KOA Rules -- 30 amp

We used to avoid KOA, but as our kiddo grows older, we find KOA has a lot to offer for her.Our last stay was at Astoria/Warrington KOA in Oregon, and we had a very nice stay !! I have seen the 30/50 amp issue popping up more and more recently.

But I have also seen other campers/RV's treat Campgrounds as roadside rest stops with no regard for the owners or other campers. So I understand why they make silly rules

bikendan wrote:
just one of the many reasons we refuse to stay at any "Keep On Adding" campgrounds.

What did they add? The OP got a 50 amp site for the price of a 30 amp site.

To the OP, I have stayed at approx 150 campgrounds, some were KOA's, and have never seen this rule.

We had the same issue at that KOA. It honestly angers me because it is a "policy" based upon their rules BUT they pass it off as a "safety" issue. We have been running into this recently as we plan our travels along the east coast. A lot of the county parks have the same ludicrous rules and use the "safety" logic. It does no good to explain how electrical systems work.

Their park their rules.

just one of the many reasons we refuse to stay at any "Keep On Adding" campgrounds.

myredracer wrote:

lil_camping_family wrote:
From the electrical stand point, having a 50 amp rig and plugging into a 30 amp you are fine. The chances of you "popping" the breaker is more. Going from 30 amp to a 50amp is more dangerous. You now take the chance of "melting" your units main electrical line because the breaker knows to "pop" once it pulls a continuous 50amps or short circuits.

Sorry, but wrong.

For a 50 amp RV plugging into a 30 amp pedestal, the breaker in the pedestal limits the current to 30 amps. No risk.

For a 30 amp RV plugged into a 50 amp pedestal, the 30 amp panel inside the RV limits the current to 30 amps. Shore power cord is therefore protected.

Adapters are CSA approved, and if they were a danger, they wouldn't be on the market.

The usual problem is that there are a lot more 30 amp RVs out there and the 30 amp recepts. get a LOT more use and worn out. Also, many owners do not turn the pedestal breaker off when plugging in the shore power cord, which causes pitting on the contacts and dirt build-up which then leads to a bad connection and overheating. Add the two together and you can/will get a meltdown.

There should be no issues whatsoever with using adapters providing they are looked after and the plug blades are kept clean. Same for the shore power cord. Banning adapters shows lack of understanding. You could just as easily have a problem with a shore power cord that has a plug in bad shape.

If a 30 amp pedestal recept. looks to be in bad shape, don't use it. If 50 amps is there, use an adapter. Or another option is to use an 18" 30 amp to 30 amp extender so that only the extender would get damaged. I we were forced to use a 30 amp pedestal recept. and not a 50 amp adapter and ended up with damage to the cord, I'd be looking to the CG for compensation.

X2

I have never had that problem and do not often stop at KOA

But I have two power cords for this RIG

One has a 50 amp park end plug and a 50 amp Marinco-outlet for the RV end

The other has a 30 amp park plug and a 50 amp Marinco

You can get two things at Camping world and several other RV dealrs

one is a short 30 amp cord (like 1') Has a 50 amp Marinco outlet to mate with the RV

The other is a 30 amp extension cord.

My cord is 10 years old..In that time the mating plug & Outlet went bad.

So i cut them off and joined the short "Adapter" to the longer "Extension" using good solid electrical practice (I will not describe)

Result.. I have two power cords..no adapters needed.

This is a no brainer and a smart rule, especially in Arizona. Yes, a 50amp coach will certainly work with 30 amps using an adapter, but why would you UNNECESSARILLY force that issue. In Arizona, known for it's heat, you're going to have people who will push their 30 amp rigs to the max by trying to run both AC's. This can lead to tripping the breakers multiple times, eventually ruining them. Even though there is an electrical code that many will quote, it doesn't mean the campground has brand new wiring that can withstand the abuse.

All CGs have 'rules'

Some are good, some so-so, some make you scratch your head.

Seen 'No adapters', no space heaters', no RO Units', no washer/dryer' etc.

Friend built a 50 site CG. First year had very minimal set of rules. Asked him "Is this all---think these will be enough?"
He stated "Well should be---pretty common sense stuff!"

Next year he had 2 pages...asked what happened
His reply........"&$^$% People are STUPID!!!"

lil_camping_family wrote:
From the electrical stand point, having a 50 amp rig and plugging into a 30 amp you are fine. The chances of you "popping" the breaker is more. Going from 30 amp to a 50amp is more dangerous. You now take the chance of "melting" your units main electrical line because the breaker knows to "pop" once it pulls a continuous 50amps or short circuits.

Sorry, but wrong.

For a 50 amp RV plugging into a 30 amp pedestal, the breaker in the pedestal limits the current to 30 amps. No risk.

For a 30 amp RV plugged into a 50 amp pedestal, the 30 amp panel inside the RV limits the current to 30 amps. Shore power cord is therefore protected.

Adapters are CSA approved, and if they were a danger, they wouldn't be on the market.

The usual problem is that there are a lot more 30 amp RVs out there and the 30 amp recepts. get a LOT more use and worn out. Also, many owners do not turn the pedestal breaker off when plugging in the shore power cord, which causes pitting on the contacts and dirt build-up which then leads to a bad connection and overheating. Add the two together and you can/will get a meltdown.

There should be no issues whatsoever with using adapters providing they are looked after and the plug blades are kept clean. Same for the shore power cord. Banning adapters shows lack of understanding. You could just as easily have a problem with a shore power cord that has a plug in bad shape.

If a 30 amp pedestal recept. looks to be in bad shape, don't use it. If 50 amps is there, use an adapter. Or another option is to use an 18" 30 amp to 30 amp extender so that only the extender would get damaged. I we were forced to use a 30 amp pedestal recept. and not a 50 amp adapter and ended up with damage to the cord, I'd be looking to the CG for compensation.

I ran into this issue at a couple of Arizona KOA campgrounds. Its there campground so they you are!