Thanks for the heads up about the St. George supercharger site. I looked it up and it looks impossible with a trailer, so we will probably do a campground in or near St. George to charge, and then continue on our merry way to Cedar City.
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Initial trailer pulling report - 90D and Airstream 22ft Bambi Sport
- Thread starter JimVandegriff
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- Model X
Jim, I've been to the St. George SC a few times and it is tight but couldn't you unhook your trailer nearby (there are lots of parking areas) and then charge?
We came, we saw, we didn't need to unhitch! We passed through St. George today on our way from Mesquite, NV to Cedar City, UT, and were prepared to unhitch, but we didn't need to. We swung around the back of the building, pulled past the supercharger electrical enclosure, pulled the car and trailer up to the fourth charger, and even left a space open at the charger by the enclosure for another Tesla driver to use if they wanted to. We pulled out our orange cones, put them in the two spaces in front of the X so we could get out when finished charging, chatted with a St. George couple who came up to inquire about the X and Airstream, and then had lunch at Egg and I next door within sight of our rig. 40 minutes later and almost fully charged we were on our way,
We also checked out the destination chargers at the Eureka Casino in Mesquite, NV. There were 4 of them (80 amp, I believe), two in front of the hotel, and 2 in the rear of the casino. It was the classic ICE at the hotel with a big Hummer in one of the Tesla charging slots (very clearly marked). There are several parking lots around the hotel and the casino in case of the need to unhitch. It might be possible to charge at the casino chargers without unhitching, but unlikely.
We are visiting family in Cedar City, then will either head north toward Salt Lake City, and head back to California across northern Nevada, or head south from here and go through Los Vegas and then into So Cal before heading north to our home in far northern, coastal CA.
Jim, if your plans wind up taking you through the Napa or Petaluma Superchargers, I'd love to meet up and thank you personally for the detailed updates. Post here or PM me if that works.
We will catch you in Petaluma in a few weeks (we've scheduled up to Nov. 14th in Santa Cruz at the moment, so it will be within a few days of leaving there). Looking forward to seeing you.
We are in Lake Mead, NV for a second visit, this time taking up one of the lake front sites. It is beautiful and peaceful, but also sad because the lake is so low compared to where it was. There is a long standing drought in the west, and climate change is playing its part to keep temperatures up, and less rain is falling in the area, and evaporation is increased. There may be a point in the near future when this lake which supplies drinking water to 20 million people will have to stop doing electrical generation (Hoover Dam) because the water level is lower now than at any time since the dam was built in 1936. I hear that the governments of Arizona, Nevada, and California are negotiating to use less water to keep the lake useable, and I'm hoping our little contribution of electric travel will imperceptibly help out. Okay, enough with the environmental sadness!
We again went to the St. George supercharger, were able to charge there, and plan to circle around Los Vegas tomorrow to get to the Primm supercharger, and then go on to a campground near Barstow. From there we are heading to Paso Robles for some winery fun, and then up Hwy 101 to Santa Cruz for a few days of friends and reminiscence (that is where my wife and I met and married in 1980).
Numbers: Cedar City, Utah to St. George, Utah (a descent of 2500 ft), 56miles at 285 wh/mile! We then went on to Mesquite, NV (to watch the Cubbies win) and totaled 96.5 miles for the day at 310 wh/mile at 55 mph. Shows you what decreasing altitude can do.
Next day, Mesquite, NV to Lake Mead, NV was 105 miles at 481 wh/mile at about 47 mph average. We took back roads and loved the incredible scenery of painted rock, red rock, and finally Lake Mead. We felt like we were in Area 51 with saucer shaped clouds, and wild landscape. It was a fun day of travel.
We again went to the St. George supercharger, were able to charge there, and plan to circle around Los Vegas tomorrow to get to the Primm supercharger, and then go on to a campground near Barstow. From there we are heading to Paso Robles for some winery fun, and then up Hwy 101 to Santa Cruz for a few days of friends and reminiscence (that is where my wife and I met and married in 1980).
Numbers: Cedar City, Utah to St. George, Utah (a descent of 2500 ft), 56miles at 285 wh/mile! We then went on to Mesquite, NV (to watch the Cubbies win) and totaled 96.5 miles for the day at 310 wh/mile at 55 mph. Shows you what decreasing altitude can do.
Next day, Mesquite, NV to Lake Mead, NV was 105 miles at 481 wh/mile at about 47 mph average. We took back roads and loved the incredible scenery of painted rock, red rock, and finally Lake Mead. We felt like we were in Area 51 with saucer shaped clouds, and wild landscape. It was a fun day of travel.
Xminus6
Member
If you know you have a significant incline to crest toward the end of the day, do you look to stop for the night only on the other side of the decline to get as much regen as possible? How much do you take the elevation change into your plans on when to stop for the night? It would be a bummer to charge up overnight and deal with the lack of regen on a full battery towing a trailer.
Good question, and a timely one as we are facing a situation tomorrow which has similar characteristics to your question. Generally, our planning for each day involves the distance we want to travel, which is determined by supercharger availability on the route, and by RV parks on the route, and their ratings or descriptions. The supercharger or destination charger info we get from the Teslarati app, and the RV park info is primarily from the Allstays app (supplemented by rvparkreviews.com, or Tom Stienstra's book West Coast RV camping.) Unless we are climbing a very long way, we generally figure that the regen will even out the trip over its length... this happened today as we travelled from Lake Mead to the Primm Nevada supercharger, to Barstow/Calico KOA (RV park). We climbed at least 2700 feet, but then came back down to a similar height. In total we went 163 miles, used 88kWh of battery, at about 540 wh/m going 50 mph with little wind and temps in the low 80's (+AC set to 74 degrees).
We are heading for the Mojave supercharger tomorrow, and then to a Tehachapi rv park. We know the Tehachapi pass is at 3800 feet but I'm not sure where the RV park is in relation to the pass. My wife wanted me to tell you that regen works well even after a few miles of travel. I'll post more numbers soon from the next climb.
Jim, what was your displayed remaining range when you arrived at the Primm Supercharger? Sounds like you cut it very close.
Which version of the Allstays app do you use? I just searched the App Store and I found multiple versions. Do you use the "Camp & RV-Tent Camping" version?
Thanks as always for your continued reports!
We didn't really cut it close at Primm, NV. We left Lake Mead with a full charge and travelled the 57.7 miles to the Primm supercharger (formerly Stateline NV) using 35.3 kWh of battery at 611 wh/m at 55 mph with temps in the low 70's. We the travelled from Primm to Barstow/Calico KOA in California which is 105.5 miles using 52.7 kWh at 500 wh/m. We used 88kwh for the entire trip but it was used partially before the Primm supercharger and partially afterward.
Today was a fascinating trip. We went from Barstow/Calico first to the Barstow supercharger to check it out, then went to the Mojave supercharger, then over the Tehachapi pass to Edison/Bakersfield and the Orange Grove RV park. We climbed in height about 2000 feet getting to the top of the pass (loved all the windmills there), then descended 3500 feet getting to Bakersfield. We are always surprised at how efficient the car is at getting regen on the downgrades. Totals for the day: 144.2 miles driven, 79.3 Kwh used, at 550 wh/m.
The Barstow supercharger is one of the few I've seen that can be called semi-trailer friendly. There are two bays there that you could pull the X and trailer into, and be able to back straight out and leave when charged. I'll post a pic when I get them off the camera. The Mojave supercharger was fun because we talked for quite a while to another X owning couple who are thinking about getting an Airstream to pull, so we went over quite a bit of our experiences with them. We ended up blocking 3 slots to charge, but left 3 open. I don't like blocking chargers even for a short period.
The smog from the LA basin made it over the mountains to Tehachapi and hwy 58 where we were driving, and it was discouraging to see so many non-electric vehicles on the road. Gotta get rid of those tailpipe emissions.
Tomorrow we drive to the Buttonwillow supercharger and then on to Paso Robles for 3 nights and some R&R while wine tasting at some great wineries. I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow.
Mojave supercharger- it might have been possible to pull in forward, but it would have blocked the roadway.
Barstow supercharger (hard to find-not in the outlet mall- it is behind Chilis). You can pull into the slots by the power equipment and pull out straight back and make the turn to leave, or do as we did by pulling into the end slot and charging there.
Thanks Jim, my apologies if I misunderstood your earlier post about that trip segment.
Great, I will give it a try.
Kipernicus
Model S Res#P1440
Jim and Illijana,
Very interesting and impressive trip! Thanks for all the details.
It really amazes me how much energy must be burned up (literally) by those big SUVs towing trailers speeding up hills at 80mph.
Not to mention semi-trucks! I'm not convinced that the current EV technology can scale up to that level of power and energy requirement.
As for your trip, I am worried about your charging needs as you leave Santa Cruz and head up to Napa. Your best bet may be the Fremont factory, avoiding Mountain View and San Mateo, which are notoriously clogged.
Best of luck with the rest of your travels!
Very interesting and impressive trip! Thanks for all the details.
It really amazes me how much energy must be burned up (literally) by those big SUVs towing trailers speeding up hills at 80mph.
Not to mention semi-trucks! I'm not convinced that the current EV technology can scale up to that level of power and energy requirement.
As for your trip, I am worried about your charging needs as you leave Santa Cruz and head up to Napa. Your best bet may be the Fremont factory, avoiding Mountain View and San Mateo, which are notoriously clogged.
Best of luck with the rest of your travels!
Xminus6
Member
If they're heading to Napa, Dublin is really convenient off of 680. Should be a pretty doable leg from Dublin to Napa and it's a straight shot on the highway.
We just got back to the Pacific ocean! It was great to see the pelicans skimming and the whales breaching in the Monterey Bay (at Moss Landing). We are staying at the Moss Landing KOA after 3 nights in Paso Robles. (If in the area of Paso, check out Tablas Creek winery on Adelaida Rd. Incredible wines. We also liked Alta Colina winery on Adelaida Rd.)
Today's interesting stats: Paso Robles to Moss Landing, CA, 113.5 miles, no stops, using 54.8 kWh of charge, at 483 wh/m (at 50 mph). Never underestimate the powers of elevation! The descent from Paso Robles to Moss Landing was in the neighborhood of 750 feet over the 113.5 miles, and that, with the slower speed means we probably could have made 150+ miles without charging if we were willing to cut it close. Battery said we had 83 miles available - screen calculation was in the high 40's.
Tomorrow we head for Santa Cruz for a few days, then up the coast on Rt. 1 rather than inland. We are going to plan the trip north while in Santa Cruz (we are staying in the port district's rv park). The car and trailer combo continue to be a joy.
Today's interesting stats: Paso Robles to Moss Landing, CA, 113.5 miles, no stops, using 54.8 kWh of charge, at 483 wh/m (at 50 mph). Never underestimate the powers of elevation! The descent from Paso Robles to Moss Landing was in the neighborhood of 750 feet over the 113.5 miles, and that, with the slower speed means we probably could have made 150+ miles without charging if we were willing to cut it close. Battery said we had 83 miles available - screen calculation was in the high 40's.
Tomorrow we head for Santa Cruz for a few days, then up the coast on Rt. 1 rather than inland. We are going to plan the trip north while in Santa Cruz (we are staying in the port district's rv park). The car and trailer combo continue to be a joy.
We are in Santa Cruz, which has a place in our hearts as the place my wife and I met and were married 36 years ago. Gayle's bakery in Capitola is as good as ever, the beaches are hopping with surfers and families, and the yacht harbor trailer park run by the Santa Cruz port district is a fun place to stay for a few days, being on the boat harbor with lots of walking trails and access to the beaches.
Moss Landing to Santa Cruz numbers (no elevation gain or loss as both are on the ocean): 23.2 miles, 13.2 kWh used, at 566 wh/m (just about our average on level ground at 50-55mph traffic dependent).
Moss Landing to Santa Cruz numbers (no elevation gain or loss as both are on the ocean): 23.2 miles, 13.2 kWh used, at 566 wh/m (just about our average on level ground at 50-55mph traffic dependent).
On Monday, we have decided to skip the coast and head north on hwy 17 and then I-680 and charge at the Dublin supercharger before heading up to I-780 to hwy 37 into Novato, and then to the Petaluma supercharger before spending the night in Santa Rosa.
We think we will head up to the Ukiah supercharger the next day, camp near Willits on Tuesday, go to Myers Flat on Wednesday, charge in Eureka on Thursday, and be home in the afternoon exactly 3 months to the day after we left on our X and Airstream adventure.
We will write a big wrap up piece when we get home.
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