Another noob question.....extension cords

[DinTulsa]

I'm headed to pick up a extension cord to plug my rv into shore power. It will run accessories and fridge, not the ac. I'm looking at 75-100ft 12/3 cord rated at 15amp. Is there any reason to go with 10/3 at that length of cord?

[rhagfo]

Jim Shoe wrote:
I carry an extra power cord, an extra cable/wifi cord and an extra stinky slinky. If you're a foot short, you're dry camping. Made room by removing the massive toolbox full of metric tools. 🙂

LOL! The only vehicle I currently own that isn't metric, is my 5th Wheel! All others are all or mostly metric.

[babun]

12/3 is okay.....10/3 is better.....

me, I went even bigger......

[wa8yxm]

There is always a reason to go with the heavier cord,, lower voltage loss.

Bus so long as you are not running A/C. Space heaters, Water heater or Microwave, I'd stick with the 12/3 In fact for battery maintenance that is exactly what I use.

I recommend the ones from Sears or K-Mart with the push button on the outlet end you need to push to plug in or unplug.. The plugs do not disconnect as easily as they do with other cords.. Since you need to push the release button.

[toedtoes]

Jim Shoe wrote:
I carry an extra power cord, an extra cable/wifi cord and an extra stinky slinky. If you're a foot short, you're dry camping. Made room by removing the massive toolbox full of metric tools. 🙂

I most always dry camp, but have 30ft of stinky slinky and a 30 amp 20ft cord in case I need them.

[Jim_Shoe]

I carry an extra power cord, an extra cable/wifi cord and an extra stinky slinky. If you're a foot short, you're dry camping. Made room by removing the massive toolbox full of metric tools. 🙂

[TUCQUALA]

Get the 100ft cord so you can put a generator a long ways away from you!!! Ya'll know that has to be said!!

[toedtoes]

DutchmenSport wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Dcarner wrote:
Thanks for the quick replies. I will pick up a 10/3 and call it a day.

Wow! I think that was the quickest agreement with the majority that i've seen on one of these "do I really need" posts... 🙂

Seriously, I don't think you'll regret it at all.

Um....... I disagree with this statement! :B 😉 :?

Whew! I was worried there for a minute, but Dutchmen Sport comes to the rescue... :B

[DutchmenSport]

toedtoes wrote:

Dcarner wrote:
Thanks for the quick replies. I will pick up a 10/3 and call it a day.

Wow! I think that was the quickest agreement with the majority that i've seen on one of these "do I really need" posts... 🙂

Seriously, I don't think you'll regret it at all.

Um....... I disagree with this statement! :B 😉 :?

[toedtoes]

Dcarner wrote:
Thanks for the quick replies. I will pick up a 10/3 and call it a day.

Wow! I think that was the quickest agreement with the majority that i've seen on one of these "do I really need" posts... 🙂

Seriously, I don't think you'll regret it at all.

[DinTulsa]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will pick up a 10/3 and call it a day.

[mlts22]

I paid for the relatively expensive 10/3 Camco cords with the molded handles. Not cheap... but they have remained cool at the connections for years.

With copper prices down, I'd not skimp on wire gauge. If you go bigger, you lose nothing other than few dollars. If you go too skinny, you wind up with fires, pitted/fried connectors, and oftentimes, more damage to fix than what the difference in cost would have been between a cheapie cord and a well made one.

I'd just go 10/3. It only hurts in the wallet once to do the job right.

[RoyB]

I found two 50-foot 10/3 Contractor Extension Cords from a local garage sale... Grabbed those up in a heart beat haha...

I would NOT use any size smaller than 12/3 for sure... I also would NOT use any of those small round RV30A-15A adapters as well. I use the RV30A/15A long dogbone type adapters (WALMART) here...

Whatever you use keep checking for heat around the connection points... Gets expensive when those connections get hot and burn up things...

Roy Ken

[toedtoes]

I would go with the 10/3 for one simple reason: over time it's easy to forget and turn something on that is too much for the lighter cord. The extra cost of the 10/3 cord eliminates that issue.

[gbopp]

I think the better option is go with the 10/3. Then, you'll have it if you need it.
But, I use a 75' 12/2 to keep the batteries on our Southwind charged and use the interior lights. Never had a problem.
If you want to save some money, the 12/3 will get the job done, depending on the job.