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Heynow999's avatar
Heynow999
Explorer
Jul 31, 2016

50 amp cord not plugging in properly

I have a new to me 2009 heartland 5th wheel. When I plug in the detachable twist lock 50 amp cord, it does not go into the receptacle far enough to make the final twist. The cord still works, I can run the Ac and everything else in the trailer but i know it is a bad idea to use it like this. The former owner pointed it out to me when I bought it, so he had been using it since new like that. There are no burn marks on the plug

I'm pretty sure it's the right cord. It's in storage, I'm getting it out next week. I'm thinking that maybe the female receptacle is not installed properly? The male end is a factory piece so what could go wrong with that? I'm going to take apart the female end and see if it is maybe installed wrong. It's a marinco. Any ideas?

5 Replies

  • happycamper002's avatar
    happycamper002
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    Heynow999 wrote:
    I have a new to me 2009 heartland 5th wheel. When I plug in the detachable twist lock 50 amp cord, it does not go into the receptacle far enough to make the final twist. The cord still works, I can run the Ac and everything else in the trailer but i know it is a bad idea to use it like this. The former owner pointed it out to me when I bought it, so he had been using it since new like that. There are no burn marks on the plug

    I'm pretty sure it's the right cord. It's in storage, I'm getting it out next week. I'm thinking that maybe the female receptacle is not installed properly? The male end is a factory piece so what could go wrong with that? I'm going to take apart the female end and see if it is maybe installed wrong. It's a marinco. Any ideas?


    If it is not going all the way in, you would not be able to twist it--to lock it in place. This is designed so that by pushing it all the way in, the notch (detent) on the blade(s) would clear the female end to allow it to be twisted to hold the cord in place--without being accidentally pulled out. I would definitely take apart the end that mates with the factory piece that you mentioned.
    I have modified my entrance plugs along with my extension cords to twist-lock and I like it. Less struggle to put away heavy cords like a #10 gauge.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    just to be clear you're referring to the female 50-amp recepticle on the 5'er, correct?
    If so, that would be called the "power inlet". I believe that is what is being referenced but I'll let the OP confirm it.

    Have you checked the slots of the cord to make sure there is not any debris in them? I guess it would also be possible that one of the blades has shifted.

    Can you look at the power inlet and see if it has a model #?

    The ground contact on my Marinco 50 amp cord is a plate on the plug's outside edge.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    The contacts inside the cord end may have moved. Look down inside to see if they look right, most likely it is the ground contact that is the problem since everything works. Fix is to replace cord end. I hate those twist- lock connections, but I am alone, everyone thinks they are great.
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2016
    Heynow999 wrote:
    I have a new to me 2009 heartland 5th wheel. When I plug in the detachable twist lock 50 amp cord, it does not go into the receptacle far enough to make the final twist. The cord still works, I can run the Ac and everything else in the trailer but i know it is a bad idea to use it like this. The former owner pointed it out to me when I bought it, so he had been using it since new like that. There are no burn marks on the plug

    I'm pretty sure it's the right cord. It's in storage, I'm getting it out next week. I'm thinking that maybe the female receptacle is not installed properly? The male end is a factory piece so what could go wrong with that? I'm going to take apart the female end and see if it is maybe installed wrong. It's a marinco. Any ideas?

    just to be clear you're referring to the female 50-amp recepticle on the 5'er, correct?

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