very stiff. When we broke down early Monday morning it took both my son and I nearly 10 solid minutes of wrestling with it to get it in enough of a coil to go back in the rear storage area. I am going to buy a new 50’ CAMCO brand power cord (nice pliable rubber jacket/conductors) and a new female plug receptacle to turn the stiff Airstream cable into an emergency extension cord.

This is cost cutting at its worse.
Couldn't agree more, cheap is the word.... It's not just the 50 amp ones, the 30 amp also turns to concrete in cooler weather and won't roll up. Have never had a CAMCO cord. I find that Marinco cords are much more plyable and replaced the OEM Furrion cord with that.
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Old 01-07-2015, 07:52 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by lewster View Post
You might also look into the new 50 amp power cables from Marinco, aka Park Power. They are made with a polyurethane casing and are very flexible.
Thank you very much for the recommendation. I ordered a Marinco 30RPC50RV Park Power, Cord Set, 30' 50A, Right Angle
from Tweetys RV via eBay.

This is what it should have come with. OEM cost must be an extra $50. It is a shame, but I unfortunately understand!
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Old 01-07-2015, 08:34 AM   #8
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Great to learn about the Marinco power cords, as I am about to replace the cable on the reel of my 345 and want one that will roll on and off the reel more easily .
Thanks Lewster! Very timely.

Cheers Richard
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Old 01-07-2015, 09:18 AM   #9
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I was thinking the same thing. When I first saw that pretty Furion cable, I thought it was awesome...now that I've used it colder weather, not so much.

Last time we camped, that cable refused to un-coil properly, lying in wait to trip someone. It also pulled harder on the trailer's 30-amp socket than I would like because it was stiff and is lacking a right-angle component at the trailer to relieve stress. Perhaps I'll be buying a Marinco myself as a pre-emptive measure to prevent tripping and ripping in cold weather.

Thanks!
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Old 01-07-2015, 09:58 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by 2012FB View Post
Thank you very much for the recommendation. I ordered a Marinco 30RPC50RV Park Power, Cord Set, 30' 50A, Right Angle
from Tweetys RV via eBay.

This is what it should have come with. OEM cost must be an extra $50. It is a shame, but I unfortunately understand!
Another vote for Marinco. Replaced my stock Furrion with a Marinco, which should be the stock choice.

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Old 01-07-2015, 11:45 AM   #11
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Marinco 30 Amp Power Cord

Thanks for the information on Marinco power cords. I'd like to replace my original 30 amp cord. My question is this. The Marinco is listed as 125 volts. My owners manual sometimes says 110 volts and sometimes 120 volts to describe the electrical system. Is it okay to use a 125 volt cord?
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:45 AM   #12
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It's like wrestling a big ole unruly stiff black snake-
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:47 AM   #13
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I think that is simply stating 125 volts maximum voltage. It is a 110/120 (why they refer to as such I don't know- electricians please chime in-) volt cord.
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:48 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TRizzuti View Post
Thanks for the information on Marinco power cords. I'd like to replace my original 30 amp cord. My question is this. The Marinco is listed as 125 volts. My owners manual sometimes says 110 volts and sometimes 120 volts to describe the electrical system. Is it okay to use a 125 volt cord?
Yes.
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:21 PM   #15
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The 120 volt is RMS meaning the voltage fluxuation between 125 and 115 . This is in the AC system. There is always this fluxiation in any electrical system. Check your shore power ( in your home) you will see the changes. By stating 125 volts that means the wire can substance that voltage without IR losses. (heat)
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:43 PM   #16
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I just bought a 30' Cloud which of course has the 50amp cord. I have not used the trailer as yet but was already dreading dragging that cord around. Most of the time 30amps would be sufficient so I was thinking of getting a 30amp cord. (Can only run 1 AC at a time with 30amp cord)

Marinco is a high quality cord but certainly not cheap. Camco seems to be cheaper. I will be following this thread to read other thoughts.
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Old 01-07-2015, 12:52 PM   #17
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I just bought a 30' Cloud which of course has the 50amp cord. I have not used the trailer as yet but was already dreading dragging that cord around. Most of the time 30amps would be sufficient so I was thinking of getting a 30amp cord. (Can only run 1 AC at a time with 30amp cord)

Marinco is a high quality cord but certainly not cheap. Camco seems to be cheaper. I will be following this thread to read other thoughts.
This is exactly what I do. When I know I will not need both air conditioners, I use the 30 amp cord so I don't have to wrestle with the big 50 amp cord.
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Old 01-07-2015, 01:08 PM   #18
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made my own with SO cord when I upgraded our electrical.
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Old 01-07-2015, 01:43 PM   #19
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Funny how we all want two ac for the heat of summer which requires a 50 amp cord, and then complain that in the winter it is a problem. Be careful for what you wish. Peace, jim
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Old 01-07-2015, 02:15 PM   #20
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While I have not been out in temps much colder than 45º, the 50 Amp cord is a real handful. So, when using my generator for boondocking, i fabricated a 30Amp cord with a 50 Amp plug, much lighter and my 4000 watt generator will not produce enough power to over load the lighter cable. Storing the 50 Amp cable...loops about four feet across in the rear storage under the bed.... on a 30 rear bed Serenity.

There are so many changes on my new Airstream, some quality issues, mostly my concept of the way it should have been in the first place. More info on this thread which starts sort of here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f514...-128265-3.html
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