Community Forums

Scarab0088 · 12-08-2014, 02:27 PM

What do you think the public response would be to the availability of a mid-sized travel trailer that can be towed by a car/minivan/light pick-up?

Many of us have seen it being tried (not too safe), but a German Company, Knaus Tabbert has started R&D (looks to be from 2011) on a drive system that would allow a light vehicle to tow a larger TT.

Using electric drive with regenerative braking on the trailer axles, Tabbert is looking to make this happen...and the drive batteries double as house power batteries once at the destination.

See an animated overview (In German):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3bseFsAQFU

Or in english, about half way through this video of the Dusseldorf RV Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=010B4wsXlxk

I say - build it in the USA and there will be a whole new segment of RV'ers joining the fun!

Safe travels

dagmandt · 12-09-2014, 09:24 AM

I'd say the problem isn't how to provide assisted power, but how do you stop it well? What about windy conditions? Evasive maneuvers? Not so good with a small vehicle towing a trailer.

Scarab0088 · 12-09-2014, 09:40 AM

Regenerative braking works just like a hybrid car...the motors become generators under a low braking load - then standard brakes apply to bring the TT to a full stop.

And the video shows that Tabbert is working to make the regen act as stability control with differential braking on turns and curves.

The size of your tow vehicle does not impact the TT with cross winds...have seen videos of TT's rolling over while connected to full sized trucks

I would not be concerned about evasive maneuvers if the hitch connection had a well designed sway control device...linking the car and TT. It is obviously not as good as towing with a heavy duty Tow Vehicle, but is much better than towing a standard 7000lb TT with a minivan.

Might even make it a little safer to tow a large TT with a half-ton pick-up

dagmandt · 12-09-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

I would not be concerned about evasive maneuvers if the hitch connection had a well designed sway control device...linking the car and TT.

I would be very concerned. The biggest worry is control, and hitches only do so much. You need a substantial tow vehicle to safely tow a trailer that has a decent amount of weight to it. Trailer brakes only do so much and then it is up to the tow vehicle to do the rest as the weight shifts to the tow vehicle front axle.

I like the idea of the assist as a fuel saver and as a means to reduce wear and tear on an appropriately sized tow vehicle. Just not as a crutch to enable an improper tow vehicle.

TDI-Minnie · 12-09-2014, 10:42 AM

You don't need all that crazy stuff in a TT. The Autobahn is packed with small TTs being pulled by sedans and small SUVs. Other than going kinda slow, they work perfectly fine. They have been doing this for decades.

They would do just as well here. You just need to find the right trailer and customer. So those light euro-campers need to get through some D.O.T. approval and find a market niche.