The following is a report from New Atlas.
What once looked like it might be a wildly creative design project with questionable marketability has officially spawned a product family. The original Z-Triton amphibious e-trike camper eventually launched and became the BeTriton in 2022.
Realizing that some potential customers might prefer a more flexible multi-use solution than a full-time e-trike/camper/electric boat, BeTriton has now introduced a trailer version of its original boat-camper that adventurous cyclists can tow with their own electric bicycles.
While there’s definitely a cool factor to the very small selection of products that can rightfully call themselves motorhome-cycles, particularly one that’s amphibious, a trailer-based bike camper seems a more natural solution. Many folks who might consider pedal-assisted cycle-camping likely already own a bike or two and might not want the expense of buying a whole new e-trike. And pedaling a regular e-bike with a trailer attached seems like it’d be much more natural than pedaling a wide, oversized boat-camper with high, upright cockpit.
That’s all to say that a BeTriton trailer makes a lot of sense to us. Riders can use the ebike they already own, ensuring more comfort and familiarity during the ride. They can then use the same e-bike on non-camping rides, simply unhitching the trailer and leaving it at home – no need to own a second e-bike for that purpose, as with the original BeTriton. Eliminating all the bicycle hardware from the BeTriton equation also drops thousands of dollars off the price tag.
The 14.8-foot BeTriton trailer is actually longer than a few auto camping trailers, but with its steel and aluminum frame and carbon fiber and glass body construction, the three-wheeler weighs in lighter than virtually any auto camping trailer at 140 kg (309 pounds, without its marine drive batteries).
At the water’s edge, the BeTriton unhitches, rolls into the water, swings around 180 degrees so its bow is up front, and motors around via a 2.2-kW electric drive. A single lithium battery team has 1.4 kWh of capacity for an estimated range up to 7.8 miles, and BeTriton offers a dual-battery layout for double the capacity and range.
The BeTriton is built to float up to 260 kg (573 pounds) worth of people, pets and gear on inland and coastal waters and has a modest max speed of 8 km/h (5 mph). As on the original BeTriton e-trike, the wheels of the trailer flip up out of the water, and a pair of inflatable side pontoons adds stability. The wheels can also be removed quickly via a few bolts for those who’d prefer to take them off while on the water.
In terms of overnighting, the BeTriton offers a snug two-person floor measuring 38 inches by 83 inches. A sleeping mat is optional, and weather protection is provided by way of an aluminum-framed PVC cockpit cover. One or two available seats provide sitting room in camper and boat mode.
Read the full report from New Atlas here.