Dethleffs New Self-propelled Electric Camper Wows in Düsseldorf

You may recall last year the release of Dethleffs E.Home electric motorhome. The first-of-its-kind all electric camper was a veritable mobile solar generating station that would get you well over 100 miles out of the city, and charge itself while you camped for the trip back. Now the new towable E.Home Coco caravan trailer joins Dethleffs’ growing stable of ways to save and see the environment at the same time.

Just like its larger sibling, the E.Home Coco comes with a bank of solar panels for recharge and power availability on the go. This tow trailer has a neat trick, though. It is self-propelled, meaning smaller and more eco-friendly vehicles can handle the caravan. Dethleffs is aiming for an all-electric camper experience, and the electric powered Coco can be towed by vehicles like the BMW i3.

The 80kw battery pack and twin 40kw motors on the split axel paired with a load-limiting tow tongue mean that the tow vehicle experiences only around 220lbs of tow force at a maximum. No need for a gas guzzler to pull this puppy. Electric vehicles towing the Coco will see far less range loss, meaning a trip to the country and back can be done without any range anxiety.

The perks don’t end on the roadway, either. Those solar panels mean your morning green juice is as easy as plugging in the blender, and Dethleffs has played with features like wireless phone chargers and photoelectric window shades in the past meaning going green at the campground likely brings more comfort as well. In addition, an accompanying app can even take advantage of the torque vectoring of the trailer to park itself in a tight campsite with the touch of a screen.

Interestingly, this little trailer has one more trick up its sleeve as well. Once at home and plugged in, the trailer can function as an emergency power bank in case of a power outage or as solar energy storage for charging your daily driver, further reducing emissions by keeping electric vehicles off the grid and charged up.

There are still improvements to be made, as in the coming year Dethleffs plans to further reduce workload on the tow vehicle to improve range and reduce strain. The vanilla version is out now, and hopefully, soon this concept will be a reality on the campgrounds of America.

Source | Images: Dethleffs, NewAtlas

VW Westfalia Camper Lives On…In The UK

Many folks have fond memories of the original VW Westfalia camper, the ultimate “let’s go sleep out under the stars with all the comforts of home” vehicle. Sadly, that model is no longer with us (or at least not as a Volkswagen), but Volkswagen has an updated version based on the current EuroVan that is calls the California SE in the UK market. If the original was a bit crude, the new model features every convenience known to science, including sleeping arrangements for 4, full kitchen with refrigerator and running water, heat, air conditioning and wi-fi.

Of course it also features a modern version of the pop-up tent top. There’s even a canopy that pulls out so you can sit in the lounge chairs and grille on the barbecue that come with the California SE package without exposing your skin to the harsh English sunshine -if you are lucky enough to find any.

Needless to say, the new camper van is a bit pricey. But you can rent one, if you happen to find yourself in Jolly Olde England this summer, for the low, low price of just $60 a night. Two of the vans have been set up at  Temple Island, a small private island near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. Demand has been strong and so no more reservations are available at that location. But 4 more California SE campers are scheduled to be available at other select locations soon.

It’s all part of of a “Hotel VW California”promotion by Volkswagen and LateRooms.com to introduce the public to the joy camping whilst parked in really posh surroundings. But unlike the Hotel California of musical fame, at this “hotel”, you will most definitely be asked to leave at the end of your stay.

Source: VW

Lightweight Sealander Camper Doubles As A Boat!

If you are a nature buff like me, but don’t particulary care for sleeping in a tent, then you probably own (or want to own) either a mobile or towable camper. What if you’re into boating too though? Well luckily for you and me, the amphibious Sealander Caravan is a camper trailer that can double as a boat.

Compact, creative, and undeniably cool, the Sealander is a fairly basic camper all around, with a fold out bed that turns into a table and small couch. Options included a mini-kitchen and chemical toilet are also available, and the fiberglass body is very light, allowing it to be towed by most cars.

The combination German/Swiss design is ridiculously efficient at being a boat too; no special license is required, and all you need to do is hook up an outboard motor to the stern and viola! Instant cabin cruiser. Pricing starts at around $20,000, so it isn’t exactly a cheap alternative to camping.

For nature and boating enthusiasts, the Sealander wraps all their experiences up into a single convenient vehicle. What other combination vehicles would make life in the wilderness easier?

Source: Sealander via Inhabitat