Interesting idea from Airstream

larry2c · 01-19-2022, 07:15 PM

Saw this on my news feed and hadn't seen it here yet so I thought I'd share. Love to have the ability to remote drive my TT up into it's parking spot at the house!

https://www.autoblog.com/2022/01/19/...#slide-2378117

NJKris · 01-19-2022, 08:13 PM

Pretty cool. I have to admit though, in the back of mind was, "more crap to break!" Good to see some innovative ideas though.

Retired JSO · 01-19-2022, 08:32 PM

From what I’m reading, it’s to help EV tow vehicles improve distance between charges.

Reverse_snowbird · 01-19-2022, 08:47 PM

Works with Alexa!
They are obviously appealing to people who want to tow with a lighter vehicle. The automatic control should eliminate a lot of the spouse arguments when parking the vehicle and make it a whole lot easier if you have no copilot.
Regenerative breaking and possibly eliminating weight distribution hitches? Of course, it's an Airstream and the MSRP is going to be high.

TheWolfPaq82 · 01-19-2022, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired JSO

From what I’m reading, it’s to help EV tow vehicles improve distance between charges.

What charges the TT ?

NJKris · 01-19-2022, 08:53 PM

Rich folk never struck me as camping types. The one's I do know seem to look at my penchant for camping with amusement.

NJKris · 01-19-2022, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

What charges the TT ?

I'm guessing shore power. Can't really picture the target customer for this boondocking.

**Iwritecode** · 01-19-2022, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

Rich folk never struck me as camping types. The one's I do know seem to look at my penchant for camping with amusement.

Depends on what you define as "rich".

Anyone that can afford a house AND spend $50k for a TT or $100k on a MH aren't what I'd call poor.

NJKris · 01-19-2022, 09:05 PM

I'm guessing this Airstream will be at LEAST 100k. Spending that on a TT puts ya in rich territory!

Retired JSO · 01-19-2022, 09:25 PM

Airstreams are a really overpriced trailer. The base amp starts at $45K and the Globetrotter starts around $130K. Hope you already own a tow vehicle. So ad a roof full of solar panels and 242 horsepower electric motors along with the $15K battery pack required and then plop down $200K to get you on your way.

Jfkmk · 01-19-2022, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired JSO

Airstreams are a really overpriced trailer. The base amp starts at $45K and the Globetrotter starts around $130K. Hope you already own a tow vehicle. So ad a roof full of solar panels and 242 horsepower electric motors along with the $15K battery pack required and then plop down $200K to get you on your way.

Now, that’s rich territory!

yukongold · 01-19-2022, 10:22 PM

Interesting but it and Thor's other electric news, an electric class B, are still just in the "concept" phase. AFAIK, no actual unit has been produced yet. Details, things like weights, capacities and mileages are pretty skimpy, if not non-existent.

Still electric is coming the the RV world. Winnebago also has a concept electric class B out there.

adrienbaker · 01-19-2022, 10:59 PM

Perpetual Motion Machine...

Adrien

Jim34RL · 01-20-2022, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yukongold

Interesting but it and Thor's other electric news, an electric class B, are still just in the "concept" phase. AFAIK, no actual unit has been produced yet. Details, things like weights, capacities and mileages are pretty skimpy, if not non-existent.

Still electric is coming the the RV world. Winnebago also has a concept electric class B out there.

I can honestly say I would never buy one or even consider buying an EV vehicle/Airstream EV trailer.

I will be dead by than when they come of age to be nothing more than a fad!

I will keep my ICE DIESEL ENGINE and current 5er.

Grumpy7159 · 01-20-2022, 11:32 AM

What if the electrical grid asks you to refrain from charging your EV and you are setting in the middle of the street? This EV fad will end up being a niche market. It isn't practical for many people. Except for the rich, maybe.

Vince and Charlette · 01-20-2022, 11:39 AM

The infamous I-95 backup earlier last week has caused a lot of rethinking about EVs. With many people stuck in the snow for as much as 24 hours, they quickly found themselves without heat. Additionally, once the traffic started moving, many EVs were dead had to be towed out!

2plus1 · 01-20-2022, 11:42 AM

It is -40 degrees Celsius here this morning and at -40C it is the same as -40F. The heater in an E/V is just an electric heater and draws off the same batteries as the ones that turn the wheels. Depending on make and model this reduces the usable range of the vehicle by 40 to 60% according to a test I read. At that rate I couldn't even consider going for the mail without the possibility of freezing to death. When they solve that problem I'll consider a test drive. Oh, it better have a 2 5/16" ball on the back.

Paul

TowPro · 01-20-2022, 12:31 PM

wonder if that same battery could power the RV while boondocking?
Does it have solar to recharge?

Wonder if that same battery could assist in moving the RV using the front dolly wheel for steering without a tow vehicle?

llr · 01-20-2022, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TowPro

wonder if that same battery could power the RV while boondocking?
Does it have solar to recharge?

Wonder if that same battery could assist in moving the RV using the front dolly wheel for steering without a tow vehicle?

The video shows it parking from a phone app driving the wheels independently, just a little larger then normal tongue wheel to roll on

TowPro · 01-20-2022, 01:02 PM

thanks llr. I didn't watch the video (sort of moved on after reading Thor)
but now that I see it, that is pretty cool.

put now I can picture someone doing a youtube video where they mount a seat to the tongue and they drive it down the road after they modify the program to go faster.

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