| Author | Message | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet) (24.108.179.61)
Rating: N/A |
Which side of an rv site is the power pole usually on? When backing in, would the driver or passenger side be the most convenient for the plug (and fore or aft of center)? Thanks, Patti | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.151) Rating: N/A |
The accepted park standard is the driver's side for all hookup gizmos. You -will- find that the mileage will vary, however. (there was just another thread where we all beat each other up over this topic) | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.130.117.16)
Rating: N/A |
This is snipped from a post below. Check archives using "keyword search" on the left side of the screen for more info. Utilities on the left-- Nat'l Elec Code says on the left from the rear centerline around the corner to within 15' of the rear. ANSI plumbing code says the waste drain shall be on the left within 16' of the rear or within 12" forward of the rear wheel well (I guess they looked at the overhang of some of the stick & staple RV's and realized it exceeded 16' )or within 18" of the outside wall if on the rear end. So, it is code that dictates the location of utilities. And NEC specifies campground electric locations. I assume the local plumbing/building code will specify sewer locations. Jim | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.151) Rating: N/A |
Left? Right? Right? Left? The driver's side whilst backed into the parking spot, is the accepted side for all utilities. I have been to many, many state and federal campgrounds.... and many private campgrounds.... that have some hookups on one side and some on the other. At one Florida campground located at Cape Canaveral, you'll need a 100' water hose, at least a 100' electric line and a gawd-awful long sewer connection. At the Long Key (Fl) state park, the hookups for each adjoined spot is in the middle. If you pull in spot #1, the connection is on the right. Spot #2 would be on the left. Spot three - right and spot 4 is on the left..... etc.. As far as I know, there are no "federal laws" that govern where each campground hookup should be located. If there are state regulations, they would vary from state to state. I'd put 'em on the driver's side and allow for connections on the opposite side, if possible. Taking extra wire, hose, etc, is helpful. | ||
| Johnny (4.174.103.205) Rating: N/A |
After many "where should it be" questions. I just gave up: I carry a 50' HD contractor's extention cord in addition to my usual 15' power cord. The PP location is variable, especially at older campgrounds. | ||
| Marc Bourget (209.142.38.81) Rating: N/A |
Johnny, What is the wire size of/in your 50' extension? Marc Bourget | ||
| Johnny (4.174.103.205) Rating: N/A |
Off the top of my head, I have no $%^&*(*&^ idea. I know I had to go to a lumberyard to get it. It's rated for, IIRC, 20 amps. Obviously, it won't work if you have 30 or 50 amp service. | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.156.215.202)
Rating: N/A |
Which part of NATIONAL Electric Code is confusing?? BOCA code is also accepted NATIONWIDE. All vehicle reference as to left and right is always from sitting in the driver's seat. All hookups on the vehicle, according to any code, is to the left side of the vehicle, even if they come out at the back bumper. Yes, some campgrounds have stuff backwards(?) but consider that one site may be driven into and the next backed into so that the curb (awning) sides are facing each other and the "business" sides are facing each other. Sort of like city blocks with an alley between the streets at the "back" of the houses for the garages and dumpsters. I have also seen sites that are beside each other that are driven into from different "streets". And then there are the occasional sites that someone just plain screwed up on. Put the stuff on the wrong side. This is definitely the exception rather than the rule. Not all contractors are what you wish they would be. "No Bubba, 'The other left'. " comes to mind. Just in case, I do carry a 75' electric cord, 75' of hose and 30' of dump hose for my macerator. Just in case nobody read the NATIONAL codes.  Jim | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.244.204) Rating: N/A |
You can get your shorts in a tight knot Jimmie, but there's a whale of a difference between a "code" and a "law" and a whole bunch of different whales swimming between the Federal "codes" and State's "codes", including how they may (or may not) pertain to homes, businesses, campgrounds, vehicles, part time usage vs full time usage of either, etc, etc, until your shorts begin to change your voice pitch. To suggest that some "code" that may instruct a vehicle's connection to be on a certain side of that vehicle shall mean that a parking spot for that vehicle must be made to accommodate that "code", just does not exist in real life. To say something should be on the "right side", you should also note the device being discussed. Was it the parking spot, or the coach? After searching through all the means I have to find regulations, I found none regarding the placement of connection devices on motor vehicles. With a further discussion with two different park owners this afternoon, both claim to have absolutely no knowledge of any specific law regarding the placement of the water, sewer, TV, or electric connections at the camp site. If you have found laws that exist...... -please-, cite references so we all can gain some clear information? I will stand by my previous comments. It's been a "policy" to try to locate the connections for both vehicle and camp sites in a manner that will serve all visitors. There are times that they do, and times that they don't. But for all practical purposes, building a coach system with all connections on the driver's side, will likely work best. That's the answer to the question asked. (jeeeeesh) | ||
| Ace (172.175.49.161) Rating: N/A |
From the looks of your login, your quite new to THIS site and maybe bussing too. Take some advice from one that has been here for a long while and reads more NOW than post due to this same thing. When one ask a question pertaining to a specific issue, just answer it to the best of your knowledge whether it's right or wrong. The person looking for an answer hopefully will use COMMON SENSE and use whatever answer best suits his needs. The back and forth bickering over who is right or who is wrong is not helping anyone. In fact it probably has run more bus enthusiest away than brought in. It seems the ones posting regular have a lot more time to spend typing than they do converting so I would have to ask myself, when reading the back and forth bickering, just how much experience or knowledge do these guys really have? Not really directing this at you but more of to everyone that it fits, and since you ended your recent reply with "jeeesh" you sounded frustrated. Do yourself a favor, take it from one that has been there and said it all, right and wrong... give it a break! It will help the board and the guys looking for the REAL answer, not that yours is wrong! Bickering takes up too much valuable converting time! Ace | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.244.204) Rating: N/A |
Yer right Ace. And I oughta' know better. Thanks for the nudge. | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet) (24.108.179.61)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks once again for all the help. You guys always have the answers. Patti | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.171) Rating: N/A |
Ace... Your comment: "It seems the ones posting regular have a lot more time to spend typing than they do converting so I would have to ask myself, when reading the back and forth bickering, just how much experience or knowledge do these guys really have?" In all fairness to -all- those that post regularly to this forum - Some post early in the morning, over coffee, some post during lunch, and some during their evening hours.. Some even have a day or two that might be free to use for whatever they feel like doing. It isn't fair to assume or suggest, that anyone that takes time to post here regularly is "a poster", rather than "a converter" and consequently, someone to be disregarded. I'm thrilled to have found this board and all the practical information it carries. Those that have taken time out of their day to answer questions, have done so with best intentions. I'd hate to have them feel that posting too many comments will make them appear to have nothing better to do with their time. You're right, however.... The bickering over details is a nuisance to read through. But then..... how else to clarify? I take it with a pound of humor, Ace. I'm Italian; arguing is part of my heritage. Mom wouldn't have wanted it any other way. | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.163.15.177)
Rating: N/A |
Building and electric codes are not law until a municipality adopts them by reference or transcription. At that time the specifications in a code become enforceable by building inspectors and Building Code Boards of Appeal. Contractors can be made to rip out work and do it to code and face fines in court. Certificates of Occupancy can be denied until the work meets code. Campgrounds fall under these codes if the municipality has adopted them. Specific reference is to NEC Chapter 551 "Recreational Vehicles, Parks" for electrical. As to RV's plumbing, propane and life safety, the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A119.2 code is the rule. RV's are subject to these codes where authorities have adopted them. In some instances, campground owners adopt these codes and may refuse to allow entry to a non-conforming RV. I don't want to continue a thread for the sake of being right, only to clarify what I said earlier and, so that people are not mislead into thinking that WHATEVER they decide to do is safe and convenient. There are times that "doing it your way" can cause serious trouble. Whether a local jurisdiction has adopted these or other codes doesn't matter. What matters is when there is a failure that could have been prevented if the code were followed. The codes are based on years and years of experience and are continually refined so we can draw on their expertise in building a safe coach. Jim | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.171) Rating: N/A |
Jim.... Really.. I'm going to bicker with you! (hey Ace.... I'm doing this during my work on our own web site) Re: "Building and electric codes are not law until a municipality adopts them RV's are subject to these codes where authorities have adopted them so that people are not mislead into thinking that WHATEVER they decide to do is safe and convenient" And finally: "What matters is when there is a failure that could have been prevented if the code were followed. The codes are based on years and years of experience and are continually refined so we can draw on their expertise in building a safe coach. " And it is with that last statement Jim, that much attention should be paid. A search using Google for - RV Equipment Codes - will produce numerous organizations that use their profound expertise to draw conclusions to what is or isn't "best" for our own good and safety; ie: codes. (http://www.google.com/search?q=rv+equipment+codes&num=30&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&newwindow=1&c2coff=1&safe=off&start=30&sa=N) It's your last line that says it so clearly: "The codes are based on years and years of experience and are continually refined". Each time the "codes" are "refined", it costs someone money. There are safe ways to do things, and practical ways of doing things. Where to place connections at the side of an RV is neither. Forcing an owner to walk on the highway side of the rig to check for a loosened water, electric or other connection, is not safe. Nor is having the sewer lines routed through the area where one may cook and sit. The items are placed at the driver's side for reasons that have little to do with safety and more to do with arbitrary agreements, sheer practicality and years and years of experience regarding RVrs comfort. Codes/shmodes. Codes are for the raising of taxes through legislated requirements. When common sense prevails, codes are meaningless. (good grief man, don't you remember aluminum wiring and PEX grey connectors?) Other than that.... I'm done here. | ||
| John that newguy (199.232.240.171) Rating: N/A |
I always enjoy when an engineer type contributes to the topic. It reminds me of the story about a little boy that ran into the house and asked his mom: Where did I come from? His mom gasps and tells little Jimmy to wait until dad comes home and after dinner, they'll explain it all. Jimmy runs back out to play with his friend Billy. Later that evening, after dinner, and in the living room, the family sits down for "the talk". Mom and dad explain in great detail all about wombs and sperm and birds and bees and giraffes and horses, pig, goats, dogs and cats. With enough detail to fill a medical journal and enough examples to fill an encyclopedia, the three hour explanation is finally finished. Dad sits back and says: "Well Jimmy, now you know where you came from"! And poor little Jimmy, with his eyes wide but his mind almost comatose from the three hour explanation, replies: "Billy says he came from Brooklyn!" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Patti...... put all the junk on the driver's side, maybe more towards the rear. Carry enough wire and hose to reach beyond 25' of the front, rear and either side and you should be ready to roll. If you're ever in doubt, simply check out the commercial RVs; they make 'em to please the end user.... the one's buying and using 'em. | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.130.44.94)
Rating: N/A |
Another vote for "Do it your way" is registered strongly. Enjoy your coach. Jim | ||
| ron and patti (Hayleyscomet) (24.108.179.61)
Rating: N/A |
John, thanks for the story. Made my day. Patti |