TRAIL GUIDE 11 · CAMPSITE CHARGING
Charge your EV at an RV campsite
Bring the correct portable charger and outlet adapter. Ask the campground before you plug in. Check the outlet during the charge.
An RV outlet is not an EV charger. Use a supported portable charger and the correct adapter for the outlet.
Ask before you book
Ask if the campground permits EV charging. Reserve a site with the outlet that you need. Ask about charging fees and time limits. Do not assume that an open RV site includes EV charging.
Bring a supported charging set
Bring the portable charger that your vehicle or charger maker supports. Bring the outlet adapter that the maker specifies. Test the complete charging set at home before the trip.
Keep the two adapter types separate
An outlet adapter connects the portable charger to a power post. A vehicle connector adapter connects the charging cable to the vehicle. These adapters do different jobs. Check both ends before you leave.
Inspect the power post
Check the outlet for damage, dirt, dark marks, or a loose fit. Do not use a damaged outlet. Keep the charging control box and cable out of water and vehicle traffic.
Check the charge after it starts
Confirm that the vehicle shows the expected voltage and current. Check the plug again after charging starts. Stop the charge if the plug becomes hot, smells unusual, or causes a fault.
Keep a backup charging stop
Treat campsite charging as part of the plan, not as a guarantee. Arrive with enough energy to reach another approved charger. Check the route and the required fast charger before you leave the campsite.
COMMON CAMPSITE OUTLETS
Match the outlet to your charging equipment.
Read the label on the outlet. Do not identify an outlet only by its shape.
NEMA 14-50
This outlet supplies 240 V from a 50 A circuit. The Tesla, Rivian, and Ford portable chargers in the linked guides can draw up to 32 A. This is about 7.7 kW.
NEMA TT-30
A TT-30 outlet supplies 120 V from a 30 A circuit. A continuous EV charge must not use more than 24 A. This is about 2.9 kW. Use this outlet only when the portable charger maker supports the complete adapter setup.
NEMA 5-15 or 5-20
These household outlets supply 120 V. A supported 5-15 connection usually charges at 12 A. A supported 5-20 connection can charge at 16 A. This slow charge can add useful energy during a long stay.
Pack these items
Pack a supported portable charger. Pack its NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 5-15 adapters. Pack a TT-30 adapter only when the charger maker supports it. Pack the correct vehicle connector adapter if your vehicle needs one.
Do not pack these items for charging
Do not use an extension cord, power strip, outlet splitter, or unapproved conversion adapter. Do not split one outlet between an RV and an EV unless the site and the listed equipment permit this use.