Rv extension cords

[atcNick]

I'm a newbie. I'm looking to buy an extension cord for my cargo trailer. I have 30 amp service and already have a 25 ft cord. I'm looking to extend that. Anything I should avoid? I see some deals on eBay but not sure if they're any good. Thanks.

[CliffinGA]

Nick I've bought on off ebay and it was new and worked great, just make sure the ends are what you need and its a seller with lots of feedback.

Cliff

[pchast]

You are looking for a 12 gage cord not the common 14 or 16 gage. The longer the cord the lower the gage to
reduce current restriction, as a general rule.

[coop74]

go to lowes or home depot and get you a 10-3 cord and possibly and adaptor for the 30 am service. If you get the industrial one it will carry the whole 30 amps if need be. Make sure when you are using it to have the whole thing extended and not bunched up. I have never needed more then my 50 foot one btw.

Coop

[woodywrkng]

"Make sure when you are using it to have the whole thing extended and not bunched up."

Why would that be? The electrons really don't much care if they have to turn a few corners on their way to your trailer.

[coop74]

If you have it coiled it will get hot and if in close proximity it will not shed heat easily

[bobhenry]

If you have it coiled it will get hot and if in close proximity it will not shed heat easily

I feed the caboose with a 10 -3 s.o. cord and it was a mile long. I simply cut it and fitted some new industrial grade male and female plug ends to the, now , two cords and use only what is needed to get there.

[woodywrkng]

If your extension cord does in fact get warm, then you're either drawing too much current or the internal insulation has broken down due to age or misuse. This seems to be a debated topic online, with an interesting opinion given here > http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_a_coiled_extension_cord_overheat
I would say that theoretically an extension cord, in good condition, will get warmer under a high current draw when coiled than when not, due to it being unable to dissipate the heat as rapidly, as Coop says. In light of this, I hereby retract my semi-snarky reply about electrons turning corners.

[atcNick]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to be using my CT at BBQ cookoffs and the distance to power varies.