30 Amp extension cord

[Joesjunk]

I have a long 30 amp extension cord. It has a 30 amp male and female connector. The female side will work with either a 30 or 15 amp male plug. The 30 amp male plug has one prong vertical and the other horizontal or perpendicular to each other. Has anyone noticed if the campgrounds have 30amp capable plugs?

The 30 amp male plug has one prong vertical and the other horizontal or perpendicular to each other.
If I'm understanding your description, it sounds like the plug for a 20 amp dedicated circuit, not the 30 amp plug used at campgrounds. Leon described the 30 amp plug - here's a picture of what most campgrounds have.

[mjlaupp]

Sounds like you are describing a 5-20 plug rated at 20amps. Most campgrounds have either 15 or 20 amp (usually the latter) 120 volt receptacles along with the 30 or 50 amp shoreline receptacles. I have a 20 amp #10-3 50" outdoor cord like you are describing that I can use with 30 amp adapters. #10 wire is rated to carry 30 amps, the 20 amp connectors are the limiting factor.
Mike

[Bill]

Joe -

The plug and socket set you describe is almost certainly a 20 amp set, not 30 amps. It will not do you any good in a campground, except as a standard 15 amp cord. Most power posts have both a 15 amp (regular household) receptacle, and either a 30 amp receptacle (as Jim pictured above), or a 50 amp receptacle.

See http://www.elect-spec.com/nema_plgsokt.htm for some pictures. Is the one on the right what you have?

Another way to tell is to look at the cord. It will almost certainly have the gauge (conductor size) stamped into it, or printed on it. If it has the number 12 in it, meaning 12-gauge wire, it is 20-amp (max) wire. If it has the number 10 in it, it is 10-gauge 30 amp (max) wire.

Bill

[rickst29]

As Bill and Jim described, the TM has the pictured 30A plug. You should always carry two adapters:

• 115/20 Amp "household" plug to 30A "TrailManor" socket, this connects the TM cable to a "household" plug. (Some places have only 20A Service, which is adequate for the TM unless you run the AC on High with additional loads-- refer, battery charging, etc.)
  
• A 50A to 30A adapter, this connects the TM cable to a "monster-RV" 50 Amp plug. Most places with 50A connectors (50A ONLY) have a bunch of these adapters available for loan, but it's more convenient (and certain!) to bring your own.

The first adapter, of course, also connects the TM to your own garage wall sockets-- good for keeping the battery charged, and cooling down the refer before you leave the house. I feel that it's smart to have more than one of these (15-to-30 adapters), because you use them so frequently.

Now you guys got me thinking. Our dealer gave us an adapter and I have not had to use it yet. I'm not sure of the circumstances I would need to use it.
It looks like a regular plug adapter but bigger. Don't remember the prong set up though!

Midwest Dave
Quad Cities USA

that "sounds" like a 20A to 30A adapter which allows you to plug in your tm via a normal wall socket, like in the garage as described above.

Bill