Though the Ford F-150 Lightning boasts vehicle-to-vehicle charging capability, The Blue Oval has also explored a number of other ways to charge EVs on the go, filing patents for an in-flight charging system, portable battery packs, and a range-extending generator. Now, a company called Colorado Teardrops has completed a prototype of its new Electric Vehicle Adventure Trailer dubbed “The Boulder,” which is the first camper designed to extend the towing range of all-electric vehicles such as Ford EVs.
One day, Ford EVs could pull this new camper/trailer and also use it to charge their batteries via Level 2 charging – a phase that has already been completed, with DC-to-DC Level 3 fast charging between the trailer and the tow vehicle currently in development. Colorado Teardrops has already teamed up with an unnamed automaker to develop this idea, and is working on finding a supplier for the batteries used in the trailer, too.
According to the company, thanks to the trailer’s efficient aerodynamics, the amount of extra range used to tow it would be offset completely and perhaps even experience a net gain, which would be a huge boon to EV owners that want to be able to travel and do a little camping without having to stop and charge every 90-100 miles or so. That means that Ford EVs like the F-150 Lightning with the extended range battery could possibly tow the camper beyond its stated 300-mile range.
In addition to The Boulder, Colorado Teardrops is developing two additional EV campers – a 17-foot model called “The Golden” and a 27-foot model dubbed “The Denver,” with battery capacities ranging from 75 kWh up to 200 kWh. The Golden and The Denver feature hardshell tops that retract into a low aerodynamic profile when towing, and fully extend to provide 6’6″ of standing headroom when in camping mode. Both are equipped with amenities including a full kitchen, bathroom, and higher-end finishes. Colorado Teardrops is currently taking reservations for The Boulder, with the first deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2023.
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Comments
What a logical and simple idea to extend the range of EVs. Pretty much EXACTLY the same as the RV trailers that have gas cans strapped onto the hitch mount. Now put a solar panel on the roof and charge as you go. Too bad ICE cant drag an oil drill and refinery behind it to replenish its fuel source on the go. Just indicative of the issues with ICEs. LOL.
The gas cans strapped to the hitch mount is to run the generators when you are camping without electricity. An Ice vehicle does not need a oil refinery behind it because there are gas stations everywhere, they work unlike EV chargers, and your range in much further without stopping. Not to many familes will fit in this and many bring their pets. No bathroom, showers, limited water storage. Not a good buy.
For years now I have always thought that the easiest solution to the EV range issue was to be able to rent a generator from somebody like “U-Haul” or your friendly Ford dealer. They used to have streamlined little luggage trailers back in the day that you could rent if your trunk was too small. Add solar power and a generator powered Level 3 charger and you could drive forever. All without the need for buying a long-range battery model you only use twice a year. Since it seems like Ford is patenting every idea they can come up with, I got dibs on this one!
Generator uses a lot of fuel unless you are happy charging at 110 current. A 10000 watts will put out about 40 amps, not a lot of charging, It will burn through more than a gallon per hour, so it gets costly to run.
Totally stupid idea, laughable at best. They even the looking at towing along a gasoline generator to extend range is laughable. This is why you need an ICE engine.
And to the comment you need to drag an oil rig and refinery, no you don’t. You pull into a gas station and fill up in minutes. batteries take hours and hours.
Battery toys unlike the energizer bunny don’t keep going and going.
Where do you put the food and clothing for a week? No refrig? How about the cat litter and cat bed? Better than a tent except tents can be larger. Great for young people who like tenting, but not so good for young people with kids.
Great, spend an exceptional amount of money on an EV ( way more then a comparable ICE vehicle ), then spend an exceptional amount of money on a trailer ( way more then a conventional trailer, and a lot heavier ) to make up for the lack of towing range of the EV. What is next to justify EVs, dilithium crystals?
I thought technology was suppose to offer the human race cheaper, alternative, technology. What is happening to EV vehicles?
Not everyone thinks the future is EV. We just got a renewal of our lease for fracking on some farm land we own. We’ll use the lease-up and royalty money to pay for the extra gas we use to tow a real RV.
90% of the electricity generated for daily use comes from coal / petroleum. Also, the infrastructure can’t handle the present consumption, let alone add all of these EV´s. Hybrid vehicles are more reasonable for our present capability. Hydrogen power is available and plentiful but not utilized.
Haha !!!!!! I love all the BRAIN DEAD comments here……
Everyone here saying it couldn’t possibly be beneficial has not met my friend JIM who got a junk yard TESLA battery pack and put it UNDER an existing trailer he had, and he shoe horned in a fan cooled dinky radiator running off the car’s 12 volt system to remove battery heat when recharging the car – which turned out to be less of a deal with heat since now whatever charging facility he had is now charging at half the rate it used to – since there are 2 battery packs to charge now…
The driving range is now BETTER than the car itself was, and the Trailer holds exactly the same amount of cubic feet it used to…. The small pump and cooling fan exist ON TOP of the ball hitch so as to not take up any valuable real estate.