Since we live full time in our RV, I thought it was important to talk about etiquette in parks when visiting or Tesla camping. I see some things that are not encouraging RV parks to allow us to continue to visit as Tesla campers. And before you say that’s not going to happen, there is a not insignificant number of parks that no longer allow teardrop campers because of the reputation their owners created for them. Let’s not do that with our Teslas. 🙂
- Never plug into both the 30 amp and 50 amp plug at the same time. This is potentially a a huge safety issue. About 95% of RV parks are not wired in such a way to support the use of both plugs simultaneously. It’s an either/or situation as electric vehicles were not common when these parks were built. The risk of fire is very real. It’s not the EV’s fault, but if this continues to be a pattern we will end up banned from parks as we will be deemed a safety risk. It’s happened at a few already, and if we get blacklisted by liability insurance companies EVs will have significantly fewer RV park options. If you have a camper and need to charge your car, you’re going to have to unplug the camper while charging your Tesla. We swap our 5th wheel to solar if we need to charge (nighttime in the summer or daytime during the winter). If you can’t do that, most pedestals have a 110 plug you can safely use. If you desperately need to charge quickly, ask the camp host if their pedestals are wired to allow you to use both fully at the same time. Be prepared to be told no.
- Don’t book pull-through or large site unless there is nothing else available. The big rigs don’t have another option. You definitely won’t make friends if they’re in a tight back in site and your Tesla is in a 90′ pull-through site. I tend to ask for the smallest site with 50 amp available when camping in my Tesla, but 30 amp is not a deal breaker. You can get a nice charge overnight on 30 amps if that’s all that’s available. You do need a TT-30 adapter, which Tesla does not sell but EVSE Adapters does make. I also have a post on what I carry road tripping and RV park living in my Tesla Model Y here. (Keep in mind that TT-30 looks similar to 10-30, but TT-30 is 120v and 10-30 is 240v.)
About 95% of RV parks are not wired in such a way as to support the use of both the 50 amp and 30 amp plugs on the pedestal. It’s an either/or situation as electric vehicles were not common when these parks were built. The risk of fire is very real.
- Don’t walk between sites. This is seen as the height of rudeness as personal space is in very short supply. It doesn’t matter that the bathroom is just on the other side; walk the paths. This isn’t specifically Tesla related, but it’s a big deal in parks. Walking through someone’s site is akin to walking through their living room. Just don’t do it.
- Watch the volume. I know, it’s exciting to be camping in your Tesla and they have really great sound, but it travels farther than you think and the walls are super thin everywhere. Quiet hours may be 10pm or even 11pm, but your neighbor trying to get her kids to bed will appreciate the courtesy. Try to set the volume so it doesn’t boom outside the confines of your site. Walk around and see how far it’s traveling if you’re unsure.
- Let your neighbors get settled before coming over to chat. We all want to make new friends, but some of us have complicated setup/teardowns that are like military campaigns, and even though we are excited to make friends we need to get things set up safely without distractions. Thank you!
- Don’t use your grill or camp stove on the picnic table. You’ll either leave grease soaked into the wood or warp the material. Don’t be that guy. Carry your own table for things like this.
- Pick up after your pets! We want to continue to be able to travel with our pets, and not picking up after them even if they’re small is one of the biggest reasons parks say no to pets.
- Keep trash picked up and hauled away. Trash attracts wild animals no one wants near their rigs, regardless of size. For some reason they find our electrical and plumbing connections tasty, and it’s nothing but headaches.
These are just a few ideas to make camping in our Teslas more widely accepted and to be good neighbors at the campground.