A promising solution for EVs towing camping trailers

I grew up with big trucks and vans, and I’ve been watching this segment of the EV market carefully. I’m hoping that, one day, the perfect model will fit our travel preferences and needs. One of the promising things about EV trucks in particular is their towing ability. 

ICE trucks are beloved in the travel camping world because they can pull everything from small teardrop trailers (with ease) to behemoth 5th wheel trailers that rival people’s homes. EV trucks are more than capable of also towing this wide range of RV trailers but possess a fatal flaw that can’t compete with ICE trucks: range. 

Photo credit: Jared Tarbell, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Towing deadweight affects range. Sure, it affects ICE trucks (up to 30%)  but not nearly as bad as EV trucks (an almost 50% loss, if not more). 

But it’s not just about range lost. 

It’s also about the ease in which you can refuel/charge back to full and start your journey again. How much time does it take? How much will it cost? 

An ICE truck still has an EV truck beat in this area IMO, even though refueling an ICE truck tank can get very expensive very quickly, especially while towing. 

The only way this changes towards an EV truck’s favor is if, 1) there’s an increase of available superchargers (which is kind of being addressed), and 2) something solves the EV truck range loss.

But change is on the horizon! Hold my beer.

Have you heard about the new L1 RV trailer being developed by Lightship RV? This is a company started from the ground up by former Tesla employees and they are trying to address EV trucks towing’s fatal flaws. 

How? First, they know weight and aerodynamics are important. Second, and here’s my favorite thing they are doing: they are creating a self-propelled trailer that will have its own battery pack and can match the speed of the vehicle towing it.  

You caught that right? Self-propelled! 

If this design actually works it means little to no range lost due to towing. That’s incredible. And this might be a product available for both ICE and EVs, which makes it even more interesting. 

As with any new technology or advancement, we have to temper our excitement no matter how charged up we can get. It’s going to be expensive. It’s not available yet. And the idea of a self-propelled trailer brings up other questions like: “how will it slow itself down?” But all of that will be addressed.

Another possible and simpler solution is to redesign the trailer itself, which is what we’re seeing now. Lightweight trailers can be achieved through specific materials and more aerodynamic designs. 

Here are three that look interesting:

• The Happier Camper line up
• A Porsche/Airstream collaboration – yes you read that correctly!
• The Boulder teardrop – reader shared product, thanks Den!

We’re pumped because whenever there is excitement and demand in a specific segment, the market will respond. 

EV trucks are becoming more and more popular, which means people know they will want to tow RV trailers with them. And it’s already happening.

Is this a segment of EV Camping and Travel that you’re excited about? Let us know in the comments below.