Amp Service (30A / 50A)
The electrical service rating at a campground pedestal. 30 amp delivers ~3,600W; 50 amp delivers ~12,000W. RVs are wired for one or the other.
Also called: 30 amp service, 50 amp service, amp service, RV electrical service
Amp service refers to the electrical service rating at a campground pedestal. The two standard tiers:
- 30 amp service delivers approximately 3,600 watts (30 A × 120 V)
- 50 amp service delivers approximately 12,000 watts (50 A × 240 V split phase)
Which RVs use which
| RV type | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Class B camper van | 30 amp (rare 50) |
| Class C motorhome | 30 amp |
| Larger Class C / Super C | 50 amp |
| Class A motorhome | 50 amp |
| Travel trailer | 30 amp typical |
| Larger fifth wheel | 50 amp |
A 50 amp RV plugs into a 50 amp pedestal with a 50 amp shore power cord. The cord has a distinctive 4-prong twist-lock connector. A 30 amp RV uses a 3-prong connector that looks different.
When they don’t match
The campground pedestal you arrive at may not match your rig:
| Pedestal | RV | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| 50 amp | 30 amp | 50-to-30 “dogbone” adapter |
| 30 amp | 50 amp | 30-to-50 dogbone (rig runs at half capacity) |
| 50 amp or 30 amp | 15 amp (extension cord style) | 30A or 50A to 15A adapter |
| 15 amp household | 30 amp | 15A-to-30A pigtail (very limited load) |
Common rental issues
Newer rentals usually come with both 30-amp and 50-amp adapters in the kit. Verify at pickup. A campground with only one service type and no adapter means cold dinner and dark cabin.
How to know what your rental needs
The shore power cord tells you. A thick 4-prong twist-lock connector is 50 amp. A 3-prong cord is 30 amp. The cord is hardwired to the RV; you don’t pick.