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How much power is right for you?

When you head in for the evening to a campground or RV park, how much power do you prefer at the pedestal? Does a mere 20 amps work just fine, or do you need 30 amps to be comfortable? Or maybe your rig has a big energy appetite so 50 amps is your first choice?

Inquiring minds want to know. . .

Chuck Woodbury
Chuck Woodburyhttps://rvtravel.com
I'm the founder and publisher of RVtravel.com. I've been a writer and publisher for most of my adult life, and spent a total of at least a half-dozen years of that time traveling the USA and Canada in a motorhome.


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23 Comments
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Eddie (@guest_48672)
4 years ago

My tiny trailer, that I don’t even own yet (still a month before it is built and i can pick it up), is wired for 120v 20 amps, so that was kind of decided for me. I DO have a generator and will be adding solar as soon as I get it. And recover from upcoming reconstructive knee surgery.

James Knoch (@guest_48516)
4 years ago

I am wired for 30A, but the 50A are usually in much better shape than the 30A outlets, so I don’t have to worry about burned contacts overheating the plug on my EMS, plus I never have a nuisance trip with an old worn out 30A park breaker.

Tom (@guest_48312)
4 years ago

30 is what we are wired for but will adjust as necessary

Bill (@guest_48281)
4 years ago

I prefer 50 to run both AC’s but only have 30.

Sharon B (@guest_48277)
4 years ago

I prefer a 30 amp to watch up with my TT. Of course I use my Progressive EMS. Found a few electric sources that I caught not being good by using the EMS.

MrDisaster (@guest_48261)
4 years ago

I prefer 50A as that is what my rig is equipped for. 30A is just fine in most cases.

Scott (@guest_48221)
4 years ago

I’m just starting out in a van, how do I figure out how many amps I need, I have no idea. I don’t have much stuff, a fan, radio, tv, pump for sink. Will a 100amp AGM DEEP CYCLE handle it.If so how long will it last before I have to charge it? Somebody help me out!

Daniel Terry (@guest_48244)
4 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Probably 20 amps so just just a regular extension cord. But check your rig to see if you have a 30 amp service.

Richard Kelly (@guest_48206)
4 years ago

Since starting with a tent to a popup to a trailer to a class c to a class A to a small 5th wheel to a 37 foot 5th wheel, my wife says roughing it is 30 amp.

Thomas Becher (@guest_48180)
4 years ago

I only have 30amp service but if available I always use 50 amp with an adapter. Most 30 amp plugs are burnt up. Toast. That transfers to my cord and I don’t care to replace it. I have never seen a fifty amp outlet burnt. Maybe just lucky but never the less.

Dick and Sandy at the Nationals in Norwalk, OH (@guest_48160)
4 years ago

Our 40 foot DP Class A Holiday Rambler Ambassador 38DB was built to operate on 50 AMP, which we prefer. We can operate comfortably on 30 AMP with a few logical adjustments as to how we manage what devices, AC, Microwave, Electric heaters to name a few, as we know what circuits they are on and what power they draw. We have dry camped for up to 3 weeks using our generator. We converted to all AGM house batteries which makes a big difference in charging times and holding a charge longer. Complete knowledge of your individual electrical system and its capabilities is a must regardless of what you plug into or how you dry camp.

Bob Godfrey (@guest_48151)
4 years ago

Our motor home is set up for 50 amp service but quite often we can only get 30 amp and it works just fine. We just have to be judicious in our usage of certain things.

Seann (@guest_48141)
4 years ago

I boondock 99.9% of the time so 0 amps would be my real answer.

Jim Knoch (@guest_48138)
4 years ago

While my rig is only 30A, I prefer the 50A supply at the pedestal primarily because the 30A breakers are usually pretty well worn with weak sensing and eroded contacts on the outlet. The 50A are newer and less worn, so I trust them not to trip in the middle of the night for overheated contacts like the 30A will tend to do.

Drew (@guest_48169)
4 years ago
Reply to  Jim Knoch

I agree Jim- I just use a dog bone adapter

Daniel Terry (@guest_48246)
4 years ago
Reply to  Jim Knoch

Good idea!

John Owens (@guest_48134)
4 years ago

I prefer 50 amps but my RV is only equiped to handle 30 amps so I guess I will stick with 30 amps!

Larry (@guest_48126)
4 years ago

I require 30 amps but installed an additional 20 amp separate circuit for one gfci outlet and a line to the electric/propane water heater. But many campgrounds (like KOA) are now eliminating the 20 amp outlet so if 50 amp is available I plug into that with a splitter into two 30 amp circuits, use an adapter on one leg and plug my 20 amps into that. Don’t worry. That circuit has its own twenty amp circuit breaker.

Judy G (@guest_48120)
4 years ago

Although I’d prefer 50 as I used in my first RV, 30 does fine in my Class C.

Wolfe (@guest_48110)
4 years ago

I usually need about 300A service. I live in NY, and try to charge up the solar panels while I have shore power, to make sure I’ll have enough sun while boondocking. If the panels aren’t fully charged, it will rain all week.

Rory R (@guest_48112)
4 years ago
Reply to  Wolfe

You are joking……..Cool, I’m glad my windmill only uses 20A….ROFLMAO

Wolfe (@guest_48163)
4 years ago
Reply to  Rory R

Yes joking, although (explaining backfeed diodes) I once mentioned how solar panels and LEDs are related… yes, solar will glow if you feed it at night, and large LED arrays can charge your cellphone.

Al Hoke (@guest_48220)
4 years ago
Reply to  Wolfe

You sir are hilarious, I like your humor.

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