Using the truck bed 240v outlet to power an RV

[climateguy]

I'm considering using the 240v 30 amp outlet, i.e. the NEMA L14-30R, in the Lightning truck bed to power my travel trailer. The trailer has a 120v 30 amp plug, i.e. NEMA TT-30P. I would make an adapter wired like this:

I wonder there is any problem using only 1/2 of a 240v outlet with nothing on the other 1/2 of this outlet. Apparently if this is done in a residential system, the power available would be less than if the current draw on both sides were more balanced.

Sponsored

 

[Maquis]

That should work just fine.

 

[hturnerfamily]

they already have these adapters, but I simply use one of the 120v 'household' outlets, instead - they also have a 30amp output, though while traveling you won't need anything close to that much power if you simply want to power your fridge and converter, etc.

It just one 'leg' of the 240v power output...

 

[hturnerfamily]

I ran a heavy-duty construction grade 20amp extension cord from one of the outlets, thru the edge of the gate, down thru the bumper, and out at the Tag area... I use a similar extension cord from the camper, run thru the frame of the camper and back to where I can plug the 30amp shore cord, with adapter, into it... works perfectly. I've even overnighted many times with ProPower with this method, even using the overhead air conditioner.

 

[hturnerfamily]

my most recent camper, a typical 30amp 120v type, is one that I modified into a 50amp 240v camper, with the more powerful 50amp shore cord.
I can even plug this 50amp male plug from the camper into my bed's 240v twist-lock outlet, with an adapter, and run even more than the previous method.... at least while parked.
This method can give me 30amps @ 240volts, which equates to 60amps at 120volts... PLENTY for camping in ANY TYPE of RV.

 

[climateguy]

Here is how I routed power out of the truck bed:

 

[hturnerfamily]

this was an easy place for the rear bumper outlet, routed from one of the bed outlets, for the camper to connect to...

 

[climateguy]

this was an easy place for the rear bumper outlet, routed from one of the bed outlets, for the camper to connect to...

One of the 120v 20 amp bed outlets is not routed to beside the license plate on a 2024 Lightning Flash.

But I wanted an accessible 120v 30 amp outlet for the trailer to plug into when it was being towed or when we are camped, which is why I used one 120v leg of the 240v 30 amp bed outlet and routed it to a TT-30R near the trailer hitch.

I understand that there are people claiming that the 120v 20amp bed outlets can supply 30 amps. I'm not interested in trying that.

The 120v outlet covers in the bed are clearly marked 20 amps. Perhaps Ford built this system using 20 amp bed receptacles protected by a 30 amp breaker, but if they did it is very bad practice.

 

[Danface]

One more adapter, should provide 2, 30 amp legs at 120 Volts


https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEK-3-ft-10-4-Heavy-Duty-Cord-240-Volt-30-Amp-Twist-Lock-Adapter-for-Generator-Cord-ACC01M21/317183948

Also, you should have gotten on of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/parkwor...amper-4-Prong-Outlet-Yellow-691944Y/316776489

 

[srspring551]

Here is how I routed power out of the truck bed:

grommet?

 

[climateguy]

One more adapter, should provide 2, 30 amp legs at 120 Volts

the point of what I did was to create an RV 30amp receptacle, i.e. TT-30R, outside the bed near the hitch. This way I don't need to have a cord going from the trailer, then over the truck tailgate, and into the bed, to plug into any adapter.

Also, you should have gotten on of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/parkwor...amper-4-Prong-Outlet-Yellow-691944Y/316776489

one of those came with the truck, courtesy Ford

grommet?

thanks for the suggestion. I assume you mean that where the wire goes into a hole near the tailgate to get to below the bed, it would be better if there was grommet on the hole.

 

[Jiji]

grommet?

My thought as well.

 

[Danface]

My thought as well.

And Wallace

 

[Ragman]

I'm considering using the 240v 30 amp outlet, i.e. the NEMA L14-30R, in the Lightning truck bed to power my travel trailer. The trailer has a 120v 30 amp plug, i.e. NEMA TT-30P. I would make an adapter wired like this:

I wonder there is any problem using only 1/2 of a 240v outlet with nothing on the other 1/2 of this outlet. Apparently if this is done in a residential system, the power available would be less than if the current draw on both sides were more balanced.

No issues if you use the 240/30 amp your trailer is only pulling one side with the 120/30 amp - use any generic store dog bone. Just realize it’s a “hard” stop at 30 amps - if you have AC without a soft start it will pull 40+ amps at startup - this instantly trips the Lightning. Conventional breakers allow for this, the Lightning is electronic and trips at 30.1 amps.

 

[IWIRE]

I'm considering using the 240v 30 amp outlet, i.e. the NEMA L14-30R, in the Lightning truck bed to power my travel trailer. The trailer has a 120v 30 amp plug, i.e. NEMA TT-30P. I would make an adapter wired like this:

I wonder there is any problem using only 1/2 of a 240v outlet with nothing on the other 1/2 of this outlet. Apparently if this is done in a residential system, the power available would be less than if the current draw on both sides were more balanced.

Should work fine

I'm considering using the 240v 30 amp outlet, i.e. the NEMA L14-30R, in the Lightning truck bed to power my travel trailer. The trailer has a 120v 30 amp plug, i.e. NEMA TT-30P. I would make an adapter wired like this:

I wonder there is any problem using only 1/2 of a 240v outlet with nothing on the other 1/2 of this outlet. Apparently if this is done in a residential system, the power available would be less than if the current draw on both sides were more balanced.

Should work fine, but oulet in the cabin/frunk will deliver 2400 watts maximum, but if you need the 3600 watts of one leg you an buy an adapter that will do just that.