Airstream and its parent company Thor Industries surprised and excited RV enthusiasts and electric vehicle enthusiasts last month with a eStream electric travel concept car can essentially be off-grid for days, increase the trailer’s range or mpg, and potentially maneuver itself to a campsite or charge the battery.
Now, the company has revealed more details about the project and concept car, highlighted by CEO Bob Wheeler, during a follow-up Q&A session on the project last week, more than just an exercise in training. Sustainability. “Ultimately, if it doesn’t deliver a better customer experience, it’s going to take a lot of work,” Wheeler said. trip planning.
So don’t expect the product to hit the market this year or even next year. The CEO emphasized that the company is still in the early stages of the idea.
“It’s pretty safe to say that this exact concept trailer, this proof of concept, we’re not going to see anything like this on the market ever,” he said. But it’s a way of getting feedback from dealers and customers and finding the right feature set and value perspective for a model they want to build in the near future, he continued.
Dethleffs e.Home Coco electric camping trailer
Dethleffs E.Home Caravan electric camping trailer prototype
Dethleffs E.Home Caravan electric camping trailer prototype
However, Airstream’s starting point is not with a completely new set of frames and techniques. It chose with the framework that Dethleffs its branch in Germany developed with ZF in 2018 and 2019 — the event was demonstrated last year with the Audi E-Tron Sportback on an Alpine route involving altitude and lots of ups and downs. The system is basically the same as in eStream, albeit with a lighter trailer, The E-Tron Sportback manages the 240-mile route despite its 218-mile EPA range rating.
Dethleffs E.Home Caravan electric camping trailer prototype
According to VP of engineering and product development McKay Featherstone, what Airstream is bringing to the project is creating a foundation around this. “Our job is really to integrate that into a complete system, not just dropping a house on top of a chassis, but making sure everything works together towards a common goal.” The explanation includes aerodynamics, connectivity and some of the control units, he said.
Featherstone explains that a company focused on sustainability and lower carbon emissions for customers is one of the drivers. But he also points out that the project stems from the launch of the Tesla Model X.
Tesla Model X pull
“The idea of electric towing is not new; Our customers have been doing that for so many years,” says McKay. “So really, from that point, to this day, and talking to real customers… we understand their pain points, their difficulties and totally different integrations; We know that this technology has the potential to solve those problems for our customers. ”
As it stands, pulling an eStream-sized trailer requires a lot of patience and planning. On a 7,700-mile trip in 2019, friends of Green car report see a lose range from 45% to 60% when towing a 3,800 pound travel trailer with the Tesla Model X. And in 2020, Audi E-Tron towing a 4,000-pound trailer holds the GM EV1 over 504 miles in 35-degree weather, reaching speeds of less than 110 miles per charge.
In terms of trailer compatibility, the target is a 5,500-pound GVWR, according to McKay. That will likely add up to more than what the Tesla Model X or Audi E-Tron can handle but good in what can be towed by a Rivian R1T or R1Sor one Ford F-150 Lightning.
Rivian R1T – hot weather drag test
Airstream wants customers to see the new model as not only more sustainable, but also more luxurious and functional. Today’s tow truck owners face compromises, as they can’t stay for long. The system operates consistently, as if it were plugged in, with electricity and heating at all times.
Most materials for the interior have been chosen with sustainability in mind, and a transparent panel provides a view down to the actuator and battery. The trailer uses a heat pump and has an induction cooktop and doesn’t need a conventional propane tank, its front end looks clean.
Airstream eStream electric camping trailer
The EStream also has a narrower body than the regular Airstream, as well as a completely clean roof, with 900 watts of down-sight solar cells that slowly charge the battery while traveling or camping.
The 22-foot travel trailer must be able to fit into a standard vehicle charging point, allowing both the vehicle and trailer to rapidly charge simultaneously on road trips. It envisions a quick charge time (to 80%) in the range of 30 to 45 minutes — about the same as most electric vehicles today. And they wanted to design its Level 2 built-in charger so that it could fully charge overnight on typical campground 30-amp outlets.
Airstream eStream electric camping trailer
Although this is a concept, the idea is clearly under development. Airstream plans to roll out the trailer this year, with testing in real-world conditions, with more tests and improvements to follow.
Airstream is still in the process of determining the size of the battery and motor. And understanding the dynamics will be an important part of the testing process. The Dethleffs’ somewhat lighter trailer uses two 90 kW (121 hp) electric motors, with the system delivering 40 hp continuously from each.
The EStream has torque potential and helps to stabilize not only the trailer but the trailer towing with it, assisting in smooth, stable towing in swaying or lateral wind conditions. It’s also capable of really helping with traction — up muddy or snowy slopes, for example.
Airstream eStream electric camping trailer
One of the highlights of this concept is the ability to park the car remotely, via a smartphone app and under its own power. The backup and autonomous driving systems will primarily use a set of ultrasonic sensors — both below and above — in conjunction with a camera system.
Trip planning is also important in this tech rollout, to get the job done and ensure that the experience is truly better. Airstream also plans to use Amazon Alexa to quickly deliver instructional content related to new technology.
“Because we have reorganized the weight distribution, there is also an opportunity to improve the overload experience,” suggests Featherstone,
Airstream eStream electric camping trailer
SStream do consistent with the existing NHTSA regulatory framework, executives said, sounding a bit surprising; so part of the project will make sure what it always adheres to that.
And there’s really a lot of innovation that can end up in a production model. Airstream is also looking into two-way charging and powering the home from its batteries. It also needs to apply some extra problem solving to the space below. With two 40 kWh packs taking up space on either side of the shaft and engine unit, Wheeler suggests they will need “some fresh thinking about water and waste”.
Just as we are beginning to see with electric trucks, there will be some innovative new solutions to be able to get away from it all, familiar yet different. And for the classic form factor, the eStream is a welcome creative departure.
