Power unit to assist towing vehicle

I think some caravan manufacturers are looking at just that sort of system,as they have realised that it would be many years before  any EV would be able to match the versatility and convenience of an ICE tow vehicle

It’s been asked here before and, in my opinion, would be self defeating even if technically possible, which is doubtful within the realms of practicality.

Think about it - you would add the weight of some sort of energy generating unit or a huge battery, or both, to the caravan. Your tow car would then have a much heavier weight to pull and would need more power thus cancelling out anything you might add via the caravan. That’s why I believe it would be self defeating and that leaves aside any legalities of towing weights.

Check out the threads in the tow car section, especially the stickys and those by Chocolate Trees for current practical experience of towing with an EV.

Dethleffs presented a prototype caravan with electric power assistance last year.

Here's a link to their press release:

https://www.dethleffs.co.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/dethleffs/master_de/presse/Pressetexte_MJ_2022/2022_07_lang_INT_Ehome.pdf

There's even a video on their website of an outfit consisting of an EV towing their E.Home caravan across the Alps.

Agree with Tinwheeler. It’s a daft idea. On the other hand, add two wheels and you have a viable vehicle - a Motorhome. 

I wouldn't call it a daft idea. What's the difference between an electric motorhome and an electric car towing and electric caravan? Indeed, the latter even has the advantage of only having to charge and carry half the dead weight of two separate battery packs when driving solo. The only real disadvantage that I see is to always having to find two adjacent charging stations while en route as a complete outfit or else one would need to unhitch each time.

The biggest hang-up that I see is not really a technical one. There is currently no way one can legally equip a trailer with a motor drive. By definition, a trailer has no power unit of its own. A caravan with an electric motor would be a completely new class of vehicle, which is currently not catered for in any legislation.

"…..Apart from other aspects, the added weight of the electric drive is to be included in the gross weight, for example for determining the driving license category"

I thought this comment was just one example that suggested it’s not a case of simply shoving a battery or two aboard a conventional caravan. It talks about a specially constructed chassis to house the batteries and electric drive. It’s going to be humongously heavy. 

I cannot see the likes of Swift and Elddis putting this together, indeed I’m not sure I’d trust them to, even if UK law permitted its use.

I'm not suggesting this isn’t doable for heavy commercial use but, in the world of leisure caravans, it appears totally impractical.

It's not really a development on the part of the caravan manufacturer alone but more of a joint development together with the chassis manufacturer.

 

I’m not suggesting it can’t be done, just that it might make sense as an interesting research project but not as a viable solution. The only issue is lack of range of the towing vehicle which will be solved as batteries evolve or by fitting a larger battery. To strengthen a caravan to hold the weight of the battery, add a motor drive, coordinate propulsion between towing vehicle and van and resolve stability issues all seems a bit pointless.
Having a bigger battery than you may need for solo travel in the car is no different to having an SUV to tow a heavy van when all you need day to day is a city car.

It will be no different if the range to make it a viable proposition was used on a motor caravan the weight of the battery would make a motor caravan very heavy before any thing is loaded in 

In the UK at this time with so many wanting to tow a another vehicle an EV motor caravan would have very little range as it is with tow cars at  present with frequent stops to recharge

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