Bruce is right - caution is extra-important for a neophyte. A 3-light tester is a good start. It will indicate
almost all likely problems. It will certainly show a hot-neutral reverse (which it sounds like you are experiencing, based on the hot-white-wire symptom), open neutral, or open ground. If you can find a 30-amp male to 20-amp female adapter, you can run the same tests on the power post.
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Bill