carbon fiber travel trailer

A lifestyle blog for carbon fiber enthusiasts.

The Worlds First all Carbon Fiber RV is Taking the Road

Now this is glamping if I’ve ever seen it. (Glamping = glamourous camping) The CR-1 Carbon travel trailer, a production-ready prototype RV trailer is made from a full carbon fiber monocoque chassis and body. Global Caravan Technologie s (GCT) is the proud manufacturer of the trailer, in conjunction with Indycar Series builder Dallara.  The CR-1 Carbon was first revealed on March 6, 2014 during a private gala at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway next to GCT’s R&D headquarters.

The worlds first all carbon fiber RV is a 35-foot long, tow-behind trailer and comes with the option for a variety of upgrades and awesome features. A fully-loaded CR-1 will cost you close to $770,000. Some of the upgraded features include full-height closets, walk-through master bath, 700-watt solar power system, integrated generator, run-flat tires and adjustable-tint privacy glass. As well as a custom leather wrapped ceiling, with private jet-type leather soft touch walls, and residential furnishings that are at the top end of luxury in the global RV industry. Not to mention you can operate the whole thing from your smartphone. The production version is estimated to start around $170,000.

Company CEO Charles Hoefer goes into more detail regarding the trailers luxury qualities,

“The CR-1 Carbon’s interiors walls are made of carbon fiber, and certain carbon fiber design elements are exposed throughout the unit. In the kitchen, the split configuration allows for expansive countertop space and an optional wine rack. Designer Kohler sinks and faucets are used throughout, as are premium tile selections. All cabinetry in the CR-1 Carbon utilizes premium residential hardware with soft-closing doors and drawers. In the bath suite, we wanted to take designs even further, and GCT’s CR-1 Carbon feels more like a luxury New York apartment than an RV. A full walk-through master bath suite divides the kitchen from the master bedroom. Private latrine enclosed by a residential door features a porcelain stool and large linen cabinet. The 36″ custom shower beautifully blends solid surface, designer tile, and carbon fiber. A stackable washer and dryer are also available, or can be substituted for added closet and storage space.”

GCT says the CR-1 should weigh in at 6,000 pounds, which is about half of the weight of current mass-market trailers. Which means the CR-1 should return 100-150% the fuel economy of competitors. They also say there are plenty of patents involved and underway. The production model will be shown in the fall, and sales will begin in the first quarter of 2015.

[Sources: Autoblog , Wired , GCT ]

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The Sonic-X Is the First “self-Sustainable” RV

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But what does that mean?

KZ Recreational Vehicles just introduced the Sonic X, described as “the industry’s first self-sustainable lightweight RV." Now, when I am not writing for TreeHugger, I am teaching sustainable design at the Ryerson School of Interior Design in Toronto, and one question I put on every final exam is “What is sustainable design?” I keep hoping that some day someone will give me an answer that makes sense – and I have no idea what “self-sustainable” means.

Bill McDonough has a standard joke about the word sustainable, once telling Andrew Michler at Inhabitat:

I think it’s a nice word because so many people can use it. But, nobody knows how to define it. That’s part of the issue, and that’s why we never use it. For example, if I say what’s your relationship to your wife? Do you say just say sustainable? Don’t you want more than that? Don’t you want creativity and fun and all these things? If we just sustain what we are doing now, then we’re all dead.

That is the root of the problem with this Sonic X. If we keep towing three-ton trailers behind giant pickups, we are all dead. Is this "sustainable" at all?

© KZ RV Sonic X Interior doesn't look so green, more beige

But they are trying. Making it out of carbon fibre is theoretically a plus; it will be much lighter and take less fuel in the pickup to tow it. The unit has “the same durability and lighter weight of some of the world’s fastest and most luxurious supercars. The lightness of the carbon fiber allows for greater versatility, as it can more easily navigate the confinements of a city as well as the great outdoors.”

But they left it in its original carbon black, which is not going to be comfortable in the sun. And the material itself is actually carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, layers of carbon fibre laid up in a plastic resin. Mark Harris of the Guardian calls it "the wonder material with a dirty secret." The fibre and the plastic cannot be separated and the material cannot be recycled. It may not even be legal to make luxurious supercars out of it in Europe soon, because of EU rules that state that 85% of a car must be reusable or recyclable. That’s not sustainable.

There are a thousand watts of solar panels on the top, and nine batteries of unspecified capacity that are said to provide “endless solar power.” There is also a "Secondary Infinite Water System (S.I.W.S) with a heavy-duty water pump, 25-foot hose and water filtration, which can be connected to fresh water sources such as a stream, river or lake and can store up to 100 gallons of water."

But judging from C.C. Weiss's photos at New Atlas , there is a standard RV toilet and blackwater tank which is not infinite, and has to be pumped out.

© KZ RV Sonic X Interior with Murphy Bed

KZ president Aram Koltookian says "the design is made to be mindful of the environment by using lightweight materials and clean, renewable energy sources to operate the RV." But there are two tanks of propane running the fridge and stove and probably hot water heater, meaning more fossil fuels.

So is it "self-sustainable"? Not if it needs propane and pump-outs. These could be beat with composting toilets, solar hot water heating and alcohol or induction stoves, but that might be a step too far. But it is a small step in the right direction.

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CR-1 Carbon RV Specs and Details

Notable cr-1 carbon standards:.

• All-carbon fiber construction for massive weight reduction and strength gain
• Bonded structure provides moisture block and superior product lifespan
• Custom luxury automotive designed exterior lighting
• Carbon fiber entry door and exterior doors with marine hardware
• High-design interior fusing leather and carbon fiber styling in impeccable luxury
• Large rear entertainment/lounge area doubles as workstation
• Walk-through master bath with custom features
• Flush-body design for enhanced towing, better clearance and maneuverability

Read More :

• Discover The Best Bunkhouse Travel Trailers Under 5,000 lbs For Your Next Adventure
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• What Travel Trailers Are The Best

Notable CR-1 Carbon Options:

• Smart control iOS/Android/PC software platform manages all system control functions
• Smart control adjustable-tint privacy glass in front, rear, and bedroom ceiling
• Up to 700W equivalent solar system with 300AH 5-year warranty AGM batteries
• Integrated generator
• Washer and dryer
• Run-flat tires for improved highway towing safety
• Second awning on off-door side of unit
• Satellite TV and wi-fi router

Related posts:

• The 6 Best Travel Trailers Under 6000 lbs.
• The 15 Best Vans to Live in For Full Time Vanlife

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Carbon fiber recreational vehicles

Herman RVs represents high quality and innovative products in caravanning industry. Our philosophy is to produce extremely light and durable carbon fiber shell with advance design lines from outside and spacious, functionality solutions from inside, by use of natural environmentally-friendly materials.

A collection of caravans we develop and produce with a passion for adventure and life. You can choose between two different, technologically and design-perfect models, Royal Sport and Spartacus.

TECHNOLOGY & INOVATIONS

Our advantage over the competition is very compact and extreme light shell. To achieve this we produce our own 30 and 50mm carbon fiber sandwich panels with aluminium reinforcment on inside and outside, which forms the main strength. Where is necesarry we use special rott-free PS profiles.

As well as the exterior, the interior is also very important, and because of this we use balsa plywood to produce lightest and durable furniture. In addition, we also use real wood veneer, to achieve the best quality of product and also healthy living environment.

One piece roof, is also one of very important part of our vehicles. Roof is design to cover both vertical walls, rear end and front alcoven, so we eliminated the possibility of leaking.

To be the best in the industry, you have to be innovative, so we create second bedroom. Second bedroom is innovative solution, which is attached on top of the roof on our recreational vehicles. With this solution we create spacious interior for 4 or 6 person on board.

Herman RVs represents high quality and innovative products in caravanning industry. Our philosophy is to produce extremely light and durable carbon fiber shell with advance design lines from outside and spacious, functionality solutions from inside, by use of natural environmentally-friendly materials. A collection of caravans we develop and produce with a passion for adventure and life. You can choose between two different, technologically and design-perfect models, Royal Sport and Spartacus.

E: [email protected] T: +386 41 576 530

These Overlanding Trailers Are Light Enough to Tow With a Motorcycle

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Light, agile, and feature-rich, the Earth Traveler Teardrop Trailers are perfect for overland adventures.

Earth Traveler lightweight overlanding trailers ( Earth Traveler T250LX and Earth Traveler T300 ) are perfect examples of the higher level of overlanding accommodations ready to make your dreams of overland adventure come true.

These trailers offer exceptional build quality, and smaller vehicles can easily tow them. They’re expandable with pop-up tops and tents to provide room for up to four people and are manufactured using high-tech materials, including a sustainable bioplastic.

Earth Traveler is relatively new to the overland teardrop trailer market. It was born in 2014 on a family summer camping trip from the imagination of company founder and designer Angel R. Irlanda.

Irlanda was using a Fiat 500 for transportation and a ground tent as the family’s only shelter. It didn’t go well: The tent was too hot during the day, and high winds flattened the tent at night.

That’s when Irlanda began looking for a camping trailer big enough to accommodate the entire family and light enough to safely tow with his compact car.

Earth Traveler Lightweight Overlanding Trailer Genesis

The search for that “perfect” overlanding trailer immediately became frustrating. Almost everything Irlanda looked at was either too heavy or would not sleep four. So, he decided to design his own trailer.

The criteria were simple. The new teardrop trailer must have a curb weight of fewer than 450 pounds, accommodate four people, and have as low a center of gravity as possible for stability during towing.

In addition, Irlanda decided to incorporate storage space into the trailer floor to maximize interior space. The prototype hit all these objectives and garnered requests from friends for more. At that point in 2017, Irlanda decided to turn his concept into a business.

Earth Traveler T250LX Teardrop Trailer

By the end of 2019, Earth Traveler was in production with its first lightweight overlanding trailer. The T250LX is a one-piece teardrop trailer made from 100% Kevlar carbon fiber, a weave of Kevlar fabric and carbon fiber. The company refers to it as “an absurdly strong and lightweight unit.”

A layer of Core-Cell (a structural sandwich core material) keeps weight low while increasing the strength and insulation of composite components. The combination is corrosion-resistant, low-maintenance, and fire-resistant/nonflammable.

Underneath the Earth Traveler T250LX lies a Timbren axle-less suspension assisted by SuperSprings’ SumoSprings Trailer Helpers. The combination provides the Earth Traveler T250LX with a 1,200-pound weight rating and an exceptionally smooth and well-controlled ride quality.

One of the most important aspects of the Earth Traveler overlanding trailers is their combination of hard-sided teardrop and pop-up tent trailer design. It allows them to offer an expansive interior space once parked, set up, and made ready for camping.

The Earth Traveler T250LX measures 5 x 5 x 11 feet closed. When fully opened, it grows to 11 x 7 x 11 feet in size.

Major features worth noting on the Earth Traveler T250LX are pop-up roofs (front and rear) and front and rear tents. It comes standard with two 28 x 28-inch deployable side doors with tents and two 28 x 21-inch vented side windows. Also included are two 3 x 6-foot custom cots as well as two 72 x 24 x 4-inch outdoor lounge cushions.

The Earth Traveler T250LX overlanding teardrop trailer also comes with DOT-approved running lights as well as five interior battery-operated LED lights. Tires and wheels are Taskmaster 4.80R12 radials mounted up to 12-inch wheels with a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. A spare tire is included.

Earth Traveler T300 Teardrop Trailer

The Earth Traveler T300 teardrop overlanding trailer is the company’s second offering. Its next-level design includes some traditional trailer construction materials, as well as a nontraditional construction concept.

Its shell is made of wood and fiberglass, materials many teardrop trailers commonly use. The Earth Traveler also uses Kevlar carbon fiber like the T250LX . Then Irlanda went one step further.

He worked with the Los Alamos National Laboratory to develop a unique substitute material for the nonstructural elements of the Earth Traveler T300 teardrop trailer. Using resin-reinforced bird feathers as part of the shell structure provides the Earth Traveler T300 teardrop trailer with a lightweight and cost-effective construction material with a high-insulation value. It’s also a sustainable bioplastic alternative to Core-Cell.

Like the T250LX, the T300 teardrop trailer rides on a Timbren axle-less suspension beefed up with SumoSprings Trailer Helpers. The Earth Traveler T300 shares the same smooth and stable ride quality as its lighter and more expensive younger brother. (The T300 starts at 300 pounds, and the T250LX weighs 250 pounds.)

The Earth Traveler T300 overlanding teardrop trailer’s suspension setup also offers a 1,200-pound weight rating.

Much of the Earth Traveler T300 specifications are the same as those of the T250LX . They share exterior dimensions. Add-ons for the T300 teardrop trailer also include front and rear pop-up roofs. But the T300 features a front mosquito mesh.

The Earth Traveler T300 comes standard with two 72 x 21 x 4-inch outdoor lounge cushions, DOT-approved running lights, and five battery-operated interior LED lights.

The semi-modular design of the Earth Traveler teardrop trailers enables owners to easily convert them to cargo-hauling utility trailers.

Owners can outfit the trailers with extras to best suit the size and towing capacities of their vehicles. You can even tow the Earth Traveler teardrops behind a motorcycle (although that sounds terrifying).

Extremely lightweight and clever design tweaks make the Earth Traveler T250LX and T300 teardrop overlanding trailers extremely versatile options for travelers.  If you’re looking to take your home on the road but don’t have a large vehicle, these teardrops are worth a look.

Check T250LX Price at Earth Traveler Check T300 Price at Earth Traveler

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Carbon Fiber Truck Camper Build: The Titan Expedition Vehicle

Eric Davis designed and built a remarkably innovative hard side pop-up truck camper out of Owens Corning insulation panels, minimal aluminum framing, epoxy resin, carbon fiber and kevlar.  Yes, you read that right.

We have often been asked why the truck camper industry doesn’t build truck campers out of carbon fiber.  After all, carbon fiber is exceptionally strong and exceptionally light.  In theory, a manufacturer could build a truck camper shell and/or structure at a fraction of the weight of current construction techniques.

Above: Eric Davis’s innovative hard side pop-up carbon fiber truck camper

So why don’t the manufacturers use carbon fiber?  The simple answer is cost.  As a material, carbon fiber is extremely expensive.  It’s also not a material that’s easily adapted to an existing RV production environment.  It would require a significant production rethink.

Put those two realities together and carbon fiber isn’t even on the drawing boards at the major truck camper manufacturers.  While all of them have explored the concept of using carbon fiber, and a scant few have experimented with various incarnations of the material, none actually use it.

Well, that’s not exactly accurate.  There is one company that uses carbon fiber in a very specific application in one part of their camper build, but we are not at liberty to divulge which company, and what they use it for.  It’s considered a trade secret.

A few weeks ago we came across a multi-part video series by Eric Davis detailing the build of a pop-up truck camper.  The first thing that caught my attention was his use of 2-inch thick Ownings Corning “Pink Panther” insulation panels (see the video above).  Eric literally cut and assembled the core of his hard side pop-up using this rigid insulation material.

Then Eric used hand-laid carbon fiber to add incredible strength to his design.  In the video above, Eric shows exactly how strong the carbon fiber is.  Eric’s unique approach to carbon fiber for building a truck camper might spark a renewed appreciation for this remarkable material.

Eric also has an interesting design concept for a hard side pop-up that should send eyebrows rising around the world.  For a complete walk through of Eric’s design, watch the video below.

It’s too bad we somehow missed Eric’s video series when it debuted nearly a decade ago.  It would have been fun to cover his build and see his camper in person.  Better late than never.  Thank you, Eric!

Click here to see Eric’s entire series on his Titan Expedition Vehicle .

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