Ultralight carbon teardrop utility camper tows through EV or bike

Carbon fiber is the kind of materials we would like to see extra of in camper design, however we often solely see it on massive, terribly costly luxurious camper rigs just like the Earthroamer XV-LTi or Darc Mono. Washington startup Carbon Lite Trailers is seeking to convey carbon building to the tiny finish of the spectrum, utilizing it to create a easy utility-cum-camping teardrop so light-weight it may be pulled by a motorbike in addition to a humble electrical automobile. Known as the Rift, the trailer simply shifts between cargo hauling and tenting through a light-weight detachable galley wall, providing seven-day-a-week utility. Crisp edges, gullwing doorways, shiny gelcoat carbon fiber and placing graphics mix to create a trailer that appears straight out of the motorsport market and rides prefer it is not even within the rear-view.

A household enterprise began up by seemingly simply the suitable household, Carbon Lite was based by Chris Durham. Trying to construct on his 35 years of expertise in product design and manufacturing within the aerospace, automotive and motion sports activities segments, Durham set his sights on disrupting the tenting trailer market with a brand new breed of ultralight trailer. He did not should look far for good assist, bringing on his spouse Nancy, a enterprise and finance guru, and his son Matthew, who introduced alongside 20 years of composite manufacturing know-how of his personal.

We have seen some light-weight trailers earlier than, together with the chicken-feather-composite Earth Traveler T300 that now lists at 400 lb (181 kg) and the 500-lb (227-kg) German-built Kleox Shelter, so now we have to take challenge with Carbon Lite’s declare that its trailer is half the burden of the closest competitor (the Kleox is not its competitors, however the US-built Earth Traveler is). Nonetheless, Carbon Lite’s Rift could be very mild, with a base weight that is available in at 450 lb (204 lb) for the fundamental road-going mannequin or 660 lb (300 kg) for the extra absolutely geared up and rugged variant.

Carbon Lite

That mild dry weight is not any coincidence, in fact, owing primarily to Carbon Lite’s particular components of pre-impregnated fiberglass and carbon fiber. It is crafted a monocoque for a signature mix of low weight, excessive energy and long-lasting sturdiness. The roof, sidewall and ground panels all embody foam core insulation.

Like another conventional teardrop, the Rift has a sleeper inside and a rear galley separated by a wall. This explicit sub-10-lb (4.5-kg) wall removes relatively simply, nonetheless, turning the teardrop camper right into a utility trailer with easy-loading tailgate hatch.

A teardrop is not fairly as ideally suited as a flatbed or field relating to hauling issues behind the car, however the Rift’s open inside ought to have the ability to deal with residence enchancment provides, instruments, refuse and extra. We suppose homeowners will wish to watch out to not load it up with something too soiled or pungent, in order to not taint their weekend tenting expertise, however the dual-use design helps make sure the trailer spends extra time incomes its preserve and fewer time sitting idly in a storage or underneath a tarp.

The Rift’s carbon monocoque comes coupled to a powder-coated aluminum chassis for additional weight financial savings. A 1,200-lb (544-kg) Timbren Axle-Much less suspension cushions the 15-in aluminum wheels.

Carbon Lite

Saving weight within the strictest sense additionally means paring down customary tools. So the base-level US$29,000 Rift Utility Camper comes as a largely empty shell with just a few important add-ons thrown in to get the customer out adventuring with much less fuss. A pair of Yakima crossbars provides built-in gear-carrying; a roof hatch retains the inside respiratory; a GoalZero Yeti 150 serves as a 14-Ah onboard energy provide; and a Sub Z cooler supplies chilly meals & bev storage. There’s additionally inside and exterior lighting. Instead of the mounted or folding foam mattress widespread in teardrops, Carbon Lite goes mild and easy as soon as once more with an inflatable double. Homeowners can retailer their very own cooking gear and dishes within the galley and have a road-trip-worthy trailer able to go.

These in search of a dirt-ready Rift construct with extra tools can slide upmarket to the $39K 660-lb (300-kg) Rift Journey Trailer. Experience upgrades embody a 2,000-lb (907-kg) Timbren suspension, off-road tires, working boards with carbon inserts, and a protecting nerf bar across the edges. This variant comes with a fridge, slide-out range and sink within the galley, an influence pack improve, and a folding mattress/couch. A entrance cargo field can also be accessible and melds fairly seamlessly with the tear physique.

Carbon Lite

Carbon fiber building is not low cost, even once you shrink it all the way down to teardrop measurement. These in search of a extra semi-budget choice can do their their very own ending with the $19,000 End it Your self mannequin, which incorporates the physique and chassis, suspension, wheels and tires, roof hatch, doorways and home windows.

Whereas all these costs are actually intimidating for a small, primary teardrop trailer, we do like seeing somebody experimenting with carbon fiber tiny camper design. As increasingly more automobiles go electrical, discovering methods to lighten tow masses goes to be vital.

After transferring into a brand new bigger manufacturing facility, Carbon Lite introduced Rift availability on Tuesday. Extra data is accessible on the web site linked under.

Supply: Carbon Lite