A question for the community, the seasonal site that we are interested in has a 30 Amp Service, the owners said that we can upgrade the service to 50 amp for a fee a $375. Do we need a 50 amp service? and is it normal for the renter to pay for a site improvement that the owner will benefit from long after we are gone. thanks Gene.

The only time you would need 50AMP service is if you had an A/C and Washer/Dryer operating at the sametime or two A/C units at the sametime. We are very heavy electrical users and 30AMP service is usually good enough to handle our needs as long as we don't need A/C and the washer at the same time. We have tripped the 30AMP breakers at a couple of parks, usually a hairdryer or some sort of small appliance was to blame. If you get too much going at once, you might trip the breaker. Just turn off the last item you turned on and then flip the breaker back on. I wouldn't pay to upgrade unless you plan on using A/C and Washer or other heavy draw appliances at the sametime.

I don't recall being charge more for a 50 amp site but I'm sure that we have been charged more. Due to the fact the larger 5th wheels consume more energy, with them having two A/C's or heat pumps, W/D and have to cool or heat more space. Many RVer's are using space heaters. And believe me, if you give some a site for the winter at no charge better make sure they aren't using space heaters. Our electric went from $130.00 to $150.00 to $385.00 very thankful the RVer helped with the electric. Walk thru a RV park at night in cold weather and listen there want be many Propane heaters running if they aren't paying for electric. In many instances its cheaper to use propane vs electric space heaters. We always prefer 50 amp services. You don't have to have a 50 amp but if you use two A/C's and Microwave you will need 50 amps. GBY....

Gene, First time poster but I read this site daily. We are from North Jersey and have had a seasonal site at the Jersey shore for the past 5 years. The cost is even a little higher at the shore. We jusify the cost by saying how can we go away every weekend from April to October for this price? Also the cost of having a beach house would be much higher. When we first found our campsite at the shore the only one available was a 30 AMP but before the season opened a 50 AMP came available. Without realizing it at the time, we really lucked out and have a great location with folks around us that have become good friends. Couple things you have to get used too. They charge extra for vistors. $8.00 for overnight and $5.00 for a day vistor. We pay for our adult daughter to visit. If we are not on site and want friends to use our place, the campground charges the full daily or weekly rate for our 5th wheel and they keep the money. The electric is metered at .25 kw. Our plans are to buy a second travel 5th wheel in the next year. We will travel in the fall and winter, then come back to the beach for the summer. Our 5th wheel at the beach has a 38 by 11 ft. room attached. We have a sun porch with windows and half is a screened in porch. We love going to "Our Place at the Shore" and look forwarded to traveling in the next year. Ruth Ann & Bob

Gene, either I misunderstood the question or some of the others did or we all got a little bit of confusion. The way I read your question is that it is going to cost you a one time additional charge of 375 bucks because that is what it would cost them to have an electrician do the job to upgrade to 50amp service. Are they charging extra per month afterwards too for the 50amp service and on that note do campgrounds charge more if you ask for 50amp service. It makes no sense to me to do so since it all has to do with usage and other than the one time cost to have 50amp service, it is there and makes it more attractive for those RV'ers that need it. If I understood your question correctly, but having zero experience in this, I guess anyone (or any campground) can 'ask' for anything, it is just a matter of if anyone will accept it.

rjenkins wrote:

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Gene, either I misunderstood the question or some of the others did or we all got a little bit of confusion. The way I read your question is that it is going to cost you a one time additional charge of 375 bucks because that is what it would cost them to have an electrician do the job to upgrade to 50amp service. Are they charging extra per month afterwards too for the 50amp service and on that note do campgrounds charge more if you ask for 50amp service. It makes no sense to me to do so since it all has to do with usage and other than the one time cost to have 50amp service, it is there and makes it more attractive for those RV'ers that need it.
If I understood your question correctly, but having zero experience in this, I guess anyone (or any campground) can 'ask' for anything, it is just a matter of if anyone will accept it.

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You got it right, the $375 is a one time charge to upgrade the service at the site. I have the opinion that after i leave they still have the 50 amp service and the site is improved because of that, Gene

 

Gene, I wouldn't pay the $375 for him to upgrade his site. Like stated before you can run most of what you have on 30 amps. How many times are you going to use every high usage appliance at the same time? Many campgrounds charge 1 rate for 30 amp and a higher rate for 50 amp.The owner can pay for his capitol improvements that way rather than making you pay it for him in one lump sum.