Half Powered

⚡ No Power to Half the RV? Here’s What Went Wrong

RV Type: 2016 Grand Design Travel Trailer
Service Date: May 14, 2025
Issue: No power to half the RV – including outlets and the microwave
Power Setup: 50-amp trailer plugged into home outlet with an extension cord

🔍 The Problem

A customer called about a power issue in their Grand Design travel trailer. Half of their RV’s electrical system had gone completely dark—no power to outlets, the microwave, or other appliances. Since this was a 50-amp trailer, we expected two separate 120V “legs” of power supplying the RV.

The trailer was parked at their home and connected to a 30-amp outlet using a long extension cord.

🧰 Diagnosis

The first thing I checked was the breaker panel inside the RV. One leg of incoming power was missing entirely. Next, I tested the RV’s power cord—only one leg had 120 volts. That’s a red flag on a 50-amp system.

To rule out the home power source, I tested the outlet itself. It was working fine—providing proper power to both legs.

That led me to the extension cord. After some inspection, I discovered the problem: the cord wasn’t delivering power through both legs. Most likely, one of the internal wires had pulled loose from the plug—a common issue when cords are bent or stressed over time.

✅ The Fix

Rather than repair the connection, the owner chose to replace the faulty extension cord with a new 50-amp extension cord that could handle the load requirements. Once the new cord was in place, full power was restored throughout the RV.

💡 Takeaway

Using an extension cord for RV power is risky—it may not be wired correctly. Additionally, the more electrical connections in the circuit, the more chance for failure, especially with the high current demands of a 50-amp trailer. Always use a cord specifically rated for RV use to avoid power issues or even fire hazards.

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