50A RV with 30A plug?

Bobbo wrote:
Looks to me like you could cut off that 30 amp plug and replace it with a 50 amp plug. There should be 4 wires in there, not 3. You should have NEUTRAL, GROUND, L1, and L2.

Not necessarily !

That appears to be an L7-50P on the RV or possibly something else. Based on the label on the RV, I am betting that is not the original plug. I would have an electrician change it to the standard RV plug which is NEMA 14-50P. Note this is non-locking plug. If you want a locking plug, it would be an L14-50P but you would likely have to use an adapter (dog bone) to plug in at any RV park.

Thanks for the info guys, I was unaware that they made adapter cords! This is our first 50a rig, so I'm not familiar with the setup. I assumed that the female side on the RV would have 4 prongs like the plug, not 3 with that ground plate on the circumference of the plug.

The breaker panel is a Progressive Dynamics, and has the staggered buss bars like you would see in a residential panel. I should have snapped a pic when I had the cover off, but it's wired so neatly, it looks like a residential panel set up by a pro electrician. The 12v panel is separate and installed next to it, and the PD9260 converter sits by itself in the basement. Our old Terry TT had a WFCO setup where the 120v, 12v, and converter/charger were all sandwiched into one partitioned box.

The trailer is set up for a W/D but there isn't one currently installed, and although pre-wired for a 2nd a/c, that was never installed either. This was the only shore cord we got with the rig.

Still debating about adding the 2nd a/c...One one hand, the main unit sends very little cold air up to the one duct in the bedroom, so adding a bedroom unit is a must for air conditioned comfort. However, the bedroom unit would install in place of the roof vent that that's there now, so we would lose that source of air circulation when boondocking.

I agree with all the above.... that RV IS wired for 50 amp, just go out and buy a new 50 amp detachable cord and good to go..

Keep the existing 30 amp cord as a spare in case you camp at a park that only offers 30 amp

Ok the Marinco outlety on that cord is a 50 amp (4 contcts. you don't see the 4th but I do. it's on the outside of the outlet. it's the safety ground.

Yes they do make 30 amp detachble cords for 50 amp RVs.. I have one

Recommend you get a 50 amp detachable cord

Oh that 50 amp "main" breaker.. it's a double ganged right?

(I used the 30 amp cord when on 30 amp sites.. way easier to wrangle than the 50 amp one. those suckers are HEAVY).

BurbMan wrote:
Our new-to-us 5er is wired for 2 a/c's but only has one installed. The factory installed a ceiling vent in the bedroom, and when you remove the inside trim around the fan you can see the #12 120v wire in the ceiling and there is a 20a breaker in the panel labeled "bedroom a/c". So it looks pretty easy to take out the roof vent and replace with a 2nd a/c unit in the bedroom.

The panel has a 50a main breaker, but the shore cord has a 30a plug on it...is there such a thing as an "adapter cord" that doesn't require a dogbone? Am I correct that all I need to do is replace the shore cord to get 50a to the rig?

Here's the RV end of the shore power cord:

Now here's the plug end of the shore cord:

This is connection on the outside of the rig:

The inside breaker panel:


On a related note, I'm not sure I want to add a 2nd a/c in the bedroom...we dry camp a fair amount and at least I'll get some air movement with the vent, the a/c blocks that vent spot and the only way to get cold air is to plug in. Thoughts?

BurbMan, what is the brand of your breaker panel? With the 50 amp breaker located at the far left the buss must be like a house, where every other full size breaker is on a different leg of power.

The cord you have is worthwhile if you are on a 30 amp site. However you will need to replace the entire cord with a true 50 amp(on both ends... LOL) cord.
For the record I own a cord just like the one you posted. I use it to plug into my 30 amp outlet at home. I also use it when on 30 amp sites.
The smaller 30 amp cord is easier to handle vs. the 50 amp cord.
For those tmes when you don't need both AC's or find yourself on a 30 amp site
the dedicated 30 amp cord will come in handy.

Keep digging in the compartments you may find the original 50 amp cord.
Or call the seller and see if he has it in his garage.

I bought a 50/30 adapter cord just like that for when we stayed at RV parks or campgrounds that had 30 amp power only. Much easier than fighting the 50 amp cable with a dogbone. But I did also have a 50 amp cable for 50 amp parks and campgrounds.
Keep that one and buy a 50 amp cable. Then you are good for either.

bgum wrote:
What you have is a 30 amp to 50 amp adapter. Your rig is set to use 50 amps. Just obtain a 50 amp power cord for use. Be aware that the 50 amp wire is stiff and heavy. In cold weather they are a hand full. Since you have only one AC 30 amps will meet most of your needs without fighting a big heavy cord. Power management is necessary. You do have several heavy consumers....water heater, fireplace, microwave, AC.

Make your own new 50 amp cord go to your local electrical supplier and get the length of 6/4 SOOW cable, and get the correct ends. I carry a 40’ length of this, and easy to handle even in freezing temperatures. My cable coils into a 3 gallon bucket, and is easy to carry.

OP has a cord like this Park power
He should be able to purchase a standard 50 amp cord. Like this 50 amp cord