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TimT · 03-10-2019, 12:49 PM

I am purschasing a new 2019 Classic 30 which won't be delivered until the middle of May...built date is April 23 at the factory. I am new at this, and need some advice on what would be the best way to power up the trailer prior to taking it out on the road.

My question is should I have a 50 amp outdoor outlet installed to run the trailer and charge it etc.....I will be parking it on the side of my house next to the garage, and electrical outlet box. I have a nice 35 foot concreate pad for it, or can I use something less to run all the components. I want to ensure everything is working and maybe use it on occasion while it parked. It get pretty hot here in California during the summer so I thinking I may need both A/C units working....

What do you think?

uraljohn · 03-10-2019, 01:11 PM

Congratulations on your soon to be built Classic! Welcome to the Airstream world. Have an electrician install a 50 AMP RV outlet box to power it up. Make sure it is wired for 110v not 220v. It would not be the first time that mistake has been made.

You may want to check with local codes to insure your allowed to park it next to your garage. Some places have restrictions. Happy travels.

Jugadorone · 03-10-2019, 01:16 PM

If you want to run everything,,you need the 50 amp box,, If you just want to run some lights and keep your battery charged there is a 50 amp to 15 amp connector that you can use. You just bought a brand new bad ass 30' Classic,,,.spring for the 50 amp box and never worry again about it.
The 50 to 15 amp is handy to have ,,its only 20 bucks.

LeisureCords Trailer dogbone power cord plug adapter 15 amp male to 50 amp female locking connector with LED Indicator (15 Male - 50 Female Twist)
by Leisure Cords

az-streamer · 03-10-2019, 01:26 PM

If you don’t already have one, a 50 amp to 30 amp conversion plug is also a good idea since campgrounds don’t Always have 50 amps.

Jugadorone · 03-10-2019, 01:27 PM

Also since you say you are new to this I cant stress the importance of a departure check list of some type. There are many threads on here about it. Don't let something happen that was preventable.

Jugadorone · 03-10-2019, 01:31 PM

As AZ-Streamer said the 50amp to 30 amp is good to have but if you have to use it I believe you can only run one air conditioner at a time,,some body correct me if i'm wrong.

BigSxyWhtGuy · 03-10-2019, 01:43 PM

If you don’t plan on running AC etc and you just want to tender your battery, a standard plug is fine if you have all the step down cords. Before we went full time, all we had was a standard plug at our RV slip next to our house. That worked fine, but we didn’t need to heat or cool it while it was sitting there. Just wanted to prevent batteries from draining while it sat idle.

rowiebowie · 03-10-2019, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimT

I am purschasing a new 2019 Classic 30 which won't be delivered until the middle of May...built date is April 23 at the factory. I am new at this, and need some advice on what would be the best way to power up the trailer prior to taking it out on the road.

My question is should I have a 50 amp outdoor outlet installed to run the trailer and charge it etc.....I will be parking it on the side of my house next to the garage, and electrical outlet box. I have a nice 35 foot concreate pad for it, or can I use something less to run all the components. I want to ensure everything is working and maybe use it on occasion while it parked. It get pretty hot here in California during the summer so I thinking I may need both A/C units working....

What do you think?

Welcome to the forum TimT!
.

OTRA15 · 03-10-2019, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimT

. . .
My question is should I have a 50 amp outdoor outlet installed to run the trailer and charge it etc.... . . . thinking I may need both A/C units working....
. . .

Yes, you need a 50 amp outlet of the proper kind for 120 volts AC, as already mentioned. Welcome to the forum!

Happy Trails!

Peter

jlandreth · 03-10-2019, 07:52 PM

We took delivery of our 2019 Classic 30 on Jan. 4, prior to taking delivery we had 50amp service installed. The first 5 nights we spent in the Classic was in our drive way. We were able to practice using all the different systems and get comfortable with the trailer before we ever went to a campground.

TimT · 03-10-2019, 09:52 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice.....I will plan on getting it installed prior to delivery date. I appreciate your comments and advice....

TimT

Atwebs · 03-10-2019, 10:57 PM

Add solar and you make might not need add any electrical or power cords! We added solar for less cost than a power cord and our trailer is always charged and ready go. Not bad for occasional boondocking, either.

SailorSam205 · 03-10-2019, 11:27 PM

You could consider getting one of these. Same power pedestal box you see in a campground. Has the correct outlets for powering an RV. There are other models and suppliers.

http://www.rvparksupplies.com/p/503020AMPSMPOWER/

caz · 03-11-2019, 09:43 AM

FYI, We installed a 50 Amp Box in our RV shelter in the driveway. City ordinances did not allow us to install a sewer dump. We like the piece of mind that our Flying Cloud stays fully charged & both AC units operational. We use the Airstream for overflow guest sleeping when we are not traveling.

gklott · 03-11-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uraljohn

Have an electrician install a 50 AMP RV outlet box to power it up. Make sure it is wired for 110v not 220v.

The National Electric Code 551.44(D) states: "“Recreational vehicles wired in accordance with 551.42(D) shall use a listed 50-ampere, 120/208–240-volt main power-supply assembly.”

This means it comes off two breakers in your home's panel, just like your home air conditioner. It must have two-hot wires (black), a neutral (white), and a ground (green).

When you install the 50A outlet, and it is not immediately adjacent to your main breaker panel, NEC 551.77(D) says, “(B) Disconnecting Means.
A disconnecting switch or circuit breaker shall be provided in the site supply equipment for disconnecting the power supply to the recreational vehicle.”

At an RV park, this is the one purpose of the breakers in the pedestal. You need the same outside where you plug in. You should always turn off the breaker before connecting or disconnecting.

We purchased two boxes to accomplish this: one for the 50A receptacle and another to hold the 50A breaker.

Our receptacle box is the Eaton CHU1S 50 Amp 1-Space 1-Circuit RV Power Outlet Box, $33 at Home Depot. Just above it, our disconnect breaker box is an Eaton CH4L125RP CH 125 Amp 4-Space 8-Circuit Outdoor Main Lug Loadcenter with Cover, also about $33 at Home Depot. In the box, I strongly recommend using an Eaton CH250GFCS 50-Amp Double Pole Type CH GFCI Breaker for your RV receptacle.

Recommend you discuss the above with your electrician to see if your locale has additional code requirements.

73/gus

Magnet18 · 03-11-2019, 11:01 AM

If you want to run the air conditioners or a space heater you'll need a 50A, otherwise just for the fridge and battery tending an adapter and extension cord is sufficient.

I picked up a 50A outlet and other misc hardware from the hardware store and did it myself in an afternoon, but if you're not comfortable with that it should only take an electrician an hour or 2

Welcome to airforums!

Magnet18 · 03-11-2019, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gklott

This means it comes off two breakers in your home's panel, just like your home air conditioner. It must have two-hot wires (black), a neutral (white), and a ground (green).

I think one of the hots is red, rather than both black, but maybe that's not a requirement

gklott · 03-11-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnet18

I think one of the hots is red, rather than both black, but maybe that's not a requirement

Yes, for the 120-240V circuit, the two hot conductors are usually black and red. Many electricians use two black hot wires and identify one with red tape on each end.

73/gus

gklott · 03-11-2019, 11:56 AM

[QUOTE=TimT;2218454]I am purschasing a new 2019 Classic 30 which won't be delivered until the middle of May...built date is April 23 at the factory. /QUOTE]

Welcome to forum.

waninae39 · 03-11-2019, 12:08 PM

you can run a 30A or a 50 into a std house outlet

BUT, YES BUT
you will be limited to 15A/20A

i ran my 30A into a dedicated 20A outlet.
i have a note inside the AS stating NO AC allowed when at home

in NA, the fuse/breaker is to protect the wiring
that is what the electrical code is for

thus, using a std house outlet and not using major power appliance , you will be fine