Airstream is currently developing new technology that could incorporate an electric drivetrain.
This story by Rachel Cormack originally appeared in Robb Report.
McKay Featherstone, Airstream’s vice president of product development and engineering, confirmed to Roadshow by CNET that plans to support an electrified future are underway, and that the company is working on delivering electric-powered trailers that offer more freedom and range.
“If you’re going to tow something long-distance, range is critical,” Featherstone told the website. “If the wheels of the trailer are powered, we can help the towing experience.”
To that end, Airstream is experimenting with affixing an electric engine to the camper’s axle to provide extra driving force while also refining the aerodynamics to make the trailers lighter and sleeker. This two-pronged approach promises to lower fuel consumption and improve driving dynamics as drivers will no longer be lugging a heavy and cumbersome camper.
In order to achieve this, Airstream wants to ensure that the trailer is never pushing against the tow vehicle; instead, the two vehicles need to work in harmony and actively communicate with each other. Featherstone envisions a sort of “digital network and sensors” solution, which could also eventually be utilized within other driver assistance features, like blind-spot monitoring, stability control and more.
Further down the road, Featherstone sees autonomous Airstreams.
“A lot of what’s happening in autonomous vehicles today is about freedom of ownership, freedom of time,” he said. “Here’s an Airstream vehicle, it’s autonomous, it powers itself, you go to bed at night and you wake up and you’re at Yosemite.”