How to Replace a Shore Power Cord on a Travel Trailer

Designed to detach from the camper, the shore power cord on newer RVs is essentially an oversized extension cord. For newer units, replacing the power cord is as simple as buying a new cord -- having a plug at one end that connects to a standard 120-volt AC outlet and a specially configured socket at the other that plugs into the outside of the camper. On older units, the shore power cord is usually hardwired to the trailer, at the breaker box, and replaced similarly to installing a new cord on a lamp.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the power to the trailer. Open the access panel on the trailer's breaker box, usually located in a storage closest or cabinet inside the trailer.

2

Trace the existing power cord from the outside of the breaker box to the cord's terminals inside the box.

3

Examine the wire terminals. The black hot wire should be connected to a brass screw, the white neutral wire connected to a silver screw and the ground wire to a green screw. However, on some older trailers the screws may not be color coded. If not, mark terminals with a felt marking pen before disconnecting the shore power cord from the terminals.

4

Remove the shore power cord from the terminals with a screwdriver. Tie the loose end of a roll of string to the disconnected end of the power cord.

5

Locate the entrance point of the cord on the outside of the RV and pull the cord from the trailer. Untie the string from the end of the old cord. Tie the end of the string to the new power cord. Feed the new cord into the trailer, using the string to guide and pull the cord into position, if necessary.

6

Wrap the ends of the hot, neutral and ground wires from the new cord around the corresponding terminal screws, in the breaker box, in a clockwise direction. Tighten the terminal screws with the screwdriver.