People looking for off-grid adventures now have plenty of options to choose from in terms of travel and living spaces, from lightweight trailers and camper vans to high-end RVs. Small teardrop trailers still remain a solid choice among those in search of a practical personal space to travel with.
One such portable private space for weekend-long getaways is offered by Polydrops. A new and improved iteration of their successful P17 electric camper trailer is now available.
It’s called Polydrops P17A1 and is not just a camping trailer but more of a high-end, energy-efficient portable room designed for electric vehicles to take with you everywhere you go. Be warned, though, if you prefer luxury and ample space while on the road, the Polydrop might not be your cup of tea.
The first lightweight Polydrop trailer was revealed by founders and designers Kyunghyun Lew and Jieun Chai in March 2019, and several other iterations have followed in the subsequent years, including the off-road Polydrops P17X Explorer and the off-grid P17A.
Now, the California-based team returns with a more high-end multi-purpose mobile room designed to be towed by any vehicle, including EVs. The new P17A1 All Electric model draws on the design of the original P17, but adds a more streamlined aerodynamic shape, advanced energy efficiency, and an enhanced interior space.
Photo: Polydrops
The designers achieved the functional aerodynamic shape of the P17A1 All Electric through Computational Fluid Dynamics. They simulated countless different variations before reaching the final design, which features a geometrical form with straight lines, a leading edge on the front, a full flat Aero underbody with vertical fins, vortex generators, as well as a rear spoiler. All these elements are crucial to reducing aero drag on the move for better road trip experiences with EVs.
Kyunghyun Lew and Jieun Chai designed the new trailer with energy efficiency in mind. “Generally, people who tow a teardrop trailer with an electric vehicle report that even driving at 55 mph will lose nearly half of the range, letting down people to utilize their EVs for road trip,” they explain.
After two years of testing with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the P17A1 All Electric managed to travel up to 215 miles (346 kilometers) at a constant speed of 65 mph (105 kph). The Ioniq 5 towing a Polydrops P17A1 would only lose around 15% of its total range at this speed. But if it travels at 55 mph (88 kph), the EV doesn’t lose range at all, which is a great result compared to other similarly sized trailers.
Photo: Polydrops
Featuring a sleek angular frame made of aluminum, the base P17A1 comes equipped with a 4.8kWh LiFePO4 battery pack, 260W solar panels, as well as a refined inverter/charger system as standard. This system comes quite in handy when planning a longer off-road trip. Conserving energy is essential if you plan to tow the Polydrop using an electric vehicle.
The design of the P17A1 draws on the principles of passive house, which include high levels of heat resistance, airtight construction, and high-performance windows to deliver optimal electric and thermal performance. Under the aluminum skin, the new Polydrop features up to 8.7-inch of rigid insulation, which helps minimize energy loss and enables HVAC systems to run for longer with limited energy consumption.
The integrated battery-powered climate control prepares the small trailer to face even the most unexpected weather conditions. As such, owners will be able to enjoy prolonged off-grid adventures even in freezing cold weather in a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.
Photo: Polydrops
In terms of interior design, the P17A1 takes the form of a space capsule offering inhabitants safety and comfort. Three cubby holes act as storage space for your gear, and there is also a foldable desk if you need to work on the go. Bluetooth speakers and a 110V outlet are installed as standard. The cabin is equipped with an easily-accessible control panel that controls the HVAC system, vent fan, Bluetooth speakers, and monitors the electrical system.
There is also an all-electric mobile kitchen located at the rear of the teardrop trailer. It includes a pull-out induction stove, sink, Dometic fridge, storage drawer, and a large cooking counter.
The new Polydrops P17A1 All Electric starts at $30,590 for the base model. Prospective buyers can opt for a solar panel upgrade to a total of 520 W for $800 and a battery upgrade to 9.6kWh for $3,200.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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