I've done this several times…basically anywhere I can fine a NEMA 14-50 I'm game to change - I normally pay the normal space rental fee and the RV owner's are quite curious as to how it all works.

 

What would be a normal space rental fee? How empty does your battery need to be to make it reasonable?

If you're already camping, it's just a bonus, but if you're stopping just to charge up, when does it make sense (assuming you're not so desperate for a charge that price is no object)?

 

That's a very good question. Here in Michigan we have lots, and lots of state park campgrounds. All of these campgrounds(at least all that I know of), have 30 amp 120 volt RV plugs and two 15 amp 120 plugs. You would need a RV 30 amp plug to use it however. I have not tried to charge at a state park, I have a Volt, but I don't think you should have any problems. A lot has to do with how crowded the campground is at the time. If they are no where near at capacity, then the park rangers will be more inclined to let you plug in. I will be able to tell you more when GM finally gets around to selling Bolts in Michigan. It seems that we can make them here alright, we just can't buy them here. We camp a lot during the summer and I will be sure to check at each campground to see what their policy is. I am sure that it is all up to the individual park ranger, since there is no defined policy by the DNR. One last thing, the power is turned off in the winter here even in campgrounds that are still open to drive through, walk your dog, etc. Please post anything you learn about this.
Thanks

 

You make an interesting point. When I read about this, I assumed that this was about privately owned RV parks, not state or national parks. In my area of California, the campsites are typically pretty rudimentary, including a fire pit and a picnic bench. Sometimes a shared water source, but no electricity at the campsites.

 

I've paid anywhere from $8 to $40 to charge - normally if I'm using a camp ground to charge it's "filling" in for lack of DC Fast Charging/Tesla Supercharger or any public charging infrastructure - I'm normally not car camping - rather I'll stay some where near by (hotel) and drop the car off for charging while I sleep. The other place I charger is at "race tracks/motor sports" - a lot of tracks are setup for RV's to stay overnight and when I'm at the track playing with my track toys I'm charging my EV during the day while I'm out on track killing polar bears…cost here is zero since normally access to the Track's facilities and infrastructure is includes in the cost of the track day. The best charging outlet to find while traveling is a 50 AMP RV hook up - which lets you charger at 40 AMPs with the appropriate portable charger and a car that can charge at 40 AMP's - I've charged my Bolt @ Thunderhill Raceway in Northern California @ 32 AMPs from one of their 50 AMP RV hooks up using a modified Tesla Universal Mobile Charger and the NEMA 14-50 adapter.

When doing this type of charging I'm not claiming it's cost effective - rather I do it to be able to charge the car and continue my trip.

The real point in my opinion is once you realize there are a lot of camp grounds in the US and with a little planning there is more EV charging available than most people realize, and the options balloon by quite a bit if you're willing to plan a little and invest in a good portable 240 volt charger - with proper equipment you can charge an EV at most any 240 Volt outlet and most trips are possible once you include these types of resources in your planning. I'll admit it's still not like traveling with an ICE car, but for the infrequent road trip you have options beyond formal charging infrastructure if you want to pursue them…blending these types of charging resources (sites with RV hookups) with formal public charging infrastructure and you're rarely stuck anywhere with no charging options.

 

I usually go glamping and there's always a short pole? sticking out of the ground with power outlets for whatever you need. Just need to book those sites ahead of time as they're meant for RVs and campers.

 

The PlugShare web site (plugshare.com) is a good source of information on RV park charging. Select "NEMA 14-50" under "More Options" and all the sites in the selected area will be displayed on the map. Clicking on a specific site will bring up details on the location and the "Show Comments" section will typically list who has charged there recently and what sort of experience they had.

 

A good tip. I tried that initially, and none of the parks in my area (50 mile radius) had any entries, so I gave up. I expanded my search and found a few. The quality/detail level on the reports is pretty variable. Some include pricing, some just show success/lack therof.

 

Now that has me thinking, forums like this can use a reporting system of its own. Seeing reports here with all the other forum tools make it of high value. Admins/Mods should consider it.

 

I've never been a big fan of reinventing the wheel. I don't see why new garbage strewn here would be any better than the garbage already on plugshare.