3 Things to Know Before Buying an RV Power Cord

Match the amp rating to your RV Your RV is built for either 30A or 50A service. A 30A cord won’t work on a 50A RV, and a 50A cord on a 30A RV is overkill but safe.

Keep length short to avoid voltage drop For a 30A RV, use 25 feet of 10 AWG cord, or 50 feet of 8 AWG. For a 50A RV, 50 feet of 6 AWG is the max. Longer cords cause voltage drop that can damage your air conditioner or converter.

Buy an RV-specific cord, not a hardware store extension RV cords have heavier insulation and locking connectors that stay secure. They cost $50–$150 and last years. A cheap cord will cause tripped breakers and fried electronics.