Lack of 12v receptacles

[Rappr]

Since the Ram only has one, I decided to use a USB port to power my Garmin GPS. All you need is a long USB cable that reaches from the trucks USB port to where ever you want to mount your GPS and with the correct plug for your GPS.
Carefully slice open the cables outer sheathing. There are 4 very tiny wires in a USB cable: Red is 5v power, black is ground and the other 2 are for data. Cut the two data wires and remove a 1/8 section of them so that they cannot touch when you tape up the wire.
Now your GPS can be powered from any USB port.
You must cut the data wires or your GPS will think it is plugged into a computer and will NOT allow you to access the navigation menu.
Do NOT modify the USB cable that came with your GPS, you will need that when you connect it to your computer for updates.

 

[Sawboss3]

I'm less than thrilled about only having one regular 12v outlet in my Tradesman, but I use a 3 port USB charger base that I can plug in the single 12v outlet on the dash. I expect to put in a dash cam and GPS.

 

[User_1648]

This is what I used after I routed my cable for my dash cam. I almost went the same route that the OP did...

 

[Rappr]

I saw those but, I have about 10 old USB cables laying around so, being cheap, I went with what I had

 

[Rappr]

I'm less than thrilled about only having one regular 12v outlet in my Tradesman, but I use a 3 port USB charger base that I can plug in the single 12v outlet on the dash. I expect to put in a dash cam and GPS.

My truck already had 4 USB ports in the dash and one power only USB in the center console

 

[jerryw1000]

I just cannot understand when most every truck make is putting 2 12V power ports low on the center dash RAM would decide to only put 1 port in a really weird location. Glad I ordered the Aux Upfitter Switches.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Since the Ram only has one, I decided to use a USB port to power my Garmin GPS. All you need is a long USB cable that reaches from the trucks USB port to where ever you want to mount your GPS and with the correct plug for your GPS.
Carefully slice open the cables outer sheathing. There are 4 very tiny wires in a USB cable: Red is 5v power, black is ground and the other 2 are for data. Cut the two data wires and remove a 1/8 section of them so that they cannot touch when you tape up the wire.
Now your GPS can be powered from any USB port.
You must cut the data wires or your GPS will think it is plugged into a computer and will NOT allow you to access the navigation menu.
Do NOT modify the USB cable that came with your GPS, you will need that when you connect it to your computer for updates.

You can buy charge only cables.

 

[Rappr]

You can buy charge only cables.

Yes, yes you can. One can always buy what one needs. My hack was for those of us that have a bunch of USB cables laying around and would like to utilize one of them rather than go buy another cable.

 

[Ruffone]

I just cannot understand when most every truck make is putting 2 12V power ports low on the center dash RAM would decide to only put 1 port in a really weird location. Glad I ordered the Aux Upfitter Switches.

I thought that same thing at first as well, but since I mounted My Garmin in that dash tray area it makes perfect sense. I got a ProClip mount for my Garmin that gets mounted in that tray area using the screws that hold the radio face panel in place. Then I use wire ties to shorten my power cord and plug it right into that outlet in the tray, makes for a nice clean install. My guess is that they put them there for all the people that are increasingly adding traffic cameras in their vehicles??

 

[thestuarts]

I bought a nice 3-way splitter for the cigarette lighter for all of my dashboard gadgets. It has extra USB ports too. You can turn power on/off to individual ports. It has auto shutoff if the battery is low.

$20 in Amazon. The product name is ridiculously long.

"[Upgraded Version] Quick Charge 3.0 Cigarette Lighter Adapter, CHGeek 120W 12V/24V 3-Socket Car Power DC Outlet Splitter with 8.5A 4 USB Charging Ports & LED Voltmeter Power Switch Car Charger-Black"