LightShip L1 and the Powerboost

[turbopilot]

The LightShip L1 is a very interesting travel trailer funded by venture capitalists. I took a $500 refundable position for a trailer several months ago. While these guys are designing around fully electric pickups, like the Lightning and Rivian, it would sure work well with the PowerBoost sharing an umbilical connection. With this trailer the PowerBoost would return to normal fuel economy towing a 27' trailer.

Sandy Munro seems to like this project which is a big boost. Venture capital community has a lot of confidence in Sandy's analysis of automotive technology.

Sponsored

 

[UGADawg96]

That's crazy and cool at the same time.

I'm not an Ikea fan, so the interior is tough for me to like, but I really like the concept. The price point will be painful and make an Airstream seen affordable. It does appear to be good quality though.

I think it will be a tough, long climb for them regardless of how much VC money they ingest.

It is a really cool concept and thanks for sharing!

 

[turbopilot]

That's crazy and cool at the same time.

I'm not an Ikea fan, so the interior is tough for me to like, but I really like the concept. The price point will be painful and make an Airstream seen affordable. It does appear to be good quality though.

I think it will be a tough, long climb for them regardless of how much VC money they ingest.

It is a really cool concept and thanks for sharing!

This "trailer" is likely going to compete in the higher end RV market. It will not be cheap. However, it is a new category of RV since it is self propelled. By definition it is not a trailer.

Interesting there is no mention how it would mesh with a hybrid pickup that could augment the trailer battery as needed with ProPower Onboard.

 

[powerboatr]

This "trailer" is likely going to compete in the higher end RV market. It will not be cheap. However, it is a new category of RV since it is self propelled. By definition it is not a trailer.

Interesting there is no mention how it would mesh with a hybrid pickup that could augment the trailer battery as needed with ProPower Onboard.

HIGH end is right and price point
looks interesting

 

[HammaMan]

This "trailer" is likely going to compete in the higher end RV market. It will not be cheap. However, it is a new category of RV since it is self propelled. By definition it is not a trailer.

Interesting there is no mention how it would mesh with a hybrid pickup that could augment the trailer battery as needed with ProPower Onboard.

It could be controlled wirelessly via OBD2 tap with backup pressure transducers on a dampened sliding tongue, as well as watching the brake and brake light signals via 7 pin. While I haven't seen their full details, if I had to guess this thing will also boost ICE ranges in hilly terrain being able to capture a good portion of braking force of the entire vehicle. Not to mention the possibility of tow charging it as an added benefit of using it with an ICE platform, if such ICE platform is sub par, aka 'not a 7.2kW PB'.

 

[turbopilot]

It could be controlled wirelessly via OBD2 tap with backup pressure transducers on a dampened sliding tongue, as well as watching the brake and brake light signals via 7 pin. While I haven't seen their full details, if I had to guess this thing will also boost ICE ranges in hilly terrain being able to capture a good portion of braking force of the entire vehicle. Not to mention the possibility of tow charging it as an added benefit of using it with an ICE platform, if such ICE platform is sub par, aka 'not a 7.2kW PB'.

And I found the aerodynamic discussion very interesting. Looks like most of the TV efficiency is coming from the aerodynamic innovations in this RV. Getting a push will help with hills but better aerodynamics is where the TV really gets help.

If I was running Ford having both a hybrid and an all electric pickup, I would be giving these guys a hand.

 

[HammaMan]

And I found the aerodynamic discussion very interesting. Looks like most of the TV efficiency is coming from the aerodynamic innovations in this RV. Getting a push will help with hills but better aerodynamics is where the TV really gets help.

If I was running Ford having both a hybrid and an all electric pickup, I would be giving these guys a hand.

A lot of people don't realize just how important aero is. They often speak of mass as if it's got anything in the equation compared to aero. Without putting much thought into it, anyone that's got a basic understanding of the principles could easily design a 10 ton trailer that'd yield 15mpg when towed at 70 mph. Hell I wouldn't be surprised to see someone dedicated be able to modify the truck and trailer to a point of reaching 20 MPG with the combo without much fuss. On an EV, just swapping wheels and tires can impact range by 15%, and that's not even increasing the diameter. Using the same tires, wheels alone can impact range by 10%.

 

[Atlee]

Ultra modern Hilo.

 

[powerboatr]

we need this

 

[Mszczewski]

Trailer looks great but unpopular opinion, can’t stand Sandy…

 

[turbopilot]

The LightShip self propelled production prototype has just been introduced. Serial production begins in June 2025. Initially it will be sold in the highest of four trim levels. They plan is to have a production run of 50 LightShip AE.1 Cosmos through the end of 2025. This trim includes every option and is priced at $250k. The trailer has two battery packs totaling 77 kWh. That is the equivalent of 6 Tesla Power Walls.

Here is a very detailed walk through of the production version. Many changes compared to the initial prototype.

Given the limited infrastructure to support trailer charging this RV would be a perfect companion for the PowerBoost with 7.2 kW ProPower OnBoard. In theory if the PowerBoost was connected to the LightShip with an umbilical cord it could extend the powered trailer range from 300 to 450 miles. We will see. I ordered ship number 4.

Here is the detailed walk through video with one of the co-founders of the company. The company was founded by two guys from Tesla.

https://lightshiprv.com/

 

[turbopilot]

I took one of the first positions in the new LightShip RV several years ago. Since then I have been watching it evolve. LightShip gave me the honor of being the first customer to take a prototype LightShip camping.

The all electric LightShip and the F150 PowerBoost with the 7.2 kW generator are made for each other. We did some testing using the PowerBoost to charge the LightShip. Works great. No longer need to find a camping spot with power.

Here is a LightShip hug after two years of watching the development. In the picture on the left is Ben Parker, Co-Founder of LightShip and me on the right. Ben was a Tesla battery engineer who cashed out of Tesla and put all his money into LightShip. Not many entrepreneurs in the RV business. Great to see.

 

[HammaMan]

I took one of the first positions in the new LightShip RV several years ago. Since then I have been watching it evolve. LightShip gave me the honor of being the first customer to take a prototype LightShip camping.

The all electric LightShip and the F150 PowerBoost with the 7.2 kW generator are made for each other. We did some testing using the PowerBoost to charge the LightShip. Works great. No longer need to find a camping spot with power.

Here is a LightShip hug after two years of watching the development. In the picture on the left is Ben Parker, Co-Founder of LightShip and me on the right. Ben was a Tesla battery engineer who cashed out of Tesla and put all his money into LightShip. Not many entrepreneurs in the RV business. Great to see.

Is it able to regen brake the entire vehicle? Charging via public charging infrastructure doesn't make sense at current gas prices as the PB can generate electricity using gas for less than the cost of public charging rates.

 

[turbopilot]

Is it able to regen brake the entire vehicle? Charging via public charging infrastructure doesn't make sense at current gas prices as the PB can generate electricity using gas for less than the cost of public charging rates.

This RV is powered by multiple ways. It has 1.8 kW of solar on the roof, the PowerBoost can static or dynamically (moving down the road) charge the LightShip 77 kW battery. The 20 kW TrekDrive electric motor in the RV drive train will go into regeneration mode for braking and finally they are working on a power option to place the drive unit into constant generator mode and let the tow vehicle pull the trailer along pumping 20 kW back to the 77 kW battery rolling down the road.

 

[HammaMan]

This RV is powered by multiple ways. It has 1.8 kW of solar on the roof, the PowerBoost can static or dynamically (moving down the road) charge the LightShip 77 kW battery. The 20 kW TrekDrive electric motor in the RV drive train will go into regeneration mode for braking and finally they are working on a power option to place the drive unit into constant generator mode and let the tow vehicle pull the trailer along pumping 20 kW back to the 77 kW battery rolling down the road.

Smart move. That's also a great way to 'fast charge' an EV but manufacturers aren't too keen on that approach.

Sponsored