Get a 30A or 50A RV cord, not a household extension cord.

For RV hookups, you need a heavy-duty extension cord with the right plug — either a 30-amp (TT-30P) or a 50-amp (14-50P). Household extension cords aren’t built for sustained high loads and can melt, catch fire, or trip breakers.

The two main RV connectors are:

• 30-amp (TT-30): Three prongs, one flat, one angled, one round. Standard for smaller RVs. Cord should be 10-gauge minimum.
• 50-amp (14-50): Four prongs — two hot, one neutral, one ground. Found on larger RVs and campers. Cord should be 6-gauge.

Some parks have 30-amp pedestals, some have 50. Many have both. Buy the cord that matches your RV’s inlet, not the pedestal. If your RV is 30A and the park has a 50A outlet, get a 30A female to 50A male adapter (added cost, but it works fine).

Don’t mix and match household extension cords. And don’t cheap out on gauge. A 50-amp cord that’s too thin will heat up fast under load, especially with an air conditioner running.

Future you deserves not waking up to a smoldering cord.