What Is An RV Dog Bone Adapter?

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If you are new to RVing and are getting ready to head out to a campsite, you may be trying to learn how to connect your RV to your home’s electric system. To do this, you are going to need a device known as an RV Dog Bone Adapter – but what is an RV Dog Bone Adapter and how do you use it?

If you don’t already know what a dog bone adapter is, the device’s name may be enough to confuse you. A dog bone adapter is a type of electrical plug adapter that makes it possible to connect your RV to your home’s power source or other electrical sources that have different amps. It gets its unique name because of its dog bone shape.

The Benefits of a Dog Bone Adapter

For many years, dog bone adapters have been used by campers who want to connect their RV to a power source with different amps. Most large RVs feature 50-amp electric service.

This plug features four prongs. It makes it impossible to connect it to an outlet that isn’t 50amps and cannot connect with four prongs. That can be a major issue, especially if you are staying at an RV park that doesn’t offer 50-amp connections, and surprisingly, many campsites don’t.

You need to have a 50-amp female dog bone adapter and a 30-amp male adapter to remedy this issue. Fortunately, dog bone adapters are available in various configurations, and they are all affordable, so you can purchase multiple if needed.

You can even find some adapters with additional features such as moisture-resistant connections or locking mechanisms that reduce the strain on the connection and adapter.

When Should I Use a Dog Bone Adapter?

You’ll need to use a dog bone adapter any time your RV’s plug will not connect to a power source at the campsite you are staying at. It’s a good idea to have a selection of dog bone adapters handy in your RV so that you will be prepared no matter where you are staying.

  • You may also prefer to use a dog bone adapter if:
  • You don’t want to strain the plug on your RV
  • You want to have a secure connection that you can lock if needed
  • You want a secure, weatherproof connection

Which RV Dog Bone Adapter Should I Use?

There are several different types of dog bone adapters and different configurations as well. Here are a few examples of the different types and when you should use them.

  • 15-amp male to 30-amp female – Use this if your camper is 30-amps and the power source is a basic electric plug
  • 30-amp male to 15-amp female – Use this if your camper has a standard house plug and your power source is 30-amps
  • 30-amp male to 50-amp female: Use this if your camper is 50-amps and your power source are 30-amps
  • 50-amp male to 30-amp female: Use this if your camper is 30-amps and your power source is 50-amps
  • 15-amp male to 50-amp female: Use this if your camper is 50-amps and your power source has a typical house plug
  • Dog bones with matching male and female ends:  These help to reduce the strain on your campers plug and extend the reach of your campers plug
  • Dog bones with lockable connections: These can create weatherproof and strong connections

When You Should Not Use a Dog Bone Adapter

Although a dog bone adapter can help you get a job done quickly, you sometimes should avoid using them.

When you Require a Lot of Power

Dog bones serve their purpose well, but they aren’t capable of taking on every type of job imaginable. Just because you can connect your 50-amp RV to a 15-amp outlet using a dog bone adapter doesn’t mean you will be able to run 50 amps of power through that setup.

If you attempt to use your RV as usual while doing this, your circuit will overload, and you will flip the breaker.

When You Will Be Camping for a Long Time

If you plan to stay at one campsite for several weeks, it would be in your best interest to stay at a site with electrical outputs compatible with your RV instead of constantly using an outlet that isn’t designed to work with your RV.

When you Have the Right Outlet Available

If you stay at a campsite where you have the correct outlet available to use with your RV, there is no need to use a dog bone adapter. Sometimes people will still want to use their dog bone adapter because of the additional features such as a waterproof connection.

If this is the case, you should consider purchasing a lockable dog bone with a male and female end that correlates with the amps of your RV.

Is it Safe to Use a Dog Bone Adapter?

Safety should be your number one priority when it comes to using dog bone adapters. These adapters are safe when they are used correctly. To help ensure you are using them the right way, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

Use the Highest Quality Adapter

When it comes to safety, you need to find the highest quality dog bone adapter there is.

Therefore, you shouldn’t only purchase from a reputable brand. Dog bone adapters are typically very affordable, so there is no reason to go with an off-brand adapter to save a few dollars. Brands such as Leisure Cord and Camco offer exceptional dog bone adapters that you can be assured will work as advertised.

Use a High-Quality Extension Cord

Extension cords can be very beneficial in various situations; however, they can also be dangerous if they are damaged or worn or if you are using them with the wrong adapter. All extension cords are rated to have a specific amount of power running through them.

Most traditional extension cords are designed to be used in a traditional setting inside your home to connect your electronics or for use during the holidays to hang Christmas lights. Most household outlets run at 15-amps. If you are using an extension cord that is not rated for the amp you are using, it could cause the cord to malfunction, overheat and melt.

Do Not Plug One Adapter into Another

Many campers have connected one dog bone adapter into another to get the correct connection. While it may work and not cause a problem, this is still not a good idea.

It is the equivalent of connecting one extension cord to another. It could lead to a short or overheating. This issue, however, is easy to avoid as long as you purchase the appropriate dog bone adapter for the job.

Do Not Use a Cheater Box

A cheater box is an adapter similar to a dog bone, except that it has an additional plug. Many people think that an extra plug allows you to pull another power to your camper.

But unfortunately, it will also trip your breaker at any campsite equipped with a GFCI outlet. To avoid serious accidents and injuries, you shouldn’t use a cheater box and find a safe alternative solution to your issue.

How to Use a Dog Bone Adapter

Using a dog bone adapter is a simple and easy process. Here are a few steps for correctly using one of these handy adapters safely.

  • Inspect the adapter for any damage before use. If your dog bone adapter is damaged, you should replace it with a new one.
  • Turn off all the electricity in your RV.
  • Flip the breaker on your power source and make sure it is in the Off position.
  • Insert the RV plug into the female end of your dog bone adapter
  • Connect the male end of the adapter into the power source
  • Flip your breaker back on and turn the power on inside your RV

While it is convenient to keep one or several dog bone adapters in your RV, it is not always necessary to do so.

Especially if you are going on a short camping trip and already know where you will be staying, you can always call ahead to the campsite you plan on visiting and find out if you need to bring one along.

Also, many campsites allow visitors to borrow dog bone adapters if they need one in exchange for a small deposit. However, if you are going on an RV road trip where you may stay at several campsites along the way, it can help save you some time if you have one or more dog bone adapters already available.

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