Bed power plug?

[Kubie]

Tried using the power plug first time today. Plugged a circular saw in. Would run a second or so and stop. Pulled trigger same thing. Ran then stopped. Plugged in a small fan. No issues? You would think you could run a power tool off the bed outlet? WTF???

The 12 volt power outlet in the bed only has power to it when the truck is running. Found this because I often go fishing and plug in an aerator to keep the minnows alive. Can't do that either, wtf good is it?

Sponsored

 

[EEYORE]

The 12 volt power outlet in the bed only has power to it when the truck is running. Found this because I often go fishing and plug in an aerator to keep the minnows alive. Can't do that either, wtf good is it?

Then you’d be bitching if the inverter worked with the engine off and your battery died. Then you couldn’t get home.
You people cry about everything.

 

[Kubie]

Then you’d be bitching if the inverter worked with the engine off and your battery died. Then you couldn’t get home.
You people cry about everything.

I had a 16 Silverado, could run my aerator for 8+ hrs, never drained the battery

 

[Grand Nat]

I run a second 2600 watt inverter with a greater surge rating off an auxiliary battery in the back of the bed. I plug a small 10 amp charger in to the Ford inverter to keep it charge all the time while I am driving. I use a small air air compressor to air up while coming off the beach.

 

[Thumper69]

I used mine to power a Red Lion transfer pump to put water in my camper,no issues.

 

[SurfRanger]

I doubt this is a good idea, or at least not cheap if done right. An inverter isn't very efficient in converting DC to AC, and generates a fair amount of heat in doing so. It would have to be mounted in a location that's well-ventilated yet protected from the elements. Then there's the issue of battery capacity, and the risk of running down the only battery in our ranger. So should that just be a massive battery for the capacity? It can still leave you walking if it's run down, so then maybe a large supplemental battery? Where would that go? Lastly, the alternator will have to be larger to quickly recharge the run-down accessory battery, so that robs power and efficiency from the engine, and does so constantly.

Accommodating a high-wattage/ high amp hour outlet can certainly be done as we know; it's done in other vehicles. But it wouldn't be cheap or even something most of us would want to live with on a regular basis. Would you be willing to pay $1000 or more for the option of a higher alternator, secondary battery, and bigger inverter? There are already plenty of folks complaining about the cost of our mid-sized trucks in general, so adding something like this as standard equipment would fly like a lead balloon.

Just sayin… the alternator is plenty big enough. Pretty sure it changes based off engine load and such but max 250amps.

from personal experience i have a dc-dc charger that pulls 50A from it while driving (~600+ watts). Been operating perfectly for about 8months.

 

[Danager]

I have a 2024 Lariat - so both ac & dc in the bed. I’m on a two week camping trip and have used both outlets extensively. I have a 12v fridge that I plug into the dc plug when driving and switch that over to a 100ah 12v Li battery when stopped for a while. This juggling has solidified my want for a dc/dc charger.

The ac outlet hasn’t exactly served me well. I can plug a charger into it for most of the little battery powered stuff. However, when I plug in the charger for my Bluetti, it turns on, but it never actually charges.

Add to the fact that these outlets are only on when the truck is on, and they are even more limited. I understand why. Maybe give the user an option - move a fuse under the hood from ignition controlled to constant. Heck, even have the truck chime and remind us when we turn the key off. I mean, I already get reminded that my seatbelt is buckled EVERYTIME I start the truck.

 

[Tom W8JI]

Wow. No power tools lol. You'd think with a ruler on the tailgate and a power plug that would be the number one usage lolol. Oh well. At least I can stop figuring that one out lol tha

Thanks. Yes makes sense when you put it that way. Just disappointed it can't run basic power tools but never gave it much thought. Figured plug, great! Lol. So I can plug a night light in it lol.

The power has to come from the 12 volt system. 400 watts at 13V nominal is 400/13 = 30.8 amperes at 100% conversion efficiency. There are likely about 15% (or more) losses so the 12V system load current is 36 amps or more at 400W. That is a heap of current for some accessory to demand.

A circular saw might need over 100 amps from the 12V system running and more when it starts spinning the motor up. Compressors are the same way. But I think it could run most CRT television sets.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Wow. No power tools lol. You'd think with a ruler on the tailgate and a power plug that would be the number one usage lolol. Oh well. At least I can stop figuring that one out lol thanks

I guess we can take cordless tools for a job and charge the batteries.

 

[mtremmel]

Wow. No power tools lol. You'd think with a ruler on the tailgate and a power plug that would be the number one usage lolol. Oh well. At least I can stop figuring that one out lol thanks

I just got my 2025 Ranger from a local dealer with no power outlets in the bed. My 2024 had 2 a 12 volt and 120 volt.
My guess is they put my bed liner over the 110 outlet covering it up . Looking under the box I can see wires going to where the outlet should be. From the sound of it that outlet is pretty worthless anyway.

 

[Jetsss]

Wow. No power tools lol. You'd think with a ruler on the tailgate and a power plug that would be the number one usage lolol. Oh well. At least I can stop figuring that one out lol thanks

I knew It was 400 watts and that it wouldn't run those power tools which is insane. That is exactly what you would want those outlets for. I truly don't understand that. 99% of people that go to use that will be disappointed to find that out.

Sponsored