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RV Shore Power or Electrical Connector – Fifth Wheel Pictorial Guide

Last updated on August 20th, 2018 at 08:51 pm

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rv how to shore power quick info page
rv how to shore power quick info page

What does the term “shore power” mean?

All of the RV ( recreational vehicles ), except the very smallest camping trailers, will have some connection on the outside of the camper which allows the RV to receive power. The generally accepted term for the power ( at RV Parks or state parks ) is called “rv shore power“. I don’t know for sure, but I believe that is a a throwback to the sharing of terminology and technology with marine products.

While the RV is a truly a land based machine, I think the shore power is very descriptive. If you imagine the countryside to be the sea, and your RV ( and you ) to be sailing the sea of adventure, then you can see how the term shore power is very apt. You come to “shore” and camp.

The two major types of RV shore power? (and maybe a 3rd)

The two primary “levels” of power your fifth wheel will utilize are 50 amps ( 2 air conditioners ) or 30 amps ( everything else ). There are different cables and plugs for the two different types.

50 Amp power is one type of RV shore power connection

50 Amp power has become prevalent in the last 20 years at most parks. This type of RV power allows for the connection of two RV air conditioners which is a new (ish) innovation since the beginnings of RVing .

50 Amp is likely most common in larger travel trailers or 5th wheels.

30 Amp power is another type of RV shore power connection

Before 50 Amps, 30 Amps was the most common form of RV power. This was back in the day of the original Airstreams or the old Spartan RVs of yesteryears. These only had a single AC… if they had one at all. Our Tiny Texas Tumbleweed only has 30 Amp connections.

30 Amp is likely most common in small to medium travel trailers and 5th wheels.

Be prepared to convert between RV shore power and your RV

Most parks have 50 amp service but just in case they don’t, you might want to have a converter cable which allows a 50 amp plug to use a 30 amp service. You won’t be able to run your second air conditioner, but you will have power for everything else and that is pretty nice. This is a MASSIVE TIP! See the list of convert plugs below.

There are some tiny RVs that can use a more standard 15 Amp plug. You can plug into a 30 Amp plug and power your RV. You won’t be able to rely on the circuit breaker at the RV parks pedestal to save your RV, but hopefully your breaker on your RV will break the circuit if you use too many Amps.

Here is a list of converter plugs that convert between 30 Amp and 50 Amp connections.

If the male plug (the prongs that stick out) have FOUR connections then the shore power connection is 50 Amps.

If the female plug (the holes that accept the prongs) have THREE connections, then that is for your 30 Amp RV.

If the female and male are swapped, then the plugs go the other way.

Here is a list of converter plugs that convert between 15 Amp and 30 Amp connections.

 

When you are plugging into the shore power with your RV, there are lots of things to think about and be careful doing – I’ll list some tips ( this is not complete, but just a couple of simple tips )…

As you look at fifth wheels, you should be able to find the power connection on the outside of the unit fairly easily. On almost all fifth wheels, maybe all RV’s, the power is on the DRIVERS SIDE of the RV. The drivers side is always opposite the side with the RV entrance. Good luck.
rv shore power connection and sewer connection
rv shore power connection showing fifth wheel 50 amp service

Amazon RV shore power listings:

CLICK HERE IF YOU DO NOT SEE A NICE SET OF AMAZON SEARCH TERMS RELATED TO rv shore power BELOW

 

 

RV Slide out – Fifth Wheel Pictorial Guide

Last updated on March 4th, 2019 at 12:16 pm

by 4 Comments

RV Slide out

The RV Slide out is one of the most interesting and most innovative ideas that the RV industry has had for a long time. As near as I can tell, slideouts are maybe a 10-20 year old idea. But what the RV slide outs do for the RV is amazing. By the way, you’ll find the terms listed as slideout, slide out, slide-out, tip-out and tip out. As near as I can tell, these are just different terms for the same thing.

For a really great set of videos and information that talk about RV slide outs click on the link. This is the MASTER Info page for slide-outs and the best starting point on RV52.

There are both positives and negatives, but I can’t talk as my Open Range 399BHS has FIVE SLIDEOUTS so I drank the Koolaid all the way!

A quick textual definition of a slide out is in order. A slide out is a room that when the RV is stationery, literally “slides out” of the inside of the RV to put that extra space of the slide out room outside of the original space of the RV.

Thats probably clear as mud.

You can think of it as the opposite though. Imagine an RV with an extra box shaped room jutting out of the side of it and then you needed to move the RV – well you have to stay around 8 feet wide so you have “smash” ( an extreme word – sorry ) the spare room INTO the RV so you can move it.

For a really great set of videos and information that talk about RV slide outs click on the link. This is the MASTER Info page for slide-outs and the best starting point on RV52.

When the slideouts are un-extended, they use up space in the RV. Not a big deal in a towable, but for motorhomes with slideouts, it is a big concern because most people want to be able to move about freely – or mostly freely – inside the motorhome while its moving.

Just to think about the value of the slideouts a little bit more. If you had an RV that was 40 feet long and 8 feet wide, the maximum square footage would be around 320 square feet. By adding slideouts you can get up to the industry agreed upon maximum of 400 square feet. I live in an RV full time, so let me tell you – 80 extra square feet is HUGE!.

RV slide outs have plusses and negatives and I’ll list a few here :

  • Pros
    • Added square footage – major
    • Layout flexibility – the fifth wheel master bedroom slide out is a great idea.
  • Cons
    • Complexity – one more thing to break.
    • Nooks and Crannies galore – bugs / wind / weather / seals / gaskets
    • Adds “lever arm” so weight in the slide outs ( think kids ) will bounce the unit more than you think.
    • Most slide outs are not that pretty ( extended or not ) except maybe a Prevost.
    • Added weight – Assume about 1000 pounds per slideout

For a really great set of videos and information that talk about RV slide outs click on the link. This is the MASTER Info page for slide-outs and the best starting point on RV52.

I don’t think you REALLY need a picture to locate the slide out but in case you’ve never gone RV shopping you might like to see this PLUS I don’t think I can do a pictorial guide and NOT have the picture!

rv slide out in extended position
rv slide out in extended position

For a really great set of videos and information that talk about RV slide outs click on the link. This is the MASTER Info page for slide-outs and the best starting point on RV52.

Slideout Information Panels:

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48 Search Results for RV Slide-Out

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Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Support Slide Out Support 19" to 47" in height

EAZ LIFT 48866

EAZ LIFT 48866 AccessoriesAmazon
Slide-Out
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Stabilizer Support Adjustable 21 Inch - 37 Inch

Husky 81080

Husky 81080 AccessoriesAmazon
Slide-Out
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Stabilizer Support Slidewinders

Barker 31340

Barker 31340 AccessoriesAmazonWalmarteBay
Slide-Out
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Stabilizer

Valterra 020106

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Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Support Adjustable 47"

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-29358

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-29358 AccessoriesAmazon
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Stabilizer Support Slide Out Support 21" to 37"

Ultra-Fab Products 19-960002

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Slide-Out
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Stabilizer Support Slide-Out Stabilizer

Stromberg Carlson JB-20

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Slide-Out
Accessories

Wiring Support Slide-Out Kit

Lippert Components 1346281

Lippert Components 1346281 AccessoriesAmazonWalmart
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Stabilizer Pads Stabilizer Jack Flex Pad

Camco 44591

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Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Jacks Stabilizer Jack Stands 37"

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-49089

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-49089 AccessoriesAmazon
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Accessories

Stabilizer Jacks Stabilizer Jack Stands 28"

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-29357

Ultra-Fab Products S-N-29357 AccessoriesAmazon
Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Support

EAZ LIFT 48867

EAZ LIFT 48867 AccessoriesAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
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Wiring Support Slide-Out Kit

Lippert Components 1346291

Lippert Components 1346291 AccessoriesAmazonWalmart
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Stabilizer Stack Jacks, Stabilize

Camco 44561

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Slide-Out
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Stabilizer Stabilizer System

SteadyFast SF2003

SteadyFast SF2003 AccessoriesAmazon
Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Slide-Out

Ultra-Fab Products 26" - 47"

Ultra-Fab Products 26AmazonCampingWorldicon
Slide-Out
Accessories

Wiring Support Slide-Out Kit

Lippert Components 1346271

Lippert Components 1346271 AccessoriesAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Accessories

Stabilizer Jacks Stabilizer Step Jack

Stromberg Carlson JSS-7

Stromberg Carlson JSS-7 AccessoriesAmazon
Slide-Out
Awning

Solera Slider Black 13'

Lippert Components V000165061

Lippert Components V000165061 AwningAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Awning

Fabric white or black 140" to 163"

Innova NU163

Innova NU163 AwningAmazon
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Fabric white or black 93"

Innova NU093

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Awning

Fabric White 154"

SunWave 66154

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Fabric White 110"

SunWave 66110

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Fabric White 198"

SunWave 66198

SunWave 66198 AwningAmazon
Slide-Out
Awning

Fabric white or black 163" to 199"

Innova NU199

Innova NU199 AwningAmazon
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Fabric White 176"

SunWave 66176

SunWave 66176 AwningAmazon
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Cover Bracket and Hardware White 3.25 to 5 inch

Carefree KY25TL

Carefree KY25TL AwningAmazonWalmartCampingWorldicon
Slide-Out
Awning

Solera Slider 8 Foot Black

Lippert Components V000168106

Lippert Components V000168106 AwningAmazon
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Pull Strap Black 36"

Carefree 901018

Carefree 901018 AwningAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Pull Strap Black 31"

Carefree 901089

Carefree 901089 AwningAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Corner Guard White

Camco 42193

Camco 42193 AwningAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Cover Bracket and Hardware White 0 to 3.25 inch

Carefree KY25SH

Carefree KY25SH AwningAmazonWalmartCampingWorldicon
Slide-Out
Awning

Accessory Pull Strap White

Carefree 901044W

Carefree 901044W AwningAmazon
Slide-Out
Seal

D-Seal Black 1" x 15/16" x 35'

AP Products 018-312-EKD

AP Products 018-312-EKD SealAmazonWalmarteBay
Slide-Out
Seal

Double Bulb Seal Black 2 Inch Width x 2.25 Inch Height

AP Products 018-478

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Slide-Out
Seal

D-Seal Black 1 inch width x 15/16 inch height

AP Products 018-350-EKD

AP Products 018-350-EKD SealAmazonWalmartCampingWorldicon
Slide-Out
Seal

D-Seal White 1" x 15/16" x 35'

AP Products 018-184-EKD

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Slide-Out
Seal

D-Seal Black 35 Foot Length x 1 Inch Width x 15/16 Inch Thickness

AP Products 018312EKD

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Seal

Rubber Seal D-Shaped Black 0.437” Height, 0.375” Width, 25’ Length

Trim-lok X105BT-25

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C-Channel bulb seal 3/4" x 1"

Steele Rubber Products 70-3833-99

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Slide-Out
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double wipe lip Black

Lauren 3-3363

Lauren 3-3363 SealAmazon
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Flap Seal Black 0.040" - 0.100", 0.523"

Trim-lok DDA1501-100

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Bulb seal 5/8" x 11/16"

Steele Rubber Products 70-3831-99

Steele Rubber Products 70-3831-99 SealAmazon
Slide-Out
Seal

Bulb Seal Black 1/16” Edge, 3/8”

Trim-lok 3100B3X1_16A-25

Trim-lok 3100B3X1_16A-25 SealAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Seal

Rubber Seal Black 25” Height.5” Width, 25’ Length

Trim-lok X272BT-25

Trim-lok X272BT-25 SealAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Seal

Rubber Seal Black 5” Height, 1.25” Width, 25’ Length

Trim-lok X2199HT-25

Trim-lok X2199HT-25 SealAmazon
Slide-Out
Motor

Lippert Components 236575

Lippert Components 236575 MotorAmazonWalmart
Slide-Out
Motor

10Mm

AP Products 014-236575

AP Products 014-236575 MotorAmazon
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For a really great set of videos and information that talk about RV slide outs click on the link. This is the MASTER Info page for slide-outs and the best starting point on RV52.

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RV Porch Light – Fifth Wheel Pictorial Guide

Last updated on March 4th, 2019 at 09:04 pm

by 1 Comment

RV Porch Light

RV52 has a more definitive RV Lighting How-To over on the RV How To Information Section. Even more cool is the Lighting section on the RV Parts Database.

Most RV’s will have a porch light. Certainly they’ll have one over the main entrance door of the RV and ours has a porch light on the drivers side which has no door.

It might seem silly, but RV porch lights are pretty nice to have. Why? Well for many, the RV will be parked in an area that is not well lit – like a state park. Most likely, the POINT of the RV is to be in an area that is “away from it all”. So while you might want to enjoy the stars, you might want to have a little light so that you can finish up the ball game, have a drink with some friends, BBQ while its dark, or help the kids come in after a big day of playing.

Our porch light is a little ODD. It has a BRIGHT light which seems pretty normal – and then it has a YELLOW light. I did a little research and the yellow lights are not supposed to attract bugs. I haven’t tested the theory personally. The porch light controls are usually only semi-convenient and our porch lights run off of DC power – you always need to be cognizant of where things get their juice ( power ) – particularly if you boondock much.

RV52 has a more definitive RV Lighting How-To over on the RV How To Information Section. Even more cool is the Lighting section on the RV Parts Database.

Here is a picture of the RV porch light:

rv porch light
rv porch light

RV52 has a more definitive RV Lighting How-To over on the RV How To Information Section. Even more cool is the Lighting section on the RV Parts Database.

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8 Search Results for RV Lighting

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Lighting
LED

LED Porch 180 degree Cool White

Leisure LED 8_5-scare-lght-Bzl

Leisure LED 8_5-scare-lght-Bzl LEDAmazon
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 40 degree Cool White 5.4 Watts

Dream Lighting 613512C

Dream Lighting 613512C LEDAmazon
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LED

LED Porch 180 degree White Base 100 Lumens

Lumitronics LUM-IP01L

Lumitronics LUM-IP01L LEDAmazonWalmart
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 120 degree Cool White 340 Lumens

Gift Prod Gift Prod

Gift Prod Gift Prod LEDAmazon
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 180 degree White Base 280 Lumen

Kohree HP425-HM-1

Kohree HP425-HM-1 LEDAmazon
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 180 degree White Base 94 Lumens

Lumitronics LUM-IP05L

Lumitronics LUM-IP05L LEDAmazonWalmart
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 180 degree White Base

Lumitronics LUM-IP03L

Lumitronics LUM-IP03L LEDAmazonWalmart
Lighting
LED

LED Porch 180 degree Black Base

Lumitronics LUM-ICL54

Lumitronics LUM-ICL54 LEDAmazonWalmart
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RV Basement – Fifth Wheel Pictorial Guide

Last updated on October 20th, 2012 at 08:52 pm

by Leave a Comment

The RV Basement

As you walk around a fifth wheel, you should notice that the floor in the FRONT of the RV is raised due to the fifth wheel hitch being raised high to fit inside of the bed of a truck. You should also notice that the floor of the REAR of the RV is much lower – just a reasonable distance from the ground.

The designers of fifth wheels took the opportunity of the mismatched floors to create some storage space by extending the higher front floor to the rear much farther than is needed before stepping down to the different level. This effectively creates storage space between the floors which is known as the “basement”.

One neat thing about a fifth wheel compared to a travel trailer is this basement. This gives fifth wheels a large amount of storage just not found on a travel trailer. Of course that gives an opportunity to go over the weight limits that are important to follow, but assuming that will be just fine, you have a chance to store 6-10 large plastic totes underneath.

The basement of the RV also gives ample places to hide accessories and connections that are visible externally on a travel trailer.

Here is a picture of the side of a fifth wheel showing the door to the basement. In many follow up shots, I’ll show the interior of the basement, but you should now be able to locate the basement on a fifth wheel :

rv basement closed
rv basement closed

 

RV Furnace Exhaust Port – Fifth Wheel Pictorial Guide

Last updated on November 8th, 2024 at 12:02 pm

by 2 Comments

RV Furnace Exhaust Port

Most RV’s, except the very smallest RV’s have a rv furnace onboard. I’m sure that some of them probably even have two, but most RV’s have one and the furnace has an exhaust port that you can usually find on the side of the RV.

How to Identify and Protect Your RV Furnace Exhaust

Most RVs, except the smallest models, come equipped with a furnace, and many larger RVs even have two. The furnace exhaust port, an essential component, can typically be found on the side of the RV. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, this guide will help you identify the exhaust and explain its role.

Key Points to Remember:

  1. What is the RV Furnace Exhaust?
    Nearly all RVs with a furnace have an exhaust port that vents the combustion gases outside. This is a crucial part of the RV’s heating system and is usually located on the side of the RV.
  2. Furnace Exhaust Location
    The exhaust port is typically a small vent that is easy to spot on the exterior of your RV, often near the base or on the side. It helps safely expel heat and gas produced by the furnace inside your RV.
  3. Mud Daubers and Your RV Furnace Exhaust
    Mud daubers (a type of wasp) are attracted to the furnace exhaust. These insects build nests from mud, and the exhaust vent often serves as an ideal place for them to create their nests. If you notice mud debris around the exhaust area, chances are it’s mud daubers at work.
  4. Signs of Mud Dauber Activity
    Mud daubers leave behind a mess of mud on the RV’s side as they go in and out of the exhaust vent. This is a clear indicator that they have built a nest inside. Over time, their nests can obstruct the vent, compromising your furnace’s efficiency and safety.
  5. How to Prevent Mud Dauber Nests
    While some RV owners install a mud dauber screen to prevent these pests, you can also temporarily cover the furnace exhaust with clear packing tape. However, a more permanent solution would be to invest in a specifically designed mud dauber guard to keep your furnace vent clear.

Conclusion: Protecting Your RV Furnace

Understanding the role of the furnace exhaust and recognizing the potential issues caused by mud daubers is essential for maintaining your RV. Regularly check the exhaust vent for any signs of nest-building and clean it as needed. Installing a mud dauber screen can help protect your RV furnace from blockages and keep your heating system running efficiently.

Here is a picture that clearly shows the RV’s furnace exhaust. You should be able to locate one on almost any RV that you purchase, provided it has a furnace :

rv furnace exhaust port
RV furnace exhaust port