RV Power Pole With Meter (Installation Requirements, Cost)
Getting power to your RV or trailer is a challenge, when not staying in a campground or RV park. But it can be done if you have enough money to get the electric company to work with you, Besides money, it will take some planning as well.
There are a lot of issues that need to be overcome when installing a power pole on your property. The distance of your RV parking site from the road will be one of them and each post can cost between $300 and $1800 depending on the situation.
To get more information about this topic, just continue to read our article. It explores the subject so you have a place to start when you want to try this project. Take a few minutes to see how this important information solves a power problem for you.
RV Power Pole With Meter
This can be tricky as you first have to decide if you want underground wiring or above-ground wiring. There will be indirect costs for both as you have to dig a trench deep enough to hold the wires or strong them high enough off the ground or the latter option.
We found one pole for underground wiring to be about $500 to $600. Just for the pole and what ever the electric company will charge to bring their wires to that pole. The meter can be as low as $40 depending on the style you want.
Believe it or not, Amazon has almost every component you would need to erect a power pole, including one style of the pole at fairly reasonable prices. You may be able to save going through that marketplace.
That online marketplace does provide some options for you. The key to installing a power pole for your RV is where you will connect it to a power line. If you already have power onsite then you may be able to get away with one pole.
If you are far from the road then you may have to install more than one pole to string the line to the electrical company’s power lines. Your costs will be relative to the work involved.
RV Power Pole Requirements
We will send you to a link that provides general requirements. The document on that website is 2 pages long and it is best for you to read it directly so you get the correct information without middleman changes.
One thing that is important to note is that to install a pole you have 2 requirements to meet. These are stated in the first two lines of that document:
“When installing an electrical service pole for your camper, it must be in compliance with section 551 of the National Electrical Code. Also, requirements must be met with your local power company. (see power company document”
On the second page is a diagram as well as further instructions. Those instructions include what kind of outlets you will need. It is key to talk to your local power company as all power companies will have their own requirements for you to follow.
There is no one generic code they will use. Read the document carefully to make sure you understand where your responsibilities begin and the power company’s end.
Then we suggest that you call your local power company and discuss your plans. As much as you do not want government interference in your life, this one cannot be avoided, unless you are going solar.
Then you have other companies to deal with to make sure your setup is safe and will work properly.
Power Pole Diagram
As we stated the link above does have a diagram on the second page. It is very clear and the legend helps you see what components go where on the pole. It also discusses the required outlets you will need on the pole.
What that means is that you have to know what amperage your RV or trailer uses, to make sure you get all the outlets you need. According to that document:
“Each service must have a 15 or 20 amp GFI protected outlet installed and must have either a 30 amp 240 volt or a 50 amp 240-volt receptacle installed”
That may be good news as you do not have to install 3 outlets. You can use an adapter if you change trailers that use a different power source than the outlets you installed originally.
This link takes you to the Delaware County Electric Co=operative’s power pole installation requirements. This will give you an idea of what to expect when you start this project on your property.
This power company is located in Delhi, NY. But check with your local power company to see what they require.
How Much Does it Cost To Install a Power Pole For RV?
The cost is going to be in several parts due to the nature of this project. The pole and its installation will be one cost and that can get to $1000+ or less depending on the type of pole you use.
The cost of the installation of the components can be anywhere between $500 to $1200+ depending on the materials and components used and if you do it yourself or not.
Some people put in short power poles with underground wiring to keep the costs lower. Your costs will depend on the design, height, and construction material of the post or posts you use.
Along with the requirements of the power company. They may require more expensive components than you can buy on your own, so be aware of this possibility.
Then the cost of wiring will be the third part. You may be able to purchase this from the electric company. If so, your costs will be whatever they charge. Then if you are using professional help, labor will be the 4th part and can run you between $500 and $1000 depending on what they will do.
The labor costs could be higher in some designs. It all depends on where you want the pole and where you live.
RV Power Pole Installation
This is just a standard job that requires the ability to dig a hole, pour concrete, and being able to keep the pole straight and level. A hidden cost in all of this will be the installation of the concrete pad for your RV.
That pad will help you locate the pole the best but it can be expensive as the pad has to be able to be strong enough to hold the weight of your RV or trailer plus other items that you want nearby or inside the RV, etc.
Back to installing the power pole. You need to dig a 30-inch deep hole that is 8 inches wide for a 4 x 4-inch pole. Wider and deeper for a bigger and longer pole.
Keep in mind that the power pole also has to hold your water hook up as well. Unless you are going to drive to the dump station each week or two weeks, you will also need to install a sewer system.
There is more to placing an RV on your property than erecting a power pole.
RV Power Pedestal With Light
The only real difference, in this case, is that you may boost your costs by adding the price of the light and installation costs. Everything else will be the same and you would need to check with your local power company to find out if they have any requirements for this option.
The light on the pole should not be a problem except that you may have to install a tall r pole to make sure that light illuminates the entire area you want to be lit up. That change will also boost your pole installation costs.
Temporary Power Pole For RV
These are available and there are different electrical companies that have them on sale. These companies provide a wide variety of services and have qualified licensed electricians that do the work for you.
Again, you would have to check with your local power company for the requirements you need to meet. The service you use should know them but check to make sure they are not adding or eliminating anything during the installation.
If you look in the right locations, you could find used temporary power poles for far less than a new one will cost you.
Some Final Words
Getting power to your RV on your property is not a big deal. You just have to make sure you follow the requirements that apply to your situation and get professionals to install it.
Work with your local power company to make sure your new connection is legal and safe. Watch out for hidden fees like permits, etc., so you can budget correctly. This project should not take that long to complete.
