30 or 50 amps?

[turkii]

We're working with out local dealer to order a new Jay Flight 32TSBH directly from the factory with the specific options we want. What are some opinions on upgrading to the 50amp service or saving the few hundred dollars and sticking with the 30amp?

We are sticking with a manual awning and the 13.5k AC. The trailer will be parked at a seasonal site that has both 30 and 50 connections. We really don't anticipate moving to another CG anytime in the future.

[Jagiven]

With what you state a 30 amp would be fine. However there are some advantages of the 50 amp, and that would be you can run the AC and the microwave at the same time without tripping the main circuit breaker. However, if you start to pull it around from site to site, then the 30 amp is typically more available. If you are only staying at seasonal sites, they all seem to have 50 amp services.

[tinlizzie23]

X2. Basically, with a 30 amp, you have one hot wire at 110V, a ground, and a neutral. With 50 amp, you have the same ground and neutral, but the 4th wire is a second 110V circuit, enabling you to run more equipment without blowing a fuse. The 50 amp is necessary if you are running two A/C units, as well. We went from a 30 amp TT to a 50 amp 5er, and were pleasantly surprised at the convenience of what the 50 amp allows us to do. For the extra few hundred dollars, I would definitely go with the 50 amps - you will remember the extra convenience long after you have forgotten the price, IMHO.

[Ecfeick]

You can always dogbone with an adapter to 30 if need be.

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

However there are some advantages of the 50 amp, and that would be you can run the AC and the microwave at the same time without tripping the main circuit breaker.

If you have the dollars go 50 amp.

Having said that I have 30 amp set-up, run the 13.5K A/C and have had no issues running the microwave (1,000 watt) at the same time. My guess is that the only time you'd run into a problem is if you happen to be running the microwave and try to start the A/C at the same time. That A/C start load may very well trip a breaker.

[FPM III]

Save your money. I can't see any need for 50 amp unless you plan to have two A/C units. I have 30 amp with one A/C unit and in the 14 seasons I've camped in my TT I don't recall tripping a breaker more than once or twice. When I camp, I don't do anything special- I run the A.C, the refrigerator and HWH are on electric and I use all other heavy draw electric appliances with thought. In other words, I don't put/use a toaster and electric coffee maker on the same circuit. I have a bigger problem with under voltage issues at campgrounds; especially when the demand for electricity is high. Sometimes it's serious enough to require switching the refrigerator and/of HWH over to gas. My Norcold N841 seems to be very sensitive to low voltage situations.

[clutch]

The 50 amp cord is very hard to roll up when it's cold. Our trailer is 50 amp and we use the 30 amp adapter and lighter cord quite often.

[jwstewar]

We have 30 Amp service on our 32BHDS. We manage OK with it, but when I buy my next trailer it WILL have 50 Amp service.

[eldermike]

If you need 50amps the 50amps will be there, if you need 30amps the 50amp service will do that also.
Coffee maker = 1000 watts = 10amps (if it has a hot plate to keep the coffee hot)
hair dryer = 1000 watts = 10 amps
electric space heater = 1500 watts = 15 amps

All that = tripped main breaker without even talking about air conditioning or microwave.

But also consider that even with 50amp service you still need to consider power management. IOW, you can't live in an RV as though you have 200amp service like a stick house, even if you have 50 amp service.

[Seann45]

50 amp is really just if you have a second A/C unit personally I would not bother with it..

[Bassdogs]

How much is the $$$$ for the upgrade to 50A? Unless its a big number, go with your gut. I wouldn't consider it but then I use my TT in a more conventional manner. If you plan to set up and stay, more capacity might be worth it depending on what the cost is. Agree with another poster, unless you have dual AC, you can pretty much handle your needs with 30A as long as you manage your load in the kitchen and bathroom. Screw up and you unplug, reset the breaker, and remember what you did wrong. My only trips were when the toaster and the Microwave tangled or an electric space heater and a hairdryer were plugged into the same circuit. With only the wife and I, we have very few issues [with the power anyway].

[cekkk]

We have 30 and it would be a lot more convenient if we had 50. We can start the microwave with our 15.0 ac running, but must make sure the water heater isn't on. If it's chilly an electric heater is cheaper to operate than the furnace. Another big power user. We get along fine on weekends but found it necessary to run a #10 extension from the post's duplex receptacle into the rig to power heaters, toaster oven, etc., when we spent a few months in it last winter. You know your needs best, but DW tends to not think about overloading. That hair dryer could go on at any moment!

I, OTOH, never mess up.

[krackeer]

Personally, if its only a few hundred bucks, jump to the 50 amp! If you look at what your spending total, a few hundred isn't a deal breaker. It will also help come resale time. GO WITH THE 50! I wish I had!

[Bassdogs]

What comes with the 50A upgrade? Unless they spread the loads over more breakers, you aren't accomplishing anything. Hope

[norty1]

You have over 3 times as many amps available with 50a service.

Most big rigs with 2 ac's are severely limited if they had only 30a available without active load management. We do it at times in some parks and some types of weather but is is a little work and inconvenient.

[rotjovi2269]

I won't even look at an RV without 50 amp. Been there and done that with the 30 amp. Nuff said.