KOA and electric tow vehicle charging.

[Voyageurs]

Hi folks. The list of KOA locations with dedicated electric tow vehicle charging continues to get longer. Their website shows I think 14 now although I believe it hasn’t been updated as I think there are now 20. Hard to tell from the pics but it looks like they are using a sema connect 8 KW EVSE although we have seen pics of others as well. We have the sema connect app and RFID card but haven’t used it in a KOA.

KOA has reworked there corporate policy and asks that campers not use their camping pedestals for charging EV’s. Although later it kind of suggests you can ask the operator. We do that and have been told to go ahead and charge although one asked that we rent a 50 amp site. We politely declined as the 30 amp sites were nicer. (More trees). Although it didn’t matter. It rained both days. .

I think the rates will be standard sema connect rates for the area which seem to fluctuate from region to region. I would count on anywhere from a 1.50 to 3 bucks an hour. They seem to compete with ChargePoint in this regard. I have not been able to confirm this.

Anyway. We stumbled on to some of this as we plan on staying at St Mary east Glacier park for 3 or 4 days this summer and they just got their first two Sema connect EVSE’s installed. Nice and good timing for us.

There is a list on the KOA corporate website. It has doubled in the last 6 months and I know it’s not up to date so if not sure just call and ask the campground you are planning to stay at.

Cheers and happy camping all.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

View attachment 16602

What I think they meant was ". . . sit back with a fresh brewed latte, take a long run, a swim, a bike ride, a hike and catch a baseball game then take a nap while you recharge."

 

[Voyageurs]

What I think they meant was ". . . sit back with a fresh brewed latte, take a long run, a swim, a bike ride, a hike and catch a baseball game then take a nap while you recharge."

Well. These are L2 stations so they are meant to be used overnight. Perfect for campgrounds and electric tow vehicles. We do it it often. Works great. Super convenient.

 

[RDiowa]

I guess there good if your only going 100Mile a day.

 

[Voyageurs]

I guess there good if your only going 100Mile a day.

Why? Why would a campground L2 charge facility limit you to 100 miles.

 

[TheLooks]

I guess this means the rates for everyone will go up to cover the extra expense, and there is probably tax dollars in the program to put them in.....living free in our pockets.

 

[Voyageurs]

I guess this means the rates for everyone will go up to cover the extra expense, and there is probably tax dollars in the program to put them in.....living free in our pockets.

Rates for what.

 

[TheLooks]

If you think the KOA's are just giving you free electricity out of the goodness of their hearts you really have it bad. Last time I checked, they charge people to stay in KOA's. The cost of your free electricity will be shared by all. Unless they put a coin operated or metered charger in that you pay for.

 

[Voyageurs]

If you think the KOA's are just giving you free electricity out of the goodness of their hearts you really have it bad. Last time I checked, they charge people to stay in KOA's. The cost of your free electricity will be shared by all. Unless they put a coin operated or metered charger in that you pay for.

Free electricity? These are pay as you go. We use the app although we also have the pre-paid ID card.

 

[TheLooks]

And who installed them? And who paid for them?

 

[Voyageurs]

And who installed them? And who paid for them?

I imagine the campground owner. They make money off of every transaction.

 

[TheLooks]

I will forgive you since I think you are Canadian......our fine leaders in the US gov. at this time are on a spending spree and you get the benefit. They are installing chargers everywhere to eliminate excuses about charging. At my expense, you are welcome. But lets see what happens shall we? Summer is coming and so are rolling blackouts.

 

[Voyageurs]

I will forgive you since I think you are Canadian......our fine leaders in the US gov. at this time are on a spending spree and you get the benefit. They are installing chargers everywhere to eliminate excuses about charging. At my expense, you are welcome. But lets see what happens shall we? Summer is coming and so are rolling blackouts.

. Thanks. I’m not up on all that although from what I hear the US program is for L3 DC fast chargers. These are cheapie L2 chargers. I doubt the US govt would fund something like these L2 machines in a private campground.

Cheers.

 

[Stuart W]

I park my Wrangler 4XE behind the DS and run the 110 charger up into the engine bay to utilize the Block Heater outlet.

 

[Voyageurs]

I park my Wrangler 4XE behind the DS and run the 110 charger up into the engine bay to utilize the Block Heater outlet.

That’ll work. Those seem like a pretty nice little hybrid.

The bigger batteries in a BEV need a little more current for an overnight charge. These L2 units make for a nice convenient option for the EV RV crowd.

 

[TheLooks]

You obviously don't know anything about our money laundering gov.

 

[Neal]

[Warning] - don't go there and keep it friendly [Warning]​

 

[J&JD]

I’m still waiting for Tesla to configure their software so that the vehicle will charge itself while towing, much like it does while braking. Now that would make a great TOAD!

 

[Voyageurs]

I’m still waiting for Tesla to configure their software so that the vehicle will charge itself while towing, much like it does while braking. Now that would make a great TOAD!

That’s not the problem. They do that. The problem is simulating someone in the seat while it’s being towed. As soon as your butt leaves the seat it goes into park and shuts off.

 

[J&JD]

As soon as your butt leaves the seat it goes into park and shuts off.

Again, something that software should be able to solve.