At last, a way to increase the tow capacity of any vehicle!

[Groover]

This German company is building a prototype self propelling trailer. It will be interesting to see how much the feature costs and how well it works. The prototype is being built with a massive battery, something much smaller and less expensive might to the job. The biggest challenge I see is that it would work better with a good interface with the truck computer and I suspect that getting one will be challenging though XL Hybrids seems to have developed a pretty good one for their use. Having another powered axle would really help when trying to get a heavy trailer moving.

https://newatlas.com/dethleffs-electric-coco-caravan/56056/

[parker_rowe]

Rvpapa wrote:
Real exciting moments - - - trailer sway with a powered trailer for that extra swing.
Art.

Well, not sure about you but when I start swaying I ease my foot off the gas!
I have to assume the electric motors are link to your throttle via the TPS or computer output, similar to your brake controller.

And if the electric motors go into regen braking when you chop the throttle, it would actually stop sway quicker.

But I could definitely seem some handling problems crop up as they test this new idea.

[Rvpapa]

Real exciting moments - - - trailer sway with a powered trailer for that extra swing.
Art.

[valhalla360]

I would have to see what systems they have in place but I could see some really quirky handling problems showing up.

But since tow capacity also includes braking, turning and other issues and they don't give price info...I'm thinking it's a long way from viable.

Also if you add 1500lb for the system to a 3000lb GVW trailer...did you just eat up the tow ratings you added?

[parker_rowe]

Increasing tow capacity might be misleading, but I can see the benefits.

Imagine how much easier that gasser 2500 would go up a hill with an extra 380ft lbs of torque from the trailer. And the gains in fuel economy towing. Plus the off grid benefits of having a camper already designed to carry and charge a 80kw battery bank.

Instead of an increase in CAPABILITY, look at it as an increase in PERFORMANCE while towing.

I'm sure the price will be high for early adopters, but to entirely dismiss the benefits would be silly. I'm glad to hear someone is investigating this idea. Sounds interesting.

[N-Trouble]

Pretty dumb/misleading title...

If your primary TV is a car, minivan, or SUV take that $$ and buy a REAL tow vehicle

[time2roll]

Not sure on the added towing capability in USA rated vehicles but an 80 kWh battery along with a few solar panels would be fantastic for off-grid camping.

[Groover]

Ivylog wrote:
Not sure why you think it will increase the tow capacity in the US..:it’s not a lack of power, it’s the weight that gets maxed out.

I think that it would be more accurate to say that most vehicles with their maximum tow package get maxed out on the weight. A lot of pickups don't have maximum tow package and are drive train restricted. I believe that a lot of SUVs, minivans and even cars would fall into that category. All of these would benefit from having a trailer that puts less strain on the tow vehicle. An F150 with the base engine set up for fuel economy might be able to tow a decent sized trailer with this package. People who buy 4wd for trailer towing might decide that might decide that having a driven trailer axle would serve the same purpose and return a lot better fuel economy while doing it. The $4000 savings for 4wd would go a long way towards paying for this feature. I agree that it is not a cure-all but if affordable it could help a lot of people. The key is going to be price but costs in this field are falling rapidly.

[gbopp]

Maybe it makes sense in Europe where the tow vehicles are generally smaller?
Being able to maneuver under its own power while parking and function as a home energy backup unit is interesting.

[rjstractor]

I don't think it would fly here, since our tow vehicles have more than enough power to easily tow their ratings. In Europe, where they typically use smaller less powerful vehicles to tow what they call "caravans" this might have a market. However, for the added expense of the battery propulsion system I imagine most would just opt for a bigger, more powerful tow vehicle.

[jmtandem]

"At last, a way to increase the tow capacity of any vehicle!"

I don't understand how this trailer would increase the tow vehicle's capacity as determined by the manufacturer. Maybe you could explain this better.

[Ivylog]

Not sure why you think it will increase the tow capacity in the US..:it’s not a lack of power, it’s the weight that gets maxed out.

[Bobbo]

Groover wrote:
This German company is building a prototype self propelling trailer. It will be interesting to see how much the feature costs and how well it works. The prototype is being built with a massive battery, something much smaller and less expensive might to the job. The biggest challenge I see is that it would work better with a good interface with the truck computer and I suspect that getting one will be challenging though XL Hybrids seems to have developed a pretty good one for their use. Having another powered axle would really help when trying to get a heavy trailer moving.

https://newatlas.com/dethleffs-electric-coco-caravan/56056/

Clicky