Find Pull Through charging stations when towing?

[Zacster]

I have been trying to find an easy way to locate charging stations that allow pull through to accommodate charging with a trailer attached. Many apps you can filter many things but I cannot seem to find any easy way to locate charging stations that don't require the disconnect of trailer to charge. Does anyone have a reliable way to find such charging stations? Right now I can only look for pictures and hope that location allows some form of charging without disconnecting.

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[Amps]

Google Maps is the only way I know of. Unfortunately, any imaging over two or three years old won't show most of the DCFC chargers.

 

[Zacster]

Google Maps is the only way I know of. Unfortunately, any imaging over two or three years old won't show most of the DCFC chargers.

That is an idea to try but like you said usually behind several years. With EV trucks rolling out EV charge apps need to have an option to filter these chargers. Maybe I am just missing some app that does.

 

[hturnerfamily]

you won't find many, but yes, google maps 'birds-eye view' is about the only way to truly know, IF the maps are recent. EAs within Walmarts tend to have a pull-thru on the end set, but not always.

 

[beatle]

PlugShare offers details of the parking situation, but I haven't found a way to search by those that are trailer friendly or offer parking for a trailer. This is the EA station in Staunton, VA:

 

[Zacster]

PlugShare offers details of the parking situation, but I haven't found a way to search by those that are trailer friendly or offer parking for a trailer. This is the EA station in Staunton, VA:

Yes I did notice that PlugShare does have info but not filterable. Also what exactly do they mean by pull through and trailer friendly? As you mention you didn't even consider it all that trailer friendly yet it states that. If we are moving towards EV trucks then we need easy ways to charge with trailers. Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.

 

[beatle]

Yes I did notice that PlugShare does have info but no filterable. Also what exactly do they mean by pull through and trailer friendly? As you mention you didn't even consider it all that trailer friendly yet it states that. If we are moving towards EV trucks then we need easy ways to charge with trailers. Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.

I ninja edited that. I originally said it didn't support pull through, but it does if you don't mind blocking a typical parking spot. Since the chargers are pretty far out in the middle of a WalMart parking lot, this is unlikely to be a problem, and no different than any vehicle pulling a trailer.

Perhaps an email to PlugShare to allow you to filter on these aspects would be worthwhile.

I view "trailer parking" as a place having a spot for you to disconnect and park your trailer while you charge. A lot of places technically have this since there is plenty of parking.

I view "trailer friendly" as a charging station that allows you to remain connected to your trailer while you charge without becoming too much of an obstacle.

Then there's "pull through parking" which I really just view as a place that does not abutt a curb.

Those are just my guesses. I could not find a glossary on PlugShare's site with definitions of these terms though.

 

[Zacster]

I emailed PlugShare to update their system to something a little more user friendly. I asked they add Trailer Friendly with a length up to. So trailer friendly up to 30 foot tailer or something like that. Also to update Pull Through and Pull Through with a trailer. Lastly, I asked them to add a filter option for Trailer Friendly and Pull Through to make finding locations much easier. Here is the link so the more people that ask for the feature the quicker they may implement.

https://help.plugshare.com/hc/en-us?return_to=/hc/requests

 

[vandy1981]

PlugShare offers details of the parking situation, but I haven't found a way to search by those that are trailer friendly or offer parking for a trailer. This is the EA station in Staunton, VA:

I find that the Plugshare data regarding trailers is not that reliable. For example, the Staunton location is only pull-through friendly if no other cars are parked next to the chargers and would not accommodate a trailer that's longer than 10 feet without blocking a bunch of ICE parking spots.

Google Maps is also not reliable because the managers of some locations have planted "EV parking only" signs that block pull through.

Your best bet is to scout with Google Maps satellite and street view first, then confirm with photos recently posted on Google Reviews and Plugshare.

 

[Zacster]

I find that the Plugshare data regarding trailers is not that reliable. For example, the Staunton location is only pull-through friendly if no other cars are parked next to the chargers and would not accommodate a trailer that's longer than 10 feet without blocking a bunch of ICE parking spots.

Google Maps is also not reliable because the managers of some locations have planted "EV parking only" signs that block pull through.

Your best bet is to scout with Google Maps satellite and street view first, then confirm with photos recently posted on Google Reviews and Plugshare.

Yeah I agree that is why if you request from Plugshare to add filterable Trailer Friendly as well as add how long of a trailer is friendly so we can find those places easier. I know it won't happen over night but if they at least allow us to filter by Trailer Friendly we can further investigate if it can handle large trailers. And eventually maybe they will add trailers up to 30 feet or whatever fits onto the description. Also comments can be left saying my 20 footer fit or my 25 footer didn't fit to get a better idea if that station will work.

https://help.plugshare.com/hc/en-us?return_to=/hc/requests

 

[jefro]

Hopefully folks that see this sort of thing will post photos on both the charge station app and plugshare or other.

There was an EvGo DC near me when I had free charging. Darn it if they didn't fully remove it.

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