purplewalt
Active Member
Two quick points forOP's consideration when long distance driving and charging based on my own experiences in my Model S.
Jerry33 is correct, your first trip in an EV will be an adventure.
First couple of days will allow you to get into and find your personal "travel groove".
Go with the flow, have a sense of humor, you will always get some material for great stories over dinner.
#1.
Don't discount or overlook RV Parks as viable charging (and staying) Options.
Some are close to Motels, and adjacent RV Park (if open in Winter) may charge you $10 or $15 for an overnight charge.
Most KOAs and similar RV campgrounds have Kabins, and they are generally pet friendly.
Kabins can be rented, you will generally need your own bedding, pillows and such.
You can be charging your X at a 50A outlet, maybe even a slightly slower charge than 40A max, say 32A.
Not ALL RV parks have premium or updated electrical at their outlets.
Some Kabins have ensuite baths for an additional fee.
Some other RV Park campgrounds have similar Cabins or Rooms for rent.
Becoming a member of KOA or other RV system (Good Sam's) makes staying a bit more affordable as you get a discount.
Always best to call ahead and confirm reservations and available space and charging capability, especially as you get further South during the Winter.
Southern RV Parks with warmer weather generally get lots of long-term people dodging Snow at their home locations.
#2.
Traveling up-hill in Mountains eat range, and that needs to be accounted for in your range buffer calculations.
The distance you can travel on flat land would be very hard to accomplish going up-hill in mountains.
Small hills, not so much, but going up-hill in the Smokies and Rockies will take a lot more energy than standard driving.
Down-hill driving GAINS you some mileage back, but there generally is a net range loss.
Don't be afraid to emulate similar speeds that large trucks use going up-hill: they might be doing 40-45 mph up a steep incline.
Regarding CHAdeMO adapter: I have 105K miles on my S, and have never used it. Only place I got it out was in Houston at a Nissan Dealer, and they had not repaired their Electrical charging equipment since it was damaged by a lightning strike.
So, not really necessary to acquire it.
Maybe should you travel to Canada at some point, the CHAdeMO might be of service.
Jerry33 is correct, your first trip in an EV will be an adventure.
First couple of days will allow you to get into and find your personal "travel groove".
Go with the flow, have a sense of humor, you will always get some material for great stories over dinner.
#1.
Don't discount or overlook RV Parks as viable charging (and staying) Options.
Some are close to Motels, and adjacent RV Park (if open in Winter) may charge you $10 or $15 for an overnight charge.
Most KOAs and similar RV campgrounds have Kabins, and they are generally pet friendly.
Kabins can be rented, you will generally need your own bedding, pillows and such.
You can be charging your X at a 50A outlet, maybe even a slightly slower charge than 40A max, say 32A.
Not ALL RV parks have premium or updated electrical at their outlets.
Some Kabins have ensuite baths for an additional fee.
Some other RV Park campgrounds have similar Cabins or Rooms for rent.
Becoming a member of KOA or other RV system (Good Sam's) makes staying a bit more affordable as you get a discount.
Always best to call ahead and confirm reservations and available space and charging capability, especially as you get further South during the Winter.
Southern RV Parks with warmer weather generally get lots of long-term people dodging Snow at their home locations.
#2.
Traveling up-hill in Mountains eat range, and that needs to be accounted for in your range buffer calculations.
The distance you can travel on flat land would be very hard to accomplish going up-hill in mountains.
Small hills, not so much, but going up-hill in the Smokies and Rockies will take a lot more energy than standard driving.
Down-hill driving GAINS you some mileage back, but there generally is a net range loss.
Don't be afraid to emulate similar speeds that large trucks use going up-hill: they might be doing 40-45 mph up a steep incline.
Regarding CHAdeMO adapter: I have 105K miles on my S, and have never used it. Only place I got it out was in Houston at a Nissan Dealer, and they had not repaired their Electrical charging equipment since it was damaged by a lightning strike.
So, not really necessary to acquire it.
Maybe should you travel to Canada at some point, the CHAdeMO might be of service.