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This company created a $25,000 RV travel trailer designed to be towed by an EV like a Tesla
This company created a $25,000 RV travel trailer designed to be towed by an EV like a Tesla
Brittany ChangFeb 21, 2021, 20:12 IST
The P17A travel trailer.Polydrops
Polydrops unveiled the P17A, a travel trailer that can be towed by electric vehicles like Teslas.
The P17A has been an enormous hit since before it was publicly unveiled.
The trailer ranges from $24,990 to $36,140 depending on the add-ons, which includes a kitchen module.
Travel trailer maker Polydrops - which designs its tiny homes on wheels to look like spaceships - has taken a new approach to road travel vehicles by unveiling a trailer that can be towed by EVs, including Teslas.
The P17A has since been a hit with the public since before it was officially unveiled.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
"We are getting an enormous amount of emails through our website," Kyunghyun Lew, Polydrop's founder, told Insider in an email interview. "We've sold to the local customers even before we officially launch the product, and one of them purchased it only with the 3D rendering images."
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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Like other road travel vehicle makers, Polydrops saw a boom in popularity following coronavirus-related lockdown measures.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
However, it closed its sales soon after to meet its orders and to create the P17A and the upcoming P21X, the latter a larger trailer model, according to Lew.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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The trailer has reduced air drag, rolling resistance, and weight to make it more EV friendly, according to Lew.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
During a test road trip from Los Angeles to Lone Pine, California, a 2018 Tesla 3 Long Range rear-wheel-drive towing the P17A logged 306 watt-hours-per-mile, according to Polydrop.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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As a result, the 2018 Model 3 could travel 245 miles on one charge even while towing the P17A.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
Of course, this range varies per electric vehicle and model year, but on average, an EV towing a P17A has an energy consumption of 298 watt-hours-per-mile and a range of 251 miles, according to Polydrops' website.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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The aluminum trailer has an aerodynamic shape, allowing the electric vehicle towing the 1,200-pound trailer to save some energy.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
Now, onto the general basics of the trailer. The P17A uses foam core and aluminum for its structure and has batteries integrated into its floor.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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These batteries then supply between 2.4 to 12-kilowatt-hours of energy.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
This battery system also accompanies the solar panels, which then in turn supply between 260 to 520-watts of solar energy.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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The 2.4 kilowatt-hour battery can be upgraded to 4.8 or 12 kilowatt-hours for $2,000 or $8,000 respectively.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
Similarly, the 260-watt solar panels can be boosted to 520-watt for an additional $800.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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A fully upgraded Polydrops trailer can last off-grid for six nights.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
"It is a freedom to stay anywhere, work anywhere," Lew told Insider.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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Elements like the upgraded suspension allow the trailer to travel smoothly.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
The trailer stands at about 13.5 feet long, six feet wide, and 5.3 feet tall. The interior width is 4.5 feet, which is bigger than the previous Polydrops trailer model.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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This allows the unit to fit a full-size mattress.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
Power may be limited, but the insulated trailer still has amenities that make it comfortable to inhabit, including a heater and air conditioner.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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Polydrops' decision to run the entire HVAC system using battery power was inspired by customer feedback, especially from Tesla drivers, according to Lew.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
According to Lew, the P17A is Polydrop's "most advanced" product yet with its temperature control system and insulated structure, both of which make it weather-tolerant.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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There are also interior outlets, including USB ports, to power up any other necessary tech.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
Interior LED lights brighten up the space for nighttime camping.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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There are also several storage units throughout the tiny home on wheels, including a small closet with a clothes bar.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
No need for a campfire meal: the trailer can be upgraded with a kitchen add-on for $1,850.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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This add-on gives the P17A a refrigerator, an induction stovetop, a sink, a utensils holder, and storage units, including ones for fresh and greywater.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
The kitchen can be accessed from both inside and outside the trailer, which means there's no need to crawl outside for a midnight snack.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
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Don't want to bring a portable speaker? You can upgrade the P17A to include Bluetooth speakers for $500.
The P17A travel trailer.
Polydrops
The trailer can range from $24,990 to $36,140 with all of the most expensive add-ons included.