50 amp power cord management

[Paul P.]

Looking for an easy inexpensive way to improve managing the 50 amp power cord in a precept 36A or other similar mh. My previous unit had the cord in a rear compartment by itself so I had more room without it banging into/hanging on other thigs such as the control cabinet as you can see in the picture. Limitations are that the cord is attached (rather than plug in) to the mh, and the compartment is rubber/plastic and not sure how well some type of reel could be secured to it. Not a big deal, but if someone has a better idea??

[Vicr]

Get a cord reel.

[norty1]

If I ever went that route it would be a manual reel. They have them and they are much more reliable.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...de/MR47RR.html

[Paul P.]

Thanks, but I was hoping for more specific details from someone who had done something with theirs under these type of conditions..i.e. lack of a substantial compartment construction to mount a reel, permanently attached power cord, and the space limitations as seen in the picture. A shot in the dark really, as I don't expect there is an easy solution.

[TGoldsbury]

My cord was a fixed cord. I cut it, put new ends on it and bolted in a manual cord reel. Problem I had was things were so tight in there the ends of the cords had to be bent so sharp the wires were pulling out of the Camco connectors. And I had the lugs really tight. Ended up taking the reel out. May have worked better with a cord with factory ends.

[Rice1951]

I also cut my 50 amp cord and installed a new male end leaving about a 30” tail in my cord compartment. I next installed a manual reel in the next closest compartment and wound my 25’ cord onto that. I also carry another 25’ extension cord in my MH for those occasions when it might be needed.
So when setting up I unwind the cord from the reel and feed it up through the small hinged opening in the bottom of the cord bay and plug it into my 30” tail with the other end going to the CG pedestal. When breaking down it’s just the reverse without having to fight to stuff that entire length of cord up through that little opening.
This setup makes it easier to wipe the cord as it is being reeled up and if you have a portable surge protection device it can be plugged in inside the cord bay out of sight of prying eyes.
I would post photos but that is something I really struggle with. There are a couple photos in my album on my user profile if you are truly interested.
Jayco really should address the design of this as there is a lot of room for improvement for something that has been around for several years and everyone who has this setup knows what I am talking about.

[Paul P.]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm going to think about it over the winter, but right now I'm leaning against cutting the cord and looking at "hose hanger" idea from another forum. My goal is to get the cord off the bottom of the compartment so I could have access to the "exit hole" without having to pull the whole cord out of the compartment first. The cord reel may still be a possibility, but as others have said the tight space causes some problems with that. If I come up with something that works well, I'll post it.

[MikeInMaine]

Originally Posted by Paul P.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm going to think about it over the winter, but right now I'm leaning against cutting the cord and looking at "hose hanger" idea from another forum. My goal is to get the cord off the bottom of the compartment so I could have access to the "exit hole" without having to pull the whole cord out of the compartment first. The cord reel may still be a possibility, but as others have said the tight space causes some problems with that. If I come up with something that works well, I'll post it.

Paul, can you provide a link to that other forum, I'm not able to find it....thanks

[Paul P.]

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/

[Foretm]

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/50-...nt-560313.html

[Armycamper24]

I use a hose tub from Amazon. It is a little tight but makes the cord easier to handle
Stromberg Carlson HC-75 Hose and Cord Caddy

[Gusto_man]

My 50 amp power cord was a real pain to manage. After a year, I purchased a reel and have been very happy with it.
MORryde REEL56-001H Easy Reel Cord Spooler - Tall https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BFU2G...PZJ3F1YJYPRSKQ

[Paul P.]

I appreciate everyone's response, however this is what I decided on for my particular needs specific to the 2021 Precept 36A which has a "small area" for the cord, is permanently attached and not as flexible as some I've seen. Coiling it in the bottom of the compartment would always at least partially block the access door where the cord needs to exit and would pretty much require to remove entire cord from compartment and then putting end through the access door and then to the utility pole, then put the excess cord back into the compartment. When "unhooking", usually had to pull the excess cord back out of the compartment, then pull the cord through the access door and then put entire cord back in the compartment. Even if done neatly, some of the cord would lay on top of the access door and would have to repeat the process next time. Since the compartment walls are some type of plastic, I removed the paper towel holder and mounted the hanger (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-9...ook/1000344019) to the side of the metal control cabinet which is secure to the top of the compartment. Instead of sheet metal screws, I used 1/4" bolts with a lock washer/nut on the back side. Since the access door is no longer blocked by the stored cord, I can now open it and put just the amount of cord needed through and simply reverse the process when unhooking to leave.

[TWP723]

I use a wide plant pot from Home Depot and coil it by hand.

[norty1]

The colder it is, the more curse words you remember!

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by norty1

The colder it is, the more curse words you remember!

Between my power cords and my water hose in the colder weather, I taught my kids a whole new language!