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Can I use any 50 amp extension cord?

pweekly
Explorer
Explorer
Hi all. I have a 40ft diesel with 50 amp power. I need to use it for a guest house for a weekend and want to plug into my 50 amp in the barn but the cord isn’t long enough. I see that RV extension cords are more pricey than other ones. Presuming it is the same receptacle, are they all the same? Thanks.

Tricia and Tom

:B

2005 Mandalay 40E 400HP cummins/Freightliner in Sapphire blue.
22 REPLIES 22

handy2sum
Explorer
Explorer
Is the 50amp receptical in the barn a 3-wire or a 4-wire with neutral? RV needs 4-wire.

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
If it worked correctly on your RV without the extension and the extension has the same configuration, yes.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
Hard to mess up 50A receptacle wiring....4 wires
2 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground

30A is where it gets messed up
Dryer/welder.....3 wires 240VAC
2 hot, 1 neutral

30A RV...3 wires 120VAC
1 hot, 1 neutral, 1 ground


50A Cord/plug....
Ground is Round
Hots are blades/slots on each side
Neutral is blade/slot opposite the ground
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
As long as the shoe fits you are good to go. Should say NEMA 14-50 on the outlet.
Be cautious about using adapters or an owner installed system.

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
Make sure it's actually an RV receptacle. If not, it could damage your coach.

Also, how long will the cord be and what are you running? If you are just running the fridge, TV and a fan, likely not a problem. If you are trying to run 2 air/con units, hot water heater on electric and the microwave, voltage drop can be an issue if you are connecting up multiple extension cords to reach the outlet.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

dalenoel
Explorer II
Explorer II
Please be sure it is a RV 50 amp service and not for a welder/dryer/etc which will probably fry your coach.
03 Monaco Neptune 36PBD DP - 18 Focus Toad
Wife, myself, and Oreo the Malshi

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
If the cord does have the same connectors and wire size ("6/3", or 6 awg), it's equivalent to an "official" RV extension cord will work fine. There may be differences in the type of cable used (how resistant it is to abrasion or prolonged UV exposure, etc.) and the quality of the connectors, but I wouldn't worry too much about those things for your temporary use situation. In any case, it would be wise to keep the connections out of the weather if possible.

Do double check that you're getting the right connectors.

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
As long as it is wired correctly and wire is sized correctly any will work. You could buy wire and connectors and make your own if you wanted. And know what you are doing. The RV cables have a rugged outer sheathing for xtra protection being dragged around frequently.