The Airstream Basecamp Xe has a built-in battery pack, but it does not power the wheels.
- Airstream's initial production electric camper trailer features a 10.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack.
- Unlike the much larger and more expensive Lightship RV, this trailer does not have powered wheels.
- The Airstream's battery powers all the onboard appliances.
Airstream, the renowned manufacturer of aluminium travel trailers, has made its foray into the electric age with the launch of the Basecamp Xe. Building on the foundation of the standard Basecamp model, the Xe incorporates a battery pack and a collection of solar panels on the roof to power all the amenities within.
In 2022, it had a large 80-kilowatt-hour battery pack and was capable of assisting the towing vehicle while in motion.
The Basecamp Xe is not that. Its 10.3 kWh lithium battery pack provides energy to a fully inverted 30-amp electrical system, which includes 600 watts of solar panels (expandable to 900 W) and a 3000 W inverter. For backup, there's a 20-pound propane tank that can be used to heat water or the trailer itself, thanks to the Truma Combi Eco Plus System which can use electricity, propane, or both to produce heat.
More Electric Camping
- A $175,000 luxury camper trailer that can charge your electric vehicle is currently in development.
- The "Living Vehicle" is a self-sufficient camper with a retractable outdoor patio deck.
- Lightship's Self-Propelled Electric RV Trailer Is Entering Mass Production, But Don't Expect a Low Price Tag
- Thor's New Extended Range RV Packs Off-Grid Power For Days, 500 Miles Of Endurance
The trailer is 20 feet long, has one axle, and can accommodate up to four people in a designated sleeping area at the rear. The front dinette can also be converted into additional sleeping space. The trailer features a wet bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet, and a removable induction stove for cooking. Optional features include a composting toilet, a microwave, and an air conditioner. The heater is also available as an optional feature.
There is no information available on how long it will take to drain the battery, which is reasonable since it depends on the power consumption of the appliances being used. Assuming the maximum 3 kW inverter is used, a fully charged battery should be sufficient for approximately three hours of operation, although this is an extreme scenario. In more typical circumstances, with moderate temperatures, a full battery should last for a day or two while camping.
The Airstream Basecamp Xe begins at $76,900. This is about $6,000 more than a brand-new Lucid Air sedan, a luxury electric vehicle that can move on its own. Although it would be quite uncomfortable to camp in a car like the Air, the Basecamp Xe is also $22,000 more expensive than the regular, non-electric Basecamp travel trailer.
Is it worth it? Let's do some math, just for the fun of it. For the starting price of Airstream's electric camping trailer, you could stay 384 nights in hotels that cost $200 per night. If you have 30 days of vacation per year, it would take nearly 13 years to spend $76,900 on accommodations.
They also sell camping trailers that cost more than $200,000. People do buy them, and while you could certainly enjoy a hotel's comforts for less, you can't park a hotel room next to a serene river flowing through a secluded mountain pass.