Airstream's eStream motorhome makes me want to pack for life on the road
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Airstream's eStream motorhome makes me want to pack for life on the road

Ever since I moved to the United States in 2010, I've had the ambition of owning an Airstream Motorhome (or RV as they call them here). These shiny, spacey silver trailers always make me feel like watching them from my damp, uncomfortable tent in sweaty South Florida.

The latest concept unveiled by the company only reinforces this desire. Parent company Thor Industries has announced an electric Airstream called the eStream (via Autoblog) with self-propelled technology and an autonomous powertrain.

This means that instead of having to tow the caravan like dead weight, the Airstream eSteam will help pull its own. This will result in improved fuel efficiency or range, if you drive an electric vehicle.

The company states in its documents: "The technology we co-developed (with ZF) creates a synchronized relationship between the trailer and the tow vehicle, allowing the trailer to move in harmony with the tow vehicle, reducing thus the pulling effect required by the towing vehicle. vehicle. This, in turn, greatly improves the possible range of the combination. Essentially, we transformed the trailer into an electric vehicle.

Beyond that, there's also a standalone part of the new eStream concept, allowing people to use a remote control to maneuver their motorhome into a campsite or parking space, after it's been detected by the towing vehicle.

New motorhomes could also make it easier for those who don't have a weighted hitch to manage the weight distribution of the RV. The eStream can handle this itself.

At this time, it's unclear if Thor will seek to market this VR. If so, it'll probably be even further out of my price range than a standard Airstream, which starts at the same price as a decent house (depending on where you buy) at $179. Dream, Chris.

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