50 amp Cord

Yup Cummins, I have a 30 foot piece of that really nice flexible cable that I bought at Cables 2 Go and put ends on it myself. I've only had to use that cable (in conjunction with the reeled one) once in two years.

Again, you get what you pay for. For a few bucks more you buy the "good" cable and you don't have to wrestle with it. :B

Dan

Ours is hard wired to the fifth but it could be cut and an end installed but just a one night problem doesn't seem to be worth the trouble.

chevman

larry barnhart wrote:
We have a nice size area to shove the 50 amp cord but the only problem is on the trip North each April that cord is very stiff and it is a battle. The last night in Idaho the total length is needed to hook up. Might just be 30 degrees.

If the cord was a plug in it would be riding in the truck's bed.

chevman

This is what you need Larry!

larry barnhart wrote:
We have a nice size area to shove the 50 amp cord but the only problem is on the trip North each April that cord is very stiff and it is a battle. The last night in Idaho the total length is needed to hook up. Might just be 30 degrees.

If the cord was a plug in it would be riding in the truck's bed.

chevman

That's known as .....Wrestling the Anaconda!..:W
(My "anaconda" is in a box in the garage - at home)

"If the cord was a plug in it would be riding in the truck's bed."

No big deal to modify your cord to ride in your truck's bed!.
In the container of your choice - but don't leave it "unattended"..:(

My connection options (which you can do also - no cord reel necessary) for my 12V powered cord reel are:

At the power center - for me inside the front storage bay - the power cord running to the rear was cut leaving about a 2' pigtail.

The pigtail has a 50amp *male* plug.

That pigtail with a (one) *male* plug can be connected to a (one) *female* connection on/to:
1. The cord reel.
2. The original trailer wiring to the Marinco connection in the rear.
(never used or needed that one anymore)
3. The female connection on a 30amp cord (cheap from Wally) for the generator in the pickup bed.
I normally add my PI portable surge protector "in line" to any of the above.

Although I have never needed it (pedestals usually about 10-20' from my front compt where the reel is mounted), I carry a 15' 50amp extension cord. With a Marinco adapter, I can use it -or the 30amp cord- at the rear.

BTW - "Cheap and Easy"
as you have experienced, inexpensive solutions (the tub, etc.) can be cheap - but not always easy!

The powered cord reel (with *MUCH* more flexible cord) *IS* pricey, but it's the gift to myself, that "keeps on giving" - at every campground!
AND - it can go with me if and when I ever change RVs...:C



~

We struggled with ours for years, then had an electric reel installed by he dealer. Looks like our rig came with it. Couldn't be happier.

I use an old milk crate and it does well enough for me.

WISH LIST: GOT TO GET ME ONE OF THOSE ELECTRIC REELS..
In the meantime I simply use a square plastic milk carton container. It stores great in the front hatch, easy to pull out and carry to the back of the 5er. I coil the 50 amp cord so that I can get access to either end and pull out only as much as I need.
Poor man's version of the electric reel.

HINTS:
1- if you find your cord hard to handle, sticky etc. try treating it with a silicone spray (never use any oil base lube) this will allow the rubber to slide a little easier against each other.
2- try turning the crate/bucket when coiling the cord vs. trying to twist the 50 amp cord into a coil. Much easier.
3- don't forget to clean the cord and bottom of the crate removing dirt and unwanted bugs/spiders before storing in side your rig.

Enjoy... GPG

We have a nice size area to shove the 50 amp cord but the only problem is on the trip North each April that cord is very stiff and it is a battle. The last night in Idaho the total length is needed to hook up. Might just be 30 degrees.

If the cord was a plug in it would be riding in the truck's bed.

chevman

Us out West wrote:

X2, I just recently picked up a MorRyde cord reel. I've been wrestling with a 30 foot 50 amp cord for years. Stored it in a tote (along with all of the adapters) and had to heave that thing in and out of the RV. Got tired of doing that (and honestly getting whacked in the head trying to spin the cord to get it to coil into the tote). Picked this up and think it's fantastic already.