What sort of extension cord and where does the dog bone go?

[Going Greyhawk]

Hi all, haven’t been able to find this answer with the search, so forgive the super n00b question.

I have a 30 amp motorhome. If I want to have the most versatile functionality, should I get a 30amp extension cord? If I’m plugging into a house, is that safe to put the extension into the dog bone and the db into the outlet? Should I rather put the dog bone on the RV and get a 20 amp extension cord? The 20 amp is cheaper and lighter but I imagine not as useful since if I need to extend at a campground a 20 won’t cut it, right? Advice appreciated.

[ARoamer]

Get a 30Amp extension cord. That way you can run your AC and other loads without problems. Using 20Amps will limit what you can run, don't expect to run AC (Depends on your AC unit's power draw) plus microwave, blow dryer or hot water heater at same time. If needed put your 20Amp adapter at the end of your 30A cord. BUT, mind your loads! I melted a 20amp adapter years ago running AC on it.

[Duke4857]

Even the cheap 20 amp adaptors can melt with no A/C running (the adaptor that comes with TT is cheap.) Get the beat quality you can find at no matter the price. Safety is never too high of a price to pay.

I have a 25 foot 10 gage cord I use if needed. That is a 20 amp cord only. Most 20 amp circuit breakers will trip if over 13.5 amps of continuous use. 20 amp is the surge rating. (the way it has been explained to me)

[RogerR]

ARoamer has it right. A 30 amp cord can be used when you just can't reach the pedestal at the odd park. Add your RV make, model and year plus tow vehicle for better answers in the future. I have a sidewall, window style AC in my 195RB and it runs fine on a house amperage wall socket with the adapter. But most roof models draw to much to do that. It can harm the AC motor, overheat plugs or blow fuses in the house. Add in the converter trying to charge the batteries and plugging in your coffee pot or microwave and you are way over what a typical household outlet will carry.
We rarely use our 30 amp extension cord but there have been times where the pedestal is just way to far for the built in cord.

[2021JayFlight28BHS]

I’d get a 15 to 30 amp dogbone, and then a 30
Amp extension cord this way you can take the 30 amp extension cord with you if you go to a CG that the power pole is far away from your trailer…. Rare but it does happen.

[Jagiven]

I would get two dogbones. A 15 to 30amp and a 50 to 30 amp. Make sure to get a decent one of each.

I carry a total of 3 extension cords. 25 foot 10 awg (30 amp), 25 foot 12 awg (20 amp), and a 6 (??) foot 3 prong indoor extension cord.

Now that I have a shore power post at home, I very rarely use the dogbones,.

The 30 amp extension cord, I might use every 2-3 years, but it is a life save when needed.

[MrSaxy]

Who makes the best quality dogbones?

[JimD]

I bought a 30 amp extension for runs to pedestals if needed (haven't needed so far). I also have a heavy duty 25' 15 amp extension that I use to connect my rig to my small inverter generator because it can only put out 15 amps maximum which I never pull. If I need a burst of power I will fire up the big generator.

When selecting an extension you MUST take into account how much current you will be pulling. If all you want to do is plug the rig in to keep the battery charged, you don't need a 30 amp cord. If you want to run an air conditioner or other heavy draw item, I would not do it through a light weight cord.

Also, if you are plugging into a standard 15 amp outlet, the breaker on it will limit what you can use.

[JFlightRisk]

We carry two 25' 30 amp extensions, and have needed them at one state park we visit. There's one pedestal between two sites, and it you are on the port side site it's a long way away. Most of the time, our extensions are lent to neighbors that don't have one and find themselves in need of one. Same scenario with fresh water hoses, too.

[us71na]

It never hurts to maximize the size (smaller wire number) of conductors when dealing with extension cords. There is more voltage drop per foot in the smaller diameter conductors than there is in the larger size. I have run my trailer on a 20 amp breaker using my 25 foot 30 amp extension cord many times, including using the A/C. You just can't use the A/C and microwave at the same time.

[GABob]

I really can’t hold a candle to you seasoned vets on this board, but I will just note that I use my 100 foot outdoor extension cord to chill the fridge the night before travel and that seems to work just fine. I have to park it on the street due to my sloped driveway so my options are somewhat limited.

[mrmom]

Our trailer is also 30 amp, so I carry several cords depending on the site & setup. I have a 15' cord (used most often) and a 25' cord for longer runs. Also have an approx. 20' extension cord that I make out of the original cord that came with the rig (mousehole cord). All those cords are high quality outdoor rated 10 ga. stranded wire.

For dogbones, it depends on what you are using them for as to where they go. I have a 50 amp male to 30 amp female for hooking up to a pedestal. I also made up a 15 amp male to 30 amp female cord using a 5' piece of 12 ga. extension cord that I use for those rare occasions when I have to plug into a "house" circuit. The 5' length takes the weight of the adapter off the small plug & doesn't put as much strain on the outlet.

One thing to think about when using adapters/dogbones/extension cords, try to place them off the ground or protected so that they don't get too wet if it rains.

[Going Greyhawk]

Many thanks for all the answers! Went with a 25’ 30 amp 10/3 extension with 15m/30f dogbone. So far, worked like a charm! Also at my first park and super glad to have the extension as it is too far for my shore cord!