Kingman, AZ to Williams, AZ (pulling RV 🪫)

[Firn]

This is very helpful, thank you. I assume ABRP is calculating the elevation change, but I appreciate the transparency on that.
We'll charge to 100% in Kingman, and maybe grab breakfast at that General Store in Seligman for a little top off.
Worst case scenario, we unhook and go charge up in Williams, then run back and grab trailer. Not ideal.

If you click the route itself in ABRP it will show the elevation over the distance.

Here is my ERs expected SOC across that route.

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[kraxner]

Also, I use FlattestRoute.com, although I'm looking for an alternative or creating my own because the math is off but mostly because the Ads are killing me. As for the math, the "Elevation change" is just the difference between Max elevation and Min elevation, not the cumulative ascent and descent as I would expect and need.

 

[kraxner]

That charger will be really slow. It's only a 16A unit. I encourage you to get a 30-40A charger instead. They come with the NEMA 14-50 that is standard at campgrounds, etc.

I recommend this one:
https://grizzl-e.com/products/grizzl-e-mini/

I would agree, a little more money will get you double your charging speed. I have the Ford Mobile charger I bought with my truck but I'll have to look at the Grizzl-E Mini when my current one dies.

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

This is very helpful, thank you. I assume ABRP is calculating the elevation change, but I appreciate the transparency on that.

We'll charge to 100% in Kingman, and maybe grab breakfast at that General Store in Seligman for a little top off. Worst case scenario, we unhook and go charge up in Williams, then run back and grab trailer. Not ideal.

One other thing: I have also driven 95 from Las Vegas to Kingman several times. Again, be aware that there is a 1400 foot elevation gain going to Kingman, and if memory serves me correctly, most of it is in the second half of the route. You shouldn't have a problem if you are charged to +90% when you leave LV.

 

[bthanos]

No, but the park provides several Level 2 EV chargers. They are located in Grand Canyon Village at Market Plaza, Yavapai Lodge East, and Maswik Lodge. There is also an Electrify America charger just south of the park.

Used the charger at Village Market. 7 KW but hey it’s FREE. Hiked for 5 hours while charging. Only two chargers so get there early.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

For towing, this is, as everyone else has noted a tough stretch.

I dislike all of the chargers in Kingman, but you don't have any other option except not to go through Kingman. The North Rim is nicer, but doesn't have any chargers.

I drive this route (I-40 between the Flagstaff area and Kingman--then on to LA) about once a month, but usually not with a trailer.

On your way out: Stop at Kingman's Rte 66 museum as noted by everyone else. You can squeeze in to the last charger by the transformers with a trailer if you're super careful. You'll take up two chargers, but that's true no matter what. Go in around the back of the museum. Get there before 5PM if you want to use their restrooms. The burger joint across the street has good food and a restroom.

In this photo I didn't get as clean a turn as I should have and ended up blocking three chargers. It wasn't a busy day, so I didn't actually stop anyone from charging.

I rarely stop in Williams (an 80% charge in Kingman will get me to my home with plenty to spare). The EA chargers there are great, but not great for a trailer. If nobody's parked in the way, you can lay the truck and trailer flat across the back lot and charge at the end post. You'll block parking spots, but not traffic.

To get from Kingman to Williams, you'll have have a couple of climbs to make, as noted, and as shown below. Making some assumptions about your weight: the climb itself will cost you at least 15-20 kWh more than driving on level ground.

The typical wind is almost never an issue. That said, if you're doing it soon, there can be springtime winds that come up without warning (unless you're a weather forecaster) and then they'll be an issue. Check NOAA before hitting this leg, bad winds along I-40 can topple semi tractor trailers.

I would plan for this leg to get no better than ~80% of your normal towing efficiency. You need to get at least ~1.0-1.1 miles/kWh on the leg to make it between the two chargers, assuming you charge to ~100% in Kingman. So, if you don't normally get 1.2-1.3 miles/kWh while towing, you'll have to think about either slowing down, finding another route, or stopping for an overnight somewhere along the way and Level 2 charging. Again, note that the climb itself, some 3000+ feet will cost you at least 15 kWh (mass * height * gravity = gravitational potential energy; assuming your trailer is 5500 pounds and the truck is 7800 pounds), and probably more like 20 kWh because dropping down doesn't gain back everything you spent climbing up.

The way back is easy peasy. I usually get 2.6-2.8 miles/kWh coming down off the mountain in this section of the trip (without a trailer).

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Meant to add:

If you're going to make it a slower drive, you might decide to take Rte 66 up through Peach Springs and to Ashfork instead of doing 55 on the I-40. That would be a more pleasant and safer drive (lower speed differentials) while adding about 15 miles to your route; probably no extra time. You wouldn't have that initial climb, dip, then climb out of the valley just west of Kingman. I have not done this drive in probably 25-30 years, so can't say anything about the road quality.

 

[On the Road with Ralph]

If you're going to make it a slower drive, you might decide to take Rte 66 up through Peach Springs and to Ashfork instead of doing 55 on the I-40. That would be a more pleasant and safer drive (lower speed differentials) while adding about 15 miles to your route; probably no extra time. You wouldn't have that initial climb, dip, then climb out of the valley just west of Kingman. I have not done this drive in probably 25-30 years, so can't say anything about the road quality.

As a fan of Route 66, I made this drive, from east to west, just two months ago. Some of it is very scenic, and there are a couple of curiosity stops along the way (although no charging support). Some of the road is very new, and there are a few places where you can clearly see the original alignment and pavement for historic Route 66.

This is Route 66 NW of Seligman.

The general store at Hackberry.

Abandoned gas station in Peach Springs

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

As a fan of Route 66, I made this drive, from east to west, just two months ago. Some of it is very scenic, and there are a couple of curiosity stops along the way (although no charging support). Some of the road is very new, and there are a few places where you can clearly see the original alignment and pavement for historic Route 66.

This is Route 66 NW of Seligman.

The general store at Hackberry.

Abandoned gas station in Peach Springs

I may make it the next time I go to LA. It only adds a small amount of time to my trip.

 

[johaanryberg]

Is yours an ER Lariat? What are you using for an estimated efficiency?

The tougher part will be that really deep charging session in Kingman. You should be fine if you go about 50 mph, especially if you have a good tail wind. Heading home may be a little tougher as that's more likely to be into the wind.

Have you looked on PlugShare? I see a General Store in Seligman you can use as an emergency charge if needed. They list having a NEMA 14-50 you can use for $10 2-4 hours.

I should be able to plug-in at the general store with this Nema 14-50 correct?

 

[johaanryberg]

I should be able to plug-in at the general store with this Nema 14-50 correct?

Realizing I needed an adapter. I think I should be good with this adapter.

 

[bthanos]

You are looking at a very long charging time.
30 A will only deliver 6KW power.

Assuming you wanna stay for an hour -

That’s worth about 6 miles of range at 1 mile per KWH.

IMO you should max out the charge at Kingman and take it slow and easy to go directly to Williams on 40. That will take far less time than trying to use a L2 Charger along the way.

It is 113 Miles. You’ve got a 131KWh battery. If you can increase your miles per KWH by slowing to 55 you will make it.

 

[johaanryberg]

You are looking at a very long charging time.
30 A will only deliver 6KW power.

Assuming you wanna stay for an hour -

That’s worth about 6 miles of range at 1 mile per KWH.

IMO you should max out the charge at Kingman and take it slow and easy to go directly to Williams on 40. That will take far less time than trying to use a L2 Charger along the way.

It is 113 Miles. You’ve got a 131KWh battery. If you can increase your miles per KWH by slowing to 55 you will make it.

I appreciate the input! Thank you so much. I’m happy to even drop it down to 45 miles an hour just to shoot through.

 

[kraxner]

Realizing I needed an adapter. I think I should be good with this adapter.

I tried a couple of these "EV-compatible" power cord adapters and my Ford Mobile EV Charger wouldn't work with it. As it turns out the Ford Mobile Charger requires a 240V supply for optimal Level 2 charging. TT-30 outlets provide only 120V, which would limit the charger to Level 1 charging speeds. Just wanted to share my experience and let down before you got too far down the road.

 

[bthanos]

You might already know it but turning OFF the AC or Heater can get you a few percentage points more range. Use the seat heater / cooler if it’s unbearable.

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