cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

How to secure 50amp power cord?

Showme_5vr
Explorer
Explorer
We just bought a new 5th wheel with a 50amp service. How do you secure the power cord so that it doesn't walk away?
Thanks
Steve & Judy 2023 RAM 3500 6.7L Cummins HO Crew Cab LWB, 2017 Grand Design Reflections 337RLS
Lifetime Good Sam Member
28 REPLIES 28

westend
Explorer
Explorer
I had thought about this, too. The 50 amp Marinco cords cost hundreds and the inconvenience of losing one while on the road wouldn't be nice. I had worked out some locking devices and such but thought better of it and didn't implement anything. It is one thing where I will just trust my fellow man with his intents.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton

SoundGuy
Explorer
Explorer
StarkNaked wrote:
Search "RV Surge Protector Locking Device". There a couple of locking devices. One from Surge Guard "Universal Lock Hasp - Model 34590" and from one from Camco "PowerGrip Power Lock Security Solution".


They're both plastic and worthless - certainly the Surge Guard locking hasp that came with the TRC I bought a few years ago was. ๐Ÿ˜ž
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS
2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX
2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe
1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380

StarkNaked
Explorer II
Explorer II
Search "RV Surge Protector Locking Device". There a couple of locking devices. One from Surge Guard "Universal Lock Hasp - Model 34590" and from one from Camco "PowerGrip Power Lock Security Solution".

Johno02
Explorer
Explorer
Have it direct wired into your rig, with no way to disconnect it. Or have the connector moved to inside a lockable storage bin. A thief will need a big set of cable cutters, so just watch for anyone wandering around with a long set of cutters in their hand. No, I am really being serious. A direct wired cable requires a lot of work to steal.
Noel and Betty Johnson (and Harry)

2005 GulfStream Ultra Supreme, 1 Old grouch, 1 wonderful wife, and two silly poodles.

PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Explorer
I've got a fancy metal box with a padlock to lock the 50 amp cord to the surge/ current protector. I quit using it a couple years ago.

The only thing that I know I've lost in a campground was my very nice Craftsman 19.2v battery powered drill. And I know I left it sitting on the back bumper of the truck when I drove away from the campsite. Probably fell off when I went through the pot holes about 20 sites from mine. Didn't realize it was gone for a couple days....

My experience is that theft is not really a problem among RVers. I've never met anyone who had one stolen.

One guy did have his unhooked on day. Another camper thought he saw it smoking, threw the breaker, disconnected the power cord, and left a note as to why. Turned out the surge protector had fried from a power surge (that's what they are supposed to do - sacrafice the surge protector to prevent much more expensive damage to the rig)
Full-Time 2014 - ????

โ€œNot all who wander are lost.โ€
"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."

2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS TT

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
I liked the one post of using hand cuffs - neat idea...

When i am done with my 30A Cable I coil it up inside a bucket to keep in the storage bay...

I too have never lost anything camping from thief ... I have run off and left a few things at the site however... One thing I can't locate is my Sears Clamp-on ammeter... No where to be found. Reckon I left it on a tree stump somewhere a couple of seasons ago...

One of my favorite OFF-ROAD places I ran off and left a shovel leaning up against a tree... Went back a couple of weeks later and there it was still leaning up against the tree. This was off the beaten path...

Seems like when camping a camp ground the neighbor campers all like to look out for everyone. I know I do that... You can tell pretty easy if someone is snooping around... I will approach them in a heart beat and ask if they need some help... They usually come up with a lame duck answer hehe...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
Copper doesn't have anywhere close to the value it once did so there's really no risk to losing it.

blofgren
Explorer
Explorer
OP, try not to get offended with some of the tongue in cheek responses.

As much as this thought crossed my mind when we bought our current trailer 2 years ago it quickly passed when I noticed how many other units in RV parks have the same set up. Also, you will quickly see that managing those cords isn't quite as easy as you might think so grabbing one and getting away with it certainly wouldn't be a quick and easy operation! :B

I don't do anything to secure mine as most don't because the risk is so low that it's not worth worrying about. Enjoy your new unit!
2013 Ram 3500 Megacab DRW Laramie 4x4, 6.7L Cummins, G56, 3.73, Maximum Steel, black lthr, B&W RVK3670 hitch, Retrax, Linex, and a bunch of options incl. cargo camera
2008 Corsair Excella Platinum 34.5 CKTS fifth wheel with winter package & disc brakes

GordonThree
Explorer
Explorer
sharker6 wrote:
I would park a lawn chair right there and watch it.
lol x2
2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 200, 20 ft TT
2020 RAM 1500, 5.7 4x4, 8 speed

sharker6
Explorer
Explorer
I would park a lawn chair right there and watch it.
2017 Keystone Cougar 29RES, 2008 F250 Diesel FX4

cyntdon2010
Explorer
Explorer
we have never had any items stolen in 8 years of RV camping.
except some shrimp out of a cooler--- raccoons.
bikes, grill, chairs, kayaks
we use lots of state campgrounds with a big turnover. we may just be lucky
2010 lacrosse T.T 318 bhs 34 ft,blue ox-tow bar,2005 FORD F-150 larait super crew,Firestone ready rite-air bags lift kit

diazr2
Explorer
Explorer
I would try a pair of hand cuffs! I would put one cuff on the cord and hook the other to the ladder.

Nolan
Explorer
Explorer
Twelve plus years of full-time RVing, the cord never walked away. In fact everything we have owned has never walked away.

1968mooney
Explorer
Explorer
Showme 5vr wrote:
We just bought a new 5th wheel with a 50amp service. How do you secure the power cord so that it doesn't walk away?
Thanks


All I did in 6 yrs. was plug it into the pedestal.