Are these items essential?

i like the idea of using the 50/30 converter even when 30 is available. hadn't thought of the 50 outlet being in better shape as it is less used. I figured i'd have the converter and never really use it, but maybe ill start using it every time 50 is available.

I have the 50-30 amp and use it where 50 amp is available as the 50 amp plug is usually better. Don't have the other 2 but do look at them from time to time, maybe someday.

Essential, no. You can use your RV, and you can hook up at any campground without any of them.

However, I have all three.

I rather like the idea of a power surge, or a brownout not damaging the wiring in my RV or any of the appliances, etc. so I bought Progressive Industries device to protect both power surges or brownout situations. This is by far the most expensive item, but I finally decided I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I also rather like the idea of not having my plumbing blown out by excessive water pressure. So I bought a water pressure regulator.

The 50 to 30 amp converter is the least needed item, but it is relatively cheap and would come in handy should the 30 amp socket not be usable. You can step down the 50 to your 30 amp needs.

My 2 cents: not essential but I decided to get all 3 anyway. It's just not worth it to me to spend thousands on a TT and have a potentially expensive plumbing/electrical problem that could have been prevented with about $150 in "extras". A one-time purchase that won't break the bank.

Now if you plan on exclusively dry camping, then you don't need any of them. I plan on both, so would rather have the extra protections.

smkettner wrote:
NOT essential. Collect these items as time, needs, and money permit.

This is excellent advice.

None are "essential" or "must haves" in order to camp.

Each one does have a function and IF you find you really "need" one you can often find the item at a "camp store" or even a nearby Walmart.

While some folks try to justify by using an insurance analogy these items really are not the same as "insurance" with perhaps the exception of say a water pressure regulator (some campgrounds have high water pressure but if you never camp in a campground then why in the world would one buy a pressure regulator you will never use?).

Buy only what you need and when you need it as you can afford but no reason to just buy a bunch of extras that you may never use..

NOT essential. Collect these items as time, needs, and money permit.

Although not really essential, I will say yes to all of them and I'll make a case for the 30 amp to 50 amp adapter.

This adapter will allow you to connect your 30 amp service cord to a 50 amp receptacle at the campground pole. Why do this? I have burned several 30 amp male plugs while connected to the 30 amp receptacle at the pole. I have found that at most campgrounds these receptacles have been abused and overused for many years and will not make a good connection with the RV service plug.

Campground owners are too cheap to fix this unless the pole burns up! In my experience, most 50 amp receptacles at the pole are newer and less used therefore make better electrical contact. The $10 bucks or so that I spent on the adapter has paid for itself many times not counting not having to deal with a burned service plug while camping.

Check the condition of your 30 amp plug blades and you will know what I am talking about.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
If they are "essential" I have been doing the impossible for over 40 years!!! :B

I do have #3 for convenience.

This is the problem I tend to see with this forum - there are many different types of RV users, but the responses rarely indicate that the answer is dependent upon the type of user.

None of these items is "essential" on a global basis. It all depends on how you use your RV, where you park your RV, and what your personal "risk factor" is.

For example, I only stay at full hookup sites twice a year. The rest of my use is dry camping. During those two weekends (3 days each) per year, I still use my fresh water tank rather than hookup to city water, so a water regulator is never needed.

If I can't hook up using the 30 or 15 amp hookups, then I can just skip hooking up for the weekend - no need to carry a 50 to 30 amp adapter for the extremely remote chance I might be able to use it.

The surge protector is more about my comfort level or "risk factor" - for me, the chance of getting a bad pedestal or having a surge during a given 6 days over the course of a year are so low that I accept the risk.

If they are "essential" I have been doing the impossible for over 40 years!!! :B

I do have #3 for convenience.

Yes on all three and maybe a few more. My trailer has a 30 amp cord, yes I sometimes use a 30 to a 50 adapter because many of the 30 Amp receptacle's at many campgrounds are loose from being used so much.