The Possibilities with Powered Trailers

By Edward A. Sanchez – Jan. 31, 2022

Two weeks ago, we reported on Thor Industries’ announcement that it would manufacture both a powered Airstream travel trailer as well as a fuel cell range-extended EV motorhome. We subsequently found a report about Lippert, one of the largest contract manufacturers of trailer chassis in the U.S., announcing its “Edison” initiative to develop motorized trailer chassis.

There are many benefits of electrified trailers on the surface, two of the biggest being improved fuel efficiency of the tow vehicle, whether EV or ICE, as well as the ability to maneuver the trailer independently of the tow vehicle, which will be a big relief to rookie and veteran towers alike. But those two benefits are just the tip of the iceberg of what all powered trailers could do.

Powered trailers, like Thor’s eStream concept, will enable trailers to be moved without a tow vehicle, making for easier parking in tight situations.

Much like the concept proposed and showcased with the Ford F-150 Lightning, powered trailers could provide home energy backup (assuming the home is properly wired and equipped to accommodate it). Likewise, they could provide ready power to emergency response units in storm and natural disaster recovery scenarios.

Another potential advantage to powered trailers could be their regen braking capability, or even a mode in which rather than providing a boost or assistance to the tow vehicle, it regens on a long downhill stretch, or smartly “charges” based on the length of the journey, and predicted destination, providing a full charge on the trailer battery packs when you arrive at the campsite or destination. True, there would be an impact on tow vehicle economy, but offering the user a choice is always a good thing. In this instance, rather than having to top off both the tow vehicle and trailer at a charging point, just top off one, and have plenty for the other.

In this day and age of predictive range and connected navigation, there’s no reason these factors or variables couldn’t be entered into the nav system, and give the driver suggested stops and charging times for whatever their preferred scenario is. With the various in-dash “app stores” being offered by OEMs, (predominantly Android-based, if I could put on my infotainment analyst hat on for a moment) to give predicted range and charging stop recommendations along the route.

Add solar panels into the equation, and assuming you’re not blasting the stereo, watching your big screen, and running your microwave non-stop, you could have plenty of power for a multi-day boondocking stay. And with the right cable (J1772-to-J1772, for example), you could even give your EV tow vehicle a top-up from the trailer.

I know some of the scenarios I’m presenting may sound like “rainbows and unicorns” to some of you, but I’d counter with the smart-aleck meme, “Science: Like magic, but real.” There’s no reason these scenarios and use cases can’t be approached from a pragmatic, engineering perspective.

I truly believe we’re within 5 to 7 years away from the “iPhone moment” with EVs and related vehicles and accessories, including the recreational and commercial market. Again, the key will be practical advantage. Just as the advent and improvement in quality and longevity in lithium-ion battery technology in cordless power tools revolutionized that segment to the point where corded tools on jobsites have now become the exception rather than the rule, the practical advantage of EVs, assuming the charging infrastructure develops in parallel, will be too compelling to ignore.

A decade hence, the conversation among the campfire may be, “You’re still driving a diesel? Why?” or, “You don’t have a powered trailer yet? You need to get with the times!”

(Images courtesy Thor Industries)

- Store - Podcast - Facebook - Google News - Twitter -