Issues when moving to all electric towcars

I think it would make the caravan so heavy that you'd never tow it with an ordinary car.😂😂

Somebody suggested similar on here once before but there's not much chance of finding the thread.

Tow Cars will become or are already heavier when battery powered. They also have more pulling power at lower revs than diesel/petrol cars. We need to do something, otherwise caravanning will become less and less popular due to anxiety of what will happen if you cant find an available charging point. Perhaps, caravans could be made lighter by using other materials rather than chipboard.

I think you could well be seeing the demise of the caravan? Motor caravans (Campervans and motorhomes) are becoming the LV of choice and this will be more so if it becomes easier to tour and park these.  It is more feasible to produce all electric motor caravans.

peedee

Mr H, your-‘we need to do something’, unless you have a cunning plan there is nothing you or anyone else can do🤷🏻‍♂️. It’s a firm decision, the Govt/World isn’t going to have a change of heart because of a few Caravanners I’m afraid☹️😞

A charge from rotating wheels on the caravan = drag, so in effect more effort needed by the towcar and less range available.

As for the wiring virtually exists. At the moment 2.5mm cable is predominantly used by car and caravan for the permanent 12v , along with pins/sockets rated to that current. For the car to receive a charge or use of a caravans modular battery, would require a much much bigger towball socket and plug to carry the amperage required by the tow vehicle.

I agree something must change, and I would think it would be the demise of the touring caravan. Plus I don't fancy sleeping above a bed of charging modular batteries at night on site.

And caravans are already built of (too) light flimsy materials rather than chipboard.

Just imagine when someone suggested changing car power to electric was told it would never work because there are not enough charging points around the country. The designers did not give up but sort innovative ways to overcome the various issues. Unfortunately, caravan designers are more set in developing a variety of layouts rather than new innovation possibly because it is somewhat a cottage industry. There are lightweight materials if designed right can lighten traditional wood units eg some interior doors have a corrugated cardboard interior rather than wood. You can also build in strength when using plastics. When I said the wiring exists I was well aware the wire would have to be upgraded but the principle is there. I am not trying to stop the switch to EV's rather trying to bring the caravan in line. Having toured California with an RV  I would still prefer a caravan to have the flexibility of going anywhere off site without a major upheaval, and who wants to sit in the same seat in the evening as you have sat all day driving. 

Two points to correct your misconceptions regarding MHs. There is no major upheaval in taking a MH off site for the day. In fact, I’d say it's less fuss than transferring your gear to the car. Secondly, there is no compulsion to stay in the cab seats when on site if you buy a van with a lounge area.

I think you miss the point that caravans are already built to be as light as possible and, also, you need to consider the power supply available to sites which already struggle to cope when folk turn their heating on en masse.

Just to point out that EVs don't have a conventional battery, they have modular/cellular batteries. I've said previously if you think of a pack of dominoes laid out in a rectangle shape on the ground this is similar to an EV which has it's batteries in the sub frame. You can't just lift them out as you might do with your car or van. So you can't interchange them with a van battery..but I'm sure new developments will come along making the whole thing a lot less complicated. 

When you open the bonnet or boot of an EV there is nothing to see (maybe some windscreen washer in the front) everything is below the floor or boxed in out of sight. They are computer driven via their batteries.

As an aside, this from another forum.

There is a very dry description of the Tesla S model rear gear train..... might interest some.

 >link<

peedee