BEV as a toad behind diesel pusher

[Durb]

As the BEV/RV capability debate rages on, I have couple of questions regarding the viability of an electric car being used as a towed vehicle.

First, are some even rated as being capable of being towed four down?

Second, if towed behind a DP could it be set up so regenerative braking allowed the car to be charged completely when arriving at a destination? Would the electronics allow that? Would the process create too much drag on the tow vehicle?

Third, can some BEVs be charged by plugging into a 50 amp pedestal without heavy supplemental equipment like transformers and DC convertors?

Possibly, some manufacturer can carve out a nice niche by addressing these issues.

[jdc1]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

jdc1 wrote:
A park would really frown on charging an EV. LOL. Maybe they could add a surcharge? No EV's are towable 4 down. The electric motors do not have a true neutral.

Some RV parks are not frowning...

KOA Campgrounds To Begin Installing EV Charging Stations

LOL. You don't think they aren't going to put credit card readers on those EV charge stations? Heck, the KOA up near me wouldn't even discount anything for the people (25,000+) that were displaced by the forest fires a few months ago.

[pianotuna]

time2roll wrote:
I have not given up on Bollinger yet.


FAQ:
When will you start production?
Production will start in late 2022.

Will the B1 and B2 be flat towable?
Yes, both will be flat towable.

https://bollingermotors.com/faqs/

Hi time2roll,

I sincerely hope I am wrong about Bollinger.

https://www.hotcars.com/here-are-all-the-electric-trucks-promised-in-2021-and-which-ones-we-might-ac...

[Skibane]

Depending on how the regenerative braking was balanced with the brakes in the MH, it could be possible to produce a lot of electrical power.

The dinghy vehicle could not only be used to brake itself, but could also contribute some braking ability to the motorhome towing it.

There's a lot of kinetic energy in a 30,000 pound motorhome rolling down the road at 75 MPH! :B

Naturally, this would be limited by the capabilities of the dinghy vehicle: Most regenerative braking systems fall back on conventional service brakes whenever the amount of braking required exceeds their ability to convert it all to electrical power.

[FWC]

It looks like flat towing and charging an EV is on the radar:
Ford patent on flat towed EVs

[Learjet]

the problem is if you are still turning the electric drive motor while going down the interstate that is not good for efficiency.

I was looking at towing my Nissan Leaf BEV, which is FWD only, with a tow dolly and haven't found any problems with that.

Yes you can use the normal park 50 amp for charging or just plug into a regular outlet. Yes, it will be slow using L1 (120V) charging...but its not like most people are driving around all day.

[ktmrfs]

when we were looking at hybrids NONE that we looked at (both mild hybrids and plug ins) allowed 4 down towing. ALL made it very clear that the car MUST be flatbed towed. Now we didn't look at all but we did look at many.

[Matt_Colie]

We do not have a Diesel Pusher, but I have queried a number of EV engineering people about both towing 4 down and activating the regenerative braking. Nobody ever laughed and threw the phone down, but I have never gotten anything like a positive response from a company that was actually making anything. One product engineer thought it sounded like a good idea, but it was not on their list of things to include.

Matt

[time2roll]

I have not given up on Bollinger yet.


FAQ:
When will you start production?
Production will start in late 2022.

Will the B1 and B2 be flat towable?
Yes, both will be flat towable.

https://bollingermotors.com/faqs/

[pianotuna]

time2roll wrote:
The only two I have read that can be towed four-down are Rivian and Bollinger.

Unfortunately Bollinger was a gigantic swindle. A lot of folks lost a LOT of money.

[time2roll]

Skibane wrote:
The OP asked about using regenerative braking, which only produces drag when the brakes are applied.

All EVs that I know apply some base regenerative braking anytime they are coasting. May vary with speed. Many EVs will increase the regeneration when the brakes are applied.

Would be great if a 4-down EV could engage regenerative braking only when activated by a trailer style brake controller.

[Skibane]

valhalla360 wrote:
Charging via towing would likely cost far more than paying for grid power. The MH would burn significant extra fuel to drag a car that is resisting being pulled.

The OP asked about using regenerative braking, which only produces drag when the brakes are applied.

[Dutch_12078]

jdc1 wrote:
A park would really frown on charging an EV. LOL. Maybe they could add a surcharge? No EV's are towable 4 down. The electric motors do not have a true neutral.

Some RV parks are not frowning...

KOA Campgrounds To Begin Installing EV Charging Stations

[time2roll]

The only two I have read that can be towed four-down are Rivian and Bollinger. Need to verify restrictions with the manufacturer before you place an order.

While technically any EV can be temporarily towed, it is not recommended and some may eventually turn off and set the brakes if left to idle too long with no driver. Charging while towing would be a fools errand anyway.

50 amp RV outlet (NEMA 14-50) is the most common connection to install Level 2 charging. Yes you will need a standard EVSE cord to plug the vehicle in but nothing extra. ALL EVs can easily be charged from a 50 amp RV power outlet.

[valhalla360]

Charging via towing would likely cost far more than paying for grid power. The MH would burn significant extra fuel to drag a car that is resisting being pulled. As far as I know, no EV has this capability and I wouldn't expect it in the future. It's way too small of a market.

Technologically, you can certainly plug into the pedestal. Depending on which outlet and the charger on the car, it will vary how fast it charges. If you offer the owner to pay extra for the electricity and unplug if the park grid is maxing out (hot summer weekend when breakers start popping), I wouldn't see any complaints from the owner. Try to sneak it and justifiably, you might wind up with an angry owner.

[jdc1]

A park would really frown on charging an EV. LOL. Maybe they could add a surcharge? No EV's are towable 4 down. The electric motors do not have a true neutral.