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Kyoshi · 10-04-2016, 07:55 AM

I have read some posts about 50 amp and 30 amp availability at RV parks. How common is it that an RV Park only has 50 amp and you need to use a 50 to 30 amp attachment? Wondering if I need to get one when going south this winter.

AWCHIEF · 10-04-2016, 08:12 AM

I have not seen any parks that only had 50 amp. Most have 50, 30 and a couple of 15 amp outlets these days.

Al Boondy · 10-04-2016, 08:21 AM

I've never even heard of a campground with only 50amp service. Been to some with only 30amp, but not the other way around.
You should be fine without adapter.

TRIPPPIN · 10-04-2016, 08:29 AM

Yes get a 50 to 30 amp plug just in case. I needed that while camping at MIS Brooklyn. What happens is that some campsites share an electrical post with one 30A one 50A and 2 regular 15A so if the one you need is already being used an adaptor is required.

68 Overlander · 10-04-2016, 08:53 AM

Most parks are going to have 30 amp service. Only a few high end resorts are going to have 50 only but I would still have an adapter in the took box. Never know when the 30 amp might be wired a little sketchy. Always check the power before plugging in or carry a surge protector that does it for you.

**moosetags** · 10-04-2016, 09:06 AM

It has been our experience (almost 1,800 nights in 10+ years) that only a small percentage of campgrounds have only 50 amp outlets. We have run into this on about four or five occasions. These have usually been brand new campgrounds, indicating that this is a trend.

Where we have run into needing a 50 amp pigtail much more often is at campgrounds that share a single power pole for two campsites. These poles usually have one 30 amp outlet and one fifty amp outlet. In this case if your neighbor is already plugged into the 30 amp outlet, you have to use a 50 amp pigtail if you want shore power. This situation is most common at the older snowbird campgrounds in Central Florida.

The answer to the OP's question is definitely YES. If you go Central Florida without a 50amp to 30 amp pigtail, you are rolling the dice.

Brian

polarlyse · 10-04-2016, 09:28 AM

Among the reasons already stated I have encountered a few older campgrounds where the 30a outlet has been used so much that it makes a sloppy connection. This has happened a few times to me and I find using the adapter and the 50a outlet makes a much more secure connection.

TomKirk · 10-04-2016, 12:24 PM

Part of being fully self-contained is to carry a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter with you.

Compared to inconvenience, cost of a pig-tail adapter is minimal.

Tom

dznf0g · 10-04-2016, 12:40 PM

I have been caught, in the past, where all that was available were sites designated for Large MOHOs. Those sites had 50A only. An adapter is part of my cary along bag, for that reason.

Jacob D · 10-04-2016, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyoshi

I have read some posts about 50 amp and 30 amp availability at RV parks. How common is it that an RV Park only has 50 amp and you need to use a 50 to 30 amp attachment? Wondering if I need to get one when going south this winter.

In 30 or so years of camping in a vintage A/S I've needed my 50/30 amp adapter only once. That was at a Region 3 rally in the fairground at Ladson, SC when I was directed to park in an area that had been set up for use by moho's. Liking the location I paid a visit to the local Camping World and bought the adapter for about $20 as i recall. I have since attended large ralllies at fairgrounds in Illinois, Missouri and other large facilities and not needed it again but I carry it anyway. Why not be prepared?

kb0zke · 10-04-2016, 01:14 PM

Interesting timing. We're at a small private park that has ONLY 50A or 30A sites, with no 15/20 A available at the sites. The reason, according to the owner, is that the park floods annually and he has to replace all the electrical stuff each time. Each rig is greeted and asked if you want 30A or 50A service and then are taken to an appropriate site. All sites are FHU. Two Airstreams have been here while we were here.

InterBlog · 10-04-2016, 01:58 PM

Sometimes it's not a question of whether they "only" have one or the other, but only have one or the other available to rent. Most sites have both; most have both on one pedestal. But depending on availability, for example someone with a 30 amp rig may be consigned to a giant pull-through site that only has 50.

kleimanr · 10-04-2016, 02:45 PM

Get the adaptor. Some RV parks have worn out 30A outlets that will burn your neutral off. When you come across that issue just adapt off the 50A if one is available. Bad connections are bad news.

AWCHIEF · 10-04-2016, 03:36 PM

I have used my 30 to 50 adapter a couple of times. Both times the 30 amp plug was scorched and did not look safe use. Nice to have several different adapter configurations just in case. They are not expensive.

Doc Foster · 10-04-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomKirk

Part of being fully self-contained is to carry a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter with you.

Compared to inconvenience, cost of a pig-tail adapter is minimal.

Tom

I agree, cost is low and takes up minimal space. However I have only encountered 2 RV parks over the last few years and they catered to mostly big motorhomes.

GeeSag · 10-04-2016, 06:05 PM

Here is another great reason:
If you use a Surge Guard Protector that is built as a big plastic enclosure with a stub plug in the top, the stub plug is on a stiff cord coming out the top. Several sites have had a metal wiring box directly under the 30/50 outlet box
causing the Surge Guard to sit out from the outlet with a tight bend radius on the plug that goes into the 30 amp outlet. The cable is stiff enough that the plug is under pressure to pull out just enough for the plug ground to disconnect.
The 50-30 pigtail allows for an easy bend radius when plugged into the adjacent 50 amp outlet and avoids the disconnect effect in the 30 amp outlet.

Wayne&Sam · 10-04-2016, 06:45 PM

I always use the 50 amp outlet if there is one even though my AS is only 30 amp. I've have 30 amp pedestals blow a breaker if the AC and microwave or electric water heater are running. That doesn't happen with the 50 amp and all circuits are still protected by the breakers in the AS.

That's why I carry a 50 to 30 amp adapter.

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Kyoshi · 10-05-2016, 06:53 AM

Thanks to everyone for your comments. It is obvious that an adapter is a good addition to the kit.

MontyV · 10-14-2016, 07:13 PM

i have never seen 50 amp only. I think the only time you might see that is if a park is full except for the most expensive area that generally only services the big motorcoaches

kb0zke · 10-14-2016, 08:19 PM

"Some RV parks have worn out 30A outlets that will burn your neutral off." Just today I helped another man with that very problem. He mentioned that the 30A plug looked damaged, so I took a look. It was - partially melted/burned. I suggested that he either find a different spot OR use a 50 to 30 pigtail. He thought he had one, dug around for a minute, and found it. He plugged in with that and all was fine.

Our MH normally uses 50A service, but I have both a 50 to 30 pigtail and a 30 to 50 pigtail. Why? In case a neighbor needs the 50 to 30 one (left over from our 30A mpg).