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Something to solve the Rivian tow problem

Dan Lorenze

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I was just reading about this, very cool. Looks like we could see this for all tow vehicles in the future. Not gonna be cheap tho.
 

Boat 405

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I wouldn’t think it’s actually driving/pushing the tow vehicle. I imagine it creates enough forward momentum that it makes the trailer basically neutral drag resistance.
Yeah, I get that. The bigger issue is moving objects takes X amount of energy. Batteries and Fuel Tanks are just storage containers. Adding more of them doesn't make anything more efficient just more complicated. Talk about fixing a problem that doesn't exist, in fact making a problem.
 

84miller

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I like the idea. I actually think put the batteries in the trailer, put a electric assist motor in the tow vehicle. Would seem safer to me.
 

Ziggy

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Ask these guys-

Dan'l
Oh how I wish I had the talent to build the stuff they do. Laughed my ass off when they started weaving all over the highway with that thing. My favorite is still the driverless hearst they did.😄😄
Police officer: What are you doing?
CarSeat: Driving😁
😂😂
 

rivrrts429

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Yeah, I get that. The bigger issue is moving objects takes X amount of energy. Batteries and Fuel Tanks are just storage containers. Adding more of them doesn't make anything more efficient just more complicated. Talk about fixing a problem that doesn't exist, in fact making a problem.

I don’t disagree. It’s definitely creating more potential problems and I’m not sure they’re fixing anything that was broken to begin with but, ideas like this inevitably lead to better ideas in the future.
 

Ziggy

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I don’t disagree. It’s definitely creating more potential problems and I’m not sure they’re fixing anything that was broken to begin with but, ideas like this inevitably lead to better ideas in the future.
Honestly, with the technology we have, having the trailer assist propulsion to make itself nearly weightless to the tow vehicle certainly sounds like a benefit. In windy conditions sensors can detect sway and automatically apply some resistance. I can forsee multiple plusses.
If it's self-contained like reported even dinosaur fueled vehicles would get the advantages.
Trust me, I understand the dislike of solar/electric cars/truck. I'm not a fan yet either but I can see past that.
That's my view at least.
 

hallett21

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Locomotives do this already. Why not incorporate the same thinking into trailers.


And yea yea I know it won’t work on your 1979 flat bottom trailer when you dunk it in the water.
 

pronstar

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In what clown world does it make sense to add thousands of pounds of electric motors and batteries to a trailer, to help your vehicle tow it?

Get a bigger fucking truck, and get the fucking drivetrain out of the trailer.
 

spectras only

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Maybe Airstream should start building Mohos again. like back in the day and put two Koenigsegg motors in. No need for a tow vehicle anymore. Putting extra weight like motors and heavy batteries in the trailer to help the towing truck makes no sense.:p
Trailer plate fees are super cheap as of now, I can see plate and ins fees would increase if electric propulsion added to them.
Airstream trailer already priced way high, add more to it and get ready to fork out a lot more.
 
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WhatExit?

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It's an Airstream battery box with solar charging. And it has some propulsion capabilities.

So now the e-idiots can feel better and reduce their guilt about spending way more than the abnormally high Airstream prices
 

spectras only

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Diesel locomotives use helper units when their loads increase. I don't think the Airstream helper idea is that good, unless you can pull other trailer/s behind, lol :p
 

Rajobigguy

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I would think that a simpler solution would be to incorporate a large battery bank and solar array with a tether that can run your electric tow vehicle.
 

pronstar

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I would think that a simpler solution would be to incorporate a large battery bank and solar array with a tether that can run your electric tow vehicle.
Can’t charge a current EV while driving, but I suppose they could change that.

Solar panels are another story.
A 5x2 solar panel puts out 1.5kw on a sunny day, and that’s from sunup to sundown.

It would need quite a few solar panels to make a difference in a 140kwh battery….certainly more than what you could capture even if the entire truck and trailer exteriors were made of solar panels.
 

Rajobigguy

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Can’t charge a current EV while driving, but I suppose they could change that.

Solar panels are another story.
A 5x2 solar panel puts out 1.5kw on a sunny day, and that’s from sunup to sundown.

It would need quite a few solar panels to make a difference in a 140kwh battery….certainly more than what you could capture even if the entire truck and trailer exteriors were made of solar panels.
I was just thinking about the solar for trickle charging while camping, not trying to add mileage while in route.
 

outboard_256

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I saw several Rivian's at KOH this week. I wonder how they were charging them.
 
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