Can I Plug a 50 Amp RV into 30 Amps Safely?

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Can I Plug a 50 Amp RV into 30 Amps Safely?

Do you have a 50 amp RV? Well, you may have noticed that many RV parks only have 30 amp service capabilities. That being the case, many RVers worry that they’ll damage their RV and the appliances inside if they plug into a 30 amp pedestal. Others worry about doing damage to the campground’s energy source. So, can you plug a 50 amp RV into 30 amps safely? The truth is that you’ll hear different opinions depending on who you talk to you. Many RVers say that it’s fine to plug a 50 amp RV into a 30 amp pedestal at a campground. However, most people who run campgrounds will tell you otherwise. 

Plugging a 50 Amp RV into a 30 Amp Pedestal

Truth be told, you can plug a 50 amp RV into a 30 amp electrical service. You’ll just have to be more conservative when using your RV’s appliances. To hook up, you’ll need a 50 amp female to a 30 amp male electrical adapter (a dog bone). This adapter will allow you to plug right in to the power source. There are different variations of these adapters, but many people like the ones with handles.

50 amp RV into 30 ampsAfter you hook up to the electrical source at the campground, make sure not to run several appliances at the same time. You shouldn’t run multiple appliances the way you would if you were hooked up to 50 amps. While using your appliances, watch the monitor to see if the amp reading is getting close to 30. You don’t want to get too close because even if you’re careful you could trip the breaker switch.

Remember that just because you can hook up a 50 amp RV to a 30 amp pedestal, it always doesn’t mean you should. Hooking up a 50 amp vehicle to a 50 amp power pedestal will protect the long-term dependability of the appliances in your RV. Hooking up a 50 amp vehicle to 30 amp power pedestal will not.

Other Tips to Keep in Mind

  • Air conditioners and microwaves are energy sucking appliances. You need to be especially careful with running them simultaneously, especially if you have more than one of each in your RV.
  • If you have a newer RV, it may come with an Energy Management System (EMS). This controls the appliances to prevent tripping up the circuit breaker on the power source. The user’s manual should tell you if your RV has an EMS.
  • If you have it, you can program the EMS to turn on your RV’s generator for extra power. However, most campgrounds won’t appreciate all the racket generators make.
  • There is also a chance that you will overload the campground’s energy design. When a 50 amp rig plugs into a 30 amp service designed for 10-15 units, it’s as if three RVs have just joined the circuit. You may end up with a tripped breaker and even a burned-out plugin. This could be costly for the campground and you.

RV Insurance

Of course, you want to have quality RV Insurance in case the worst happens. A standard Auto Insurance policy will not cover your RV in the event of an accident or mishap. Speak with an RV Insurance Specialist at (866) 501-7335 for a free quote. You may find out that RV Insurance is much more affordable than you thought!

The information in this article is obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. It should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.