50 Amp Service

Two AC units = 50 Amp service! If your rig is large enough for 2 AC units then in the summer when it is hot you will want them and the 50 amp service. But if one AC unit will do the job, IMHO 30 amp will be a better bargain! Some rv parks upcharge if you require 50 amp service, some older parks may have only 30 amp sites or limited 50 amp sites, and when traveling you have to always ask! If you are 30 amp and for some reason only have a 50 amp outlet a simple adaptor is all you need. But the other way 50 amp and only a 30 amp plug, then it is more complicated and expensive, and if both outlets are on the same phase your $500 device will not work!

Think of it this way.

What is the standard motor on a car?

A small car may likely have a standard 4 cylinder motor with a 6 cylinder option.

A medium car may likely have a standard 6 cylinder motor with an 8 cylinder option.

A large car or truck will likely have a standard 8 cylinder motor and may not offer anything else.

The point is "Standard" will be dictated by the size of the rig.

Older rigs (might be what you are viewing) may have not needed more than 30 amps. 50 amp service (to me) didn't become popular until the early/mid 1990's. There are reasons for offering 30 and 50 amp service.

You should focus on getting the rig you want and "assume" it is wired appropriately for the need. If you plan to modify the rig by adding a 2nd A/C unit there are other options than jumping to a 50 amp service that are more economical.

peaches&cream wrote:
I really did not mean to be so assinine, but I have owned 2 50 amp MH's so the difference between 30 and 50 amp did not need to be explained. I was just wondering if any 5er's had 50 amp as I had not found any. I have been advised and I do appreciate everyones post.

50A was standard on our 5vr

If your a weekend camper 30amp should be enough unless your in the sun belt.
As fulltimers we consider 30 amp as roughing it.

The quickest way to tell if a 5er, a TT or even a gas Class A has 50Amp is to look for two AC on the roof.

It is become very common down in Texas. Very few 5ers don't have 50Amp, and it is getting to where near half TT have 50Amp.

As an example - where I bought my FR Flagstaff - they order all but the lowest entry level TT with 50A, and so do most other dealers in the Dallas area.

I don't remember a regular Forest River, Winnebago, Jayco, Fleetwood Class C with 50Amp, but I'm sure there are some - I haven't really looked for them.

Some brands - like Open Range - will have 50A in all the 5th wheels - they are advertised as 'pre-wired for a second AC' or bedroom AC.

Both are 120. The 50 amp service has two 120 circuits.

We know 30amp is 120v but is the 50amp 120v or 2240v?

I really did not mean to be so assinine, but I have owned 2 50 amp MH's so the difference between 30 and 50 amp did not need to be explained. I was just wondering if any 5er's had 50 amp as I had not found any. I have been advised and I do appreciate everyones post.

If you have a 30 amp RV you have to be much more conscious about power management. Probably cannot run hair dryer and a/c at the same time or any combination of high consumption items, At least we could not with our 30 amp 5th wheel. With 50 amp I can run anything anytime. I never even think about it. There is a difference in power cord size. The 50 amp power cord is definitely heavier and bulkier.

peaches&cream wrote:
This really answered my question about which one is standard on a 5er.

Your question has been answered. They are both standard.