Now they're pushing the "Frontier"....

[JRTJH]

It had to happen. I got an email from BOWLUS (a luxury trailer manufacturer) about their "now currently available state of the art electric travel trailer"... Seems it's only 3 times more expensive than Keystone's most expensive trailer, but what the heck, it's "silver and 27' long and can provide up to 40 miles of emergency power for your Tesla".....

https://bowlus.com/volterra/

Their "claim to fame" is that while Keystone, Forest River and Jayco are "promising an electric RV in the future" BOWLUS has one available "for the discerning buyer" right now !!!!!

Starting at $310,000, not much can "compare in technology" or "prestige"...

I've yet to see one on the highway or in a campground, but apparently somebody is buying them, they've been producing "one of a kind trailers" since 1934.....

[Essvar]

Seems pretty attainable for your average Tesla buyer at only $1,984/mth

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

It had to happen. I got an email from BOWLUS (a luxury trailer manufacturer) about their "now currently available state of the art electric travel trailer"... Seems it's only 3 times more expensive than Keystone's most expensive trailer, but what the heck, it's "silver and 27' long and can provide up to 40 miles of emergency power for your Tesla".....

https://bowlus.com/volterra/

Their "claim to fame" is that while Keystone, Forest River and Jayco are "promising an electric RV in the future" BOWLUS has one available "for the discerning buyer" right now !!!!!

Starting at $310,000, not much can "compare in technology" or "prestige"...

I've yet to see one on the highway or in a campground, but apparently somebody is buying them, they've been producing "one of a kind trailers" since 1934.....

I applied for a loan and they said I would need a co-signer... interest?

[sourdough]

You knew it was coming but I can't fathom the need or the price. I'm sure there will be a few sold but mainstream, nah.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by sourdough

You knew it was coming but I can't fathom the need or the price. I'm sure there will be a few sold but mainstream, nah.

Like I said, I've NEVER seen one on the highway or in a campground. Something "that shiny" just can't be "invisible" So they're "rarer than hen's teeth" LOL

[bobbecky]

That $310,000 price is only the 'starting at' price, and this rig only has a GVWR of 4,000 lbs, so a very tiny trailer for a huge price. And, if these are all electric, what does the optional propane tank do?

[wiredgeorge]

The pricey aluminum thing has a "vented air conditioning system which can run up to 32 hours on battery". Ok, for the wise folk... what the heck is a vented A/C? Didn't see a conventional A/C on the roof and saw no mention of BTUs, etc.

Saw in another area (interior features): "Ability for A/C to Run off Battery for Up to 16 hours in 100 degree heat"

OK, not unusual to see triple digit temps where I camp so do you have to shut off the A/C and recharge the batteries or would the 16 hours of use include the batteries charging... then what happens? You get real warm?

[notanlines]

DW, friends and I spotted the original Bowlus Volterra in La Belle, Florida about four years ago. It seems they have made a few improvements to it!
I'm sorry for the angle problem. Too much time to correct.

[Max23]

Crank up your gas generator to power your all electric tiny camper.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

The pricey aluminum thing has a "vented air conditioning system which can run up to 32 hours on battery". Ok, for the wise folk... what the heck is a vented A/C? Didn't see a conventional A/C on the roof and saw no mention of BTUs, etc.

Saw in another area (interior features): "Ability for A/C to Run off Battery for Up to 16 hours in 100 degree heat"

OK, not unusual to see triple digit temps where I camp so do you have to shut off the A/C and recharge the batteries or would the 16 hours of use include the batteries charging... then what happens? You get real warm?

this is from their website https://bowlus.com/blog/tips/a-guide...-and-furnaces/

[Max23]

My son has a vented a/c in a storage area of his house that has no central air ducting. Long story short, not sure how it differs but this is a small room and this unit runs non stop in an insulated area and does not do a good job of cooling it. I'd have to experience one if these campers to beleive it does the job well.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by jasin1

this is from their website https://bowlus.com/blog/tips/a-guide...-and-furnaces/

That was clear as mud... note they didn't mention BTUs or capacity? Heater is propane/shore power? Are their A/C vents along the floor as shown in the picture on that page? They mentioned shore power for the heat but not the A/C. Strange.

[sourdough]

George I think everything about this trailer says "minimalist". I started the little 3D walkthrough and knew immediately that if you're over 4' tall and need to actually turn around vs backing out, this wouldn't be feasible. It's so small and built so weird that I don't see how it is usable comfortably. I figure that goes with the "airconditioning", heating, water storage or anything else. A "niche" product.....but the niche must be so small I've never seen it.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by sourdough

George I think everything about this trailer says "minimalist". I started the little 3D walkthrough and knew immediately that if you're over 4' tall and need to actually turn around vs backing out, this wouldn't be feasible. It's so small and built so weird that I don't see how it is usable comfortably. I figure that goes with the "airconditioning", heating, water storage or anything else. A "niche" product.....but the niche must be so small I've never seen it.

Could you see you and your missus getting into those "beds" in the pointy section with your feet up together... awkward?

[travelin texans]

That's right up there with an EV!
You won't find my name on any order list to get one so I won't be delaying the shipment to anyone that does want one of either.
There's no room in an Airstream & that looks even more cramped.

[Badbart56]

To summarize all I've read pertaining to EV's, whether it be cars, RV's or (God forbid) electric commercial trucks, it seriously appears that we will be taking large strides backwards in the effort to be "green". And paying a stupid amount of money to do so.

And that's just the up front cost. In 10 or so years the dumping grounds for all these electric batteries (and the vehicles themselves) will reveal more issues and the resources to replace these batteries will become scarcer than they are now, driving up the already stupid prices for these disposable vehicles and toys that few of us even want to begin with.

Oh, and let's be sure to embrace our electric stoves (and furnaces), now that the push to outlaw propane and/or natural gas is on!

[dutchmensport]

Putting all things aside, those dog bowls in the sliding drawer thing? That takes up a LOT of space! They must expect anyone who purchases this trailer to have a VERY expensive, exotic dog too!

[flybouy]

I can just imagine how well thought out this is! So you drive until your battery powered car stops. You have a 40 mile "reserve" to hopefully get you someplace to recharge, which in and of itself is expensive. All of that pleasure for how much? $400K? $500K? Or ????

Then when the batteries reach their end of life what will the replacement cost be? How long before the "hazordous waste" disposal fees get to the point of ridiculousness? I think Teslas are a "rich persons toy" and now someone is making an RV just as costly and impractical to go with it. Reminds me of the Barbie toys we bought for our girls when they were young. You plugged it in overnight so they could ride it oround for about 45 min.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by dutchmensport

Putting all things aside, those dog bowls in the sliding drawer thing? That takes up a LOT of space! They must expect anyone who purchases this trailer to have a VERY expensive, exotic dog too!

Grand designs was putting dog bowls in their trailers ( I think it was the imagine) back when I worked at a dealership selling them.

[Badbart56]

Originally Posted by flybouy

I can just imagine how well thought out this is! So you drive until your battery powered car stops. You have a 40 mile "reserve" to hopefully get you someplace to recharge, which in and of itself is expensive. All of that pleasure for how much? $400K? $500K? Or ????

Then when the batteries reach their end of life what will the replacement cost be? How long before the "hazordous waste" disposal fees get to the point of ridiculousness? I think Teslas are a "rich persons toy" and now someone is making an RV just as costly and impractical to go with it. Reminds me of the Barbie toys we bought for our girls when they were young. You plugged it in overnight so they could ride it oround for about 45 min.

I can't help but wonder just how many politicians own stock in Tesla and other EV related companies.