First Drive Towing Pebble Flow Electric RV

[@CNET]

Read more on CNET.com: I Towed Pebble's Electric-Assisted Camper Trailer. It Was Enlightening cnet.us/rf0

[@swolltron]

First time ive seen Antuan review a product, he's excellent!

[@Thunderbuck]

That third towing mode where the trailer provides some drag? That would be EXTREMELY useful descending long mountain down-grades. Not just recovering energy but taking some of the stress of regulating the descent speed with less stress on the tow vehicle drivetrain.

[@Ulbre]

And the assist going up the mountain would also be very useful.

[@AMPProf]

AHH YES ROBOTS IN THE TREES

[@dvandkq]

If you tow with a real truck, the truck will handle this all by itself. The problem with these trailers is that they will attract idiots who don't know anything about towing.

[@KevinRhoads]

Yeah I could hear the pebble engineers screaming when he failed to mention that the trailer could assist in descents.

[@JQXJQ]

I just subscribed to CNET on KZbin a few weeks ago and I’ve been loving all the hosts I’ve been seeing. More of this guy please! I’m not a car guy at all but I love seeing this new tech explained and presented in a compelling way.

[@zunedog31]

Look up Brian Cooley. He was a treasure.

[@benjaminlibertarianscorpio]

@@zunedog31 Brian Cooley is now the Editor at Large of CNET

[@zunedog31]

@benjaminlibertarianscorpio Yeah and does a couple articles a year. Miss that guy.

[@SuperLoomba]

@@zunedog31 Cooley was cool. You think he is still obsessed over HD Radio?

[@WhyInnovate]

See the solar panel on the roof makes sense, sitting for days will help the battery, plus you generally plug in anyways

[@PebbleLife]

Right on!

[@zero11010]

Drag regenerative breaking would probably be best used while moving downhill through mountains and whatnot. It’ll save the tow vehicle’s brakes WHILE generating power.

[@12vLife]

The price is a detail best left to those who need not inquire. Pass me the Grey Poupon.

[@bionic3]

Wow, nicely done Pebble! This is a nice product that is very usable and hits the glamping vibe. Bravo!!!

[@rushja]

This is the best innovation in EV for a long time. It can be adapted to all sorts of applications too like car/bike trailer, horse box etc. I don't like caravans but I could see me using this even at my house as a guest room. and at the price they're going for I'd want to be using it a lot!

[@JuliusPeoples]

5:00 why does the solar array not just charge continuously as needed rather then only while parked?

[@mcsike7264]

Bc while driving you use more energy than the solar can provide

[@WarrenParks]

@@mcsike7264 You use the solar panels to charge the battery not to run the car. I can use my phone while it's being charged. Why would this be different?

[@jeffnielson6158]

​@@WarrenParks I'd imagine the panels are generating power while in motion. However, the panels most likely won't generate as much power as what's used by the "assist" in the trailer, and definitely not near as much as the tow vehicle, so you'd still be losing power overall, just very, very slightly slower - probably unnoticeable. You might get about 3-5 miles of extra range out of it by the end of the day. For reference, I have 1200 watts on my travel trailer (100w more than the one in this video). It would take about two weeks to fully charge a smaller EV battery with it, assuming it was the middle of summer, weather is perfect, and I'm not using the energy for anything else. Panels are awesome for running all your necessities, but those EV batteries have massive capacity, and those vehicles use a lot of energy, very quickly. My panels charge my trailer battery while I travel, faster than my ICE truck does with its alternator. But it's not near enough power to run an EV.

[@Here2Enjoy-b8z]

@@jeffnielson6158i think the question was why not pass-through charge while using the trailer. Like a powerbank from Belkin cannot be charged while it's being used. But other powerbanks can be used while charging.

[@jeffnielson6158]

@@Here2Enjoy-b8z My answer would still be the same, as the original reply answers that aspect as well. The panels won't generate enough power to make a noticable difference. There's no reason it couldn't do "pass through charging", if the components were in place. That's pretty much how solar works, anyways. It feeds the battery when there's excess power from the panels, or the panels share the load with battery when the demand is higher than the panels can provide - which means the battery is still depleting even while the panels are supplying power. The trailer in this video most likely doesn't send power back to the tow vehicle. The only way it could, without modification, would be through the 7-pin trailer harness, which the wiring would only allow a couple amps of charge before melting the thin wire. And even then, you'd only be charging the 12v system of the EV, not its main battery pack. You would have to modify the system, or drive with an extension cord plugged in between trailer and tow vehicle to get any of that solar into the tow vehicle. In the end, as stated earlier, your benefit might be about 3-5 extra miles by the end of the day, towing a trailer. Is the cost of modification for "pass through charging" worth it?

[@Budnbuf]

Well presented. It was good to see the Rivian being "the puller", (the commentary was helpful in this respect.)

[@Nynex]

Looks fantastic, would love to rent one.

[@DannerBanks]

I'm super surprised that the RV doesn't connect to the car to get data on acceleration and deceleration and turning. Pretty interesting

[@sillvvasensei]

There are only a handful of software-defined vehicles at the moment, and no standards for data export, if they have any export at all. If and when it becomes a more common thing, I think it will catch on with RV makers too.

[@gtphani]

I don't think automakers will make this data available for external connections out of the box

[@allangibson8494]

There is a standard interface for brakes- the hard wired brake lights to the tow vehicle. More elegantly, you could measure the load on the tow bar.

[@markmeridian3360]

I noticed you didn't mention price. The Pebble Flow starts at $109,000 and goes up to the Founder's Edition at $175,000. That's insanely expensive, especially for a single axle trailer. A high-end 25-foot travel trailer costs less than $35,000. My father had a single-axle trailer that had a tire blow out at highway speed. The blowout caused the trailer to fishtail sending him and the family into the oncoming lane. They barely missed having a head-on collision. To this day, I won't pull a single axle trailer, I'll only own dual axle trailers.

[@Jmort93]

Cant wait to pick one of these up for $30k in 3 years

[@bossadave]

The Wards would love this.

[@ShawnMKouri]

AC Future is going to reveal an electric RV tomorrow as well. It’s tomorrow at 2 PM at both 10515

[@jeffreytischler6073]

The regenerative braking should be always on and work when slowing down or controlling speed on a hill. The battery will charge on average if the drive assist is turned off.

[@mitchc.9550]

I think the Regen mode might be intended for long downhills. Like when coming down from a ski hill or on the way back from the Rockies. Sure auto mode would probably do that but would rely on the tow vehicle braking to trigger trailer Regen. Gearing down on the tow vehicle might not be enough. Using trailer Regen might reduce tow vehicle braking load as well.

[@BIIIKES]

So, it can spin... Cool. What's the inside look like?

[@GetOutsideYourself]

Pretty cool. I would like to see some real-world range comparisons with EV's towing it in the various modes.

[@chandrachurniyogi8394]

considering the size of the Pebble Flow Electric towed camper could do with a tandem 4-wheel setup, instead of the existing 2-wheel . . . thus providing enhanced mobility . . .

[@richWitz]

Pretty cool rig. I don’t think campgrounds will be letting you replenish of the grid at their property though.

[@boomerbobable]

Not sure why they wouldn't let you plug in.Many camping trailers and RVs have lithium batteries that get charged up at the campsite. At 25A/50A, you won't be able to charge much if you're running AC/fridge, etc. anyway.

[@chiplarkin4069]

Why didn't they add a 50amp plug in that is the standard at every Rv park? Or is there a converter adapter?

[@dandroid761]

Anyone with a home EV charger can use 120 and 240 volt adapters to charge it. If you have a portable EV charger, you have the tools already to charge it at RV parks.

[@urbanstrencan]

Just too expensive for what it is, I don't think you get it back in efficiency and range of EV. But still love all the tech in it❤ Great video and review

[@dandroid761]

The idea is autonomous features and ease of use. Don’t think anyone is trying to make their money back. Lol

[@MatanMazursky]

What are the numbers for efficiency? Wh/mile at 55mph and faster

[@ellomirza]

Until a new standard Towing’s connection is made that lets the trailer and car talk to each other maybe pair the trailers computer to the your phone to use the gps and know where intersections, hills, curves are etc. and or mount a camera that looks for the brake lights.

[@danjamesking]

Why wouldn’t you show figures in assist and no assist mode for the range?

[@dandroid761]

1.4 kWh with no assist for Rivians and 1.82 kWh for when in assist mode. Take your usable battery pack size x those numbers.

[@you2be839]

Looks nice, but how many people actually buy a camper trailer just for a few days during summer vacations vs those that just rent?

[@valentinerontez627]

Will this connect to my Volkswagen cc?

[@ALMX5DP]

2:45 so it doesnt communicate with the tow vehicle at all? Seems disconcerting for it to try and judge the intent of what the driver wants to do without any information from the towing vehicle.

[@Here2Enjoy-b8z]

Especially at a stop and go traffic it might be dangerous. But obviously these techs might have thought about it. I don't think manufacturers would ever want to share that information of what the car want to do out from a towplug.

[@Luckyu2c]

They should have use a Tesla NACS plug inside. Since everyone is adopting that as the standard now in the US.

[@electechchannel3739]

Only 150k 😂😂

[@WhyInnovate]

That’s got to be the intro pricing

[@biocop]

That’s the Founder’s pricing. Base is $109,000

[@freelyroaming]

That's what airstream charges for a similarly size trailer.

[@Thunderbuck]

Gotta start somewhere. Most travel trailers are going to offer this in a decade and it will get cheaper as it scales.

[@Alley00Cat]

This is actually very reasonable for what it is. High end trailers are minimum that price, without all the fancy electric features.

[@WANDERER0070]

Nice, but those huge glass windows are bad idea unless its buletproof 😊

[@KaceyGreen]

I like the way this looks

[@KaceyGreen]

the concept, not that the styling isn't decent

[@AMPProf]

Yes but remember Itps a robot with a subscription fee

[@abbyceleste193]

Glass door on the toilet is a nice touch

[@daviduribe3111]

The glass turns opaque at the touch of a button.

[@netsiteing]

Need an offroad version of this

[@DivineDart]

This is great for campsites that have electric posts.

[@AMPProf]

yep it's also a robot,, ohh and it needs sat connections for Subscriptions .. Soooo ehhhhh

[@AMPProf]

maybe it's for florida

[@ianpatrick23]

Super exciting!

[@madcow3417]

There should be a 7 pin connector between the trailer and the vehicle for lights. That lets the trailer know at the very least when you're braking or in reverse. I hate to say it, but Apple-style vertical integration would allow one manufacturer to make an SUV/trailer combo that properly share battery power(DC-to-DC), signal vehicle intention, have an automatic drive-to-hitch mode...

[@dvandkq]

I like how all the windows rattle when he shuts the door. Just imagine what dragging it down the highway will do to it. A $300,000 trailer is laugh-out-loud funny!

[@jakekisiel7399]

Where is Bridget?

[@iamEddieP]

Been watching CNET for years Antuan still looks 18

[@jacobribakoff]

Can this be towed by my Nissan Leaf?

[@TomTom-cm2oq]

Why didn’t you mention the price???

[@jadenbright3854]

$110k, up to $179k....insane

[@mibox8302]

Is this the same pebble that made the smartwatch ?

[@Redmist.65]

Cool product. Will be great for some people.

[@ALMX5DP]

Did they mention the trailer weight? Seems large and potentially heavy for a single axle setup.

[@dandroid761]

6800 lbs GVWR loaded

[@ALMX5DP]

@ dang that is pretty heavy for a single axle.

[@dee4071]

Any ev camper vans in the making!

[@Ulbre]

Hopefully everyone who can't back a van will get one of these.

[@lanabyk8012]

How much it cost? $1,000,000?

[@asics1]

How much does it weigh?

[@AMPProf]

WRONG QUESTION Dave .. Rwal question is Did we fix Hal and is it still spooky

[@tamilrealtorgta]

Perfect match for my Rivian R1S.

[@roseknows702]

why have it powered with a motor? You just need a system to plug the battery in the trailer to car, of course this would need an extra system on the car but maybe this could be standard in new truck EVs

[@DeenaMilkers]

3:20 the fact that its sensing acceleration and assuming its the drivers intent is not always going to be a good thing

[@roxasbell]

Travel Trailer?

[@ellomirza]

Genius.

[@jonroberts3827]

This is a trailer ( Caravan) not an RV

[@gr8dvd]

Kinda is… tho ‘drive’ via app only in parking lot 😀

[@spirituallyinsane]

Camper trailers are considered RVs in the USA.

[@6ec6YRFPTcC]

It looks like a recreational vehicle to me 🤷‍♂️

[@seanpeine9258]

It better have a standard RV hook up for it.

[@GarudaLegends]

Why do i think i need this?

[@SurveYoung]

Why dint they show the inside of this big expensive piece

[@abc123fhdi]

This was reviewed some time ago now all the vloggers are reviewing it again, of course they are saying it's coming out soon but they said that last time, maybe this is a new prototype but doesn't seem that much different imo.

[@biocop]

This is the version that is being launched. Others were prototypes. It is being released this year.

[@abc123fhdi]

@@biocop I'll believe it when I see it, since California is effectively banning all ICE RVs.

[@chuckm260]

Welcome to the world of the never-ending road from prototype to production. It's an online content curators dream because it gives them more excuses to create articles for us to click on and for them to generate revenue. It's in essence, a game of clickbait with maybe a fraction of the articles having anything noteworthy to report.

[@SierraGolfNiner]

CCS rather than NACS is an interesting choice. Hopefully that's just a "its' what we had for development" and they'll change it for launch. It'd be a shame to launch any new "vehicle" today with CCS in the USA in 2025. Especially for one that's going to be as expensive as this RV will be.

[@biocop]

They are launching with ccs but it will have nacs in future releases. It’s explained in other videos.

[@josearias2671]

You’ll be screwed if you’re in the middle of nowhere in that refrigerator

[@carli2194]

NOT 4 SEASON. INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE 4 SEASON CAMPERS

[@ronthomas5273]

You intentionally avoided a detailed inside view/ layout. ☹️

[@aeromtb2468]

bigger than a car launch. over 20 vloggers are covering it.

[@AMPProf]

Robots, subscriptions, shiney, free doughnuts and coffeee

[@thomaskurien9139]

Why does the company use the same font as the company that once used to make watches, with the same name? Is it the same company?

[@AMPProf]

WELLL 2024. Micro chips are fancy Bet you could run an rv off of a Square Board size of my Glasses lense

[@vj.joseph]

Awesome

[@sinoevc]

This car is simply too handsome

[@AMPProf]

TILL IT CRIES AND NEEDS AN UPDATE

[@SB-ed4gz]

It's $175,000 on their website.... yeah no

[@Pdev0110]

Awesome trailer but the background music isn’t great. Can you guys please stop adding unnecessary music to videos?

[@AMPProf]

Yesright on

[@rayman301030]

Completely ripped off Lightship. Launched after them with an almost entirely similar concept. Didn’t hear it from me but there are photos of the founder you see on screen literally looking underneath the lightship prototype at their launch at SXSW months before they announced their existence.

[@fxd8674]

What is inside of it? seems kind of basic (amenities?) too expensive and fragile to take off road, looks like a no.. Put a 5000w Jackery in a regular travel trailer and is more than good for.

[@AA-kj4ic]

Make sure don't park it anywhere in San Francisco, all glass design is screaming for break in.

[@AMPProf]

bet it falls off the mountains in Napa area right around the Richer rich folks.. Need better Help these days..LOL

[@chuckm260]

Ahh, there's that wonderful California attitude where nothing else exists outside of that state.

[@mikewalker5618]

There's nothing inside, wtf, let's see the inside. Shower, kitchen,etc... It looks like a fancy box, tent, closet,etc...

[@danpatrick5944]

I miss, Cooley

[@soilsquirrelcornershop]

Why don't they just make it a stand alone vehicle

[@AMPProf]

Robots + Redneck +Backwoods

[@AMPProf]

PRICE 200000

[@EnhancedNutrition]

All that technology, still relying on caveman wheels😂😂😂

[@AMPProf]

THATS the Redundancy.. So you can Carve your own .. It's that DIY

[@jago09]

lemee guess, thenknly "revolutionary" thing about this is how overpriced it is to something aimilar in size 😂😂😂

[@AMPProf]

doodadds new ok Our new Thing is New soo new

[@Thatsme849]

let me guess... at least 100k?

[@Zee216]

Probably double that

[@AMPProf]

NOO IT'S 135,254usd.. I looked my brain said no

[@AMPProf]

NEW HORROR movie WHEN SUBSCRIPTIONS die In the Woods.. No sat connection.. Vroom vroom ROOOOOBOOTTTT

[@MarkMcghee-e8h]

Yeah use that on 2” gravel….ha ha

[@christopherwarsh]

When I heard they hired all kinds of expertise in anything but RVing or campers, I doubt this will actually be a good camper. But like all EV owners, they'll love it because they paid big $$ for the coolaid.

[@jogurcik13]

Oh a powerbank for soylents 😊

[@AMPProf]

actualy thats a real thing.. BUT soy tends to break down soo

[@georgecarousos6735]

A 6200 lb trailer with that much length on each side of the single axle will be a disaster for something like a Cherokee class vehicle. A perfect storm example would be hitting dips in the road at 70 mph with some crosswinds. Teeter totter city then jack knife. The solar panels are useless to recharge the battery bank unless have about 5 days of continuous sun. The reality is you'll be charging both the EV (if using one) and the trailer at charging stations, there is just no other efficient way about it. Ever try to get a EV vehicle towing a trailer into a charging station...fun times. Any trailer shaped like this is going to kill range, regardless if it is an IC motor or EV. There is just so much surface which causes drag. The idea that the unit is aerodynamically "slippery" is bunk. Smooth sides still have a ton of friction....ever wonder why a golf ball is not smooth but has dimples?

[@princemontgomery6759]

100k camper

[@TW---]

Off road?! Wtf? Do NOT take this off roading.

[@ThatsPety]

if they market this for camping, you have to get to the campsite.

[@TW---]

@@ThatsPety Marketing and actual use are 2 different things. This is only for people who travel on asphalt from one luxury campground to the next.

[@vj.joseph]

Selling only 1 pebble? 😂😂😂😅

[@TheSpainy]

Electric car problems

[@GamerbyDesign]

They should have gone with a real ev pickup like the silverado ev.

[@chuckm260]

Irrelevant.

[@R50_J0]

Host slams the door at the beginning of the video and the whole side of the trailer shakes. Not what I would want to spend $150K on, and as ugly as a Tesla Cybertruck.

[@AMPProf]

also try not getting Rednecked in that.. Robot

[@chuckm260]

​@@AMPProfwhat is with you and robots? Grow up!

[@josiahlehman1506]

So much glass means very inefficient heating and cooling, which also makes it much heavier than it needs to be. Hail will total it in one day! I wouldn't want this even if it was free. That much weight in batteries and glass means more energy to move it too! Say goodbye to gas mileage you'd be lucky to get 4mpg! If you're electric drive train be ready to only go 1/4 of your range in your electric vehicle at most!

[@toddsteele2141]

Nice dude but he doesn't understand how technology works. This is a technology article. He doesn't understand how the car and the tow communicate. This is a very simple answer. And to baffle people about this is to confuse them about why it's safe. Have somebody who understands this explain it. Obviously nobody at this news site understands.

[@AMPProf]

IT'S A ROBOT YALL. KEEP IT OUT OF OUR WAY