retractable cords comment

[Treefrog]

Any positive or negative comments on retractable shore power cords mounted after market?

I am concerned that cold weather makes the cords so stiff they either do not deploy easily or do not retract back into the Rv very well.

[Cummins12V98]

The retractable cords are the same spec as the one pictured above. They have many more strands of copper in each wire inside the cord and the sheating is a much higher quality rubber that stays flexible in cold weather.

Buy the wire in the length you want and add the YELLOW Camco ends.

[bcbigfoot]

Treefrog wrote:
rhagfo,
What is an "SO" cable?
treefrog

As rhagfo and stbretired pointed out not all cables are created equal. The cable that the trailer manufacturers buy is the cheapest plastic **** on the market (SJOOW) and starts becoming stiff by 60f and almost unbendable by 20f. The cords that have SO in the first two letters of the cord designation have a rubber insulation and are much better and remain flexible in low temps.

[Lwiddis]

“retractable shore power cords“

Unnecessary froufrou.

[STBRetired]

What does so in so cord stand for?
The letters in "SOOW" stand for cable properties. The 'S' in SOOW cable means “Service.” For portable cords that begin with an S but are NOT followed by a J, the voltage rating is 600 volts. The 'OO' means the cable has oil resistant insulation and jacketing. The 'W' means the cable is weather and water resistant.

[Treefrog]

rhagfo,
What is an "SO" cable?
treefrog

[rhagfo]

If you want a easy to use flexible 50 amp power cable be looking at SO cable. 6/4 stays flexible well below freezing. Mine is not on a reel, but the picture below is 40' of it in a 3 gal bucket.

[ScottG]

Aren't some of the better ones silicone? Maybe the yellow ones?

[azdryheat]

The cord that came with my TH is real stiff when cold but I don't have a winder for it. I've seen some cords on the higher-end motorhomes that are not as stiff.

[harold1946]

We have never had a problem with it, even in as low as 14 degrees.