I didn't know where to post this so here goes

[etpm]

I came across an interesting new type and concept of travel trailer and I thought I would post a link to the company's website. Please note that I am not advocating for this particular trailer or the overall concept, but I did find it quite thought provoking. It seems to me that this trailer might be a game changer. Oh, I should at least say a little about the trailer so nobody needs to click on the link if they would not be interested. Anyway, the trailer has all sorts of electronic stuff going on but the big deal is that the trailer has electric motors driving the wheels, thereby removing some of the load from the vehicle towing the trailer. This of course makes the trailer seem lighter than it is. This could of course help with hills and similar loads, like passing. Anyway, here is the link: Pebble | Where Home Meets the Road
The trailer has solar panels on the roof and uses electricity for all functions that previously would use propane, so heating water and cooking are all electric. I can see this as being a problem sometimes despite the rooftop solar panels. But I would love to know what you all think about this new contraption.
Eric

 

[ultrarunner]

Interesting meld of tech...

Self hitching and can be used to power home as battery pack is equivalent to 3 Tesla power walls plus rooftop solar.

I like the quiet HVAC... been in some campers and the noise from generator and A/C anything but tranquil

Any idea on cost?

 

[Bronco82]

On the Pre-Order page, the Pebble Flow starts at $109 000. That is pretty slick though.

 

[Oaktree]

Interesting concept. Styling doesn't really appeal to me and the price is a bit steep for my budget but it's probably not a lot more expensive than a traditional travel trailer. How heavy is it compared to a traditional one? Those batteries have to weigh a lot.

 

[Snobdds]

Why does every EV design look like .

 

[ericm979]

Man I hate the design for that site. It's all marketing fluff with no actual info that's readily apparent. And the name sucks too. The current trend in names is to use a common name for something that's totally unrelated to the product. Which makes it hard to search for or know what it is when you hear the name. Ok, rant over.

All electric appliances (except maybe a diesel/gas heater) with solar and batteries is common for self-made camper vans for the last decade. A lot of people use that even for long periods of remote camping. It's better than propane and you never run out. That part of this trailer is just the manufacturer catching up to the state of the art.

The powered wheels are another thing. Does that really reduce all the loads on the towing vehicle, or just some of them? The towing vehicle still has to stop the trailer and provide stability. I wonder how it would change vehicle manufacturer's towing ratings. If the amount of assist is adjustable and may be zero if the batteries are flat, then the rating would probably not change.

OTOH, if it was an off road exploration oriented trailer (which is a hot new market niche) then the ability for a bit of battery boost could help at times off road.

 

[BackRoad]

Love the idea...and slick marketing...great concept to power the wheels.

Could save a lot of marriages with the ability for it to be self maneuvered into a campsite with a remote control!

Bet it would be a magnet at an RV park...everybody knocking on your door for a tour!

Unfortunately, it's as butt ugly as the Tesla pickup (which isn't a "truck").

Showed it to my wife...she thought it was a toaster - all she said was "Nope"...

I have one button leveling on my Artic Fox...so that's not really a meaningful game changer introduced by this rig.

And I would have to think hard before owning the 1st generation of the electric wheel assist technology...until it was well proven. Many unknowns before confidently pulling it down the road at 65 mph.

We full-timed for 4 years, and I've pulled mine on snow covered roads - out of necessity, not desire. Wonder how this one would behave in those type of conditions?

Will be interesting to see if it makes a mark on the industry.

 

[2manyrocks]

$109,000 would buy one of the smaller airstreams.

Travel Trailers | Quality Campers & RVs | Airstream

Airstream travel trailers feature timeless design, quality craftsmanship, and all the features you need. Learn about the best travel trailers on the road!

www.airstream.com

 

[zzvyb6]

It certainly is a clever & appealing concept. I'd presume that the battery is chargeable by regen during braking, but the trailer motors are not engaged full time for propulsion because you want a good battery level when you get to the camping site. To me, the best feature is the maneuverability to park & hook up the trailer without the tow vehicle.

The California version has a windmill on top to charge the battery while you drive and also features to charge it from your tail light glow when you drive at night plus light from on-coming traffic's headlights.

 

[Wolverinefarm22]

That’s neat that it can move itself to park. My question is can it pull the Dodge/Ram pickup that broke down on the way to camp?