My Airbnb charging kit

I had previously mentioned an extension cord I bought and some adapters for when we travel to vacation homes and Airbnbs. Others had asked me details of exactly what I got both here and on Facebook and I just added an adapter for level 2 Tesla chargers so I thought I would put a full list of everything I have in my "kit" here with some photos.

I went for the 80% solution here (the only limitation is being able to charge at full rate at a 14-50 outlet from 68ft away) as we don't get to drive in campgrounds much and are trying to have the ability to charge at a remote ski house, beach house, or relative's house. It is important to me that it is compact and stores well. All of these will easily be stored in the spare tire well for our R1S. It won't fit with the spare tire in there, it probably would if I wound the cords around the tire, but I like them in the bags. We leave these at home most of the time unless we are going on a road trip to a vacation home destination.

Note when charging with any of these components you need to follow the 80% rule (24 amps on dyer outlets) to make sure you are no overloading house wiring and breakers, especially with unknown houses you might be staying at. You can change the amps draw in the Rivian Energy screen. (Lower right of this picture, check it every time as it will sometimes reset from other charging sessions)

The following kit allows us to plug into...

• A 10-30 (old standard pre-1998) dryer outlet and charge at 24 amps for safety
• 14-30 (new standard since 1998) dryer outlet and charge at 24 amps for safety

...within 70 ft of the R1S.

It also allows us to plug into...

• a level two Tesla charger and charge at 40 amps
• 14-50 outlet and charge at auto-selected amps
• 120v outlet at auto-selected amps

...within 18 ft of the R1S (most of this is stock Rivian components)

The kit (opened up):


The kit packed up:


The components:

• The stock Rivian mobile charger
• The stock Rivian mobile charger 14-50 adapter
• The stock Rivian mobile charger 120 v adapter
• The stock Rivian mobile charger bag that holds the Rivian Mobile Charger, the stock 14-50 and 120v mobile charger plugs and the tesla J1772 to Tesla adapter
• A 50 ft gear IT 14-30 extension cord with 14-30 plug. I chose this because it is considerably lighter than a 14-50 cord and still serves my main purpose which is being able to charge off of dryer outlets at vacation homes, which nearly every home has. I was willing to trade the weight savings for the limited ability of not charging at a 14-50 outlet with the cord with full amps. The cord stays nice and pliable even in cold weather and I can reach even second and third-story laundry rooms at most house rentals if really needed when combined with the Rivian Mobile Charger length
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ND3575T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• GearIT Tesla to J 1772 adapter. I was so happy with the price and performance of the extension cord I was pretty glad to see them come out just recently with this adapter under the same brand for a good price. I was also happy to see it was ETL certified given some of the other adapters on the market have stories of melting down or having other problems. Used anytime I want to plug the Rivian into a Tesla Level 2 destination charger (available at a lot of AirBNBs)
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7Y81J4B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A circle cord brand 14-30p adapter that converts the long extension cord to 14-50. Used anytime you want to use the extension cord with the Rivian Mobile Charger
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XNX8KQ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A 10-30 to 14-30 adapter that converts "4 prong to 3 prong" or the post-1998 4 prong dryer outlet standard to the pre-1998 3 prong dryer outlet standard in case we stay at an old home that has not updated their dryer outlet. Note the weird wire with the single prong on it. It gets plugged into a ground, you can plug it into any ground (like the third hole on a 110 outlet for a washer which is probably nearby)
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C166NW74/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A jumper cable bag that holds the extension cord and 14-30 adapters with zip closure.
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F1ZMLLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Finally, here is an article about charging at AirBnb"s, renter agreement and ethical considerations, and a video of people doing it: https://insideevs.com/news/502230/airbnb-tesla-charging-situation-exposed/

Thanks for this list. Very helpful - that Tesla adapter is especially useful these days. That thing saved my ass so many times already.

Half expected this to include various popular breakers in 40A that you could just pop into an open electrical panel in case there were no reasonable outlets.

Nice explanation - I'm sure it will help people. I have basically the same kit, except that (because I got a Prime discount when I bought it), I did get the very heavy and unwieldly (especially when it's cold) 50' 14-50 extension cord. I also carry a 50' 12/3 5-15 extension cord for when access to a dryer plug isn't available.

One other thought if you can edit your post...Make it more clear that you change the amperage on the "Rivian Energy Screen in the vehicle" and NOT in the app. Someone had issues with that in an earlier post.

KBabione said:

Nice explanation - I'm sure it will help people. I have basically the same kit, except that (because I got a Prime discount when I bought it), I did get the very heavy and unwieldly (especially when it's cold) 50' 14-50 extension cord. I also carry a 50' 12/3 5-15 extension cord for when access to a dryer plug isn't available.

One other thought if you can edit your post...Make it more clear that you change the amperage on the "Rivian Energy Screen in the vehicle" and NOT in the app. Someone had issues with that in an earlier post.

Click to expand...

Good idea on the screen, I will add now

This is super helpful! Thank you for sharing. I was in a Tahoe house this past week that had one of the older style dryer plugs, and I didn't have the adapter. This is great.

jeeden said:

• GearIT Tesla to J 1772 adapter

Click to expand...

Solid list. I look forward to the day when we don't need to worry about all these adapters, but as Aragorn said, "Today is not that day".

Curious how the GearIT Tesla adapter compares to something like the TeslaTap or TeslaTap Mini or the Lectron. Seems almost "too cheap" $69 vs $300, for example. Any thoughts on that?

Oldsmobile_Mike said:

Solid list. I look forward to the day when we don't need to worry about all these adapters, but as Aragorn said, "Today is not that day".

Curious how the GearIT Tesla adapter compares to something like the TeslaTap or TeslaTap Mini or the Lectron. Seems almost "too cheap" $69 vs $300, for example. Any thoughts on that?

Click to expand...

Yea I can't say anything about the performance yet as I just got it and don't know anyone with a Tesla destination charger. My wife will be the first to use it on a moms weekend.

I remember hearing the lectron melting down for some and the price was a big selling point. I have to say I really like the gearit extension cord. It stays nice and cool and the ends on it seem to be a good quality overmolding. The adapter seems to be the same and it does have the ETL certification which usually uses the same certs as UL certification. I think the quality on these types of devices really comes down to the quality of the materials and since this isn't the only product this brand comes out with they can afford the capital up front to make the investment in the materials. I would expect the same from the DeWalt once we had seen around that are coming out and others. I expect good things from this one, but just a look and feel assessment.

I guess the only complaint I've seen online about this one is that you can't lock it to the Tesla wand. Not really a concern for me.

Note that there is another one with the same capability but is more of a pigtail and has a one foot cord between the two ends. I'm not sure why that would be something you'd pick over this but maybe it's useful for someone

No TT-30P -> NEMA 14-50R EV in case the AirBnB has an outside TT-30R RV socket?

Cycliste said:

No TT-30P -> NEMA 14-50R EV in case the AirBnB has an outside TT-30R RV socket?

Click to expand...

Haha, no, doing 80% solution here

I have an R1S and I am also a VRBO/Airbnb owner. We installed a Tesla Universal Wall connector at our house and set it up for use by our renters during off peak hours. It’s a choice we’ve made to make the house convenient for EV drivers.

That said, the idea of someone tapping into our dryer outlet and rigging extension cords and adapters to charge their EV without our permission would really, really piss me off.

FWIW I’d suggest that folks proceed with caution in charging at homes you don’t own without the owner’s permission. Maybe the 110v outlet is fine but that’s hardly worth it.

Ed C said:

I have an R1S and I am also a VRBO/Airbnb owner. We installed a Tesla Universal Wall connector at our house and set it up for use by our renters during off peak hours. It’s a choice we’ve made to make the house convenient for EV drivers.

That said, the idea of someone tapping into our dryer outlet and rigging extension cords and adapters to charge their EV without our permission would really, really piss me off.

FWIW I’d suggest that folks proceed with caution in charging at homes you don’t own without the owner’s permission. Maybe the 110v outlet is fine but that’s hardly worth it.

Click to expand...

Interesting. I recall a few articles about this where some enthusiasts were tapping dryer outlets and said that they always asked ahead of time and never were turned down. One owner was so intrigued they wanted to know more so they could install a charger to entice more renters like you have.

I can see both sides of the argument:

- you are renting the home and everything in it, as long as I leave it better than I found it and don't damage anything, it shouldn't matter

-you are renting the home as is and shouldn't be moving furniture, using oulets for unintended uses


Somewhat related and funny...
I remember in the comments of one article another RENTER was upset because an Airbnb owner said they installed a charger and just spread the estimated cost of the electricity over all the rates so they could offer it for free. The renter was obviously anti-ev and said she would sldemans the owner not charge her for the charging. Many tried to explain it was part of the property overhead like ac, heat, etc, some renters would use, some not, but it was the overhead on the property... She didn't get it.

Edit: here is the article...
https://insideevs.com/news/502230/airbnb-tesla-charging-situation-exposed/

That’s interesting. I see it as a marketing expense. It might cost me $30 for a guest to charge their EV. It’s totally worth it to me if they’re paying $800 or $1000 or more per night to rent the house. And Airbnb and VRBO let you list a level 2 EV charger as an amenity that a renter can screen for, just like a pool or being pet friendly.

That said, I don’t know if I would presume that I can charge my R1 at a house that didn’t list EV charging as an amenity.

Ed C said:

I have an R1S and I am also a VRBO/Airbnb owner. We installed a Tesla Universal Wall connector at our house and set it up for use by our renters during off peak hours. It’s a choice we’ve made to make the house convenient for EV drivers.

That said, the idea of someone tapping into our dryer outlet and rigging extension cords and adapters to charge their EV without our permission would really, really piss me off.

FWIW I’d suggest that folks proceed with caution in charging at homes you don’t own without the owner’s permission. Maybe the 110v outlet is fine but that’s hardly worth it.

Click to expand...

It's so nice when hosts set their property up this way. I always filter by pets allowed and EV charging, but rarely have more than a couple to choose from. It's always great when it works out though! So much better than having to deal with hotel charging, which may or may not be working and/or occupied.

waitingonanr1s said:

It's so nice when hosts set their property up this way. I always filter by pets allowed and EV charging, but rarely have more than a couple to choose from. It's always great when it works out though! So much better than having to deal with hotel charging, which may or may not be working and/or occupied.

Click to expand...

I agree,.my wife's moms weekend coming up has a Tesla level 2 which is why I just bought the j1772 adapter and having a charger was a pretty big factor since they will be on the eastern shore of Maryland where there isn't much fast charging and other plev and EVs will be in the group with our Rivian.

It's a good reminder to everyone to make sure to mention how great it was to have one or how you wish there was one on reviews and surveys after stays. Also, don't forget to tell Vail and Aspen groups that you would like dc fast chargers at their ski resorts on your ski pass surveys!