Here's another new guy question

BudMan · 01-27-2011, 11:07 AM

In campgrounds, how much electric cord and dump tank hose do you need?

The trailer has 25 foot of electrical cord and our Rhino waste tank line is 15 feet long.

Should we or do we need an extension cord for the lectrical and additional hose length for the waste tank?

Thanks !

Tanker42 · 01-27-2011, 11:47 AM

From my experience camping, what you have should be ok. Usually, you are parked close enough to the power source to reach it. Likewise, when dumping you can usually get close.

hammer · 01-27-2011, 12:32 PM

It's better to be safe than sorry. I always carry 2 -25' 30amp cords and 2- 20' sewer hoses. alot of the time they don't get used but I got them if I need them or if one of my campin buddies need one.

**Crabman** · 01-27-2011, 04:23 PM

I own an extra 25' 30 amp cord and extra sewer hose but have never needed them. But I have read on some CG websites that longer power cords are necessary in some sites. You may never need one but then again you just might. I suppose if going to new places you`ve never been it would be a good idea to have em just in case along with an extra fresh water hose. -Lee

wiscampsin · 01-27-2011, 04:39 PM

I would suggest carrying just one 25' elec entension cord. Personally I don't think you'd need an extra hose as your 15' should be sufficient to reach when you're at the dump station.

**FPM III** · 01-27-2011, 06:57 PM

I carry a 20' and 10' sewer hose, a 25' 30A extension (in case the 25' attached to the TT doesn't reach), a 100' 20A extension, a 50' and 25' potable water hose and 50' of garden hose.

I've used the total length of one or more of these (potable water hose, sewer hose and 30A extension) at one time or another and encountered hookups in such awful locations that it would make you think were added as an afterthought or installed by someone with absolutely no knowledge of where utilities should be placed in relationship to where the RV will be parked. My sewer, cable TV and electric is at the rear of the TT and the city hookup is in the front; all on the left (driver's side). Yet, I've had campsites where one or more of the utilities were on the right side.

And, if your slideout(s) will be next to the utilities stand (or any trees too!), make sure you leave enough space so you can open them. I need 33" clearance for mine and I've gone out with a measuring tape to ensure there's sufficient space if it looks close. There's nothing worse than getting yourself all setup- unhooked from the TV, leveled, wheels chocked, stabilizer jacks set, utilities hooked up... and then go inside to open up the slideout(s) only to find out that... you need another two inches to keep from hitting something with the slide.

Mopar1973Man · 01-27-2011, 07:10 PM

Good suggestions...

I think I'm going to write down a few specs about my TT and keep them handy in the TT. Matter of fact we are creating a folder to keep notes and other things for this purpose...

Just another thing to add to the list of goodies...

Tanker42 · 01-28-2011, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man

Good suggestions...

I think I'm going to write down a few specs about my TT and keep them handy in the TT. Matter of fact we are creating a folder to keep notes and other things for this purpose...

Just another thing to add to the list of goodies...

Good advice! Another item I keep in the back of the truck are a couple of 2 x 6 in. boards that are 5 ft long which i use to level the camper. I just pull the camper up on one of them and check for level. If that doesn't do enough, then I add the other one.

**FPM III** · 01-28-2011, 07:15 AM

One thing I have done that helps in the "Specs" department is to take pictures of the manufacturer's information labels on the outside and inside (usually found on the inside of a cabinet door) of the RV. I also take close-up pictures of the of the load center (fuses, circuit breakers, converter, etc). Because I store my TT 50 miles away in a limestone mine for the winter, the pictures can be quite helpful.

Merlinspop · 02-08-2011, 09:07 AM

The literature said my trailer has a 30' cord (maybe 25'- I can barely remember my own name sometimes), but I can only get about 15' to come out and that's one thing I'm not going to pull hard on.

I have a 30' extension cord I use a lot. I'd rather the cord drop straight down from the trailer, run comfortably on the ground to the power pole, then straight up to the outlet, so there's no drooping wires for people (aka "me") to trip over.

B

Mopar1973Man · 02-08-2011, 09:12 AM

Like I've got a 30 foot cord on mine and it will reach the front of the trailer. Like the dealer showed me that day some time the cord binds up in the pocket and you might have to rattle it around to get the kinks out but there is close to 30 feet in cord on mine..

namusmc65 · 02-08-2011, 02:29 PM

My literature only says "power cord, 30 amp shore" Guess the only thing to do is lay it out! I can't find anything anywhere that gives the length.

Terry · 02-08-2011, 03:03 PM

I carry a 25' extension, but never had to use it. I also carry it is in case I do something stupid and mess up my existing cord, I have a spare while I am on the road. Not that any of us have done something stupid...

Merlinspop · 02-08-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man

Like I've got a 30 foot cord on mine and it will reach the front of the trailer. Like the dealer showed me that day some time the cord binds up in the pocket and you might have to rattle it around to get the kinks out but there is close to 30 feet in cord on mine..

Yeah, It might very well be kinked in there, but I have rattled, twisted, and otherwise tried to get more out. But I'm not gonna yank it much.

B

**FPM III** · 02-08-2011, 09:56 PM

On mine, the power cord stores inside the wardrobe closet in the bathroom between the trailer's floor and the floor of the closet. Also in that space is my rear low-point drain, HWT bypass valves and HWT. There's a door beneath the wardrobe doors that allows me to get at these and if I shine a light in there, I can see the power cord.

I never tried it but I believe the floor in the wardrobe closet is removable to permit access in case any of the above mentioned items should need replaced or serviced.

I know every model of RV is different, but I would think that if it was designed properly, there is some way of accessing the area where the power cord gets stored- even if just to inspect and check for any "kinks" that may be prohibiting you from extending the cord to its full length.

Merlinspop · 02-08-2011, 10:12 PM

Great thought, FPMIII. I'll give that a look.

frednjed · 02-09-2011, 03:48 AM

Bruce you also don't want your power supply running through a lead which is still partially rolled up. If there is a large amount of current running through it, it will become dangerously hot. Leads should always be fully unrolled and left loose on the ground.

Old Blue · 03-09-2011, 04:26 PM

Never herd that cord should be pulled all the way out and left loose on the ground. never did that and never had one get hot unless using a light weight cord or maybe if it was kinked real bad but never had any of my TT cords get hot and I only pull out what I need. but I have needed two cords to hook up befor. and about 30 feet of sewer as well I always carry to much fo everthing bad habit.

clutch · 03-09-2011, 11:23 PM

I think I need to buy a shorter 50 amp cord. The one that came with the trailer is all rolled up on the ground.

cekkk · 03-17-2011, 01:38 PM

Budman, I like that Texas Ranger line. I heard it as a .46. Don't matter. Actually, they've made both!

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