How often are campgrounds 50A only?

cdevidal wrote:
Since FrankShore brought up surge protectors, here's a question I asked in another thread that didn't get answered:

I'm on 30A, and comparing the price of a standard surge protector ($70) to the Progressive Industries PT30C 30 ($270) is a sticker shock.

How commonly is this an issue? If it's very common it's worth the extra $200. But if I'm staying only at highly-rated campgrounds I don't know if the extra cost would be justified?

The more I look into this, the PI protector is a really good idea. Insurance.

Whereas buying the 50AM-30AF adapter is more like "convenience insurance" :B

The issue with adapters and even surge suppressors is you need to be prepared.
You're not going to know you need an adapter until you pull into the site and find the 30 amp circuit is bad, but the 50 amp works. Or a storm come through and there is an electrical surge that overloads your RV electric and blows up your microwave and TV circuits. You may also consider a 30 amp extension cord for the times that the pedestal is 10' further than your cord can reach.
If you're lucky the CG store may have these items, or there is a Walmart near by. If you are not lucky it's 95ºF and you will have no A/C for the night.
You never know when you need these things. There will be no sign or warning.
This thread is about the only alert you will get, otherwise it will be an UH Oh moment....LOL
It is a good idea to have adapters for those just in case times otherwise you may find yourself SOL for at least the night maybe longer.

pasusan wrote:

korbe wrote:
We have all the different scenarios just in case. Just part of being prepared.

Same here.

We've run into the 50A only thing a few times in our travels. Strangely enough one of our favorite PA state parks has a few sites that only have the 50A hookup.

190 campground and have never seen 50 only

korbe wrote:
We have all the different scenarios just in case. Just part of being prepared.

Same here.

We've run into the 50A only thing a few times in our travels. Strangely enough one of our favorite PA state parks has a few sites that only have the 50A hookup.

cdevidal wrote:

FrankShore wrote:
Yes, you'll need one of these, plus get yourself a 30amp stepdown as well.

Oh? Need to also stepdown the voltage?

No. Its to step down to a 20 amp plug. And don't buy the puck, as they tend to overheat. Get a dog bone type.

smkettner wrote:
You can fill the RV with a bunch of 'just in case' or just go have fun.

Yeah, and we're light on budget and weight, so I see that it's probably best to skip the 50A male - 30A female adapter. Worst case we can sip battery power, use the tow vehicle to power stuff, or go somewhere else.

Since FrankShore brought up surge protectors, here's a question I asked in another thread that didn't get answered:

I'm on 30A, and comparing the price of a standard surge protector ($70) to the Progressive Industries PT30C 30 ($270) is a sticker shock.

How commonly is this an issue? If it's very common it's worth the extra $200. But if I'm staying only at highly-rated campgrounds I don't know if the extra cost would be justified?

With the proper adapter you will just plug in direct. No voltage adapter.

Adapters are not that expensive and available on the road if needed so waiting to actually need something is OK too. You can fill the RV with a bunch of 'just in case' or just go have fun. 50a only must be fairly rare. I have never seen one in person.

We have run into 50a only outlets several times, the first time the camp host loaned me an adapter until I could get to Walmart the next day. If you never need it, its cheap, if you ever need it, it is priceless.

FrankShore wrote:
Yes, you'll need one of these, plus get yourself a 30amp stepdown as well.

Oh? Need to also stepdown the voltage?