The new Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition camping trailer wants to revolutionize the recreation industry. The idea is to have an aerodynamic travel trailer with a telescoping roof that is self-propelled. The trailer has its own electric motor, battery, redundant sensors, and control logic in order to make this nearly 8,000 lbs trailer seem weightless to the towing vehicle. In fact, the 77 kWh onboard battery could propel the AE.1 and be weightless for up to 300 miles of highway travel, according to Lightship.
When the AE.1 (which stands for Aero-Electric 1) is in its “road” configuration, the roof height is at about 6’11”. This includes the 1.8 kW of integrated solar panels. This means this trailer could technically fit under a standard 7-foot garage door height. The overall shape of the trailer prioritizes aerodynamics. It has a coefficient of drag that is similar to that of a Tesla sedan.
When expanded into its camping mode, it offers a large full height door and a tall ceiling on the inside. I am 6’3” tall, and the interior of this camper felt roomy to me. This includes the ceiling height of the shower that is in the rear of the trailer. This trailer can be fully controlled from a remote tablet or a phone app. It uses a heat pump for its interior climate control (it has no bulky roof-mounted air conditioners). The driver or a person in the towing vehicle can monitor the cameras mounted on the side and in the back of the trailer while moving.
It has a front bed, a dinette, a kitchen, a dishwasher, and a sizable fridge. This trailer does not have provisions for propane or any gasoline or diesel. It simply doesn’t need those traditional fuel for cooling, heating, or cooking.
These camping trailers begin their production in Broomfield, Colorado. You can check with Lightship and reserve a Cosmos Edition or another production model. The Cosmos Edition has a $7,500 deposit and a total optioned cost of $250,000.
Please join us in the TFL Talkin’ Trucks podcast video below for all of the details.
