Cybertruck towing 7,000 lb travel trailer

[Cyber Man]

there are a few videos for Airstream vs other rv boxey shapes. It seems that smooth bottom and rounded corners on front and back make a huge difference. So, the numbers I have are these.

KW per mile below Assuming 100KW of usable battery real world you don't charge to 100% or run it to zero either.​

Rated by Sticker from Tesla Spec .362 = 100 KW Max range is 276 Miles
Empty .350 - .450 = 100 KW worst range max of 222 Miles
W/ Bowlus (Look it up) .500 - .600 = 100 KW worst max range 166 Miles
W/ Airstream .700 = 100 KW worst max range 142 Miles
W/ RV Box (especially a flat rear end) .800-.900 = 100 KW worst max range 111 Miles

The other thing is that on level ground, weight makes little difference and past 60 all the numbers plummet. AERO Really matters.

I towed an empty all aluminum car hauler with a wedge front from GA to VA in my X last year. On I95, 800 watts per mile was the best I could do but I was going 60 mph. It was empty and only weighed 1,900 pounds and is 16 feet long.

We are looking to take a cross country trip with the CT and a new RV. Really stuck between the Bowlus .... at least 50k MORE than a comparable Airstream. The Airstream actually weighs twice as much and Bowlus confirms distance is only dropped by 25%. Airstream does not want to talk about it and the Boxy RV places think EV's are a joke. Even though ICE truck drop about the same % in efficiency as EV, range is not discussed because they have a huge advantage due to tank size.

This YouTube shows that a good ARO shape makes a huge difference. See the ICE trucks drop a lot too except the GM that was a huge engine as shown by the fuel mileage.

Good to know Airstream trailers improve range by 10-20%. Are you looking to buy immediately? I highly recommend renting the model that you want to buy before pulling the trigger to purchase. You will learn a lot when you spend couple of days in the unit that you want to buy. I originally wanted to buy 23’ Airstream but ended up buying Basecamp after renting both. I know couple of my friends who purchased without trying and found couple of deal breakers within a week.

Sponsored

 

[ButterEV]

there are a few videos for Airstream vs other rv boxey shapes. It seems that smooth bottom and rounded corners on front and back make a huge difference. So, the numbers I have are these.

KW per mile below Assuming 100KW of usable battery real world you don't charge to 100% or run it to zero either.​

Rated by Sticker from Tesla Spec .362 = 100 KW Max range is 276 Miles
Empty .350 - .450 = 100 KW worst range max of 222 Miles
W/ Bowlus (Look it up) .500 - .600 = 100 KW worst max range 166 Miles
W/ Airstream .700 = 100 KW worst max range 142 Miles
W/ RV Box (especially a flat rear end) .800-.900 = 100 KW worst max range 111 Miles

The other thing is that on level ground, weight makes little difference and past 60 all the numbers plummet. AERO Really matters.

I towed an empty all aluminum car hauler with a wedge front from GA to VA in my X last year. On I95, 800 watts per mile was the best I could do but I was going 60 mph. It was empty and only weighed 1,900 pounds and is 16 feet long.

We are looking to take a cross country trip with the CT and a new RV. Really stuck between the Bowlus .... at least 50k MORE than a comparable Airstream. The Airstream actually weighs twice as much and Bowlus confirms distance is only dropped by 25%. Airstream does not want to talk about it and the Boxy RV places think EV's are a joke. Even though ICE truck drop about the same % in efficiency as EV, range is not discussed because they have a huge advantage due to tank size.

This YouTube shows that a good ARO shape makes a huge difference. See the ICE trucks drop a lot too except the GM that was a huge engine as shown by the fuel mileage.

This is some great insight. Thank you for sharing

 

[Axwbw]

Thanks. Related numbers in blue. [update: added column for extended range of 50 kWh]

Thanks for making the chart. Yes, mine is Dual motor, I had mine in Chill mode for that towing.

 

[firsttruck]

2024 Bowlus Volterra - Walkthrough Tour
Meet the world’s first all-electric RV, the Bowlus Volterra and our most luxurious and powerful offering at twice the power of the Terra Firma. The signature Bowlus AeroSolar™ Solar System can charge the Volterra Battery Management System while cruising on the highway or parked at your campsite. The revolutionary Volterra delivers game-changing energy use with a holistic structural integration by designing the entire Volterra as the epitome of refined power and performance. Inside you will find a precise blend of elevated luxury and thoughtfully designed technologies that ensures a serene escape with every adventure.
Oct 25, 2023 SANTA BARBARA
Bowlus Luxury RVs

------

 

[Major Tom]

I’ve tried reaching out to multiple EV travel trailer manufacturers and no one gets back to me I won’t give up though as I believe this is what the EV community wants to see. Wish me luck

Where are you located , I have a 2019 Air Stream Flying cloud 25ft , weighs 6200lbs dry. I would love to know how it tows with a Cybertruck as I have one on order .

 

[Spacenoddle]

Where are you located , I have a 2019 Air Stream Flying cloud 25ft , weighs 6200lbs dry. I would love to know how it tows with a Cybertruck as I have one on order .

i love to know too. Because of the short cybertruck towing range, now i am debating between caravel 19 or flying cloud 25RB.

 

[Major Tom]

i love to know too. Because of the short cybertruck towing range, now i am debating between caravel 19 or flying cloud 25RB.

I am in Vacaville by the way.

 

[Spacenoddle]

Where are you located , I have a 2019 Air Stream Flying cloud 25ft , weighs 6200lbs dry. I would love to know how it tows with a Cybertruck as I have one on order .

someone towing AS FC27 round trip from Ontario Canada to Denver total 3400 mil using 2021 MSLR. Most of trip is on highway with 60 mph, The average is 608wh/mile. Without towing, the EPA for MSLR is 280wh/mile, so the energy used by towing FC27 is 328wh/mile.

The EPA for CT is 430wh/mile, add 328wh/mile, we can roughly calculate CT towing FC27 should be 758wh/mile.

So The max range for CT towing FC27 is 123000/758=162 miles if cruising highway at 60 mph.

it is not so bad.

 

[MeadowShade]

Yeah but that range is 100% to zero % If you make it more like 80%-20% the real range is 162*60%=97Miles.. Honestly .... that sucks.
I am struggling with which camper would work best. Sure, the Airstream 25' is over 6,000lbs. It will tow it but how far and will that work cross country. Leaning more toward a Bowlus or a BaseCamp 20. Both are around 3,000 lbs and much better aero. Aero means MORE than weight! Expecially the tail of the whale you are driving around. Bowlus only drops empty range about 20-25% and if you look at it, you can see why. I am thinking the BaseCamp could be close to that. It has a rounded and slanted tail and weighs the same.

Here is a really good article about AERO and EV's https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/0...shopping-for-trailers-especially-for-your-ev/

 

[firsttruck]

Yeah but that range is 100% to zero % If you make it more like 80%-20% the real range is 162*60%=97Miles.. Honestly .... that sucks.
I am struggling with which camper would work best. Sure, the Airstream 25' is over 6,000lbs. It will tow it but how far and will that work cross country. Leaning more toward a Bowlus or a BaseCamp 20. Both are around 3,000 lbs and much better aero. Aero means MORE than weight! Expecially the tail of the whale you are driving around. Bowlus only drops empty range about 20-25% and if you look at it, you can see why. I am thinking the BaseCamp could be close to that. It has a rounded and slanted tail and weighs the same.

Here is a really good article about AERO and EV's
Don’t Fall For Aerodynamic Junk Science When Shopping For Trailers (Especially For Your EV)
2023
By Jennifer Sensiba
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/0...shopping-for-trailers-especially-for-your-ev/

Good article but make sure to read part 2 of the article. Part 2 has several comments that Airstream trailers may be more "aero looking" instead of actually significantly efficient aero-dynamics.

-------------------------------

Don’t Fall For Aerodynamic Junk Science When Shopping Trailers (Part 2)
2023
By Jennifer Sensiba
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/0...c-junk-science-when-shopping-trailers-part-2/

-------------------------------

What is needed is a efficient aero-dynamic hard-sided pop-up trailer.

 

[Cyber Man]

Yeah but that range is 100% to zero % If you make it more like 80%-20% the real range is 162*60%=97Miles.. Honestly .... that sucks.
I am struggling with which camper would work best. Sure, the Airstream 25' is over 6,000lbs. It will tow it but how far and will that work cross country. Leaning more toward a Bowlus or a BaseCamp 20. Both are around 3,000 lbs and much better aero. Aero means MORE than weight! Expecially the tail of the whale you are driving around. Bowlus only drops empty range about 20-25% and if you look at it, you can see why. I am thinking the BaseCamp could be close to that. It has a rounded and slanted tail and weighs the same.

Here is a really good article about AERO and EV's https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/0...shopping-for-trailers-especially-for-your-ev/

I love towing my Basecamp 20X. It’s very nimble and lightweight. I don’t see a significant drop in the mileage, but I haven’t towed it with any EVs yet.

 

[MeadowShade]

I am now looking at a Canadian Alto A2124. It looks amazing and is only 2,500 lbs dry and great aero.
The BaseCamp remains on my list but if I can get lower weight and better aero from Alto, that is where I am going. Aero underneath matters too.

 

[Cyber Man]

I am now looking at a Canadian Alto A2124. It looks amazing and is only 2,500 lbs dry and great aero.
The BaseCamp remains on my list but if I can get lower weight and better aero from Alto, that is where I am going. Aero underneath matters too.

I researched about it before buying Basecamp. At that time, they didn’t have much service options in west coast. Minor repairs on RVs are inevitable, especially in the first few years. So it’s good to stay close to the service shop.

 

[CyberGus]

Good article but make sure to read part 2 of the article. Part 2 has several comments that Airstream trailers may be more "aero looking" instead of actually significantly efficient aero-dynamics.

-------------------------------

Don’t Fall For Aerodynamic Junk Science When Shopping Trailers (Part 2)
2023
By Jennifer Sensiba
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/0...c-junk-science-when-shopping-trailers-part-2/

-------------------------------

What is needed is a efficient aero-dynamic hard-sided pop-up trailer.

You're completely correct that "looking" aero doesn't always translate to results.

However, Airstream does consider aero, and does their own testing to improve performance.

https://www.airstream.com/blog/airstream-aerodynamics-put-to-the-test/

 

[Texarado]

someone towing AS FC27 round trip from Ontario Canada to Denver total 3400 mil using 2021 MSLR. Most of trip is on highway with 60 mph, The average is 608wh/mile. Without towing, the EPA for MSLR is 280wh/mile, so the energy used by towing FC27 is 328wh/mile.

The EPA for CT is 430wh/mile, add 328wh/mile, we can roughly calculate CT towing FC27 should be 758wh/mile.

So The max range for CT towing FC27 is 123000/758=162 miles if cruising highway at 60 mph.

it is not so bad.

I have gotten to know that owner and have exchanged a number of emails over the years. One thing is that it is a fairly heavily modified airstream. I have a 25’ with FS on order, so I’m hopeful to achieve something similar to him. However, it may not be apples to apples. For example, the AC unit was removed to improve aero.

Sponsored