Are these items essential?

For the water regulator get a Valterra adjustable, well worth the money. With the standard regulator the shower flow was poor. The adjustable allows you to adjust the pressure enough to operate everything well and still prevent too much pressure to water system.

1. I don't have one but should.
2. I wouldn't use the campground water source without a pressure regulator - better safe than sorry.
3. I only have a 30 amp camper, but we have a 30 to 20 amp converter, so we can plug in at home. If I had a 50 amp camper, I would definitely get a 50 to 30 amp converter b/c most state/national/corp campgrounds only have 30 amp hookups. Even some commercial campgrounds only have a limited number of 50 amp sites, and may be sold out of them when you want to stay at one.

Well the first two are essential to me. I never thought about the 50 to 30 before. But my last trip we did stay in a campground that had a very loose 30 plug I had to wire tie around the post to get it to stay connected. Wish I had the option to use the 50.

With that being said I am off to Wally World to get a 50 to 30 just in case.

slickmick wrote:
Hello all. The wife and I are looking into purchasing our first TT. Are these items "essential"?...
1. Voltage regulator / surge protector
2. Water pressure regulator
3. 50 amp to 30 amp adapter

Thanks!!

#2 and #3 are cheap, so on that reason alone, yes. (and your rig is only rated for a certain about of PSI on the water and in my short rv experience, I've been at parks with warning signs about their high PSI)

#1 is more of a personal choice. It's the insurance question others refer to. Protect now or take the risk to maybe, possibly, at some future unknown date, have a problem. The less you camp, the less likely you'll hit a problem. I have one because I don't ever want to worry about it and I could afford it.

slickmick wrote:
Hello all. The wife and I are looking into purchasing our first TT. Are these items "essential"?...
1. Voltage regulator / surge protector
2. Water pressure regulator
3. 50 amp to 30 amp adapter

Thanks!!

NONE of them are "Essential".

I dont have the first two and have never found a need for them. That is not to say that someday I may wish I had...but ESSENTIAL is a definite strong word.

I have No. 3 but have never had the need to use it.

But if you have the money they cant hurt.

slickmick wrote:
Hello all. The wife and I are looking into purchasing our first TT. Are these items "essential"?...
1. Voltage regulator / surge protector
2. Water pressure regulator
3. 50 amp to 30 amp adapter

Thanks!!

1) I measure the voltage with a voltmeter. Then I use a 30A to 20A adapter to test for proper configuration with a circuit tester. Once plugged in I leave my Kill-O-Watt meter plugged in at the kitchen area so I can keep an eye on it. However, this does not protect me from transient surges. They can be costly.

2) I have a non-adjustable brass one installed but if the pressure is too low while taking a shower I'll remove it.

3. If you go to the same place each time and 30A service is available and in good shape, No. I frequent a campground that the 30A service at some of the sites are non-functional. I was caught without it the first time we parked at one of the no 30A sites and we didn't have power until I could buy one the next day. It came in handy since then. The 30A plug at another campground was loose and in poor shape so I plugged into the 50A.

Water pressure regulator - Essential...don't hook up without one.

50 -30 amp adapter - Very rarely needed, but for under $20, a good item to own.

Surge protector/voltage regulator - almost essential. Get a P.I. 30 amp unit,either hardwired or portable. Much cheaper to buy and use rather than face cost of repairs after plugging into one bad power supply. If you are a gambler and with lots of $$, you don't need one. Otherwise, consider it a part of the cost of camping with the amenities of a fridge, 120 volt power, television, etc.

slickmick wrote:
Hello all. The wife and I are looking into purchasing our first TT. Are these items "essential"?...
1. Voltage regulator / surge protector
2. Water pressure regulator
3. 50 amp to 30 amp adapter

Thanks!!

1. yes a MULTI-function surge protector, $250 and up, not a $90 special.
2. yes, a decent whole house Watts style, not a $9.00 wal mart special.
3) probably?
bumpy

slickmick wrote:
Hello all. The wife and I are looking into purchasing our first TT. Are these items "essential"?...
1. Voltage regulator / surge protector
2. Water pressure regulator
3. 50 amp to 30 amp adapter

Thanks!!

1. Depends. If you mainly use shore power while camping, then it's a Really Good Idea to have. If you just hook to shore power now and then (and often dry camp), then probably not worth it.
2. IME, you're more likely to encounter issues with power than water. But see #1.
3. No. I've heard there are places that only have 50amp outlets, but this is kind of like siting a moose - they're out there but sure are hard to find.

K Charles wrote:
you don't need insurance ether but most people have it

Excellent analogy IMO. I have and use all three and consider them well worth while investments/protections.

Larry