Real-world efficiency stats towing a Lightship AE.1 with a Rivian R1T (Gen1 Quad)

[dubaigary]

Gen 2 (2026) R1S, dual max. PLESTED with the performance!

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[josephponline]

Gen 2 (2026) R1S, dual max. PLESTED with the performance!

Yeah. Those new Rivian motors are so efficient. Jealous of your range and efficiency!

 

[dubaigary]

Makes me slightly less jealous of those folks getting an R2…

 

[dubaigary]

…but I also think the aerodynamic Airstream helps

 

[Anna Kelly]

I was wondering if you had altered your 22' Airstream to make it more aerodynamic, e.g. removing/ moving the air conditioner, streamlining the underbelly, to get those great efficiency stats. I think I averaged 1.4 mi/ kWh towing my tiny 16' Airstream, although that included quite a few mountain passes. I'm still awaiting the E-stream!

 

[josephponline]

I was looking at the E-stream ... it's such a shame it's taking them so long to get to market. I think Pebble has beaten that form format to the punch.

 

[VandalSibs]

I was looking at the E-stream ... it's such a shame it's taking them so long to get to market. I think Pebble has beaten that form format to the punch.

I feel like that one is either going to go the way of the original RAMCharger (never get built, or turned into a dumb hybrid), or it will get built but the Airstream 'tax' on top of whatever they would need to charge is gonna make the Lightship & Pebble look like bargains...

 

[josephponline]

I feel like that one is either going to go the way of the original RAMCharger (never get built, or turned into a dumb hybrid), or it will get built but the Airstream 'tax' on top of whatever they would need to charge is gonna make the Lightship & Pebble look like bargains...

Yes ... at this point they've lost first mover advantage. Won't dispute your point, I'll add two more scenarios:

(a) they still have an Airstream brand following that is never going to risk either a Lightship or a Pebble, so they have a market entry point on brand, or

(b) they significantly undercut (not really their style) using their existing scale to bring a comparable (I think it would have to be better) product to market at a lower price point.

So many established brands talked about it, and within the 2 to 3 years talk space (in the towable category), you've now got 3 new entrants in Lightship, Pebble and Evotrex that look like they have early and strong followings and are attuned to marketing in a digital world. Fun times!

 

[VandalSibs]

There's a dream part of me that wants InTech to make something all-electric (something that I'm wanting to do to my current trailer, but don't have the time or money for right now) since they do make nice smaller rigs...... but it's highly unlikely. Ah well.

 

[Anna Kelly]

I'm still imagining there must be some way to streamline my Airstream to make it even more aerodynamic, and add more electric components and larger battery capacity (maybe in the floor?), without having to purchase an entirely new product. Kind of an "E-stream Lite" version.

 

[dubaigary]

I know - we were just talking about that. Thor teased an e-version a while back, but I haven’t seen much more. More than that, I’d like Rivian lane centering and adaptive CC to work in trailer mode!

 

[dubaigary]

I was wondering if you had altered your 22' Airstream to make it more aerodynamic, e.g. removing/ moving the air conditioner, streamlining the underbelly, to get those great efficiency stats. I think I averaged 1.4 mi/ kWh towing my tiny 16' Airstream, although that included quite a few mountain passes. I'm still awaiting the E-stream!

No mods on the trailer, except a 6” lift, which I can’t imagine helps much.

 

[josephponline]

I'm still imagining there must be some way to streamline my Airstream to make it even more aerodynamic, and add more electric components and larger battery capacity (maybe in the floor?), without having to purchase an entirely new product. Kind of an "E-stream Lite" version.

I know someone on another forum who modded their Airstream for more electrical power. I'll DM you their handle and forum.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Yes ... at this point they've lost first mover advantage. Won't dispute your point, I'll add two more scenarios:

(a) they still have an Airstream brand following that is never going to risk either a Lightship or a Pebble, so they have a market entry point on brand, or

(b) they significantly undercut (not really their style) using their existing scale to bring a comparable (I think it would have to be better) product to market at a lower price point.

So many established brands talked about it, and within the 2 to 3 years talk space (in the towable category), you've now got 3 new entrants in Lightship, Pebble and Evotrex that look like they have early and strong followings and are attuned to marketing in a digital world. Fun times!

I believe there is plenty of untapped potential in the e-trailer market. Specifically, I'd like to see some smaller & less expensive models. I don't need or want the size of the AE.1. For example, an assisted Basecamp (or a little larger) would absolutely get my attention.

So I think there is room for other configurations. Of course, Lightship is probably in a better place to do that quickly than Airstream, and that would suit me fine as well. In fact, given that I live just a few miles from Lightship's manufacturing center, that would be my preference. But there is room, and if Airstream were to make such a trailer, they would have my attention for sure.

 

[VandalSibs]

For example, an assisted Basecamp (or a little larger) would absolutely get my attention.

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