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02-24-2018, 10:31 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
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12V Connections in Black Rock Trailers?
Hi all! I'm new to the forum and RVing in general. Went on my first RV shopping trip last weekend to get a first glimpse at what's available. I told the salesmen what I was looking for and, among others, one of them showed me a couple 2018 Outdoors RV Black Rocks. I followed up that visit with some online research of my own, and am interested in giving these trailers a closer look.
One thing I did (or didn't) notice while on the dealer lots last weekend was that there were no USB or 12V outlets (the cigarette lighter type). So my question is, how would I charge a laptop or phones or use other small 12V appliances (12V crock pot, fan, etc.) directly from the batteries without having an inverter or without being connected to external power?
I plan to have some solar power and a couple 6V batteries (this is why the Black Rock appealed to me), but would probably not have an inverter right away. Is there REALLY no way to access battery power directly in these trailers? Maybe I overlooked something?
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02-24-2018, 10:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 3,133
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I would be surprised if your TT did not have a USB outlet or two. If not, they are easy to install. One place to look for an outlet is by the bed, or next to the TV. Good luck on your search!
__________________
Bill, Kathi and Zorro; '05 Beaver Patriot Thunder
2012 Sunnybrook Harmony 21FBS (SQEZINN)
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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02-24-2018, 10:44 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 74
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The Black Rock trim is minimalist. The next step up is Creek Side, and they have more outlets. Pay more, get more.
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02-24-2018, 10:49 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 3,133
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Check the stereo, Brochure says there is a USB outlet there.
__________________
Bill, Kathi and Zorro; '05 Beaver Patriot Thunder
2012 Sunnybrook Harmony 21FBS (SQEZINN)
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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02-24-2018, 11:01 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NorthEastern Oregon
Posts: 1,106
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If the Black Rock meets your needs and price point but doesn't have USB ports in the desired locations, the dealer can likely add them for you fairly inexpensively (depending upon location).
__________________
2013 Wind River 280RLS, 200W Solar
2013 Ram 2500 Laramie Cummins 4x4
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02-24-2018, 11:33 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
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The Black Rock also comes without a TV antennae or booster and may not have cable hookups, not sure about that. They are mainly focused on off grid camping where cell service and TV reception are not really available. Look at a Creekside and it will have several USB and at least one 12 volt cigarette lighter style outlets. Mine has several.
__________________
2020 F28 RKS Titanium
2017 Creekside 23 RBS Sold
2016 F250 Super Crew XLT Overworked
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02-24-2018, 01:53 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Erie, CO
Posts: 12
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I bought the 2018 Black Rock 23BKS in Dec 17 and it did not have any USB or 12V charges installed. That is about the only thing I wish was different at this point.
Adding them is relatively easy. I've added one USB / 12v in the center nook near the stereo tapping into the stereo power. I added another set of USB ports beside the breaker box beside where the slide goes out as it was easy to tap into the electrical system. This suffices at this point.
__________________
2018 Black Rock 23BKS, 7.7K miles
320W Rooftop + 40W Portable Solar
2016 Toyota Tundra Double Cab
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02-24-2018, 04:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Crooked River Ranch, Oregon
Posts: 197
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I have a 2018 250 RDS Black Rock there’s a usb at the stereo, one on each side of the bed and cigarette lighter outlets at both TVs .
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02-24-2018, 05:29 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVTooth
Adding them is relatively easy. I've added one USB / 12v in the center nook near the stereo tapping into the stereo power. I added another set of USB ports beside the breaker box beside where the slide goes out as it was easy to tap into the electrical system. This suffices at this point.
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I'm thinking about a 12V outlet somewhere near the kitchen sink/counter and then one available for a 12V fan or two in each bunk (I'm mostly interested in the 23BKS), then USB ports maybe on each side of the queen bed.
If it's really easy, I don't mind doing it myself. Do you know of a blog post or video that shows how?
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdxgwj
I have a 2018 250 RDS Black Rock there’s a usb at the stereo, one on each side of the bed and cigarette lighter outlets at both TVs .
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I haven't seen that model in the Black Rock. If you are talking about the Blackstone, that is in a totally different league than what I'm shopping for , but thanks for the reply.
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02-24-2018, 05:44 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cruzbill
Check the stereo, Brochure says there is a USB outlet there.
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Do you think the stereo USB port could be used to charge a laptop USB-to-USB?
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02-24-2018, 07:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Crooked River Ranch, Oregon
Posts: 197
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Opps , yes it’s a Black Stone.It works for us iPads,phones, laptop.
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02-24-2018, 10:42 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
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Not sure about the stereo usb for charging but probably slow if it worked. There is nothing easier than adding a USB port or 12V though. Cut a hole to mount it in and connect 2 wires to a nearby 12 volt device. Done. Search youtube for dozens of videos.
__________________
2020 F28 RKS Titanium
2017 Creekside 23 RBS Sold
2016 F250 Super Crew XLT Overworked
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02-25-2018, 12:40 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Hillsboro, OR, USA
Posts: 1,293
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You are probably not going to find 12V outlets in RV kitchens - but it is now hard to add one to most TTs. I also think that you would probably do better with the next model series up - the Creekside - They are little bit bigger, but offer way more standard features than the Black Rock. Also when it comes to solar - both rigs have the same amount of pre-wire - and they usually come with 2 batteries - dealer installed so perhaps you could either get them to install 6V instead of 12V. Also the metal pan and/or plastic box for holding 4 batteries will work on almost every model - not just the Black Rock.
It would also help us if we knew what kind of camping you tend to do the most. Not that ORV trailers are exclusively designed for any given style of camping - I happily boondock in my Timber Ridge 25RDS, it is also at home in a full hookup campground.
__________________
2017 Chevy 2500HD LTZ DuraMax Diesel Silver Ice Metallic
2017 Outdoors RV Timber Ridge 25RDS Mountain Series 4X Off Road Suspension Pkg
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02-25-2018, 08:17 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy the sly old fox
It would also help us if we knew what kind of camping you tend to do the most. Not that ORV trailers are exclusively designed for any given style of camping.
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I plan to avoid RV parks whenever possible . Asphalt dry camping at casinos, Walmarts, etc. to avoid hotel costs on the way to and from various destinations. Weekend camping in National Forests, BLM lands.
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