The Airstream brand caravans, known around the world as “Silberling” or “Silberrakete”, are about to enter a new chapter in their almost 100-year history. A few days ago, the American parent company Thor Industries presented two electric concept vehicles that show exciting solutions to problems that will probably no longer exist in a few years.
The first is the Airstream eStream, a fully electric variant of the silver caravan that has been seen in films for decades. Even if only little has changed on the outside because the iconic look should be retained, the entire trailer is on a completely renewed basis.
Parking with your smartphone
The basis is an electric vehicle platform that was developed together with the German company ZF. This offers two large batteries and one electric motor per wheel. According to the manufacturer, this has several advantages: Towing vehicles, regardless of whether they are electric or equipped with a combustion engine, no longer have to pull the entire load and are supported by the trailer drive, especially when starting off. This should ensure significantly reduced consumption.
If the trailer is uncoupled, the motors serve as their own drive. For example, it is possible to maneuver the caravan to its final installation location using an app and to dispense with complicated reversing with the trailer. The motors also help to drive the caravan to the trailer hitch in order to attach it to the vehicle.
Since the eStream is currently still a concept, information such as the capacity of the battery or a price is still pending. It will certainly not be cheap, because Airstream caravans are pure luxury. In Germany, currently available models start at around 60,000 euros, the longer versions are up to 120,000 euros.
Camping mobile with a full range
Integrated mobile homes are also likely to be increasingly found with electric drives in the coming years. However, one problem that is now under control with electric cars persists with large vehicles: range. Because if you drive a mobile home, you want to “make a journey”, i.e. travel seriously. Long charging stops every hundred kilometers are a hindrance.
The Thor Vision Vehicle, also currently a concept, should cover around 500 kilometers in one go. For comparison: A similar concept from competitor Winnebago is said to only cover around 200 kilometers – far too little for most campers.
The cockpit of the Vision Vehicle is also well thought out. Displays serve as mirrors so that drivers know what is happening next to and behind the camper, despite the large vehicle. Large displays, which show all the information needed for the journey and reflect smartphone apps, also serve as the infotainment system and speedometer.
Even with the converted Ford Transit, there is no information about the price or the start of sales. It will probably be a while before mobile homes like the Airstream eStream and the Thor Vision Vehicle are buzzing onto the pitches in this country as well.
Sources:Thor Industries, Airstream Germany, Winnebago